6 Day Saskatchewan Southern Charms

Day 1: Arrive in Regina

NOTE: This Self-Drive tour can be customized to start at the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park for travellers on a drive tour from southern Alberta. Arrive in Regina, the capital city of Saskatchewan and the home of Saskatchewan's provincial government. The site of Regina was originally named oskana kâ-asatêki a Cree word meaning “where the bones are piled.” In 1882, the city was renamed Regina, Latin for 'Queen' in honour of Queen Victoria. Take a tour and discover the city’s many captivating and amazing attractions - the Saskatchewan Legislative Building, Government House, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and the Wascana Centre, A 930-hectare urban park, Wascana Centre is the largest urban park in North America, more than double the size of Central Park in New York City. Wascana, derived from the original Cree name for the city, Centre has become an important community space for Regina residents. Make sure to include the RCMP Heritage Centre located at the RCMP Academy “Depot” Division. The Depot has been the training academy for Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) cadets since 1885 and even today remains the only RCMP training site in Canada.

Overnight: Regina

Day 2: Regina to the Grasslands Provincial Park

Heading west on the Trans-Canada Highway, we arrive in Moose Jaw, a small city with a big history. Moose Jaw is home to 15 Wing Moose Jaw, the Canadian Forces Base where the world-renowned, aerobatic flight team – the Snowbirds – train while in Saskatchewan. The city is also famous of the Tunnels of Moose Jaw. In local lore, bootleggers used the tunnels to smuggle liquor during the prohibition era. It is even rumoured that Al Capone himself used the tunnels to travel between Chicago and Moose Jaw. Head south from Moose Jaw to the community of Val Marie, approximately an hour and a half south of Swift Current on Hwy 4. Val Marie is near the West Block of the Grasslands National Park. This is the only Canadian national park that represents prairie grasslands. It is also home to the plains bison, and both the West and East Blocks of the park were declared Dark Sky Preserves in 2019. All accesses to both blocks of Grasslands National Park are by gravel road only. Get details from the Park Visitor Centre and then overnight stay at The Crossing at Grasslands near Val Marie.

Overnight: Grasslands National Park

Day 3: Grassland National Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

Explore the 20-km self-guided Ecotour Scenic Drive in the park’s West Block to discover stunning landscapes, rich history and active conservation. Unique formations of land and climate have created niches for rare plants, birds and animals including the pronghorn antelope, black-tailed prairie dog, burrowing owl, sage grouse, ferruginous hawk, greater short-horned lizard and prairie rattlesnake. Drive to the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park (Saskatchewan side) via Hwys 37 and 18. Visit the Visitor Centre, open May long weekend to September long weekend, for information about the park including brochures, maps, interpretive programs, events and more. Overnight at The Resort at Cypress Hills in the heart of the park.

Overnight: Cypress Hills

Day 4: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

The Saskatchewan side of the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is divided into two blocks of park area, the Centre Block and the West Block Wilderness Area. In the Centre Block you will find a resort complex, food services, a variety of campsites, outdoor pool, extensive hiking and biking trails, beach and swimming area, zipline tours, observatory, scenic vistas and educational programs and events. The West Block Wilderness Area offers panoramic views over vast stretches of lodgepole pine and spruce forest and a summer equestrian campground with corrals. The Fort Walsh National Historic Site is also located in this area of the province. Experience life in the 1870s and discover how Fort Walsh presided over one of the most dramatic periods of change on the prairies. From 1878 to 1882, Fort Walsh as the headquarters of the North West Mounted Police, while the Cypress Hills continued to be a meeting place and crossroads for many different peoples including First Nations, Metis, fur traders, and whisky traders. Overnight at The Resort at Cypress Hills in the Centre Block of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.

Overnight: Cypress Hills

Day 5: Cypress Hills to Regina (or continue your drive to Southern Alberta)

Spend the morning in Cypress Hills and then head east back to Regina with a stop in the city town of Swift Current. The Swift Current Creek meanders through the prairie from the Cypress Hills to the South Saskatchewan River. For centuries the First Nations people and fur traders knew of and used this creek. In 1882, the Canadian Pacific Railroad bridged the creek, and decided to built a depot in Swift Current. The community became the freight terminus for goods hauled north and south on overland trails and emerged as an integral part of The Battleford Trail. The Swift Current Museum & Visitor Centre features permanent and temporary exhibits, archives, a gift shop and tourist information centre. The city also offers visitors a variety of restaurants and coffee shops. Overnight in Regina

Overnight: Regina

Day 6: Depart Regina