Grasslands National Park, Canada: Prairie, bison and an endless sky
- 21 hours ago
- 5 min read
Grasslands National Park in Canada isn't usually at the top of most people's bucket lists. Yet, this park, divided into East and West Block, boasts one of the last great prairie landscapes in North America, home to bison, prairie dogs, and a vast sky illuminated by countless stars at night. Here are my tips on what you absolutely shouldn't miss in the West Block.
In the increasing wind of the setting sun, the delicate stalks move like waves in the sea.
I stand on a hill in a sea of grass. As far as the eye can see, nothing but vast prairie. I close my eyes and imagine what it must have looked like here 150 years ago. The earth would have thundered with countless hooves, and the air would have been filled with snorting from many nostrils. Eagles would have circled above me in the endless sky, and in the distance, I would have seen the occasional Native American tipi.
When I open my eyes, I am alone.
Few visitors venture into Grasslands National Park in southern Saskatchewan. It takes a sense of adventure to drive the seemingly endless gravel roads across the prairies. The reward is a landscape that has barely changed: open plains, vast skies, and wildlife that can only be spotted with patience.
Click on the first image to start the photo gallery:
Along the hike, signs explain the special features of the park's flora, fauna and history. The Grassland National Park is the only one dedicated to the prairie. The 70 Mile & Eagle Butte Loop hiking trail offers great views.
Hike at 70 Mile Butte
I'm standing on the summit of 70 Mile Butte. Unobstructed views for miles.
The North West Mounted Police , which patrolled this area between 1874 and 1912, gave the hill its name. It was located 70 miles east of the Wood Mountain Post and 70 miles west of the Eastend Post.
The butte was a prominent landmark in the open prairie. It showed the Mounties not only their position, but also their proximity to the 70 Mile Crossing, present-day Val Marie, where the Frenchman River could be crossed relatively safely.
My tip: 70 Mile Butte is a good place to watch the sunset.
Key Facts about the hike
♡ Factor: ♡♡♡♡♡
Length: 5 km
Duration: approx. 1:30-2 hours
Elevation gain/loss : 137 meters
Difficulty: medium
Highlight: The view from the hill over the surrounding landscape. The many information panels that tell the story of the flora, fauna, and the history of the Western bloc.
👉 You can find the GPS data for the hike on Outdooractive .
Equipment: sturdy footwear, sun protection, sufficient water
Safety : Paths can become slippery after rain; there is hardly any shade in summer.
Eco Tour Scenic Drive in West Block
The Ecotour Scenic Drive is a roughly 20-kilometer-long gravel road that winds through the West Block of Grasslands National Park. Several stops and viewpoints offer insights into the wildlife and the fragile prairie ecology.
In Canada and North America, large parts of the original prairie have disappeared or become highly fragmented. Grasslands National Park is working to preserve this ecosystem. More than 70 plant species characterize the landscape here and form the basis for an astonishingly diverse wildlife .
With a bit of luck, you might spot over 30 endangered species along the Scenic Drive. The probability is never guaranteed – much remains a matter of chance, and that's part of the experience.
Prairie dogs and burrowing owls
Fortunately, I had read the national park brochure the evening before; otherwise, I probably would have had to wait a very long time for my first animal sighting at the second stop, "Top Dogtown." "Top Dogtown" is one of the few places in Canada where you can observe black-tailed prairie dogs. When I saw a photo of a meerkat-like animal in the brochure, I couldn't help but smile: "So that's what a prairie dog looks like!" I had imagined something more like a coyote or a wild dog.
They busily run back and forth between the buildings, greeting each other and standing together in a convivial atmosphere before nibbling a little grass again.
Thanks to the helpful brochures, I also know that the endangered burrowing owl can be observed here. They used to be widespread on the prairie, but poison baits and insecticides have drastically reduced their numbers. Backlit by the sun, I try to spot the owls. Suddenly, I see something flutter up briefly. What I mistook for prairie dogs from a distance turns out, upon closer inspection, to be a burrowing owl. With my zoom lens, I can see it up close: the most striking feature is its intensely yellow eyes, with which it intently studies me before resuming its hunt.
The Return of the Bison
Bison were once the dominant animals of the North American prairie . In the 19th century, they were eradicated from large parts of the region. It was only decades later that their return began.
Today, several hundred plains bison once again roam the western block of Grasslands National Park. They are there, but not always visible. From a viewing platform, I finally spot a single animal in the distance. The rest remain hidden in the vastness of the landscape.
Outlook: Eastern Bloc
While the Western Bloc is primarily known for its wildlife and open prairies, the Eastern Bloc represents a completely different era. There lie traces of a world that ended around 66 million years ago.
I'll write about that in the next post. Here you can soon find out what to expect from the East Block of the Grassland National Park.
Info
General information about accommodations and activities can be found on the Tourism Saskatchewan website .
Grasslands National Park has two main entrances : the more easily accessible West Block and the East Block, which is reached by adventurers via a gravel road . The two blocks are not connected by road and each offers unique landscapes and experiences.
The visitor centre in the West Block at Val Mari e and in the East Block at Rock Creek Campground is open from 9am to 5pm between May and October.
Arrival
Grasslands National Park is located approximately 350 kilometers west of the provincial capital Regina and 650 kilometers east of Calgary. The drive from Calgary to the western part of the park takes about eight hours.
IMPORTANT!
There are no gas stations, grocery stores, or car repair shops in the park. Therefore, it is essential to fill up your tank and stock up on sufficient food supplies, especially before visiting the East Block.
Sleep
In Val Marie, on the outskirts of town, there is a quirky but clean bed and breakfast in a former monastery .
Frenchman Valley in the Westblock is a campsite with 20 pitches and electricity, as well as four permanently installed otentik tents.
The Rock Creek Campground in the eastern part of the block has eight otentik tents and 24 tent or campsite sites with electricity.
Both campsites have drinking water, but no showers.
Best time to travel
Although the park is accessible all year round, the best time to visit is between May and October when the two campsites are open.
Equipment
Travelers should bring binoculars, a sun hat, refillable water bottles with a capacity of at least 3 liters, and a headlamp with red light for stargazing.
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