Prince Albert National Park, is one of the great gems in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan has many great parks for camping and fishing and simply relaxing in, but Prince Albert National Park has a whole different feel to it. Perhaps it is because it is a National Park, or maybe because of the history that the park has, or perhaps it is simply its size. One thing is for sure, Prince Albert National Park has something to offer everyone.
Recreational Opportunities
There are so many recreational opportunities in Prince Albert National Park that it is hard to talk about them all, let alone try them all in one visit.
A view from a Namekus tent site
Whether your idea of fun is playing the links, camping in the back country, or simply relaxing at the beach you will not be disappointed with the number of things to do at Prince Albert National Park.
Camping
Prince Albert National Park offers many great campgrounds to camp in with your trailer, rv or just your tent! The largest campgrounds are at the townsite of Waskesiu, with two fully serviced campgrounds. Both of the campgrounds at the townsite of Waskesiu offer water, central showers, electrical hookups and kitchen shelters. There are other campgrounds at the Narrows on the opposite side of Waskesiu Lake, as well as campgrounds at Sandy Lake, Namekus Lake and Trappers Lake. Some of these other campgrounds offer unique camping opportunities. For example the tent sites at Namekus Lake are at the lake front and offer a great view of the lake!
Hiking
If
The view from the Spruce River Highlands tower.
you like to hike Prince Albert National Park offers trails for all levels of hiker. For those that just like casual walks through the forest there are plenty of easy hikes to do. Some of the best shorter hikes offer self guided maps. Some of the shorter hikes include the Boundary Bog self guided trail where you can explore some of the unique aspects of a bog, including the pitcher plant an insect eating plant. There is also the short hike up to the Height of Land tower that shows you the height of land that separates the northern and southern watersheds in Saskatchewan. Water north of the height of land eventually flows into the Churchill river system and water south of the height of land flows into the Saskatchewan river system. There is also the Spruce River Highlands trail, which offers both a shorter hike to the tower and back or a longer day hike loop. Some of the other shorter/day hikes that you might want to look into is the Waskesiu river trail, and the Shady Lake trail. The Waskesiu river trail offers a portion that is wheelchair accessible. The Shady Lake trial starts in the same parking lot as the Height of Land tower so you can easily do both the same day. There are many other short day hikes to look into.
For longer hikes or overnight trips there is the trip to Grey Owl' cabin on Ajawaan Lake. Plan to spend a lest a night in the backcountry of you are going out to Grey Owl's cabin. The trial follows the east side of Kingsmere river and Kingsmere lake. The hike offers many beautiful scenes of Kingsmere lake and is roughly a 40 km round trip. There are four back-country campgrounds to choose from along your route all offering the same basic facilities, an out house, camp sites, and usually a bear pole to store food. You will need to obtain back country permits for your trip to Grey Owl's cabin so check with the Prince Albert National Park information before heading out. One of the best ways to do the trip to Grey Owl's cabin when you hike is to hike up to the third campground on the eastern shore of Kingsmere Lake and camp there overnight, then take a short day trip up to Grey Owl' cabin on Ajawaan Lake and return to you camp site. It makes the trip to Grey Owl's a shorter day and you can enjoy the hike a little more with out carrying a full pack on your back.
For the more adventurous there are also many other longer hikes and back packing rips available on the western side of Prince Albert National Park. The west side of the park is not used as much and the trails are for the more experienced hiker. Remember to check with the Park office before heading into the back country.
Boating
Boating in Prince Albert National Park is always a joy. Canoeing and sailing are some of the best ways to explore and enjoy the beauty of the park. Canoes and sailing vessels are allowed on all of the lakes in the park. If you like canoeing take a day canoeing on Namekus Lake. There are no power boats allowed on the lake, and it is isolated enough that the water never gets to rough. Pack a picnic, your fishing rod and enjoy the day. If you like power boating, power boats are allowed on Waskesiu Lake, Sandy Lake, Crean Lake, Hanging Heart Lakes and Kingsmere Lake. Check with the park information centre about any possible restrictions that might be in effect.
Fishing
There is some great fishing in Prince Albert National Park. Some of the best fishing lakes are Kingsmere Lake, Waskesiu Lake, Namekus Lake and Sandy Lake. On Kingsmere Lake, Waskesiu Lake and Sandy lake your best chances of catching the big one is from a boat. Be sure to check for any restricted waters that might be in effect. On Namekus Lake you have a better chance at catching fish from a canoe, but you can fish from the shore and still get lucky on occasion. There are special restricts for fishing in a National Park, including the need to have a National Park fishing license, so check with the information centre about other restrictions including use of lead weights and barbed hooks.
Beaches
There are some great beaches to relax on in Prince Albert National Park and not just at the townsite of Waskesiu. Some of the best beaches are away from the townsite. Take a drive along either side of Waskesiu Lake and there are numerous beaches and picnic sites. Many of these other beaches are less crowed and offer a more relaxing atmosphere than the main beaches at the Waskesiu townsite. Don't forget to go and explore some of the other beaches in the park as well. Sandy Lake has a great beach for swimming, and is a great place to have a day out along with a picnic. Namekus Lake has a great beach, although swimming is often better in the earlier summer before the weeds grow larger.
Golfing
If you are a golfer there a number of high quality golf courses to choose from. The
Waskesiu Golf Course features 18 holes and is very popular. A short drive from the Waskesiu town site is the
Elk Ridge Resort golf course that features 27 holes. A short drive south from Waskesiu you can find the Emma Lake Golf Course with 18 holes. Staying at the town site of Waskesiu makes an excellent central location for the golfer with the excellent Waskesiu Golf Course and the additional two courses within a short drive from Prince Albert National Park.
Waskesiu Activities
Shopping
There are numerous stores and shops in Waskesiu to keep the shopper happy. Clothing shops, jewelry stores, souvenir and craft stores. There is also convenience stores and general merchandise stores to make sure you have everything you need for your vacation.
Dining
There are some great places to sit and enjoy a meal in Waskesiu. If you are looking for an elegant night out be sure to make a reservation at the Hawood Inn. The hotel offers great food and a beautiful view of the lake. Definitely the place to take someone you want to impress! If you want to kick back and relax a little check out Pete's Terrace (formerly Pizza Pete's) and the Beach House. Pete's Terrace makes the best pizza in Waskesiu and has a great outdoor terrace (thus the name) to site and relax on and have a drink. The Beach House is closer to the beach so if you need a quick snack that is the place to go. There is also a Subway open in Waskesiu, so if you are looking for the fast food type of place you have that option as well.
One of the favourite things to do in Waskesiu is have an ice cream cone. There are two places that stand out, Big Olaf's and Scoops. Big Olaf's is a long time favourite of many visitors and offers great waffle cones. You have not been to Waskesiu until you have made a stop at Big Olaf's. Scoops, is the other ice cream place to get a good ice cream cone. They offer waffle cones as well and have a large selection of ice cream flavours to choose from often they have over 50! Don't go there with anyone that has a hard time making up their mind.
Movies
For those rainy days or evenings when you just want to sit back and relax and enjoy a good movie you can check out Twin Park Theaters for the latest Hollywood movies. Get some popcorn and sit back and relax in the theatre. You can also find movie rentals from some of the local stores.
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