Uncover wild Saskatchewan’s culture, nature and cuisine

Stretching across Canada’s vast, flat heartland between Alberta and Manitoba, Saskatchewan is a land of big vistas, widescreen skies and horizons that just never seem to end. From the great plains to sprawling boreal forests, Saskatchewan’s landscapes are made for adventures: road-tripping across the prairies, kayaking pristine rivers, swimming in crystal-clear lakes or camping out under fabulously clear skies. Friendly, down-to-earth and gloriously untouristy, this might just be Canada’s most underrated province – and summer is by far and away the best time to visit if you’re a lover of the great outdoors.

See Saskatchewan through its…

…Outdoors

Geographically, Saskatchewan is a province of two halves: flat prairies in the south, dense forests in the north. Southern Saskatchewan was once roamed by huge herds of bison, but it’s now sparsely populated outside the big cities of Saskatoon and Regina. The best area to appreciate this quintessential Saskatchewan landscape is Grasslands National Park, which covers 350 square miles southwest of Regina. Populated by more prairie dogs than people, it’s a fantastic place to escape – whether by cycling along deserted trails, camping out or stargazing in the park’s Dark Sky Preserve. Bison were reintroduced here in 2006 from Elk Island in Alberta and are now thriving. Also well worth a visit is the nearby interprovincial park of Cypress Hills, which straddles the Albertan border and offers a more diverse topography of hills, lakes and its namesake cypress woods.

But for proper adventure, it’s Saskatchewan’s wild north that you want. Here, the great boreal forest that extends across much of sub-Arctic Canada offers the chance to experience what pre-settlement Canada must have felt like both to the early pioneers, and to the Indigenous people who already called this land home. Prince Albert National Park offers a wealth of outdoor experiences, from backcountry canoeing, camping out in the pristine forest, brushing up on your bushcraft or spotting wildlife, including moose, elk, timber wolves, caribou and black bears. Famously, the area was also home to the pioneering naturalist Grey Owl, otherwise known as Archibald Stanfield Belaney, whose isolated lakeside cabin can be reached on a memorable day trek.

…Culture

For thousands of years before the nation of Canada was even dreamt of, Saskatchewan was home to a diverse population of Indigenous people including the Blackfoot, Cree, Dene and Assiniboine, with their own rich culture that revolved around nature and the rhythms of the season. There are many ways to experience this Indigenous culture, from traditional restaurants to seasonal pow-wows, but a good place to begin is Wanuskewin Heritage Park, a 116-hectare nature park 17km northeast of Saskatoon, whose name comes from the Cree for ‘seeking peace of mind’. Here, guided walks and signposted trails transport you back to the pre-contact era: if you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a traditional dance performance.

A visit to a Kâniyâsihk Culture Camp is another must, with the chance to learn about traditional crafts, listen to Indigenous stories around the campfire and, of course, sleep in a tipi. Aside from Indigenous culture, Regina’s Royal Saskatchewan Museum is a must-visit, with fascinating exhibits on the province’s history, environment and wildlife, along with a life-size replica of Scotty, the largest T.rex fossil ever discovered (the original cast can be seen at the T.rex Discovery Centre in Eastend). Over in Saskatoon, the adventurous Remai Modern showcases cutting-edge contemporary art, while the Western Development Museum offers an immersive way to experience what life was like in Saskatchewan circa 1910, with period buildings and an intriguing collection of antique costumes, vintage cars and other artefacts. The museum also has three other satellite branches in Yorkton, Moose Jaw and North Battleford.

…Food and Drink

Like most Canadian provinces, Saskatchewan’s polyglot population means it has a multicultural food scene: waves of settlers from Germany, Scotland, Scandinavia, Poland and France, alongside more recent arrivals from India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, give Saskatchewan’s cuisine a truly a global flavour. Traditionally, Saskatchewan food is hale and hearty, reflecting the dishes brought over by those early settlers: bison steaks, poutine, Polish-style perogies (filled dumplings) and of course Saskatoon berry pie, a delicious fruity dessert that tastes similar to blueberry pie. Many chefs offer their own creative spin on these classic dishes, including Dale MacKay, Saskatchewan’s best-known restaurateur – a former winner of Top Chef Canada, and currently chef-patron of two restaurants in Saskatoon (Little Grouse on the Prairie and F&B) and one in Regina (Avenue).

Meanwhile, Indigenous chefs such as Jenni Lessard and Doug Hyndford (executive chef of Wanuskewin) offer innovative interpretations of First Nations flavours. Craft beer is also a big deal in Saskatchewan: sink a few brews at 9 Mile Legacy Brewing Company or Black Fox Farm, both near Saskatoon, or head for the Bushwakker Brewpub or Rebellion Brewing Company in Regina for their creatively-flavoured beers. Cider-lovers should book a guided tour of Crossmount Cider Company, 5 miles south of Saskatoon, whose crisp, flavourful ciders are made with 100% Canadian apples. And for local atmosphere, don’t miss the farmers’ markets in Saskatoon and Regina, where you can sample farm-fresh ingredients from a smorgasbord of Saskatchewan suppliers and pop-up stalls.

Feeling inspired?

For more information on planning your Saskatchewan adventure, visit Tourism Saskatchewan’s website.