BAR U RANCH | Longview, Alberta
Welcome to the breathtaking expanse of the Bar U Ranch, where rolling green foothills meet majestic mountains on the western horizon. Envision 160,000 acres of open grassland, 30,000 head of grazing cattle, 1,000 head of top blood Percherons. This is the way it was for the world renowned Bar U – one of the first, most successful and most enduring large scale ranching operations in Canada.
The Friends of the Bar U are stewards of the Bar U Ranch: promoting understanding of the history of ranching and demonstrating historical ranching practices. Our Association is comprised of ranching and non-ranching community members who work together with Parks Canada, who own and operate Bar U Ranch National Historic Site.
Bar U cattle literally fed the world.
The Bar U Ranch fed workers building the first transcontinental railway and waves of immigrants flooding to a new land. It fed Canada’s first Indigenous reservations, the first patrols of Northwest Mounted Police, our nation through the Great Depression and our soldiers through two World Wars.
Bar U Percherons, “the work horses that powered North America”, built our cities and roads and pulled our trolleys and fire wagons, from New York City to Victoria, British Columbia.
Historically, the Bar U was where cowboys learned to be cowboys.
One of the first, most successful, most enduring large scale cattle ranching operations in Canada, the Bar U in its hay day ranged 30,000 head of cattle on 160,000 acres of grassland, and was world renowned for its stock of 1,000 purebred Percherons.
Percheron stallion and handler
Bar U Ranch owner at that time, George Lane, starts world class Percheron breeding operation after importing stud and brood mare stock from Le Perche, France, 1909. He took every prize at the show horse competition at Seattle’s World Fair.
Putting up hay at the Bar U Ranch
Located deep in the southern Alberta foothills, on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the Bar U Ranch (from 1882 to 1950) was a force to be reckoned with.
While other large Alberta ranches succeeded for a time only to go out of business, especially after the killer winters of 1886 and 1906, the mighty Bar U persevered to eventually become a kingpin in a business empire that included a variety of ranches and farming enterprises, as well as meat packing plants and flour mills.
Prince of Wales & George Lane, September 1919
Any story about the Bar U Ranch is less a story about land and cattle than it is a story about people. From riders, chore men and chuckwagon cooks to visionary ranch owners, it was the people who visited, lived and worked here who made the Bar U the stuff of legend.
Among some of the more notable people to pass through the ranch gates were: “Black Jack” John Ware; visionary foreman turned owner George Lane; Edward; Prince of Wales; famous Bar U cowboy Everett Johnson; Bar U horse breaker Harry Longabaugh; and renowned artist Charlie Russell, to name a few.
First ever “greatest outdoor show on earth’
Cowboys, outlaws, royalty, Indigenous, artists and tycoon businessmen all played roles in the unique story of the “Mighty Bar U”, making it one of the most legendary ranches in Canadian history.
Flamboyant American promoter Guy Weadick, who in 1912 persuaded Bar U owners to finance the first ever “greatest outdoor show on earth” Calgary Stampede, a large scale rodeo now renowned the world over.
OPEN SEASONALLY MAY-SEPTEMBER
Nestled in the southern Alberta foothills, on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the Bar U Ranch is located in some of the most scenically breathtaking ranching country in the world.
Adults - $13.25
Seniors - $11.25
Youth (17 & under) - free
Open daily (2025 operating season: May 12-September 30)
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.*
*No admission after 4:00 p.m.
Approximately ninety minutes drive southwest of Calgary, Alberta, the site lies just west of the junction of Highway 22 & Highway 540, along The Cowboy Trail.
P.O. Box 168
Longview, AB
T0L 1H0
We work to keep the spirit of the Bar U alive. As a registered non-profit organization, the Friends work to further public awareness and understanding of the site, and to protect it for the benefit, education and enjoyment of present and future generations.
We work to keep the spirit of the Bar U alive. As a registered non-profit organization, the Friends work to further public awareness and understanding of the site, and to protect it for the benefit, education and enjoyment of present and future generations.
DONATIONS
The Friends of the Bar U are stewards of the Bar U Ranch: promoting understanding of the history of ranching and demonstrating historical ranching practices. We thankfully accept denominations of any amount to further our mission and protect the legacy of the Bar U Ranch and what it represents.
Ways to give:
Donations are accepted to the Friends of the Bar U Legacy Fund through the Calgary Foundation (QR code below)
E-transfer to: accounting@friendsofthebaru.com
Cheques made payable to:
Friends of the Bar U Historic Ranch Association
P.O. Box 82
Longview, Alberta
T0L 1H0