Grasslands National Park
Located close to the town of Val Marie in Saskatchewan, Grasslands National Park is one of only two national parks in this beautiful prairie province. I confess a real love of Saskatchewan, everyone will tell you "there's nothing there", "it's boring" and other such slurs, in truth this nonsense stems from people who need to be 'entertained'.
Those seeking 'Disneyland' should look elsewhere, but if you enjoy nature and quiet, uncluttered, open spaces then Saskatchewan is for you, and Grasslands is a real jewel in the crown. Located in the far south of the province, the park butts up to the US border devouring 900 square kilometers of northern short grasslands.
I decided to visit at the end of May 2019 when smoke from local wildfires drove me out of Alberta. I had wanted to visit the park for some time so this was as good as any. After spending two days exploring this open space I would return tomorrow and do it all again.
There's a distinct lack of good quality hotels in the area, but that's a good reason to stay further away and enjoy a drive into the park. I stayed in the town of Shaunavon in a very nice hotel and enjoyed the drive to the park through a region bristling with old vehicles, older barns, grain elevators, lakes and skies filled with birds of prey.
Those seeking 'Disneyland' should look elsewhere, but if you enjoy nature and quiet, uncluttered, open spaces then Saskatchewan is for you, and Grasslands is a real jewel in the crown. Located in the far south of the province, the park butts up to the US border devouring 900 square kilometers of northern short grasslands.
I decided to visit at the end of May 2019 when smoke from local wildfires drove me out of Alberta. I had wanted to visit the park for some time so this was as good as any. After spending two days exploring this open space I would return tomorrow and do it all again.
There's a distinct lack of good quality hotels in the area, but that's a good reason to stay further away and enjoy a drive into the park. I stayed in the town of Shaunavon in a very nice hotel and enjoyed the drive to the park through a region bristling with old vehicles, older barns, grain elevators, lakes and skies filled with birds of prey.
Entering the park from the north on highway 18 brings you in via Ecotour road and after only a short distance you'll reach 'Top Dogtown Trail' where rare Black Tailed Prairie Dogs will bark and make the most bizarre guttural throat sounds to warn of your arrival. This colony is the furthest north that these little creatures live, and were the inspiration for this prairie park. You can watch these little guys chase, eat, fight, play and sit in a zen like state among the spring blooms.
There's a short trail that lets you walk among them and sited telescopes to provide an up close view of their antics, after spending some time observing these wonderful creatures I can see why the park was created to protect their environment.
There's a short trail that lets you walk among them and sited telescopes to provide an up close view of their antics, after spending some time observing these wonderful creatures I can see why the park was created to protect their environment.
There are numerous walking trails throughout the park, all of which are easy going. I saw a number of snakes when walking the trails but none of them 'rattlers' which do live here in the park....so watch your feet and keep your ears open as you go. There are also some huge lizards who are as impossible as the snakes to get on camera. There's a buffalo herd but they tend to keep their distance, I did see three but all were very far away.
On day one I planned to stay in the park until dark so I could make a milky way image over the prairie. During the day I had seen a nice tree that I thought would make in interesting foreground if 'painted' with light. Light painting is not something I've done much of but I like the idea and the output from it. It is difficult to balance the light when it's from a small torch being waggled around in the pitch black night of Grasslands, but I think the image I managed to get through the smoke and haze was worth the effort. I have no doubt I will improve on the technique over time, I think the dark, clear winter nights of kananaskis will be far more suitable for this, thought a return to Grasslands in the autumn might achieve better results.
On day two I returned to the park in leisurely fashion and drove through beyond the Frenchman Valley Campgrounds where 'glamping' is available via the stilted hut/tents. Continuing on I reached the Larson Dogtown another colony where more of those wonderful prairie dogs were busy avoiding the interest of a local coyote who tried his best but ultimately failed to grab some lunch on the way past.
I traveled round the outer rim of the park to the west to reach '70 mile butte' and 'two tree' day use area where I saw a good number of pronghorns and found a Great Horned Owl nest with 3 chicks. I watched a flock of barn swallows circling the grass taking flies in the hundreds, and I sought shelter from the hot sun in the wigwams provided for day use on the site.
I really did enjoy my two day stint at Grasslands and would return anytime. If going there remember to call at the visitor centre in Val Marie where maps and all information required is available. There are toilet facilities in the park but no food or drink availability so make sure you have plenty of supplies in case you too decide to stay until 01:00 hrs to shoot the milky way.