Grasslands National Park
National Park (Parks Canada) / Dark Sky Preserve · Val Marie, Saskatchewan
Grasslands National Park protects one of the last large areas of undisturbed mixed-grass prairie in Canada, in the south of Saskatchewan close to the Montana border. It has two separate blocks far apart, and the West Block near the village of Val Marie is the one most visitors see. Here the Frenchman River cuts through coulees, buttes and open grassland, and colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs live in their only Canadian home. Plains bison have been brought back, and rare species such as the black-footed ferret have been reintroduced in recent years, though you are unlikely to see one. It is a Dark Sky Preserve, with superb stars. This is quiet, exposed country: no shade, few services, rattlesnakes and extreme weather. Allow one to three days. It is best for people who like space, birds and stars more than sights, and confirm road conditions, fees and visitor centre dates before driving out.
Grasslands National Park Visitor Centre, 30 Centre Street, Val Marie, Saskatchewan, S0N 2T0, Canada
The park itself is open all year, and the prairie, the roads and the stars do not close. The Val Marie visitor centre, the guided programs and the main campground services run mainly in the warm season, roughly from late spring into early autumn, so confirm dates and hours with Parks Canada before you set out. The unpaved roads, including the Ecotour scenic drive, can become impassable after rain, and winter brings deep cold, snow and drifting, with few services. The East Block is much more remote than the West Block, with fewer facilities. Check the weather forecast and road reports on the day of your visit and carry a full tank and plenty of water.
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