Prince Albert National Park

Before Prince Albert National Park was established, the 3875 square km area that would fall within its borders, was a traditional hunting and trapping ground for the Montreal Lake Cree Nation. It was also home to a Hudson Bay Company post on Waskesiu Lake from 1886 to 1893. In 1913, the southern third portion of the park was established as the Sturgeon River Reserve. It was in that year that the Prince Albert Lumber Company began harvesting the forest for lumber. In 1924, because of the area’s recreational potential the first cottage subdivision was created on Waskesiu Lake.

In order to further develop the cottage site and roads into Waskesiu Lake, the Prince Albert Board of Trade successfully lobbied for the creation of a national park. On August 10, 1928, Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, elected representative for Prince Albert, officially opened Prince Albert National Park - Saskatchewan’s first national park.

Photo courtesy Tourism Saskatchewan

Photo by Greg Huszar

Throughout the depression of the 1930s, relief workers cut trails, built roads, bridges, wharves and structures. Concentrated work was done on the development of a townsite and campground because of the increasing influx of park visitors. In 1931, there were 3800 campers sharing space on 480 sites. Permission followed to allow the erection of collapsible shack tents. By the 1950s there were 412 shack tents in the campground. Over time, the shack tents were relocated, many eliminated, and others converted into permanent cottages. Today in the park there are 12 recognized federal heritage buildings, all built between 1928 and 1935.

Canada’s national parks were created for the enjoyment of Canadians as nature reserves and recreational sites. In 1931 the Dominion Park Service hired conservationist and author, Grey Owl (Archibald Belaney), as its first naturalist, providing him with a cabin on Ajawaan Lake in PANP. Over the next 7 years Grey Owl actively promoted wilderness conservation as an author and international speaker. Today, hiking to Grey Owl’s cabin is a popular 40km round trip experience.

Photo courtesy Tourism Saskatchewan

Photo by Greg Huszar

The four season townsite of Waskesiu is still the heart of Prince Albert National Park. It is graced with seasonal shopping, inns, cabin and oTENTik rentals, a theatre, nature centre, beaches, opportunities to geocache, a golf course, festivals, campgrounds, marinas, and complimentary amenities like cross country skis, and ice fishing equipment.

Located in the boreal forest, the park is home to a number of lakes, bogs and meadows, is forested with jack pine, white and black spruce, tamarack, aspen, and birch. A diverse understory of wild roses, kinnikinnick, coralroot, western red lily, asters, lichens and mosses prevail. The changing seasons, diverse landscapes, and network of hiking trails offer endless opportunities to stop and savour the area’s rich beauty.

Photo by L Carter

The forest is home to red squirrels, beaver, lynx, timber wolf, white-tailed deer, fox, cougar, black bear, elk, moose, plains bison, loons, songbirds, white pelicans, cormorants, ravens, and magpies. The vast diversity of wildlife provides endless sighting opportunities for birdwatchers, photographers, hikers, and those taking a scenic drive.

Photo by Ed Stringer

Crystal clear lakes provide hours of pleasure – whether for beach-goers, fishing, paddling, sailing, motor boating, canoeing, or kayaking. Four season front and back country camping, hiking, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing allow visitors to discover diverse experiences within the park.

From its inception, the Prince Albert National Park has been referred to as Saskatchewan’s playground, drawing about 250,000 visitors annually. For more detailed information about the park, visit the PANP website at www. pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/SK/princealbert or the Waskesiu Wilderness Region website at www.waskesiuwildernessregion.com.

Photo courtesy Tourism Saskatchewan

Photo by Greg Huszar

2018-19 Discover Prince Albert Guide