Discover North Saskatchewan and the Rolling Hills

Welcome to Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city. Pick up your RV and explore Edmonton‘s downtown or pay
the Royal Alberta Museum a visit. It pulls back the curtain on the province’s landscapes and culture. The museum takes visitors on a remarkable journey, from the time of prehistoric dinosaurs to ancient petroglyphs through to the stories of generations upon generations of Indigenous Peoples to new beginnings on the windswept prairies. End the day with a pleasant walk along the shore of the North Saskatchewan River.

Leaving Edmonton, travel east on the Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway 16 to Lloydminster. Makwa Lake Provincial Park is 137 km northeast of the city via Highways 17, 3 and 26. Lush boreal forest and a string of five lakes provide a picture-perfect setting. The park features three campgrounds, multiple sandy beaches, service centres and hiking trails. Visit nearby Steele Narrows Provincial Park, the site of the final battle of the 1885 Northwest Resistance.

Within the park and nearby are several lakes that are great for swimming and have beautiful beaches. Stroll along the park’s nature trails and enjoy the company – the area is home to a variety of birds and wildlife species. Five hiking trails range in length from approximately 1-2.4 km.

Your travels will lead you through the wilderness of northern Saskatchewan to Lac La Ronge Provincial Park. Along the way, check out Naturally Nice Orchard & Market at the Meadow Lake Farmers’ Market (Fridays) and at Loon Lake’s market (Saturdays) from June until October. The haskap and rhubarb crumble is a top seller! After the long drive you will be ready for a hike. The winding trails through the Canadian Shield are famous for their dense moss beds and unique lake views.

Today is all about canoeing and you are in the right place. Lac La Ronge Provincial Park is Saskatchewan’s largest provincial park and boasts more than 100 lakes. At the centre is Lac La Ronge, which is 64 km long and home to more than 1,000 small islands. Otter Rapids and Nistowiak Falls are must-see sites within the park. Holy Trinity Anglican Church, a Provincial and National Historic Site, is situated along the Churchill River at Stanley Mission, and can only be reached by boat. Travellers without their own paddling gear are in good hands with the experienced team at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters. The company offers equipment rental and single- and multi-day guided canoeing tours.

The short drive today brings you a little further north to the tiny community of Missinipe, on Otter Lake – a perfect base for angling adventures of all kinds. 

Spend your day on or around Otter Lake. Known for its exceptional season-long walleye fishing, the lake also offers many more activities. There are interpretive boat tours showing local Indigenous rock paintings and evening pontoon boat cruises which offer an incredible opportunity for sunset viewing. Scenic flights, Otter Rapids and canoe and kayak rentals are also available in addition to many trailheads nearby.

Take your time and enjoy the drive south to Prince Albert National Park (PANP). Opened in 1928, PANP delights visitors with its forests, lakes, beaches, trails and resident wildlife. Its centrepiece is Waskesiu Lake, which boasts long sandy beaches and an impressive marina. The park is also home to Canada‘s only herd of Plains bison in their historic range.

Hiking, canoeing, swimming, mountain biking, fishing, ziplining, wildlife viewing – PANP offers all of this and more. Explore nature through interpretive programs, guided hikes and outdoor theatres. Learn about Grey Owl, the famed conservationist, and journey to his cabin on the shore of Ajaawan Lake.

Today’s trip takes you south to the unique little community of Wakaw, from where you can see Saskatchewan by train. The Wheatland Express Excursion Train (https://wheatlandexpresstrain.ca) operates between Wakaw and Cudworth. It is more than just a train ride. Choose from a selection of signature tour experiences that showcase the region’s rich arts, culture and heritage, and enjoy prairie inspired menus with locally sourced ingredients. 

Following the train tour, travel an additional 63 km (approx. 45 minutes) to Champêtre County, a unique western-themed accommodation (https://champetrecounty.com) located in Saskatchewan’s beautiful countryside.

Following a leisurely breakfast, travel to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan’s largest city. Saskatoon has a vibrant cultural scene and picturesque cityscape. Seven bridges cross the South Saskatchewan River, which winds its way through the city, earning it the nickname “Paris of the Prairies”. In the evening, enjoy the sunset while strolling along the idyllic waterfront.

A stroll through downtown Saskatoon offers numerous shopping opportunities, as well as cultural attractions. At 
the Western Development Museum, a complete 1920s western town has been recreated, bringing the experiences of early settlers back to life. Art lovers will appreciate the Remai Modern, an art gallery featuring impressive exhibits from across the globe, as well as showcases local talent. Wanuskewin Heritage Park, a National Historic Site that has yielded evidence of human occupation dating back 6,400 years is also a must visit. 

A stroll through downtown Saskatoon offers numerous shopping opportunities, as well as cultural attractions. At 
the Western Development Museum, a complete 1920s western town has been recreated, bringing the experiences of early settlers back to life. Art lovers will appreciate the Remai Modern, an art gallery featuring impressive exhibits from across the globe, as well as showcases local talent. Wanuskewin Heritage Park, a National Historic Site that has yielded evidence of human occupation dating back 6,400 years is also a must visit. 

Discover your inner cowboy. Ranch activities are suitable for beginners or experienced riders. Explore the open range and enjoy the picturesque landscapes along Lake Diefenbaker. La Reata Ranch is a working ranch. Guests are welcome, but not required, to help with traditional ranch duties. The ranch stretches more than 14 km along the lake. Activities such as canoeing, fishing, water skiing, swimming or relaxing on the beach offer a relaxing change after riding the range. In the evening, gaze at the starlit prairie sky or swap tales of your adventures of the day at La Reata Saloon

The Park offers countless recreational opportunities for both adventurous and more sedentary travellers. With six well-serviced beaches, you're sure to find a spot to spend the day swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing or kayaking. Or, spend an afternoon on horseback to view Plains bison in their natural habitat. And, for golfing enthusiasts, the Waskesiu Lobstick Golf Course offers one of the finest golf experiences in Saskatchewan.

Nineteen trails in the park offer short and long hikes from easy to difficult. An easy climb to the top of the Height-of-Land Lookout Tower will put you 100 metres higher than Waskesiu. Here you will have interrupted views of King Island, Shady Lake and Beartrap Creek. One of the more popular, but difficult, trails is the 20 km hike to Grey Owl's Cabin. The trip can also be made by canoe or kayak, with portages being necessary on some sections.

It's a full day of driving today as you head westward along the southern border of the boreal forest right across Saskatchewan.

Join Highway 3 and meander west through small prairie towns before joining the Yellowhead Highway (16) just east of Lloydminster.

Further west on Highway 16, you'll reach the town of Vegreville, home to the largest Ukrainian Easter egg in the world. From Vegreville, it's only another hour's drive to reach Alberta's capital city, Edmonton, your home for the next two nights.

Welcome to Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton. Especially worth seeing is the Royal Alberta Museum, Whyte Avenue and West Edmonton Mall.

A short drive east of Edmonton will take you to the Ukranian Cultural Heritage Village, an open-air museum recreating life in a turn-of-the-20th-century Ukrainian immigrant village. Nearby is Elk Island National Park, home to the densest population of hoofed mammals in Canada. Year-round resident wildlife include coyote, bison, moose, deer, lynx, beaver, elk and porcupine. While bears and wolves roam in the park, they are not commonly seen.

For shopping lovers, an excursion to the West Edmonton Mall is an absolute must. The largest shopping mall of North America wows with its countless shops and its indoor amusement park with an indoor river, swimming pool with artificial waves, and bungee tower.

CanaDream Club Partners:

• Quality Inn & Suites Edmonton
• Fort Edmonton Park
• Camp ‘n Class RV Park