By Parks Canada

Plan Ahead for Safe Adventures in Saskatchewan’s National Parks

Jul 21, 2022 | 12:34 PM

Planning ahead and being prepared for your visit can ensure safe, responsible and enjoyable visits to Parks Canada administered places in Saskatchewan!

More than ever, people are looking to spend time outdoors and close to home. National parks and historic sites in Saskatchewan provide opportunities to do so.

It is recommended that visitors plan ahead and be well prepared for trips to Parks Canada administered places in Saskatchewan. Below are some tips and tricks for a safe, responsible and enjoyable visit:

1. Plan your visit. Read up on:

· Visitor guidelines in Parks Canada administered places.

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· The Parks Canada location that you are visiting, including visitor and wildlife safety information intrinsic to the location and visitor opportunities, keeping your limits in mind.

· Current Important Bulletins at the location you are visiting.

· Parks Canada tips for respecting wildlife and staying safe.

· AdventureSmart tips for how to explore in safe and responsible ways.

· Camping and accommodation options.

· Pass, permit and fee options.

If choosing to camp:

· Camping 101: What to know before staying the night.

If choosing to backcountry camp:

· Tips and tricks for Backcountry camping.

2. Before your visit, prepare.

· Reserve your accommodations.

· Purchase an entry pass.

· Pack the essentials for the trip you are undertaking, taking into account what you know about the location. If, for example, garbage cans are not available in the location that you are visiting, be sure to bring garbage bags, and leave room in your gear to haul it out with you. If the location is remote, ensure that you travel with a full tank of gas.

· In some cases, visitors may encounter areas with spotty cellular coverage. If going off the beaten track, have a secondary communication/navigation tool on hand.

· Create a trip plan and leave it with family or friends.

3. Soon before leaving, access the following information and confirm your trip plan or make necessary changes.

· New Important Bulletins at the location you are visiting.

· Current COVID-19 guidelines.

· Weather forecast.

· Highway conditions.

· In some cases, visitors may encounter gravel roads as part of access and infrastructure. Please contact the Visitor Centre at the location you are visiting for information about road conditions adjacent to and within the site.

Visitor Centres are open daily now and throughout summer, where friendly and knowledgeable Parks Canada staff welcome any questions you have. Find Visitor Centre contact information on the location webpage.

The health and safety of visitors, employees and all Canadians is of the utmost importance to Parks Canada. Please follow the most current advice of public health experts and guidelines outlined by the Government of Saskatchewan at www.saskatchewan.ca.

Summer has arrived in Prince Albert National Park! Visit on a weekday to ensure space to roam and an abundance of opportunities, and when visiting during peak times, keep safety and enjoyment in mind.

More than ever, people are looking to spend time outdoors close to home. Summer in Prince Albert National Park offers ideal opportunities to get out into nature to help enhance health, well-being and social connections to family and friends. Parks Canada staff are excited to welcome you back to the park!

Many experiences in Prince Albert National Park are available both during the week and on weekends (Friday to Sunday) and statutory holidays.

Visiting Prince Albert National Park mid-week in the summer season ensures that visitors have space to enjoy all that the park has to offer. Experience ten of our weekday opportunities in Prince Albert National Park:

· Explore the wilderness of the park with a hike or bike on a trail. Check out trails on Street View before your visit to get a feel for surrounding flora and trail difficulty, and reference trail conditions before you head out.

· Go for a paddle on one of the many lakes in the park. Embrace the sights and sounds, the shimmer and warmth of sunlight, and the buoyant feeling of being on the water.

· Reel it in! Bring fishing equipment and jig for walleye or cast a line to catch a pike. Fishing is fun for both the new and experienced visitor and park fishing licenses are available at the Visitor Centre, entry gates, campground kiosks and marinas.

· Have a beach day! Bring lawn chairs, picnic items, books and beach toys to one of the many beaches in the park and enjoy warm beach sand, cool refreshing water and the shelter of shoreline trees!

· Keep your eyes peeled! Wildlife and plant life abounds in Prince Albert National Park – keep an eye out for fortuitous sightings, or up your chances by trying out different activities in the park!

· Include star and moon gazing in your visits! The best stargazing opportunities are during new moons, which next occur July 28 and August 27. An upcoming full moon is on August 11.

· Immerse yourself in an interpretive program! Interpretive programs are available every day in summer! Explore the website, visit the Prince Albert National Park Visitor Center or Nature Centre, or keep an eye out for on-site posters for more information.

· Visit Waskesiu Recreation Association facilities for family fun this summer! Located at 1500 Montreal Drive, there are countless opportunities for enjoyment including Little Al’s Mini Golf, tennis courts, ping pong, foosball, giant chess, adult fit park, and the sports court. For more information, please refer to www.waskesiu.org, or contact 306-663-0601 or wramanager21@gmail.com.

· Get out of town! For an experience beyond the streets of Waskesiu, enjoy a hike on Boundary Bog, Mud Creek and Treebeard Trails! Pick up an interpretive brochure at the trailhead and follow the numbers along the trail to learn more about its unique features.

· Play and learn at the Nature Centre! The Nature Centre is now open every day for the summer!

When visiting during peak time such as weekends (Friday to Sunday) and statutory holidays in summer, keep the following tips in mind to increase safety and enjoyment:

· Arrive early – peak hours at entrance gates start as early as 11 a.m. on hot weather and event days and are 2 pm to 9 pm on regular days.

· Make the most of possible wait time by bringing plenty of food and water, a game and your favorite sing-along music.

· Have a plan for your visit that gives you some time off of the beaten track.

· Bring a picnic lunch to one of our day use areas.

Check the Important Bulletins page on the park website before travelling to Prince Albert National Park. Any critical safety messages, such as fire bans are located here.

The Visitor Centre is open daily from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, where knowledgeable Parks Canada staff can help you plan your visit and answer any questions, or contact (306) 663-4522 or princealbertinfo@pc.gc.ca.