GALLERY: Ranching history comes to life at Bar U

Tales are told around the campfire at the round-up camp.
A sculpture at the entrance to the Bar U Ranch depicts former owner George Lane being attacked by wolves.
Thirty-five historic structures can be found on the grounds of the Bar U Ranch.
Horse-drawn wagon rides are offered every 20 minutes.
Percherons were an instrumental part of the operations at the Bar U Ranch.
The resident bison at Bar U Ranch.
The Bar U Ranch even had its own post office.
The blacksmith shop as it would have looked more than a century ago.
Cowboy skills were a necessity at the Bar U Ranch.
The ranch had a close working relationship with the Stoney Nakoda.
The Bar U Ranch is home to much history.

The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site south of Longview provides a firsthand look at ranching life in the late 1800s. 

The 367-acre site operated by Parks Canada includes 35 historic structures from one of the first corporate ranches established in southern Alberta. 

Founded in 1882, the ranch situated along Pekisko Creek offers visitors an opportunity to explore historic buildings, try their hand at ranching skills and sit around the campfire listening to stories from another era, including tales about legendary cowboy John Ware. 

In addition to self-guided tours, Bar U offers wagon rides of the property every 20 minutes. 

Bar U is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until Sept. 30. 

Upcoming events include free admission on Saturday, Aug. 17 for Alberta Open Farm Days and the Old Time Ranch Rodeo on Sunday, Aug. 18. 

For more on Bar U, visit parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/ab/baru/visit

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