Anchor D Guiding & Outfitting Ltd.

10/18/2026

10/13/2026

Some interesting history

At its peak, a single ranch in the Alberta foothills ran 30,000 head of longhorn cattle across 160,000 acres of grassland — and one of its cowboys would go on to become the most famous outlaw in American history.

The Bar U Ranch began in 1882 as the North-West Cattle Company, founded by Montreal businessman Fred Stimson with money from eastern investors who had caught wind of the ranching boom sweeping the North-West Territories. The operation grew into one of the largest and most efficient ranches in Canada, running tens of thousands of cattle on the rolling grasslands between Longview and the Rocky Mountains, supplying beef to the North-West Mounted Police, to railway construction crews, and to a hungry young nation pushing west.

The ranch's most legendary manager was George Lane, one of the "Big Four" cattle barons who founded the Calgary Stampede. Lane ran the Bar U with a cowboy's discipline and a showman's flair, and the ranch became a school for horsemanship — its riders were considered the finest in the West. Among the young hands who passed through was Harry Longabaugh, who worked the Bar U range in 1892 under an alias before riding south to become the Sundance Kid.

In 1919 the ranch hosted its most famous guest: Edward, Prince of Wales, who fell so hard for Alberta ranch country during his visit that he bought the neighbouring EP Ranch outright. The Bar U kept running cattle for decades afterward, outlasting the open-range era, the droughts, and the consolidation of the industry, before Parks Canada took it on as a National Historic Site.

Today the ranch is preserved exactly as a working cattle operation of the early 1900s — red barns, log corrals, the bunkhouse, the blacksmith shop — with costumed interpreters, Percheron draft-horse teams, and cattle drives that still roll across the same grass the longhorns grazed.

So here is the question: the Sundance Kid learned his trade on this grass before he ever robbed a bank — does knowing that make the Bar U a historic site or a crime scene, and would you visit it?

10/11/2026

It's weaning time at Anchor D! The babies are home while their mamas get a break out at pasture

09/18/2026

Cow Camp at OH ranch

09/13/2026

We're looking for a part time administrative assistant. Click on indeed listing for further information!

https://ca.indeed.com/job/receptionadministrative-assistant-18ba8ca603e1dfcc

09/12/2026

The wait is over! 2027 dates are up on our website! Book your 2027 summer holiday now ☀️

07/09/2026

Swap the office for adventures this Stampede. Epic views, incredible horses, and an unforgettable day! 🏔️

📸 by Floriane Grgr

07/04/2026

What a way to kick off Stampede! 🤠🎉

The Anchor D Wranglers absolutely rocked the Calgary Stampede Parade, and the Queen’s Alumni looked incredible in the wagon and in the saddle! ✨🐴

Hearing the cheers from thousands of people as the Queen’s Wagon rolled by was such a special moment. The energy was unreal!

Wishing everyone an amazing Stampede—have fun, stay safe, and make some summertime memories! 🌵