As part of our autumn road trip from BC to Ontario, we spent an enriching two days in Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park in southern Alberta. So glad we did!
The park is a part of the Badlands, where sandstone mountains have been carved by wind and water for centuries, creating weird and wonderful shapes and designs on the landscape. We were speechless and awestruck as we walked the well marked trails through this place of unequalled beauty.
The park derives its name from the many petroglyphs in the area, and contains the greatest concentration of rock art on the North American Great Plains. It is important and sacred to the Blackfoot and many other aboriginal tribes and has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Access to the petroglyphs is restricted and we grabbed the opportunity for a guided tour of the area with a Blackfoot leader. Unfortunately, in the past, the petroglyphs have been marred by individuals who carved their initials among them so the restrictions are understandable to preserve this rich heritage.
Apart from the wonder of the petroglyphs, the incredible formations that nature has given us in the sandstone is reason enough to visit. And for photographers, it is as good as it gets.














Of Interest to Photographers
As I explored the park, I couldn’t help thinking how perfect this place is for photographers, with so much in the way of textures, shapes and lines. The temptation is to go for the grand landscape with all its impressive features but there is also much to be found in the quiet corners.

I was sure to carry a tripod with me here. A number of times I needed a long exposure and for some others, I made HDR photos. But the thing I enjoyed the most was studying the shapes before me and incorporating them into my compositions.
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Who ever called them ‘Bad Lands” wasn’t a photographer, that’s for sure! What a place…great images!
I’m with you, Chris! Let’s rename them Good Lands!
I agree with Chris – they are good lands for photographers! Thanks for sharing these very cool pics of a neat place. One of these days, I’ll get there…
Hi Brenda, Yes, I hope you do go there, you would definitely love it.