Fort Walsh
photo from Parks Canada

Now a national historic site, Fort Walsh was the Northwest Mounted Police (RCMP) post from 1878 to 1883, and reopened from 1942 to 1968 to breed horses for the famed RCMP Musical Ride. Visit the old, townsite -- including two cemeteries and a reconstructed Whiskey trading post. Self guided trails lead along the Battle Creek Ridge. The fort is found south of the Trans-Canada, near the U.S. border, in the southwest corner of the province.

The historic site is located south of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. This park has two sections -- one directly north of Fort Walsh, and the other to the east (see below).

Saskatchewan

The two Trans-Canada routes cross the southern half of the province -- the northern stretch leads in a northwest direction through Saskatoon, North Battlefield, and Lloydminster, while the main, southern route runs east to west, about 80 miles north of the U.S. border, passing through Regina and Swift Current.

Both routes cross the vast prairie landscape. This is cattle and wheat farming country, with gentle hills, swales, and much flatland. On the western side of the province, the South Saskatchewan River flows between the two routes.

A half-dozen provincial park are found within a half-hour drive of the southern route, with only two located close to the Saskatoon route.

Driving across Saskatchewan is a unique Canadian experience -- with endless prairie stretching to the horizon, punctuated only by a succession of small farming towns and hamlets.

Highlights:

Both Regina and Saskatoon are sizable cities, with full visitor facilities, a range of restaurants, hotels, motels, and private RV parks. Swift Current, North Battleford and Lloydminster are smaller, but offer many of the same services.

Along the southern route, you'll find Moose Mountain Provincial Park south of the Trans-Canada, via Route 9 from Whitewood. Crooked Lake, Katepwa, and Echo Valley provincial parks are north of the highway, east of Regina. To get to Crooked Lake, take Route 201 at Broadview. Echo Valley and Katepwa parks are on opposite ends of Qu'Appelle, close to Regina. Saskatoon Landing Provincial Park is on the river, north of Swift Current, via Route 4.

Camping is also available at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, south of the main, southern Trans-Canada Highway, via Route 21. An interesting circle route will take you to this park, and then leads south on Route 21 -- to the junction with Route 13. Turn right on Route 13 and travel only a few miles to Route 615 (unpaved). Then take Route 615 north, to Route 271, and you'll see signs for Fort Walsh National Historic Park and the western section of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park (also with a campground). Take Route 271 north to rejoin Route 21 and the Trans-Canada highway.

Along the northern leg of the Trans-Canada, you'll find Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park just north of Yorkton (via Route 47), and The Battlefords Provincial Park 20 miles north of North Battlefield (via Route 4).