Coutts

The Village of Coutts bills itself as “the gateway to Alberta.” It’s been filling that role since it was founded in 1890. Today, the village is best-known as the home of a Canada-U.S. border crossing. That crossing is open 24/7 and connects Coutts with Sweetgrass, Montana. NEXUS lanes into the U.S. are open seven days a week. NEXUS lanes into Canada are open Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Coutts border crossing can be reached via northbound Highway 15 from Montana and southbound Highway 4 from Alberta. Whether you’re coming or going, Coutts (population 300) is a good place to pull over for a stop or a bite to eat. There’s a spray park, accommodations, restaurants and campgrounds in the area. Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park is 38 km (24 mi) to the east and well worth a visit.