Unique Stops Along Your Saskatchewan Road Trip
Start this trip by spending a day in Regina with museums, walking tours, a Medieval castle or just enjoy the sunshine at Centre Park. The scenic prairies heading west along the route are dotted with rolling hills, lakes, and a 32-foot tall moose (yep) named Mac. Continue on to the huge Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, where an endless variety of outdoor activities awaits you (think hiking, zipline or ice skating). We’ll share a couple of campground suggestions along the way, and even a castle you can sleep in!
Highlights
Wascana Centre Park
The Wascana Centre Park is a fantastic scenic location to spend an afternoon! This 2300-acre urban park is centered around Wascana Lake in Regina. Enjoy the walking trails which connect museums, universities, statues, fountains, and a scenic pedestrian bridge. Or if you’re not a museum or art buff, pack a picnic and just enjoy the lake and wildlife. Kids can play at one of the many playgrounds, or swim in the city pool. Suggestions for eight themed self-guided walking tours of the immense park are available at wascana.ca Boat, kayak and Segway tours are also available.
Royal Saskatchewan Museum
The Royal Saskatchewan Museum is a must-do when visiting Regina. Located at Wascana Lake Centre Park, the museum features exhibits about Canada’s natural history and its culture. Educational programming, galleries and exhibits vary throughout the year. In May 2019, an exhibit will open featuring the largest T-Rex fossil in the world. The museum is open daily 09:30am until 5pm. Admission fee is by donation.
Saskatchewan Legislative Building
The Saskatchewan Legislative Building is a perfect stop for fans of history and politics! Learn about the history of Saskatchewan’s legislative assembly, and their current role in Canadian government and society. Free tours of the beautiful, ornate building are offered daily.
Stone Hall Castle
After your visit to the Saskatchewan Legislative Building, you’ve only got to walk a couple of blocks to check out Stone Hall Castle. It is an impressive, Medieval European-style castle in downtown Regina. The castle has a rich, intriguing history you can learn about on one of their daily guided tours. For an even more unique experience, spend the night in one of their castle suites!
Mac the Moose Statue
Head west across the prairies of southern Saskatchewan, but be on the lookout for a certain roadside attraction. Get out out of the car and stretch your legs at the Mac the Moose statue in the town of Moose Jaw! This large outdoor sculpture of a moose stands 32 feet tall and is a fun photo opportunity for all ages.
Gull Lake Campground
Gull Lake Campground is a nice place for an overnight stop on your way west through Saskatchewan. This campground has large trees and private RV sites with electric and water. Their open season is mid-May through mid-October so call ahead for specific dates. The campground has a washroom, wifi, showers, picnic tables, and firewood available.
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is Canada’s only interprovincial park, straddling the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary. The three official areas of the park (called “blocks”) are geographically separated and accessed via different highways, so plan your route properly. This is a huge park with just about every summer and winter activity you can think of! Camping and hiking are a given, but you can also zipline, bike, ride horses, fish, golf, art workshops, go boating, snow luge, ice skate or try out the ski resort. There are more activities too, but you get the idea. Be sure to take at least one back country hike, and see if you can hunt down a set of their famous red Adirondack chairs for a fantastic photo op!
Fort Walsh National Historic Site
Fort Walsh is located in the “West Block” area inside Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. The fort is only open in the summer months, usually May through September. Have an authentic look at how the North West Mounted Police lived in the 1880’s. Tour guides in period costumes, historic buildings, rifle firings, and cannon launchings. Enjoy the fort’s new visitor centre with interactive exhibits and daily tours (July and August). Additionally the fort offers visitors a cafe, picnic tables, RV/bus parking, and restrooms.
