PRINCE ALBERT NATIONAL PARK.
Prince Albert National Park is a perfect example of why Saskatchewan is more than just grassy fields.
All in all, Prince Albert has made it on this list as a shining example of why many Canadians are wrong about Saskatchewan.
FORT WALSH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.
Fort Walsh National Historic Site is just another example of fascinating places to see in Saskatchewan Canada. It is nestle in rolling hills, and crowned in forested area that splashes the landscape like a great conifer wave.
This serves 1878-1882 as the Northwest headquarters for the mounted police. Many artifacts and old buildings have been found amoung the restored fort land, most of the artifacts have been stored with parks Canada.
Fort Walsh was intended to help curb illegal whiskey trade (though they should have been closer to fort Whoop-up in Lethbridge, AB). It was also used as a stationing post for the forces who helped supervise surviving Lakota who fled to Canada for safety. This was mostly to prevent any strife between them and existing Canadian tribes in the area. Fort Walsh is a magnificent piece of Canadian history. It is settled in a magnificent prairie landscape with present wildlife and flora that gives it the strong feel of the old West Canada style. These, and many more, reasons are why it has made our list of destinations in Saskatchewan.
RCMP HERITAGE CENTER.
The R.C.M.P Heritage Center in Regina Saskatchewan is an amazing example of where we came from in terms of Canada's national law enforcement. The brave people of the R.C.M.P once protected the settlers from sea to sea, and now serve to protect the smaller towns across the nation who have no local law. Now brave men and women serve across the country to keep it's people strong and free.
No trip to Saskatchewan would be complete without visiting yet another historical location contained by the magnificent province. There is a very rich culture of history in this province; the RCMP were once the front line of defense for the Western frontier in Canada. This wasn't Dudley Do-Right's RCMP either, these brave men and women undergo intense training that allows them to respond to various threats to Canadian security at home. We at Explore Canada would be remiss to forget taking time to learn more about the history of those who protect our citizens at great personal risk.
SASKATOON.
The city of Saskatoon is Saskatchewan's largest city. Though not as big as many other cities, coming in at 257,300 according to 2014 census information, Saskatoon has a lot to offer and tends to catch people off guard who have never been there before. Saskatoon has a rich personal history, having been set up in an attempt to avoid the liquor trade, and today offers many events that draw crowds annually. They host Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, the Saskatoon Fringe festival of alternative theater, and even a jazz festival. Saskatoon has national recognition as one of the top college towns for live music lovers. The city even offers a live theater with various groups, including improve.
In 1939 it even welcomed my favourite monarch, King George the VI who struggled with his speech and overcame a stammer after his older brother was the first monarch in England to abdicate the throne. King George the VI was king of England, and in essence Canada, during the second world war. His daughter Elizabeth II is the current Queen of England, his daughter Margaret being as much trouble as his older brother.
Now Saskatoon makes our list and, given it's central location, is a great staging point from which to visit our Saskatchewan destinations.
REGINA.
Though not the largest city in Saskatchewan, Regina is the capital of Saskatchewan. Much like the Alberta cities Edmonton and Calgary, the smaller of the two houses the provincial government. That doesn't mean that, at just under 200,000 people,
Regina has less to offer. When Alberta and Saskatchewan once formed part of the Northwest Territories, Regina housed the territory government. Louis Riel, seen as a villain by anglophone Canadians, was tried and hanged in Regina. The city was also decimated in 1912 by the "Regina cyclone."
There are several amazing landmarks that have survived the ages, or been erected, such as the old post office on 11th avenue. Mosaic stadium in Regina is home to the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders. Currently the province's only major sports team, Roughrider fans are arguable some of the most loyal and intense fans in major sports. There are even several goods with team related names such as "All Dressler chips," named after a crowd favourite Weston Dressler. Dressler tied the CFL and NFL record for most two point conversions in a single game by one player. Having once played for the NFL's Kansas city Chiefs, he is an asset to the team and definitely a crowd favourite.
The fan base is so dedicated that they will often make trips to watch away games in other provinces. In Edmonton it costs more to see the Eskimos play Saskatchewan than it does to watch them play battle of Alberta rivals Calgary. The people of Saskatchewan have high hopes of one day winning a hockey team in coming NHL expansions, though for economic reasons it'll most likely be housed by larger Saskatoon.
BATOCHE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.
No trip to historic sites of Saskatchewan would be complete without a stop by Batoche. In 1885 Canada was struggling with the Northwest rebellion. The battle of Batoche took place at this historic site, a decisive battle of the rebellion. Canadian authorities, led by Major General Frederick Middleton and with superior numbers and firepower, were able to decisively put down the insurrectionist Métis force led by Louis Riel. Louis Riel was later hanged in Regina for his actions. Middleton set up and shelled the area for a whole day on May 10th 1885. By the time he commenced his advance on Batoche, two thirds of the Métis force was dead or badly wounded. The defending Métis were so desperate, they fired back foraged government ammunition from the ground or fired forks and cutlery. This was the decisive battle in the rebellion. After the battle was won for the government, many of the force members were sent back to Eastern Canada. No historic venture in Saskatchewan would be complete without a visit to the site of that long ago battle.
CYPRESS HILLS INTERPROVINCIAL PARK.
Cypress hills interprovincial park is another shining example of the beautiful landscape of Saskatchewan. It straddles Southern Saskatchewan and Alberta as Canada's only interprovince park. It is the highest point in Canada between the rockies to the West and Labrador to the East. There are roughly 700 species of plants and animals thriving in the park, including an astounding 14 species of orchids. There are many fish species in the park ranging from walleye, to the Shorthead Redhorse. There is even a fish known as Burbot. These are the only member of the Cod family that live in fresh water. The eel-like fish required frigid temperatures to breed. This particular species, though odd, is edible. In Finland it's eggs and liver are seen as delicacies. You can rent kayaks or canoes in the park; Fort Walsh historic site is located within the park's limits.
FORT CARLTON PROVINCIAL PARK.
Fortunately not named for Carlton Banks, the Provincial park at Fort Carlton wont be seen alongside Will Smith at any Fresh Prince reunion shows. From 1810-1885 it served as a Hudson's Bay company fur trading post. It is the third, and only permanent, of three attempts at making fur trading posts. The fort, like other palisade style forts, sits on the edge of abundant wooded area. It was leased by the Northwest mounted police in 1880 as a police outpost. The current site is a partial reconstruction of the original fort designed as a national historic attraction. 
Now the park is a great destination to anyone visiting the province of Saskatchewan. This, and the other forts like it, are great looks at what it was once like to live in Western Canada. We hope to stop by and truly respect what it was like to live before the Roughriders were even a pipe dream.
MOOSE JAW.
The often less thought of City of Moosejaw is a small retirement/tourist city in South Saskatchewan. Though it would be a great sadness to forget the history that this city contains. The population is even less that my home town of St. Albert Alberta, coming in at 33,274 people.
The city downtown is riddled with various tunnel systems that were originally built as a steam system. Eventually they were used to house entire families of Chinese railway workers who had come there to escape persecution at a time when Asian people were being poorly painted as a vicious terror. They would work for the shops above in exchange for food and supplies. Then in the 1920s the tunnels were used to move rum during american prohibition. They are said to have housed all the rum sent south of the border via the "Soo line Railroad," an American subsidiary of CP rail.
RCAF station Moosjaw was established in 1940 for training pilots. After the war it remained in operation throughout the cold war; the area around Moosjaw offers great conditions for training new pilots. It is currently Canada's main flight training base, and home to the well known flight group called The Snowbirds. It is another of Saskatchewan's cities to have been visited by my favourite monarch and his wife. Queen Elizabeth II made her first visit in 1959 and has since made several returns. All in all we think this city is another filled with rich Canadian history. It offers yet another example of the wonder that is Saskatchewan.
QU'APPELLE VALLEY.
Qu'Appelle Saskatchewan was once thought to be the future major metropolis of the North-West and for good reason. Back when Saskatchewan was part of the Northwest Territories, it was going to be considered territorial headquarters of the Northwest by the Church of England.
At one point it was the terminus for CP rail in the district of Assiniboia N.W.T.
When the Lieutenant-Governor Edgar Dewdney eventually decided to give significance instead to what is now Regina, where he happened to own land, Qu'Appelle lost all but it's historic significance. Qu'Appelle is a modification of the french Qui Appelle or "who calls," a reference to the legend on the nearby Qu'Appelle valley found here.
General Middleton made Qu'Appelle the muster point for his forces against the Northwest rebellion as they arrived from the east.
Edward Rawlinson is a figure of Canadian history who was the youngest chartered accounted in the country. He is recognized in Canada for his leadership in broadcasting after his purchase of several media brands. During the second world war he was the manager of British commonwealth air training plan flying school in Prince Albert. He was born in Qu'Appelle Sask, 1912 and survived until 1992.
THE BATTLEFORDS.
The Battlefords provincial park is located 40 kms North and offers swimming, fishing, hiking, golf, and more.
Prior to European settlement, the area was strongly contested for it's resources. North Battleford became home to a CP line from Saskatchewan to Edmonton. There are a number of historic buildings here and it is home to the only psychiatric hospital in Saskatchewan.
Battleford - Though there has been talk of both communities merging, they remain separate entities today except when referred to collectively.
Fort Battleford is located in the smaller Battleford and played an important role in the Northwest Rebellion. Because of a decline in prairie bison, Battleford was raided by starving Cree people. 500 residence held up in the police fort as the Cree came and looted the town. There are a handful of historic buildings in Battleford, though the Fort is why it manages to make our list.
MOOSE MOUNTAIN (AND TRANS CANADA DETOURS).
Moose Mountain Provincial Park is among a couple detours within Saskatchewan on the trains Canada highway. It is also one of the only provincial parks in Saskatchewan with a town inside it's boundaries. You can visit the artist colony in the park to see local works of art that can be purchased. There are many activities in the park from swimming and golf, to horseback riding. There are a couple other attractions in the area worth mentioning as well. The nearby Cannington Manor Provincial Park is a recreated 1880s town complete with role playing actors to complete the feel. Prairie Dog Drive-In is one of the few remaining Drive-In theaters and is located just outside Carlyle. The Red Barn flea and farmers market occurs in the summer months and even features live entertainment. The Bear Claw casino and hotel is also located south on highway 9.
The entire area is rife with attractions that will be great short stop offs in our trip through Saskatchewan. The province has many spread out attractions on the prairies that prove Saskatchewan to be way more than just a big empty field. I know I wouldn't want my dog to run away here, there are surely many places to lose sight of him.
Afterword
This article, and those following it, are intended as a first hand look at the upcoming 'Explore Canada' series that will highlight various destinations around this great nation. The Explore Canada team doesn't lay claim to any of the photos used in any of our blogs (unless specified) about the destinations. The only pictures we own are either featured in the documentary, or available on our facebook page Explore Canada. The blogs on destination were created by team member, and creative director, Aantyn Klein and are by no means the final list of what is to be covered. The posts can, and will, be edited to include new content as the project matures. Thank you for your interest in Explore Canada, we hope to bring you many more interesting projects as we finalize plans to begin filming.
Aantyn Klein
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