Whether you like sleeping under the stars or sprawling out on a soft mattress, check out some interesting overnighters across the province. For a true prairie experience, stay in a “BINcredible” grain bin at Alive Sky Lodge near Rosetown. The luxury containers are outfitted with a plush queen bed, private deck and hot tub. For a more rustic retreat, head northeast on Highway 11 to Flora Bora Forest Lodging and bunk in a yurt. Nestled in the forest near Emma Lake, each handcrafted yurt sleeps four and comes equipped with a full kitchen and bathroom. To glamp up your weekend, bed down in a luxe tent at Camp Wolf Willow, overlooking the South Saskatchewan River. The cozy canvas pop-up features a double bed, two comfy cots and a firepit. Stroll over to the on-site winery and pick up a bottle to enjoy by the campfire. Wherever you stay, remember pandemic safety: Wear a mask, keep your distance and frequently wash hands. And check ahead when reserving accommodations: Many properties in the province adhere to enhanced pandemic protocols, like screening questionnaires and temperature checks.
BEST BEACHES
With nearly 100,000 lakes and waterways in Saskatchewan, there’s always a sandy pit stop nearby.
• Lake Diefenbaker, southern Saskatchewan’s largest lake, boasts several picture-postcard beaches. You can beach hop via the Riverhurst Ferry, which links Riverhurst on the east bank to Lucky Lake on the west side.
• The shallow water of Waskateena Beach on Candle Lake is ideal for kids. Farther east, the sparkling white sand of Minowukaw Beach is adjacent to powdery dunes. Anglers will delight in hauling in resident pike and walleye.
MORE TO READ
How to do comfort camping in Alberta
• Get a taste of the Caribbean in Saskatchewan at Good Spirit Lake. The clear water is weed-free with a sandy bottom, making it feel like a tropical swimming hole. On land, play in the natural sand dunes or hike along The Great Trail.
GONE FISHIN’
A roundup of the best fishing spots in the province.
Near Nipawin, Tobin Lake is an easily accessible drive-in location that delivers big fish. Created from the damming of the Saskatchewan River, it’s known as a hot spot for trophy walleye and northern pike. The lake has produced provincial records and is home of the world ice-fishing record for walleye, a behemoth tipping the scale at 8.3 kg caught in 2005.
Hanson Lake Road (a.k.a. Highway 106) ambles northeast with direct connections to many recreation sites and lakes, including Deschambault, Mirond and Jan. Mirond holds the live-release record for northern pike, proving you don’t have to do a fly-in to catch a trophy-size fish. Jan Lake (above) is equally impressive for its large pike and walleye.
MORE TO READ
Leaf out: discovering glorious fall colours in Saskatchewan
Running up the middle of the province, Highway 2 connects to Highway 102—the gateway to the historic Churchill River and beyond. The tiny community of Missinipe on Otter Lake is not only a home base for angling and paddling adventures, but also serves as a key float plane base to access remote lodges.
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
The best road trip buddy? Your AMA membership! Roadside Assistance takes the stress out of driving if you need a tow or help along the way. And your membership helps you explore with instant savings at fun pit stops and eateries along the way: Save 15% at Marble Slab Creamery, or save 10% at Original Joe’s Restaurant & Bar. AMA also has your back even when you’re in the passenger’s seat as membership goes with you, not the vehicle.