Explore Saskatchewan's National, Provincial and Regional Parks
National Parks
Saskatchewan is home to two national parks - Prince Albert National Park of Canada and Grasslands National Park of Canada. Each is unique and offers very different activities for visitors.
Prince Albert National Park
Prince Albert National Park protects a slice of the northern coniferous or boreal forest. The park lies in a transition zone between natural regions, with a diversity of wildlife. The park contains many outstanding natural and cultural features, including the only fully protected white pelican nesting colony in Canada, rare fescue grasslands, free-ranging plains bison and the isolated, lakeside cabin of conservationist Grey Owl. A rich aboriginal history in the area dates back over 8,000 years.
At the heart of Prince Albert National Park is Waskesiu Lake and the Waskesiu Lake townsite and resort village. Within this resort village are many types of accommodation, from luxury suites to camp sites; services, from shopping, licensed dining and water and winter recreation equipment rental; interpretive programs through the Nature Centre; and tours of local Heritage Buildings.
Prince Albert National Park is open year-round, but most services are offered from about May 19 until September 3. For more information click here, email panp.info@pc.gc.ca or call 306-663-4522 or 1-888-773-8888 (Canada/US).
Grasslands National Park
Grasslands National Park is the first national park of Canada to preserve a portion of mixed prairie grasslands. Eavesdrop on a prairie dog town or learn about how Sitting Bull took refuge here after the battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. Guided hikes, interpretive trails, bird watching and nature photography are popular activities in Grasslands. In 2005, Bison were reintroduced into the West Block of the park to restore the grazing regime of the large herbivores. This location allows visitors access to view the bison and provides the animals with enough space to encourage natural behaviour.
Grasslands National Park is open year-round, but most services, including access into its Park Visitor Centre, are offered from May 19 until September 3. For more information click here, email grasslands.info@pc.gc.ca or call 306-298-2257.
Provincial Parks
Saskatchewan boasts 34 provincial parks, which are broken down into 4 categories. There are 11 natural environment, 10 recreation, 9 historic and 4 wilderness parks. Each offers a unique set of outdoor experiences and types of accommodation. Southern provincial parks include such favourites as Cypress Hills and Moose Mountain and the parks of the Qu'Appelle Valley. In the central parklands, the wooded hills and blue lakes of Duck Mountain, Greenwater Lake, Narrow Hills and Meadow Lake make ideal natural environment parks. And in the north, the rugged terrain of the Precambrian shield gives parks like Lac La Ronge a natural wilderness appeal.
On the southern shore of Lake Athabasca, in Saskatchewan's far north, Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Wilderness Park protects an ecologically fragile area characterized by jack pine forests mixed with large open sand dune formations. Some of these dunes reach as high as 30 metres, and are some of the most northerly major sand dunes in the world.
For a complete list of provincial parks, including the services they provide visit www.saskparks.net Many provincial parks offer a Reserve-A-Site program, which allows visitors to book their campsite in advance.
Park Services
Some provincial parks are open year-round, but many only offer complete services from about May 19 until September 3. Visit www.saskparks.net to find out when services are offered at the park you plan to visit.
Park Fees
Provincial park fees may vary from park to park.
Regional Parks
Saskatchewan is home to 101 Regional Parks; all designed, developed and built by local communities. They reflect community pride and provide many recreational opportunities for visitors. Available activities include boating, fishing, hiking, camping, swimming and golfing just to name a few. Regional parks are an inexpensive, fun-filled way to enjoy the great outdoors. Visit www.saskregionalparks.ca to learn more about Saskatchewan's Regional Parks.
Perdue Oasis Golf and RV Resort A Place To Get Away From It All
Perdue Oasis Golf and RV Resort rolls out the red cart path for all golfers. The eastern slopes of The Bear Hills, just before they give way to the great out wash prairie and Lake Vanscoy, paint the unique backdrop of Perdue Oasis. This deluxe course can be an exceptional challenge from the par 72 championship bent grass tees at 6,960 yards or a fun round that anyone can enjoy from the 5,209 yard forward tees.
Perdue Oasis Golf and RV Resort offers challenge, breathtaking vistas, a distinct two-hole practice loop, a free driving range and GPS power carts. Even the odd Whooping Crane and bald eagle have swooped by for a bird's eye view of the course. Other wildlife is plentiful from moose to red foxes. Thousands of trees have been planted throughout the property, which provide colour and variety. Players will have to avoid the six unique water hazards and Saskatchewan's largest extreme bunker on this natural rolling terrain. The main pond, stocked with trout, is traversed by a 60-foot bridge, which leads to the distinctive two-hole practice loop.
Perdue Oasis Golf and RV Resort is a place to get away from it all. Their restaurant features Saskatchewan's largest glass terrace offering an unparalleled panoramic view and amazing food. And if this isn't enough, their all-inclusive spa will send you away looking and feeling rejuvenated.
Perdue Oasis Golf & RV Resort is a scenic 33-minute drive west of Saskatoon on Highway #14. For more information, call 306-237-4653, email: play@oasisgolf.com or visit www.PerdueOasis.com
Saskatchewan is home to many spectacular golf courses - we have more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in Canada!
A Saskatchewan golf vacation means. . .
* Affordable green fees, on average only $35 per round
* Accessible tee times
* Not a crowd in sight
* Over 250 courses to choose from
* A variety of designs and landscapes links, traditional, prairie, water, boreal forest and more
There are two golf guides available from Tourism Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Golf Tour Guide 2007 and The Perfect Drive, Saskatchewan Golf Vacation Guide. To order your free copy of either of these guides online, click here or call 1-877-237-2273. To search our complete online database for a Saskatchewan golf course, click here. There is also great information about golfing in Saskatchewan at www.saskgolfer.com
Music Festivals Take Over Saskatchewan
Each year Saskatchewan hosts a wide range of events and festivals, and 2007 is no exception. This summer a number of exciting and entertaining music events will occur throughout the province. The SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival is based mainly in Saskatoon but includes performances in Moose Jaw, Regina, Battlefords and Prince Albert. The Ness Creek Music Festival in Big River and the Regina Folk Festival each offer performances and activities that the entire family will enjoy. Whatever your taste in music, Saskatchewan offers an event just for you.
Below are just a few of the music events happening in the province this summer.
SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, Saskatoon
June 22 - July 1, 2007
www.saskjazz.com
Ness Creek Music Festival, Big River
July 19 - 22, 2007
www.nesscreek.com
Regina Folk Festival, Regina
August 10 - 12, 2007
www.reginafolkfestival.com
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Wanuskewin - A Celebration of First Nations
The spirit of Saskatchewan is reflected in the culture, history and pride of First Nations and Mtis people. Rooted in tradition, powwows are important cultural and social gatherings among many Saskatchewan communities. Saskatchewan boasts numerous powwows throughout the year recognizing the spirituality and importance of First Nations culture to the province.
Since its official opening in June 1992, Wanuskewin Heritage Park has celebrated First Nations culture through their state-of-the-art exhibits, gift shop, art gallery and restaurant, which features many traditional First Nations ingredients and dishes. On June 21 and 22 Wanuskewin, located approximately 5 kilometres from Saskatoon, hosts the Nimihitotan Let's Dance Wanuskewin National Aboriginal Day & Powwow, which will showcase the art of song and dance through traditional and contemporary First Nations dance styles and music. The colourful regalia of dancers and variety of dance styles will provide viewers with an awe-inspiring experience not to be forgotten.
For more information about Wanuskewin National Aboriginal Day & Powwow, contact Wanuskewin Heritage Park at 306-931-6767 or toll-free at 1-877-547-6546, email marketing@wanuskewin.com or visit their website at www.wanuskewin.com
Wanuskewin Heritage Park is just one of the many locations that will host a celebratory powwow in honour of National Aboriginal Day.
Enter to Win a Woods & Waterways Getaway at Land of the Loon Resort
Each month SaskSecrets will feature a new contest for a valuable prize or prize package. You must be a SaskSecrets subscriber to be eligible to enter. Don't miss out on your chance to win, sign up at the top of this page.
This month's contest is for a Woods & Waterways Getaway at Land of the Loon Resort. One lucky winner will receive a getaway prize package at Land of the Loon Resort valued at $1,500. Located on the edge of Prince Albert National Park, Land of the Loon Resort offers its guests a holiday location like no other in heartland Canada.
This Woods & Waterways Getaway package includes four nights accommodation for a group of four people in a handcrafted two-storey log chalet, equipped with a full kitchen. Your group will be treated to the stunning scenery of Saskatchewan's lake country in the pine forests of central Saskatchewan. During your stay at beautiful Anglin Lake, you will also enjoy a boat rental for three days. You will start each of your mornings with a complimentary continental breakfast in the Snail's Pace Dining Room where the pace is, yes, slow and relaxing. Package does not include transportation, some restrictions apply. For more information about Land of the Loon Resort, call 306-982-4478, email: loon.land@sasktel.net or visit www.landoftheloonresort.co