MUST SEE, MUST DO
Camp, rent a teepee, or stay in an oTENTik
in Grasslands National Park to experience
the wild prairie at its finest (www.parks
canada.gc.ca/grasslands).
Witness one of Nature's most awesome
spectacles as hundreds of thousands of
migrating geese, cranes and other waterfowl
stage in late September and October. Hot
spots include Last Mountain Lake National
Wildlife Area and the Quill Lakes Inter-
national Bird Area.
Challenge yourself on Saskatchewan's
longest documented hike, the 135-km
(84-mi.) Boreal Trail across Meadow Lake
Provincial Park's picture-perfect forested
lakelands. Dedicated backcountry campsites
make for a true wilderness experience.
The Great Sand Hills are Canada's second
largest sand dunes, eclipsed only by
Saskatchewan's remote Athabasca Sand Dunes.
These, however, are easily accessible; simply
drive right up to massive walls of sand beside
the road, then go for a hike. Set the stage with a
stop at the Great Sandhills Museum &
Interpretive Centre in Sceptre, then follow the
signs south to the magical landscape
(www.greatsandhillsmuseum.com).
SCENIC DRIVES
With diverse landscapes and enough roads
to circle the equator four times, Saskatchewan
is tailor-made for hitting the open road.
Drive a third of the way across Saskatchewan
while never leaving the picturesque
Qu'Appelle Valley.
Wander Cactus Hills backroads through one
of the world's largest glacial push ridges,
surprisingly close to Regina and Moose Jaw.
Rather than the busy main highway between
Saskatoon and Regina, take a route past the
eastern edge of Lake Diefenbaker. Enjoy lake-
shore and river valleys, spectacular sand dunes,
and parks offering hiking, golfing, and fishing.
Several routes are outlined in the guidebook,
Saskatchewan's Best Scenic Drives
(www.parklandpublishing.com).
FAMILY FUN
While youngsters may be impressed by
dinosaur replicas, nothing compares to
seeing the "real" thing moving and roaring.
Named Megamunch by local school children,
the half-sized robotic Tyrannosaurus rex is
the most kid-friendly highlight of Regina's
Royal Saskatchewan Museum. Kids are even
invited to friend Megamunch on Facebook—
if they dare (www.royalsaskmuseum.ca).
SK
51
National Parks and Historic Sites:
www.parkscanada.gc.ca
1-888-773-8888
Park Pick
PRINCE ALBERT
NATIONAL PARK
Grey Owl called it one of Canada's
greatest wilderness playgrounds.
Saskatchewan's largest protected area is
almost smack in the centre of the
province, preserving a transition zone
from southern aspen parkland and fescue
grasslands to northern boreal forest.
Almost a third of the park is water, with
huge lakes, small ponds, rivers and
streams and wildlife-rich wetlands galore.
Canoeing and other watersports are
especially popular. Tiny Ajawaan Lake is
where Canada's famous conservationist,
Grey Owl, lived, worked, wrote his
bestselling books and was finally buried.
The hike or canoe trip to his cabin is a
pilgrimage to the home of a Canadian icon
(www.parkscanada.gc.ca/princealbert).
LAST MOUNTAIN LAKE NATIONAL
WILDLIFE AREA IS THE OLDEST BIRD
SANCTUARY IN NORTH AMERICA.
Quick Fact
DOWNTOWN SASKATOON • SHUTTERSTOCK/SCOTT PROKOP
FORT WALSH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE • TOURISM SK/GREG HUSZAR PHOTOGRAPHY
