Big Muddy Badlands and Grasslands

A 3 day tour of Saskatchewan
from our Western issue,
Summer 2012.

	Photo: Tourism Saskatchewan/Paul Austring
	Discover Castle Butte in the Big Muddy Badlands.

Saskatchewan’s southwest is steeped in a rich history of ranching and western culture, with ranching continuing to play an important role in the local economy. 

This three-day tour offers an authentic vacation experience that will bring your group in contact with living legends, natural wonders and the adventurer within.

DAY ONE

Stand atop majestic Castle Butte in the heart of the Big Muddy Badlands. 

Take plenty of time (and a camera) as your group enters this glacier-sculpted landscape starting in Coronach.

Four different tour options are offered by Badlands Tours originating out of Coronach, highlighting various attractions like a North West Mounted Police (NWMP) site, Aust’s General Store, buffalo and turtle effigies, the caves where infamous outlaw Sam Kelly hid out and First Nations’ ceremonial circles. 

After a day of exploring the historic and captivating Big Muddy, relax in the comforts of the present in one of Coronach’s lodging options and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY TWO

Today you’re off to explore the Wood Mountain area. 

First stop is the Wood Mountain Post Provincial Historic Park, located eight kilometers south of Wood Mountain on Highway 18. Explore recreated buildings and exhibits, which chronicle the history of this former NWMP post. 

Take a short walk along a picturesque path to discover Wood Mountain Regional Park. This expansive recreational area has activities for all from swimming in the outdoor pool to camping, baseball and events like the Wood Mountain Stampede, held annually since 1890 during the second week of July. The history of the stampede is displayed in the Wood Mountain Rodeo Ranch Museum located inside the park. The museum also serves as an information center for the East Block of Grasslands National Park. If time permits, explore East Block, home to Canada’s richest resource of dinosaur fossils. 

To cut down and allow yourself more time for exploration, travel 126 kilometers (78 miles) west on Highway 18 to Val Marie. 

The community is home to the Grasslands National Park visitors center and boasts excellent accommodations, including Convent Country Inn, The Crossing Resort, Rosefield Church Guesthouse and Ride with Lamotte.

	Photo: Tourism Saskatchewan/Hans-Gerhard Pfaff
	A group takes an old-fashioned horse-drawn wagon tour at Wood Mountain Regional Park.

DAY THREE 

A full day awaits as you continue your journey with a visit to one of Canada’s most unique reserves, Grasslands National Park, where mixed prairie grasses are preserved and endangered species are protected.

Don’t forget to take some time in the stillness of the night. Lie on your back and observe the awesome spectacle that is a Saskatchewan sky draped by the Milky Way.

This is one of the best places to stargaze.The Grasslands National Park Dark Sky Preserve is among the world’s darkest, encompassing 203 square miles.

GO
Big Muddy Badlands, Wood Mountain, Grasslands National Park and Val Marie

DO
Big Muddy/Outlaw Cave Tours 
(306) 267-3312
www.2sk.ca/9504

SEE
Grasslands National Park 
(877) 345-2257
(306) 298-2257
www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/sk/grasslands

Wood Mountain Post Provincial Historic Park
(800) 205-7070
www.2sk.ca/11231

Wood Mountain Regional Park Rodeo Ranch Museum
(306) 266-4953
www.southcentralmuseums.ca/woodmountain.html

Val Marie
(306) 298-2022
www.villageofvalmarie.ca

ASK
Coronach Tourism Committee
(306) 267-3312
www.townofcoronach.com

Tourism Saskatchewan
(877) 237-2273
www.sasktourism.com

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