Late spring conditions force reduced services at Waskesiu, provincial parks

Despite the weather, businesses within the Waskesiu townsite are gearing up for a ‘business as usual’ long weekend; however, some commercial and residential properties may experience delays with water since some lines remain frozen. Potable water is available at the Prince Albert National Park Visitor Centre for those needing safe drinking water while services are still being restored.

Parks Canada officials are also stressing that thin ice remains on some water bodies in the park. Visitors are being told not to venture onto the ice.

Provincial parks in northern Saskatchewan are also opening under reduced services because of the unusually late spring conditions.

Sonnet McGuire, park manager at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park, said all campgrounds in Great Blue Heron, Candle Lake Provincial Park, Narrow Hills Provincial Park and Lac La Ronge Provincial Park are open for the season, but none currently have running water.

“Just due to the frost condition and the colder temperatures, we were unable to provide running water in our campground,” McGuire said. “All campers are encouraged to bring their own drinking water for sure.”

She said the lack of running water also affects shower buildings, washrooms and RV fill stations. Campers are being encouraged to fill trailers before arriving, although Candle Lake Provincial Park may have limited fill-up options available.

Boat launches in the parks also remain closed because lakes are still covered in ice. Despite the conditions, McGuire said interpretive programs and other activities are still planned through the long weekend.

“In most of our parks, staff have been working for weeks to remove snow from roads and campsites,” she said. “So when campers are coming into the park, they are likely still going to see some snow piles.”

McGuire said campers whose sites were affected by flooding or snow have been contacted by parks staff and offered alternatives. Visitors who no longer wish to camp because of the reduced services can also contact parks directly about cancellations and refunds.

Parks crews have been busy moving snow, but officials say visitors will still see piles of snow around campgrounds. (Image Credit: PNP Parks Canada/Facebook)

After roughly 15 years working in Saskatchewan parks, McGuire said this year’s conditions are unlike anything she has seen heading into the unofficial start of summer.

“This is the first time that I’m seeing it quite to this extreme,” she said. “I’m not sure that I ever remember snowbanks still in the park going into May long weekend.”

McGuire noted there are currently no fire bans or alcohol bans in the provincial parks she oversees. She encouraged travellers to monitor weather forecasts and check the provincial highway hotline before heading north, especially with some flooding concerns still present in parts of the region.

For those interested in seeing just how much ice is still left on lakes across Saskatchewan, the popular website SaskLakes recently added a satellite imagery section.

A satellite image of the ice on Tobin Lake taken from Copernicus, the Earth observation component of the European Union’s space program. (Image Credit: SaskLakes.ca/Facebook)

“You can use it to get a fairly recent view of what’s happening at your favourite lake, and also compare changes over time,” said Matthew Siemens, owner and operator of the site.

He explained the tool uses imagery from Copernicus, the Earth observation component of the European Union’s space program.

New and Returning Events

There are several new events in provincial parks this year, including a new partnership with the Saskatchewan Country Music Association which is bringing a country music series to provincial parks throughout July and August.

Visitors can learn more about Back in the Boreal, Sask Summer Cinemas and Cannington Fair, among other events through the calendar on SaskParks.com .

In a press release, the Ministry of Parks said Discovery Packs are back with new themes for the 2026 season, including Cosmic Club, Junior Ecologist: Forest Exploration, Creatures of the Past, Butterflies and Blooms and Fungi Friends. These self-use activities let families and visitors of all ages explore and learn about parks, conservation, wildlife and parklands.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

by paNOW Staff

Late spring conditions force reduced services at Waskesiu, provincial parks

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