Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan's diverse landscapes offer open-air opportunities of every kind. In the south, sweeping prairies disclose desert sand dunes, glacier-carved valleys and mysterious badlands. Northern forests cloak crystalline lakes, river rapids, canyons and waterfalls. Explore a rich and fascinating history, from dinosaur digs and ancient Aboriginal artifacts, to the days of the fur trade, the RCMP and western settlement. Modern and friendly cities, country vacations, unique world-class mineral spas and casinos, more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in the world, and winter holiday choices like dog-sledding over a remote northern lake - this is just the tip of the iceberg!

Eventful? That's Saskatchewan! While the million, or so people who live in this vast province may not be many in number, they come together to put on an array of exciting and diverse events in places big and small, throughout the year. From international air shows to local rodeos, and festivals celebrating everything from Shakespeare and jazz, to children and winter, there's something for every taste. Friendly people are a small portion of what's waiting to be discovered in communities throughout Saskatchewan. Go house boating, golf, ride a horse, learn to canoe, or relax at a vacation farm or lakeside resort.

Regina
Saskatchewan's capital, Regina is the commercial,financial and industrial center of the province.
Wascana Center
All the trees in Regina are hand planted, and this park ia an oasis of wood and water. A good way to see the park is to take a tour through it on a double-decker bus. Cyclists and joggers circle the lake and picnickers ride a ferry out to shady Willow Island, where bird lovers feed the Canada geese at the waterfowl sanctuary.

The University of Regina's art gallery has some Egyptian sculpture, they also have a speakers corner and a science center. In late July and early August, Wascana Center is the scene of a Sunday picnic that marks the start of a week of horse racing and rodeo riding known as Buffalo Days. The headquarters for the North West Mounted Police, it is still home to the Depot Division, a training center where all recruits have to endure boot camp and police academy. Visitors can watch rookies parade across the square at 1pm daily. There is also a museum that holds prized artifacts such as the handcuffs worn by Riel and the crucifix he carried to his execution. The site of the gallows is situated just outside the museum.

Museum of Natural History
The museum provides an excellent introduction to the flora and fauna of the province, bison, Prairie dogs, wapiti as well as ducks geese and pelicans are all displayed in natural settings. Opened in 1993 The First Nations Gallery displays examples of thousands of years history.
Antique Mall
A grouping of antique stores and dealers, it is open year round
The MacKenzie Art Gallery
A theatrical dramatisation is staged here, depicting the Trial of Louis Riel, who was charged with high treason for leading the Metis people in rebellion against the Crown. The jury found him guilty and he was sentenced to hang.
Moose Mountain Provincial Park
The park provides an oasis of woods, it is fairly developed with golf courses, water slides etc. The center and western parts of the park are a little quieter and walking trails can be found here.
Estevan
Attractions here are the rock formations at La Roche Percee, once the site of Native Indian religious observance, and the Estevan Brick Wildlife Park which has samples of most local species including bison and antelope.
Big Muddy Badlands
Once used by stagecoach robbers, cattle rustlers and all other bad guys, including Butch Cassidy, the badlands are near the US border and are a vast area of sandstone formations, hills and valleys. Guided tours are available and there are campgrounds.
Wanuskewin Heritage Park
A National Historic site, encompasses a picturesque valley and tributary to the South Saskatchewan River. For at least 60 centuries Northern Plains Indians have been living, hunting and gathering at this site. A significant Buffalo hunting centre of days gone by. Wanuskewin is located northeast just outside Saskatoon.
Prince Albert
Prince Albert National Park protects a slice of the northern coniferous forest, which plays host to an abundance of wildlife. The park also contains many outstanding natural and cultural features, including the only fully protected white pelican nesting colony in Canada, and the isolated, lakeside cabin of conservationist Grey Owl.
Special events and extensive interpretive programming help to make the diverse natural setting of Prince Albert come alive for the visitor. The townsite of Waskesiu, located in the park, provides extensive services for visitors.
Lac La Ronge Provincial Park
There are over a thousand islands carved into Lac La Ronge and hundreds of other lakes. Nature trails and canoe routes once used by the fur traders of the north can be found. The diversity of Lac La Ronge Provincial Park is its beauty.
Saskatchewan's largest provincial park; Lac La Ronge itself lies entirely within the park boundaries.
There are five major campgrounds within the park and two others that are adjacent. Test your fishing skills against the abundant lake trout, northern pike and walleye. This is the park where you can even savor a shore lunch! There's plenty of fun for you non-anglers too. Canoe your way along any of the 30 documented routes laid out in the park and beyond. Whitewater canoeing and kayaking are also available. Hiking trails navigate you along rock outcroppings and forests of pine and spruce. There are numerous fishing camps located on the lake. Boating enthusiasts will enjoy the lakes and scenic beauty of the islands of Lac La Ronge.
Wadin Bay, Patterson Park and Missinipe all have gorgeous sandy beaches.
Sightseers can view the rock pictographs down the Churchill River. Also to see, are the Otter Rapids, the Holy Trinity Anglican Church at Stanley Mission (Saskatchewan's oldest building), Nistowiak Falls or the Nipekamew Sand Cliffs south of the park.

Lac La Ronge Provincial Park isn't limited to summer fun. Come out for the winter, spring and fall experience! Over 60 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails within the park and night skiing at Nut Point puts Lac La Ronge at the top of the heap. Snowmobiling is easily afforded by the numerous adjoining lakes and forest trails. The frozen lakes and portages are favored routes to more remote lakes and even better ice fishing.
Don't miss the Winter Festival in town, which is usually held in February or early March. Come out for the snowmobile poker rallies, snowshoe racing, dog team sled racing, trapper events and much more.

Redberry Lake
Primarily a bird watching location, about 1 hours drive from Saskatoon. The lake and islands are all protected as a federal bird sanctuary. The main interest being the large white pelicans and the small piping plover amongst many others. Tours can be taken and boats and canoes or windsurfers can be rented.