I would like to build a list of hot spots for herping.

What I am looking for is relatively general information, such as "wetlands along highway 1A between highway 1X and Canmore", and only more rarely do I want specific information like "Wagner Bog, between Spruce Grove and Edmonton", and only if it's a well-known and preferably protected site.

I am looking for first of all, sites inside Alberta, or within about two hours drive of the Alberta borders. You may certainly provide other locations, but my priority right now is "local".

When I say "hot spot", what I am looking for is places with either a good diversity of species of reptiles, amphibians, turtles, or interesting invertebrates in nature; and sites which seem to you to be especially good for seeing one or two of these. Locations should be accessible to the public without requiring special permits and without [at this time] property owners likely to deny access or be overwhelmed because they're too easy to get to. Parks which require a park pass or admission fee are acceptable.

The information I am seeking is this:
Description of the "spot", including both a useful location description and habitats involved.
Species for which it is a hotspot.
Time of year or weather conditions when the site is useful.
Other interesting natural history information [eg. site for rare Yucca, several monkey flower species, most likely place for rubber boas, etc].
Other information which might make it a better trip if you have to make a day or weekend of it - local festivals, great restaurants, popular pubs, B&Bs, etc.
Your name [first and last] and the date you provide the information].

You may post information here, but I would prefer it emailed to

Hot Spot 1 - Highway 1A between Highway 1X and Canmore; spring or flood-fed wetlands on the Bow River floodplain. Roughly 45 minutes west of Calgary by highway 1.
Species - northern long-toed salamander, boreal toad
Time of year: April to September. Salamanders breed for a few days, usually in mid-April, but can often be found under objects near wetlands throughout the season. Toads may be seen best after dark, sometimes in the day, with vast numbers of toadlets appearing at some sites in late summer.
Other natural history: Numerous orchids, other wildflowers, and carnivorous plants occur. Bow Valley PP is home to at least five orchids, plus butterworts and the rare spring dwelling isopod Salmasellus steganothrix. Wandering garters and Columbian spotted frogs occur in the area, with tiger salamanders and wood frogs at least at the eastern edge.
Other information: Canmore and nearby Banff have many hotels, hostels, and restaurants. The Banff hot springs are one of many popular sites to see [including introduced tropical fish in the hot springs marsh]. The Stoney Nakoda indians also have a resort and a casino at the eastern edge of the area.


Hot Spot 2 - Wetlands adjacent to Highway 774 between Beaver Mines and Castle Mountain Resort, Alberta.
Species - boreal toads, spotted frogs, and long-toed salamanders are abundant, especially in late summer.
Time of year: April to September.
Other natural history: this corner of Alberta is home to many species which are at the very edge of their ranges, including several monkey flowers, two violas, and rare orchids. It is the most likely location for tailed frogs and rubber boas to enter from BC. Tadpole shrimp, Lepidurus, are abundant in some shallow slow waters. Painted turtles have been long-introduced at Lee and Beauvais Lakes; plains spadefoots occur near Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod; boreal chorus frogs occur in the grassland areas of the Pass; leopard frogs have been recently reintroduced at Waterton and still occur near Stavely; tiger salamanders occur as far as the junction of the Castle and West Castle Rivers, but are more common on the north side of the Pass and in Waterton. Wood frogs occur north of the Pass. Garter and bullsnakes occur in or near the area. Rocky Mountain tailed frogs occur on the southwest side of the Flathead Valley, just over the Divide in BC.
Other information: This area borders on the northern edge of Waterton NP and the southern side of the Crowsnest Pass. The Pass has a number of interesting pubs and restaurants. The Castle Mountain ski resort at the southern end of the highway is bounded by a nature preserve, and is also home to the end-of-August Huckleberry Festival, when people can ride halfway up the mountain to pick berries as well as participate in various activities into the night, and buy related products. Pincher Creek is the largest nearby town.