Standing 215 feet tall beside the Trans-Canada Highway in Medicine Hat, the Saamis Tepee is impossible to miss. It’s free, open year-round, and one of the most distinctive landmarks in southern Alberta.
Originally built for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and moved to Medicine Hat in 1991, the Saamis Tepee now sits above the Saamis Archaeological Site with ten large storyboards that share Indigenous history and culture. In early August 2026 the site reopened after important upgrades that make it more usable for both visitors and traditional ceremonies.
Here’s everything you need to know before you stop at the Saamis Tepee.
Quick Facts
- Height: 215 feet (65 metres) — roughly the height of a 20-storey building
- Base diameter: 160 feet
- Structure: Steel masts on a massive concrete foundation (800 metric tons foundation weight, 200 metric tons dead load, held by 960 bolts)
- Cost to visit: Free
- Hours: Essentially always open
- Parking: Free and straightforward
- Address: Eagle Birth Road SW, Medicine Hat (right beside the Tourism Medicine Hat visitor area off the Trans-Canada)
- Best for: Quick photo stop, short cultural visit, or a longer look at the storyboards and views over Seven Persons Coulee
History of the Saamis Tepee
The structure was designed for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary as a tribute to Indigenous heritage and temporarily held the Olympic flame. After the Games, Medicine Hat entrepreneur and philanthropist Amerigo “Rick” Nella Filanti purchased it and arranged to have it moved.
Assembly in Medicine Hat began on October 20, 1991 and was completed in less than a week. The Saamis Tepee received the blessing of the Blood Tribe, and hundreds of Indigenous people supported the project at the time.
It was engineered to handle prairie winds and extreme temperatures. The colours carry meaning: white for purity, red for the rising and setting sun, and blue for water.
Today the Saamis Tepee remains both a highly visible roadside landmark and a place used for storytelling, ceremonies, and cultural gatherings. It belongs on any list of Alberta’s hidden gems that most tourists miss.
The Storyboards
Inside the circle of the ten masts at the Saamis Tepee you’ll find large, hand-painted storyboards created by Indigenous artists. They cover a range of themes, including:
- The legend of how Medicine Hat got its name
- The Blackfoot Confederacy
- Plains Cree way of life and ceremonies
- Treaty 7
- The arrival of Europeans
- Métis history
- First Peoples today and themes of unity
The panels are the heart of a longer visit. Take time to walk around and read them — they turn a big steel structure into something more meaningful.
Saamis Archaeological Site and Seven Persons Coulee
Directly below the Saamis Tepee, in the valley of Seven Persons Creek, lies the Saamis Archaeological Site. It is a Provincial Historic Site covering about 36 hectares.
For thousands of years the area served as a winter and early spring campsite and buffalo processing location. Experts estimate tens of millions of artifacts remain buried there. The City of Medicine Hat has a legal responsibility to protect the site.
There are walking paths and interpretive opportunities, but digging or removing anything is strictly prohibited. Treat the whole area with respect.
2026 Upgrades – What’s New
In the summer of 2026 the site received meaningful improvements after consultation with Indigenous Elders, cultural leaders, and dancers.
The old shale dance floor (which was hard on traditional footwear and clothing) was replaced with synthetic turf selected by the Indigenous dance community. Bleachers, benches, a fire pit, and an expanded picnic area were also added.
Additional work on overflow parking and accessible washrooms is planned. The Saamis Tepee is once again fully open to the public.
How to Visit Saamis Tepee
Getting there
Exit the Trans-Canada Highway in Medicine Hat toward the Tourism Medicine Hat / visitor centre area and follow signs to Eagle Birth Road SW. The Saamis Tepee is highly visible from the highway. Many travellers pass through on longer Alberta road trips, including routes that start in Calgary. Address: 15 Eagle Birth Rd SW, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 4W1
Parking
Free parking is available right at the site. It is generally easy even during busier times.
When to go
Daytime is best for reading the storyboards and taking clear photos. Late afternoon into evening is popular for the lighting and the view over the coulee. The structure is lit at night and is sometimes used for the City’s “Lighting for a Cause” program.
How long to spend
15–30 minutes for photos and a quick look. 45–90 minutes if you want to read the storyboards, walk the paths, and sit for a bit.
Accessibility and facilities
The main viewing area is relatively open. Recent upgrades have improved gathering space. Full accessible washrooms are still being developed as part of ongoing plans.
Pets are generally welcome on leash, and the site is family-friendly for a short stop.
Is Saamis Tepee Worth Visiting?
Yes — especially if you’re already driving the Trans-Canada or spending time in Medicine Hat.
Visiting the Saamis Tepee works well as a quick, free roadside stop with an impressive “wow” factor. If you take the extra time to walk inside the circle and read the storyboards, it becomes a more meaningful cultural experience. The 2026 upgrades have also made the space more welcoming for longer visits and community use.
It’s not a full-day attraction, but it punches above its weight as a landmark — similar to other quirky and worthwhile Alberta stops such as Lucy the Elephant in Edmonton.
Nearby Things to Do
- Tourism Medicine Hat visitor centre (right next door)
- Walking and recreation trails that connect into the broader coulee and park system
- Other southern Alberta highlights, including things to do in Drumheller (about 2.5 hours northwest) and Camrose tourist attractions
- Small-town stops such as what Nanton is famous for if you’re continuing west or south
If you’re building a broader Alberta itinerary, the Saamis Tepee pairs nicely with free or low-cost experiences. For more ideas in that spirit, see our guide to best free things to do with kids in Edmonton.
FAQ
Is Saamis Tepee free?
The main masts are 215 feet (65 metres) tall.
Can you go inside?
Yes. You can walk into the open circle under the masts and view the storyboards.
Is there parking?
Yes, free parking is available at the site.
What are the hours?
It is accessible essentially 24 hours a day, year-round.
Is the archaeological site open?
You can view the area from the paths and overlooks. It is a protected Provincial Historic Site — no collecting or digging.
When was it upgraded?
Major improvements, including the new dance surface and gathering areas, were completed and the site reopened to the public in early August 2026.
Respectful Visiting Tips
This is both a tourist landmark and a place of cultural significance. Stay on designated paths, leave no trace, and treat the storyboards and the land below with care. If a ceremony or cultural event is underway, give space and follow any guidance from organizers.
The Saamis Tepee is one of those rare spots that works equally well as a five-minute photo stop or a thoughtful half-hour exploration. If you’re driving through Medicine Hat — whether on a Calgary to Banff road trip extension or a southern Alberta loop — it’s worth pulling off the highway.
Safe travels, and enjoy the view from under the world’s tallest tepee.
