Is Saskatchewan Awesome?

Yes, it is!

What word comes to your mind when you hear the word Saskatchewan.

Flat?

My bet is you are thinking flat lands and wheat fields. But in my experience of visiting Saskatchewan, I can tell you there is so much more to one of our most wondrous provinces. Far from being flat, and I cannot lie, there certainly are areas that are flat, but in the southern half of the province, it’s full of rolling hills and deep beautiful valleys.

Most travelers driving across Canada have a tendency to blow through our prairie provinces as they head west or east. It’s pretty easy to drive through Saskatchewan on the Trans-Canada Highway without stopping. From the Manitoba border to the Alberta border is approximately 7 hours of driving. Unfortunately, many people don’t take the time to explore this wildlife and bird filled province with incredibly breathtaking scenery.

In Saskatchewan, the license plate proudly declares it as the 'Land of the Living Sky.' Here, the vast expanse of the big sky country is adorned with the graceful presence of birds and wildlife, the celestial beauty of the Milky Way, the captivating dance of the Aurora Borealis, and some of the most awe-inspiring sunsets imaginable—all converging to bring the sky to life in this enchanting province.

I have numerous favorite spots in Canada, yet Grasslands National Park is undeniably vying for the coveted top position. It's fascinating to note that Banff National Park attracts an impressive 4 million visitors annually, Jasper National Park sees over 2 million, and Algonquin Provincial Park boasts approximately 1 million visitors each year. These staggering numbers reflect the worldwide allure of these remarkable parks. Now, would you care to venture a guess at the annual visitor count for Grasslands National Park? Stick around and find out! It will most likely surprise you!

Grasslands National Park was established in 1981. It’s split into two different blocks encompassing over 900 square kilometers which are located approximately 2 hours driving distance apart. The west block is the largest area of protected natural Grasslands remaining in Canada, while the East Block is home to spectacularly rugged Badlands. While the Badlands near Drumheller, Alberta, enjoy widespread fame, their Saskatchewan counterparts remain largely unknown to the majority of Canadians.

Hopefully this article can serve as an inspiration to visit and explore Saskatchewan.

The first thing you need to do is get off the main highway. The backroads of Saskatchewan hold a treasure trove of surprises. May it be Pronghorns trotting in the fields or a Burrowing Owl perched on a fence pole or a Golden Eagle soaring above you, the magic never stops. Dusk is another time when you often come upon Bull Bison in the park. The Bison have awakened from their daytime slumber and suddenly begin to appear on the horizon, often with the backdrop of a blazing sunset.

The birds of Saskatchewan are something to behold. In my years of birding, the sheer amount and species of birds is almost overwhelming.

The morning is teeming with birds, serenading you from every direction. Western Meadowlarks, Lark Sparrows, Horned Larks, Chestnut-collared Longspurs fill the air with their songs.

Tiny Burrowing Owls, Mountain Bluebirds, and Loggerhead Shrikes can be seen.

Swainson’s Hawks and Ferruginous Hawks are common raptors perched or hunting over pristine grasslands. The prairie is alive with life.

Saskatchewan is also home to many unique species that we don’t see in central or eastern Canada including Pronghorn, Plains Bison, American Badger and the only Black-tailed Prairie Dogs in Canada.

I have only scratched the surface of Saskatchewan. I didn’t even touch the north of the province where the Boreal Forest dominates the landscape. That’s for another article.

As you read through this and browse the accompanying photos, my hope is that, even if just for a moment, you set aside the notion of Saskatchewan as merely flat terrain.

I hope that if you find yourself in Saskatchewan, you consider extending your stay or perhaps include it as one of your must-visit destinations in Canada. I assure you; the experience will exceed your expectations and leave you thoroughly delighted with your decision!

Answer to the question. How many visitors to Grasslands National Park each year?

Approximately 18,000 Visitors. So, get going, you’ll have the park practically to yourself!