Page 71 - Travel Guide to Canada 2019
P. 71
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Each spring, a hundred thousand migrating
shorebirds of some 30 species stop here
to feed on their northward migration,
including half the world’s sanderlings.
Learn more from the exhibits at the Chaplin
Nature Centre or take in a tour (www.
chaplintourism.com ).
HERITAGE AND CULTURE
Follow driving tours through the Trails of
1885 to relive a challenging era in the
development of the West, when disappear-
ance of the buff alo and the increasing pace
of settlement led to unrest by some
Indigenous bands and the Métis under
Louis Riel (www.trailsof1885.com).
A great way to get in touch with
Saskatchewan’s contemporary Indigenous
culture is to attend a powwow. Powerful DOWNTOWN REGINA • TOURISM SK/GREG HUSZAR PHOTOGRAPHY
drumming, chanting singers and swirling
dancers in brilliant outfi ts make for an (75-mi.) Boreal Trail across Meadow Lake FAMILY FUN
unforgettable experience. Powwows carry Provincial Park’s picture-perfect forested While youngsters may be impressed by
on traditions, but also serve as social lakelands. Dedicated backcountry camp- dinosaur replicas, nothing compares to
gatherings and dance competitions. Above sites make for a true wilderness experience. seeing the “real” thing moving and roaring.
all, they are a lot of fun. One of the biggest Named Megamunch by local school children,
is the annual Spring Powwow at Regina’s The Great Sand Hills are Canada’s second the half-sized robotic Tyrannosaurus rex is
First Nations University (www.fnuniv.ca/ largest sand dunes, eclipsed only by the most kid-friendly highlight of Regina’s
powwow ). Saskatchewan’s remote Athabasca Sand Royal Saskatchewan Museum. Kids are even
Saskatchewan culture is defi ned by its Dunes. These, however, are easily accessi- invited to friend Megamunch on Facebook
rich mixture of ethnic backgrounds. ble; simply drive right up to massive walls —if they dare (www.royalsaskmuseum.ca).
Saskatoon’s Ukrainian Museum of Canada, of sand beside the road, then go for a hike.
for example, chronicles the contributions of Set the stage with a stop at the Great
this prominent segment of Saskatchewan’s Sandhills Museum & Interpretive Centre in
Park Pick
makeup (www.umc.sk.ca ). In northeast Sceptre, then follow the signs south to the
Saskatchewan, fi nd out more about the magical landscape (www.greatsandhills
PRINCE ALBERT NATONAL PARK
Doukhobors at the National Doukhobor museum.com).
Heritage Village at Veregin. Grey Owl called it one of Canada’s
SCENIC DRIVES greatest wilderness playgrounds.
Quick Fact With diverse landscapes and enough roads Saskatchewan’s largest protected area
is almost smack in the centre of the
to circle the equator four times, Saskatchewan
LAST MOUNTAIN LAKE NATIONAL is tailor-made for hitting the open road. province, preserving a transition zone
WILDLIFE AREA IS THE OLDEST BIRD from southern aspen parkland and
SANCTUARY IN NORTH AMERICA.
Drive a third of the way across Saskatchewan fescue grasslands to northern boreal
while never leaving the picturesque forest. Almost a third of the park is
MUST SEE, MUST DO Qu’Appelle Valley. water, with huge lakes, small ponds,
Camp, rent a teepee, or stay in an oTENTik rivers and streams and wildlife-rich
in Grasslands National Park to experience Wander Cactus Hills backroads through one wetlands galore. Canoeing and other
the wild prairie at its fi nest (www.park of the world’s largest glacial push ridges, watersports are especially popular.
scanada.gc.ca/grasslands). surprisingly close to Regina and Moose Jaw. Tiny Ajawaan Lake is where Canada’s
famous conservationist, Grey Owl,
Witness one of Nature’s most awesome Rather than the busy main highway between lived, worked, wrote his bestselling
spectacles as hundreds of thousands of Saskatoon and Regina, take a route past the books and was fi nally buried. The
migrating geese, cranes and other waterfowl eastern edge of Lake Diefenbaker. Enjoy hike or canoe trip to his cabin is a
stage in late September and October. Hot lakeshore and river valleys, spectacular pilgrimage to the home of a Canadian
spots include Last Mountain Lake National sand dunes, and parks off ering hiking, icon (www.parkscanada.gc.ca/
Wildlife Area and the Quill Lakes golfi ng, and fi shing. princealbert).
International Bird Area.
Several routes are outlined in the guide- National Parks and Historic Sites:
Challenge yourself on Saskatchewan’s book, Saskatchewan’s Best Scenic Drives www.parkscanada.gc.ca
1-888-773-8888
longest documented hike, the 120-km (www.parklandpublishing.com).
