Summer and “summer shoulder” months give you the chance to see Brokeback movie locations with a minimum of weather problems. Given the latitude, the days are quite long then, allowing you to see a lot in just a few days. The mountain areas, in particular, are best visited in the summertime. Canyon Creek is in its glory in the spring but the creek slows in the early summer and it becomes a highway of stones by fall.

Some may want to visit the mountain locations first. This approach allows flexibility in case weather proves to be a problem. Because the sites in other areas are not as weather dependent, you can always do them while you wait for the sun to shine. Since you will likely be flying in and out of Calgary, that city’s sites can be split; do some upon arrival, the others on your last day. One circuit that has worked for many is Calgary > Canmore > Cowley > Fort MacLeod > Beiseker > Calgary.

There are four principal areas, all in southern Alberta, that contain Brokeback movie locations. FindingBrokeback.com gives you directions to all the known Brokeback locations. These are some highlights.

Mountains:
A must-do. Allow one or two days. Start near Canmore and check out the Postcard Mountains (Mount Lougheed and Windtower), then drive south on Hwy 40 where you will find the Basque Bridge, Bear Creek, the road to “I Did Once” Lake; then drive north on Hwy 742 past many great mountain locations, culminating in Campsite #2 with its Pole Bridge, Dozy Embrace, Tent Site, and “Get Goin’ Cowboy,” Hillside (Fight Hill).

If you enjoy hiking, travel to Bragg Creek, head west on Hwy 66 and climb Moose Mountain to the “Ain’t Queer” Mountainside or enjoy the nearby Canyon Creek hike (Sheep Procession #1, Campsite #1, and Creek Crossing). A bit further west on Hwy 66, find the site of the “Sweet Life” and “Maybe Texas” Riversides at Elbow Falls.

The Sheep Staging scenes and the Sheep Tangle were shot between Canmore and Bragg Creek at Buffalo Paddock on the Stoney Reservation. The guarded Seebe Cliffs are nearby, as well.

If you can distance yourself from your Brokeback obsession for just a bit, you are also perfectly situated to see some of the world’s most remarkable high-altitude scenery in nearby Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise. Understandably, rooms in Canmore command premium rates. Time spent searching for Canmore hotel Internet specials is well worth it.

Calgary:
An interesting place to visit in its own right, Calgary was originally an outpost of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Its biggest Brokeback attractions are definitely the interior of the Childress Dance Hall, Jack and Lureen’s Bar (Ranchmans), Monroe’s House, Jack’s Alley (which may not be accessible due to construction in the area), and Newsome Farm Equipment (now demolished). The sites of Monroe’s Grocery Store and Jack’s Murder are just north and east of Calgary and could be squeezed into your time there.

Priceline, carefully used with the companion site BiddingforTravel.com, will save you money on Calgary hotels. Although the city center area has a lot to offer, be advised that parking is expensive in downtown Calgary and the city has good mass transit options.

Beiseker, Carseland, Dorothy, Rockyford, Dinton, and Blackie:
This cluster of “vintage” towns, generally east and northeast of Calgary, can be done as a group. Beiseker has the Siesta Motel, the site of Ennis’ Trailer and the Paving Scene, and east of town, the amazing Twist Ranch (see special cautions in “Travel Reminders and Suggestions”).

Carseland has the Drop Off and the Signal Bar. (If you are really in this deep, it is also the site of the Signal Gas Station scene, which was not included in the movie.)

Dorothy, which is a bit out of the way, is quite interesting in its own right, a ghost town with lots of worn, rustic, and somewhat romantic buildings. This geologically unique area is known as Alberta’s Badlands. The only Brokeback action here is Ennis’ Flashback.

Rockyford is a trove of great Brokeback sites: the Childress Dance Hall Façade, the Riverton Post Office, JT’s Bar and where the Phone Booth stood, Lureen and Jack’s Parking Spot, as well as the Electra and Childress Rodeo Grounds. All of these are within spitting distance of one another.

Tiny Dinton won’t take you long. The Wedding Chapel and Drive-In Theater are opposite one another. A few minutes away, Blackie has the Riverton Thanksgiving (Fight) Bar.

Cowley, Fort Macleod, Claresholm:
Cowley (a special favorite of our Webmaster Barry Gilligan) has the Signal Street, Ennis’ Alley, railroad, and the site of Joe Aguirre’s trailer (sorry, no trailer there anymore).

Fort Macleod is another honeypot: the Laundry Apartment and the Stairwell, the ELKS Building, the Courtroom, the Fireworks Area, Cassie’s Bar, and the bus station café. North of Fort Macleod and west of the town of Claresholm is the site of both Ennis and Alma’s Lonesome Ranch and Ennis’ Divorce Cabin. Paradoxically, they are very close to one another.

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The FindingBrokeback.com site should help you with your plans and, to the extent that we have been privileged to see these great places, we are happy to respond to questions or make any suggestions we can. Wherever you spend your time, whatever you choose to see, you will have a great trip, we promise!

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