Established as one of Saskatchewan's first provincial parks, Moose Mountain Provincial Park north of Carlyle offers year-round adventure the whole family can enjoy.
With beautiful stands of poplar and birch trees along with hilly topography, this park provides an ideal location for visitors to enjoy camping, boating, tennis and more. The park provides abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Fish species include walleye and yellow perch.
Moose Mountain is also great for wildlife finds such as moose, elk and many species of birds.
An extensive trail system for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling also runs throughout the park.
With adventures waiting in every season, Moose Mountain offers new experiences with every visit.
Kenosee Lake is the largest body of water in the park and serves as its central tourist attraction. Seasonal recreational activities in and around the lake include fishing, hunting, hiking, cycling, swimming, water sports, cross country skiing, snowmobile riding, horseback riding, miniature golf and an 18-hole golf course.
While visiting the park, stop by the visitor centre located in a stately stone chalet surrounded by flower gardens and affording a scenic lake view.
There you’ll find park administrative supervisor Ainsley Sauter, who is able to help you out with any questions you may have regarding the park.
“All of the camping sites will be open,” explains Sauter. “We’re operating according to the current public health guidelines.”
The reservation launch for Moose Mountain Provincial Park will begin on April 23 at 7 a.m. Reservations for seasonal campsites began on April 12 so all the seasonal campsites have been booked.
The park normally opens on the Thursday before the Victoria Day long weekend, which is the official day the gates are opened. The seasonal staff starts a few weeks before the long weekend to get the park and campground ready for the season.
Last year Sask. Parks had implemented an auto no-check in feature and that will be the same this year.
When a camper books online and prepays for their campsite and entry fees, they don’t have to check in, they simply go straight to their campsite, although they may have to stop at the entry gate for their vehicle entry.
“This reduces the traffic to our buildings,” explains Sauter.
“The park is hoping to get the programming going again this year as safe as possible. There will be interpreters running programming this year.”
“We couldn’t really do any programming last year,” says Sauter.
There won’t be any events planned this summer due to COVID, unless things change.
Sauter goes on to explain:
“We are going to have a Canada Day Parade this year since we are unable to do Canada Day festivities. The parade went over well last year.”
“We found that there seemed to be more people camping due to COVID. Camping and boating were still a few of things people could do during the pandemic.”
“We usually only fill the campsites right up on the long weekends but last year there were quite a few other weekends they were all filled up as well. I would say it was almost busier.”
It was noticeable this past winter that cross country skis and snowshoes were rented out more than usual. There were a lot of people using the trails and the snowmobile trails and fishing as well. COVID has definitely got people outside more.
Last year the park no longer had the physical senior entry annual passes but this year they brought this feature back so they will have physical senior annual passes for free entry into the park for Saskatchewan seniors only.
“Lots of people will be happy about that,” says Sauter.
Visit Moose Mountain Provincial Park this summer, whether it’s just for the day or to camp for a week.
