Saskatchewan is a province home to the sunniest skies in Canada. It's the part of the country that receives the most sunshine a year, making it an incredible place to visit and get outdoors.
No matter what kind of activity you like to participate in, there's something for everyone in this gorgeous Canadian province.
To help you plan your visit to the area, we've put together a list of the top five tourist destinations in Saskatchewan. Let's check out everything you need to know about them.
Dichotomy of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a mosaic of environmental ecosystems. There are tons of beautiful, flat farmlands as well as unique bogs and other incredible types of landforms in the area.
There are four different ecological zones in Saskatchewan: Prairie, Boreal Plain, Boreal Shield, and Taiga Shield. Each zone is characterized by unique wildlife and geological features.
The Taiga shield is home to lichen, Jack pines, spruce trees, birch, and lingonberry trees. There are quite a few bogs throughout the area as well as open fen and lichen-covered rocky shore.
The Boreal Shield has heather and sand dunes along with Jack pines, blueberries, black and white spruce, and trembling aspen. The area is home to shrubby and open bogs as well as sandy shorelines.
On the Boreal Plains, you'll find June grass and trembling aspen as well as lichen, Jack pine, poplar and maple trees. The area is not home to the shoreline but features several bogs, fens, and grassy marshes.
The last ecotone is the Prairie, which features oat-grass grassland, pines, trembling aspen, balsam poplar, and spruce. The area is characterized by moist, silty clay earth.
History
Saskatchewan was first inhabited by indigenous people over 12,000 years ago. The people living in the area were hunters and gatherers and lived in both the prairies and the forests.
The first European settlers to the area arrived in the late 1600s. They immediately set up shop in the area for fur trading, thanks to the abundant wildlife such as moose and mink.
Despite the now booming fur trade, the area didn't become a Canadian province until 1905. That makes it one of the last provinces to become a part of Canada!
Today, the area is home to mining and agriculture. There are also lots of lands in the province that have been specifically dedicated to First Nations peoples.
Getting Around Saskatchewan
When it comes to the location and transportation in Saskatchewan, there's a lot to know. The government of this province has worked hard to make the area accessible to residents and visitors alike.
If you're planning on spending some time in Saskatchewan, it's important to know how to get around. Here's some key information on the location and transportation options in the area.
Location
Saskatchewan is part of Canada's Western Territories. The area is bordered by the United States to the South, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories to the North, Alberta to the west, and Manitoba to the east.
Most people who live in Saskatchewan reside in the southern part of the province. The northern part of the province is mostly covered in forests and plains and is largely uninhabited.
Transportation
There are over 100 airports in Saskatchewan, many of which are local or private. The largest airport in the province is Regina International Airport, which is where most visitors to the area fly into.
Visitors to the area also have the option to take ferries and barges around the area. The government operates one large barge and 12 ferries, which operate in the river systems of the country. The ferries only operate during the spring and summer months.
People wanting to get around Saskatchewan by bus will have no problem. Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, and Prince Albert all operate local public buses.
Rail travel is another option for getting around the province. There is more than 2000km of railway throughout the province, with the Via Rail stopping at Saskatoon, Watrous Melville, Unity, and Biggar.
1. Grasslands National Park
Grasslands National Park is first on our list of top places to visit in Saskatchewan. The national park is the perfect place for families and individuals alike to get outdoors and explore nature.
The area is a wide-open prairie with tons of things to do. On a visit to the park you can enjoy:
- Animal watching
- Geocaching
- Interpretive trails
- Mountain biking
- Stargazing
- Cycling
- Kayaking
- Bird watching
- Dog walking
- Horseback riding
- A lookout
- Photography opportunities
Apart from the many activities you can enjoy in the park, you might catch sight of some unique wildlife. The grasslands are home to Black-footed Ferrets, Short-horned lizards, Plains Bison, and Black-tailed Prairie dogs.
If hiking is more your thing, there are both backcountry and front country hiking trails to check out. Out of the fifteen hiking trails in the park, three are very difficult, four are difficult, three are moderate, and five are easy.
You can also enjoy the stargazing opportunities in the park. The park has a Dark Sky Preserve where light pollution is limited for amazing astronomy opportunities after dark.
Grasslands National Park Camping
There are tons of camping opportunities in Grasslands National Park. You can go backcountry camping to get off the grid or can enjoy one of the many sites with flush toilets.
The park also has several oTENTiks, which are a cross between a cabin and a tent. They're the perfect way to get outdoors without giving up all the comforts of home.
2. Prince Albert National Park
Prince Albert National Park is one of the must-see places in Saskatchewan. This gorgeous national park has no end of activities for you to participate in, including:
- Animal watching
- Bird watching
- Canoeing
- Dog walking
- A lookout
- A museum
- Geocaching
- Horseback riding
- Motorboating
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Traction kiting
- A beach
- Canoe camping
- Cycling
- Golf
- Tennis
- Windsurfing
- A playground
- Paddling
- Stargazing
- Mountain biking
In addition to these year-round activities, you can engage in some fun winter sports. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating are all activities you can enjoy in this park.
Aside from these activities, you can also check out some of the wildlife that calls the park home. You can expect to see bears, elk, white-tailed deer, osprey, and red squirrels.
Would you rather go on some fun hikes? Check out one of the 17 trails winding through the park! There are four difficult trails and eight moderate trails with the rest being easy trails.
At the end of the day, enjoy stunning stargazing opportunities in the park's dark zone. You'll be able to see the milky way and the northern lights, depending on when you visit.
Prince Albert National Park Camping
If you love going camping then you'll have a blast in Prince Albert National Park. The area has both backcountry and front country campsites as well as RV hookups for those who want to bring their trailers.
You can also rent oTENTiks. These unique buildings are a cross between a tent and a cabin, making for a cozy camping experience.
3. Wanuskewin
Wanuskewin is a First Nations interpretive park where you can learn all about the people who first inhabited Saskatchewan. The centre is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00am - 5:00pm.
At the centre, you'll have the chance to participate in daily activities such as art shows, snowshoeing, and more. You can also wander through the grounds of the park and learn about the history of the area. Or, you can head to the galleries to view indigenous artwork.
After a long day hanging out at the park, swing by the onsite restaurant to grab a bite to eat. The meals at the restaurant are traditional indigenous foods with a modern twist.
To learn more about the park, you can engage in group tours or go on a school trip. The park operates teacher programs that are designed to teach Canadian school kids all about the history of the area.
For an even more exciting program, groups of 15 or more can spend the night in a traditional tipi. These overnight stays include the opportunity to experience native games, go on a nature walk, and more.
If you'd rather stay home and learn, you can check out some of the online virtual classes offered by the centre. Learn about indigenous dance styles or get to know the wildlife in the area through their customized online lessons.
Wanuskewin Gift Shop
At the end of a long day exploring Wanuskewin, it's fun to head over to the gift shop. The shop is full of authentic, handmade items by First Nations artisans.
You can purchase jams, teas, indigenous artwork, and First Nations clothing. All the money from purchases goes toward supporting First Nations tribes in the area.
4. Tunnels of Moose Jaw
One truly unique experience you won't want to miss when visiting Saskatchewan is a trip to the Tunnels of Moose Jaw. This unique tour takes you underground to learn about tunnels that lie below the city of Moose Jaw and their rich history.
There are three different tours that you can take as part of your visit. The Chicago Tour takes you through underground tunnels and teaches you about bootlegging in the area during the time of Al Capone.
The Bunker 24 tour is a bit different. On this tour, you'll learn about Canada during the Cold War and will be taken underground to explore Cold War-era bunkers beneath the city.
The third and final tour is the Passage to Fortune Tour. This tour takes you through an abandoned laundromat beneath the city and teaches you about the lives of Chinese immigrants to the area during the Industrial Revolution.
Admission to the tunnels is $21 for adults, $17.85 for seniors and youth ages 13-18, and $12.60 for children ages 6-12. Kids under age 6 can get into the tunnels for free.
5. Remai Modern
Remai Modern is a contemporary art museum located in Saskatoon. The museum has several changing exhibits as well as a cinema, ongoing exhibitions, and workshops.
At the museum, you'll love checking out the emerging artist exhibition, indigenous art exhibits, and architectural exhibits. You'll also enjoy participating in talks and symposiums that teach you more about your favourite artists and their work.
During the summer months, the museum holds school break art camps, too. This is a great way for little ones to get out and put their creative skills to the test.
There are guided group tours and family tours that are hosted throughout the day at the museum. In the end, you'll have the chance to check out the museum gift shop where you can take home a souvenir of your visit!
General admission to the museum is $12 but youth, students, and seniors all pay $10. Children under 6 are free and you can also get family packages for just $30.
Remai Modern Hours
The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays but is open on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. The museum has extended opening hours on Friday from 10:00am - 9:00pm.
Pack Your Bags and Head to Saskatchewan Today!
With so many amazing tourist destinations in Saskatchewan, you're bound to find something that you love. There are tons of incredible exhibits and amazing sights to see that will make your stay in the area unique.
If you're ready to pack your bags and hit the road, make sure to take out a travel insurance policy first. Get in touch with Insurdinary and we'll get you set up with a quote for travel coverage.
