The best river, stream, or creek camping in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is known for having rolling farmland as far as the eye can see, and it’s on the southern prairies that you can follow herds of bison, explore farmer’s markets, and witness slow living. Head north for coniferous forests, rushing rivers, and hundreds of thousands of lakes in the rugged terrain of the Canadian Shield Plateau. Campers can find fully equipped sites close to hip Saskatoon and Regina, the province’s capital, or backcountry campsites in Saskatchewan’s two national parks. Summers are hot and winters are extreme, but there’s beauty here regardless of the season.

Beyond Regina and the city’s beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders football team, visitors typically head out to the prairies at Grasslands National Park, where camping options include tent and RV spots, rentable tipis, backcountry sites, and even some areas designated for those arriving by horse. For a quieter experience, choose from a handful of southern Saskatchewan provincial parks such as Moose Mountain and Buffalo Pound, an area of First Nations significance near the town of Moose Jaw. Heavily forested Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is another standout, as it rises high above the plains and reaches into neighbouring Alberta.

Saskatoon is a popular Saskatchewan home base, with a friendly community, cultural festivities throughout the summer, and creature comforts at spots like the popular Gordon Howe Campground. Further outside the city are dozens of RV campgrounds and tenting sites at provincial parks—Blackstrap Provincial Park is frequented for lake swimming, fishing, and boating, along with serene spots for RV campers. Head to the province’s western edge to experience the saltwater Manitou Lake, known as the “Dead Sea of Canada” for its salinity and allegedly healing waters. Hit the spa, heritage dance hall, or the campground golf course.

Saskatchewan campgrounds vary immensely, especially to the north, where the further you go, the more wild and remote it gets. At Prince Albert National Park, you can camp lakeside (try tent camping at Namekus or RV camping at Waskesiu Lake), opt for an oTENTik glamping experience, or find a remote backcountry spot away from anyone else at all. The northern region is also home to a smattering of wide-open regional parks such as Meadow Lake Provincial Park, the Bronson Forest Recreation Site, and the forested Lac La Ronge. In the deep north are the hard-to-reach Athabasca Sand Dunes, which stretch nearly 100 kilometres along the shores of Lake Athabasca.