By Karen Cay

Family memories begin here

Jul 2, 2019 | 10:20 AM

Prince Albert National Park is the ideal family destination. Children can climb on the Bears on the Beach playground, play mini-golf with their grandparents, or splash in the water at one of the many beaches on Waskesiu Lake. Families and teens can enjoy exploring wooded trails on foot or bike near Waskesiu, or by horse at the southwestern edge of the park. In the evening, catch a movie at the theatre or grab your favorite flavour at one of the ice cream parlours in town. To finish off the perfect day, walk over to Main Beach for the best view of one of the most iconic and unforgettable sunsets in Saskatchewan!

Need more ideas? Get inspired with these kid-friendly activities:

· Summer programs every day of the week

Guided hikes, daily discoveries, mini-tipis, bison games and bear safety programs are just some of the activities available as part of this year’s Summer Programs. Pick up a schedule at park facilities for program times and locations and jam-pack the day with all kinds of fun!

· Introduce your child to the wonders of Parks Canada places

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A great introduction for preschoolers wanting to learn and have fun! Pick up a Club Parka booklet at the Nature Centre or Visitor Centre and help your eager little explorer discover all the wonderful things that make Parks Canada special! To learn more about this mascot, download activities and get the My Photo Missions app, visit Parka online.

· Become a Parks Canada Xplorer!

Ready, set, explore! Prince Albert National Park is offering a new Xplorer’s booklet this summer aimed at kids aged 6 to 11 to get them out exploring the park. Identify trees, observe the stars or discover the aquatic life of the park with a fun-filled activity booklet – great for rain or shine! Learn words in Woods Cree all through the booklet, then put your knowledge to the test with a Woods Cree word matching game at the end. Completed booklets receive a special souvenir.

· Challenge yourself on the trails

Bike, hike or run this geocache challenge! Great for youth aged 12-16 who are ready for an adventure around the forested loops of the Red Deer trail in search of hidden caches. Pick up the challenge passport and borrow a GPS unit from the Nature Centre, or use your smart phone to track the locations of the caches. Completed passports receive a special edition Prince Albert National Park geocoin!

Head out on the waterways

The clear and crisp water bodies of the park offers some excellent opportunities for paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking – particularly on hot, calm summer days. So head out onto the water and enjoy the warm summer weather while it lasts!

· Paddle along Waskesiu River to see waterfowl and a beaver lodge.

· Float around at Birch Bay after a picnic with friends and families.

· Take the rail cart portage to explore the serene beauty of Kingsmere Lake.

Boating, fishing and other water sports are a great way to explore the sights and sounds of nature too. Visit the park website for useful links for organizations that can connect you to businesses and marinas in the park that rent watercraft.

Stay cool all summer long

We all love a hot summer to shake off the long winter but remember to stay hydrated and cool. Take special care of children and pets on hot, sunny days to prevent heat stroke and burns. Bring water bottles, seek shade and plan activities for mornings and evenings. Pets must be leashed and are welcome to enjoy all areas of the park except for beaches. Watch for signs that indicate shoreline areas near beaches where pets are allowed to cool off and have a good drink.

Keeping the “wild” in wildlife

Prince Albert National Park is a great place to view wildlife in their natural habitat. With a vast range of recreational opportunities and camping experiences set in a wilderness full of elk, deer, fox, waterfowl and black bears, it is important to keep people and wildlife safe. Wildlife find their healthiest food in their natural environment and once they become accustomed to being fed by people, they stop looking for their natural foods and are no longer “wild”. In national parks across Canada, it is illegal to feed wildlife. It is also important to reduce the chance of these animals getting into pet food, coolers, storage containers, barbecues and other items that have a strong smell. Visitors are encouraged to store items with an odor in vehicles, bear caches when in the backcountry or in bear-proof garbage and recycling containers provided throughout the park. More information is available from the Visitor Centre and upon check-in at campgrounds. You are in Black Bear Country and Visitor Safety provide detailed wildlife safety information visitors can read when planning their trip to the national park.

Discover more at nearby parks and historic sties

With a Parks Canada Discovery Pass, families and groups have unlimited opportunities to visit incredible national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas throughout the year. In Saskatchewan, there are five national historic sites and two national parks to discover. Here are just a few to visit this summer:

· Imagine re-living the last battle of the Métis resistance in 1885, led by Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont against the government troops of General Middleton’s men at Batoche National Historic Site.

· Step back into a turbulent time in Canada’s past, when life on the prairies changed forever for the First Nations and Métis as the newly-formed North West Mounted Police marched into Fort Battleford.

· Enjoy captivating viewscapes by day while spending the night beneath a canopy of brilliant stars in Grasslands National Park – the darkest dark sky preserve in Canada!

Prince Albert National Park Visitor Centre

Contact the Visitor Centre to learn more about these activities, trail conditions and events in Prince Albert National Park this summer.

OPEN DAILY

7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (May 18 to September 2)

(306) 663-4522

pc.princealbertinfo.pc@canada.ca