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North
Region A rich history with strong and enduring Aboriginal heritage, reminders of the fur trade and the contributions of pioneers, as well as the oldest building in Saskatchewan can all be found in the North. Prince Albert, Saskatchewan’s oldest city, is one of the main gateways to much of the region, and a city with many of its own attractions. Museums tell the story of forestry in the area, the importance of the penal system and corrections service to Prince Albert, and how this northern city was represented by three Canadian prime ministers. You’ll also find excellent choices in dining, shopping, accommodations and other services. Just a short drive north, you enter a popular lakeland playground with everything from beach life to fishing, nature viewing, hiking and canoeing. Prince Albert National Park of Canada ranks among Saskatchewan’s best-known destinations, combining the comfortable resort amenities of Waskesiu with remote backcountry wilderness. Whether you hike, ski or snowshoe, there are more than 150 trails winding through the boreal forest. Mountain biking is permitted on some trails. The park is home to more than 230 bird species, including one of Canada's largest nesting colonies of white pelicans. It was here that acclaimed naturalist, author and orator, Grey Owl, lived for the last seven years of his life, in a one-room log cabin on the shore of Ajawaan Lake. Several lakes outside Prince Albert National Park, such as McPhee, Emma and Christopher, add to the choices and experiences of a visit to this area. Anglin Lake, for example, is famous for its guided nature excursions and its many resident loons. A short drive to the east is Candle Lake, a year round resort and natural area offering a four season getaway. Featuring a mixed-wood forest, beaches, wildlife, unique sand dunes, clear water and 300 kilometres of groomed snowmobile trails. Nearby Clarence-Steepbank Lakes Provincial Park, about an hour-and-a-half drive northeast of the city of Prince Albert, is a beautiful, wild and largely undeveloped area of boreal forest, lakes, streams and picturesque valley. Travel a good distance west to find one of Saskatchewan’s largest provincial parks, Meadow Lake, with numerous lakes, more than 900 campsites and top-notch interpretive programs. It’s the perfect park for fishing, hiking and canoeing on the Waterhen River. Enjoy guided horseback trips into the pristine forested backcountry. In winter, the park is popular for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling along more than 100 km of groomed and marked trails. Makwa Lake Provincial Park covers a chain of lakes and forested hills, and has excellent campgrounds, fabulous fishing, and the new and immensely popular Loon Lake Golf and Country Club. Considerably farther north, but accessible by road, you’ll discover Clearwater River Provincial Park, encompassing some of Saskatchewan’s most rugged and unforgettable terrain. Designated a Canadian Heritage River, the Clearwater was one of the key waterways in the early days of the fur trade. Today, it ranks among the country’s most challenging canoe routes. The Semchuk Trail, after passing through this park, travels deep into the north, as far as the Cluff Lake Mine. In the far north, accessible by air only, Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park protects the most northerly expanse of major sand dunes in the world. This fragile, desert-like environment combines lakes, rivers and forests in a unique landscape. Over 50 rare plants are found here, including 10 species found nowhere else in the world. Another gateway community, La Ronge is situated on the northwest shore of Lac La Ronge. The community is at the heart of a pristine northern wilderness, much of which is encompassed by Lac La Ronge Provincial Park. This easily accessible park and beautiful lake, plus many smaller lakes and rivers, provide outstanding canoeing, fishing, camping and exploring opportunities, such as the Nipikamew Sand Cliffs or Nistowiak Falls. La Ronge also serves as a major base to the far north, both by road and by air, to many drive-in and fly-in lodges and camps. A growing number of visitors know La Ronge as a cross country ski destination and snowmobiler’s heaven. The scenery certainly isn’t restricted to parks, however. The Bronson forest envelopes a series of popular lakes, campgrounds and recreation sites. At Big Buffalo Beach on Peter Pond Lake, pure white sand stretches as far as you can see. The Big River area has long been known as a summer fishing and outdoor destination, but in recent years has become equally well known for winter fun, with extensive snowmobile trails and the Timber Ridge Ski Hill. The Churchill River stretches east to west across much of the province, and is renowned for some of the best whitewater canoeing in North America. While much of the Churchill is suited to wilderness explorers, some areas are easily accessible. Otter Rapids is just an hour north of La Ronge by road. History and culture are present in numerous museums and historic parks. This region saw some of the final battles of the North West Rebellion of 1885. From a beautiful lookout at Steele Narrows near Makwa Lake Provincial Park, you can see the area where the last engagement of the conflict took place, where North West Mounted Police confronted the Cree. Historic Stanley Mission was established in 1850 and is open to visitors. The Anglican mission is home to the oldest church building in Saskatchewan, which can be reached with just a short canoe or boat trip across the river from the community site. Stretching across the southeast part of the region, Hanson Lake Road (a paved highway) offers yet another set of adventures. Narrow Hills Provincial Park, which preserves large areas of forest wilderness, is known for its lakes, fishing and trails, as well as for esker hills, formed by the glaciers. Just off this route to the west, White Swan, Piprell and East Trout lakes, to name just a few, are ideal for fishing, and the area offers great hiking and wildlife viewing. Traveling east, the route offers access to lakes such as Little Bear, Big Sandy, Deschambault and, of course, Hanson. Among the many places to stay along this route is a lodge where special attention is paid to making the northern experience accessible to guests with disabilities. Highway #135, north of the Hanson Lake Road, takes you to the resort area of Jan Lake, and provides an eastern access to the Churchill River and Island Falls, the oldest operating hydroelectric dam in the province, completed in 1929. The site also offers great fishing. The paved Hanson Lake Road ends at Creighton, a vibrant town with an intriguing past. The visitor's centre is open year-round and will orient you to the many attractions and festivals in the area. Be sure to take a peak inside the Creighton Museum. Ask about the driving and walking tours of Creighton and nearby Flin Flon, as well as the surface mine tour of Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting, where you learn how copper and zinc are extracted in this mineral-rich region. Just a short drive from Creighton is Denare Beach, on beautiful Amisk (Cree for beaver) Lake, long a popular destination for watersports, backcountry exploring and top-notch northern pike and walleye fishing. Denare Beach was the first northern resort established by the Department of Natural Resources. Summers here are full of adventure, with mountain biking, hiking that should include exploring the fascinating limestone crevices, and area tours that include Fort Alexandra and the Prince Albert Mine. In winter, ice fishing is popular, as are cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Throughout the region, tourism combines with industry. Learn about natural gas on a tour of the Beacon Hill Compressor Station in Pierceland, or see how tree seedlings are grown for reforestation at the Big River Forest Nursery. Communities, parks and resorts also offer golf, rodeos and a busy schedule of exciting festivals. For more information, see the attractions and
events listings that follow, or contact the Northern Region
at:
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