Elbow Sask. offers all the amenities of a summertime lake resort

Elbow is one of many bustling communities on the shores of Lake Diefenbaker.

The village of Elbow is just one of the many communities in southern Saskatchewan offering tons of great amenities and services to those looking for some close-tohome vacation fun this summer. Elbow is located about 120 kilometres northwest of Moose Jaw on Highway 19, situated beside a stretch of protected wildlife land and right along the shores of Lake Diefenbaker.

The village offers lots of amenities, including the Elbow Hotel which houses a restaurant, bar, and accommodations. Visitors can also book a stay at Lakeview Lodge Motel, or take advantage of one of the many camping opportunities in the area. Douglas Provincial Park and Danielson Provincial Park are both popular camping spots with lake access and other amenities, as well as Elbow Sunset Suites & RV Park and Tuft’s Bay Campground inside the village itself. Coyote Springs Campground, located just four kilometres outside of Elbow, also provides full-service sites for campers as well as cabin rentals, and the chance to rub noses with the campground’s donkey. For those looking to peruse Elbow’s downtown, there’s plenty to see and shop for. When looking for family fun in the area, Harbor Lights Mini Golf is a popular favourite as is candy heaven Jelly Bean Shoppe. Elbow’s Urban Orchard is also worth visiting, with five acres of groomed trees with a walking path and an original Joe Fafard sculpture. The village is also big on pickleball, with summer and winter leagues running all the time. From May to October, pickleball is available every day of the week except Wednesdays and Fridays at the Civic Centre. Harbour Golf Club & Resort features an 18-hole course to enjoy as well as a restaurant in it’s clubhouse, while the next-door Lakeside Marina is the place to enjoy Lake Diefenbaker. As a full-service marina, Lakeside offers a boat launch, bait shop and boat rentals of all types — including pontoons and sailboats, which Elbow is known for.

The village also has public beach access, for those looking to enjoy an afternoon splashing in Lake Diefenbaker and the marina is the meeting point for several private fishing and boating tour companies in the area. Elbow Museum & Historical Society is a must-see, as it offers tours of a replica authentic sod house that was rebuilt in 2000 and furnished with period pieces for a unique glimpse into prairie life in the early 1900s. Visitors can also see the Mistaseni Cairn, located beside the golf course and marina. The cairn is a monument to a 400-ton glacier boulder that was destroyed during the construction of Gardiner Dam, and it contains pieces of the original rock.

For hiking enthusiasts, the village is situated along the TransCanada Trail, including Elbow Trail and further hiking spots in Douglas and Danielson Provincial Parks. The Douglas Park Sand Dunes are another unique spot for those seeking an outdoor adventure. Several kilometres of hiking trails, which begin at the sand dunes interpretive centre, take visitors to the unusual geographical feature in the Saskatchewan prairie. There’s a few summer events in Elbow to put on the calendar. Local non-profit groups put on a spectacular fireworks show every year on Canada Day, usually paired with a street dance. The Lakeshore Stampede is an annual event that draws crowds to the village in July, offering all the typical rodeo events like bull riding, roping and more. Harbour Golf Club & Resort also hosts the Lett’s Charity Golf Tournament each year in June. For more information on the village of Elbow, visit villageofelbow.com or call the town office at 1 (306) 854-2277.

The sod shack in Elbow is a unique part of the Elbow Museum & Historical Society, as it’s a rebuilt house from the early 1900s. (file photo)

Harbour Golf Club & Resort is a popular destination for golfers and those looking for a relaxing afternoon. (Tourism Sask.) The Douglas Park Sand Dunes are a unique feature just outside of Elbow, with maintained hiking trails and an interpretive centre to visit. (Tourism Sask.)