Saskatchewan’s Prince Albert National Park

Welcome to Prince Albert National Park, 1500 square miles of wilderness. When the government set aside the land in 1927, some considered it a waste of money. Why protect a special section of wilderness when there was so much?

PANP Sunset
PANP Sunset

It is fortunate that some people had the foresight to make the effort because where there was once endless wilderness, men have reduced it drastically. To the north, forest has been cut for pulpwood, and to the south new fields are checkerboarding their way right to the park boundaries.
Travellers heading west to the Canadian Rockies often miss one of Saskatchewan’s out of the way treasures.

Elk on Fairway
Elk on Fairway

Often, they try to cover the prairies as quickly as possible, tiring of the continuous rolling fields of grain and the occasional slough. Actually, these are quite scenic on their own, but if you head north past Saskatoon, you will encounter terrain you probably didn’t expect. Slowly small stands of aspen begin to intrude on the agricultural landscape. Hills appear, a few small lakes, and even exposed rocky cliffs.
Waskesiu is the centre of commerce in the park. Here you will find the major campgrounds, a few hotel room, and cabins, and a store and library. Lake Waskesiu provides lots of fish fun, boating and canoeing, and the big sandy beach at the townsite is a large hit with the children.

Quiet stream
Quiet stream

There are areas with more primitive camping. At the Narrows Campground they are trying an experiment with solar panels to see if solar panels and batteries can replace the expensive propane generator that has serviced the location for years. There is a small marina here, and the stored power will provide them with electricity, as well as pump water and light the restrooms.
Prince Albert NP has a wide variety of hiking trails that will take you from civilization into the backcountry where you can expect real wilderness experiences ranging from the crazy cry of the loon to the scream of a prowling lynx.
Of course, with its 1500 lakes, the park is a natural for canoeing. The canoe routes will lead you into some of denser wilderness regions of the park beyond the trails.
If you are looking for something a little less strenuous, stop at the golf course and play a few holes. You may even get a good look at a herd of elk having an afternoon rest on one of the fairways.

Relax at the Lake
Relax at the Lake

The next time you cross the prairies, take a little sidetrip. Head north of Saskatoon to Prince Albert National Park.
Happy RV’ing

For more than four decades James Stoness has travelled the roads of North America, photographing and writing about what he has seen. His travel articles and beautiful pictures have been published in several magazines and newspapers. He is also the author of five western novels.  Visit his website at:  www.stonesstravelguides.com

 

Banff National Park

Popular Rocky Mountaineer Stop
Popular Rocky Mountaineer Stop

Canada’s Banff National Park is known the world over for its mountain scenery. If you visit the park you will see people from many different countries who are busy enjoying the wonders of the park.

RVers come from all across North America to enjoy the camping and to enjoy the pleasure of driving through the park. This is a place where high grey mountains puncture the deep blue sky with majestic ease. On their sides, glaciers cling to sidewalls, or fill beautiful cirques. Hidden alpine meadows call to hikers to come and explore their quiet domains cloaked with rafts of colourful flowers, the silence broken by the sudden whistle of the marmot,

RV in Tunnel Mountain CG
RV in Tunnel Mountain CG

or the sharp crack of shifting ice in a nearby glacier. Walk around a shoulder of rock and suddenly revealed below might be the immeasurable beauty of a tiny emerald lake, one of the jewels of the mountains of Banff.

The park is huge, at 6,600 square kilometres (2564 sq. miles). Setting aside the land for protection began in 1883 when workers building the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) discovered a cave with hot running water. The Banff Upper Hot Springs are now are great place to soak in the natural hot water spring, with the facilities for your comfort just at hand.

Motorhome in Tunnel Mtn. Campground
Motorhome in Tunnel Mtn. Campground

There are campgrounds for everyone. A favourite place to stop is at one of the Tunnel Mountain campsites, just a short distance from the Banff Townsite. If you stop at the Lake Louise campsites you are close to the entrance to Lake Moraine and the Valley of the Ten Peaks which is perhaps the greatest view in the Rockies, and is easily reached.

Lake Moraine, and Lake Louise have become a magnet for every tourist that come to the park and this horde of people is spoiling the beauty of what they had come to see. When I first visited lake Moraine, it was at the end of a long dirt road with a little camping area. Now the road is paved, and there is a huge parking lot, and no camping. Now your experience is fighting for a parking spot, and working through jostling crowds. Try to avoid the summer months, if you want to experience what stirred those who realized what a gem there was here.

Handsome elk on guard duty
Handsome elk on guard duty

For years visitors had the opportunity to see a herd of buffalo just outside of town, but they were removed. The good news is the buffalo herd may return to the park although they will be placed in a remote back-country, and not up close for viewing as they were formerly. However, they may expand their range if left alone.

Come to the park and enjoy the great scenery. If you can arrange it, avoid the summer months.

Happy RVing!

For more than four decades James Stoness has travelled the roads of North America, photographing and writing about what he has seen. His travel articles and beautiful pictures have been published in several magazines and newspapers. He is also the author of five western novels.  Visit his website at:  www.stonesstravelguides.com