- Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
- Grasslands National Park
- Regina
- 5 nights comfortable hotel accommodation
- Meals unless specifically mentioned in the itinerary as included
- Car rental, unless added at additional cost
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NOTE: This Self-Drive tour can be customized to start at the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park for travellers on a drive tour from southern Alberta.Arrive in Regina, the capital city of Saskatchewan and the home of Saskatchewan's government. Regina was named originally names Wascana, Cree for 'Buffalo Bones' before being renamed Regina, Latin for 'Queen' in 1882 honouring Queen Victoria. Explore Regina on yourself on a drive city tour visiting the Saskatchewan Legislature, Government house, and the Wascana Centre. Wascana Centre is the largest urban park in North America, more than double the size of Central Park in New York City, honours the original city name and has become an important community space for Regina residents. Make sure to include the RCMP Heritage Centre and Depot Academy, the home of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), where RCMP members have trained since 1885 and even today remains the only RCMP training site in Canada. Overnight in Regina.
Overnight: Regina
Heading west on the Trans-Canada Highway, we arrive in Moose Jaw, a small city with a big history. Moose Jaw, home of Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw which is the base of the world renowned Snow Birds, an Air Force aerobatic flight team. Moose Jaw is also famous of the Tunnels of Moose Jaw, prohibition era tunnels used by Al Capone himself between Chicago and Moose Jaw.Head south from Moose Jaw to the Grasslands National Park, a Dark Sky Preserve. Grasslands National Park is the only one of Canadian national parks that represents prairie grasslands, and where you will find the wild plains bison. The park's West Block can be accessed near the village of Val Marie on Hwy #4 and Hwy #18 a one and a half hour drive south of Swift Current. All accesses to both blocks of Grasslands National Park are by gravel road only. Get details from the Park Visitor Centre and then overnight stay at the Crossing at the Grasslands near Val Marie.
Overnight: Grasslands National Park
Explore the 20 km self-guided Ecotour Scenic Drive in the West Block to discover stunning landscapes and cultural history and then Unique formations of land and climate have created niches for rare plants, birds and animals including the pronghorn antelope, black tailed prairie dog, burrowing owl, sage grouse, ferruginous hawk, short horned lizard and prairie rattlesnake.Drive to Maple Creek to the Cypress Hills Park Visitor Centre, Visitor Centre open May long weekend to September long weekend. Here you will find displays, exhibits, a family activity room and an amphitheatre with interpretive programs. Overnight at the Resort at Cypress Hills in the heart of Cypress Hills Provincial Park.
Overnight: Cypress Hills
In Saskatchewan, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is divided into two blocks of park area, the Centre Block with full service camping, resort complex, extensive hiking trails, beach, swimming pool, zipline canopy tours, observatory, scenic vistas and educational programs and events. The West Block wilderness area has rustic camping facilities, an equestrian campground, and the Trans Canada Trail.Drive an hour to visit the Fort Walsh National Historic Site. Experience life in the 1870s and discover how Fort Walsh presided over one of the most dramatic periods of change on the Prairies. Fort Walsh National Historic Site served from 1878 to 1882 as the headquarters of the North West Mounted Police, while the Cypress Hills continued to be a meeting place and crossroads for many different peoples, including First Nations, Metis, fur traders, whiskey traders, and Mounties. Overnight at the Resort at Cypress Hills in the heart of Cypress Hills Provincial Park.
Overnight: Cypress Hills
Spend the morning in Cypress Hills and then head east back to Regina with a stop in the town of Swift Current. The Swift Current Creek meanders through the prairie from the Cypress Hills to the South Saskatchewan River. The First Nations People knew this creek well and camped along its banks for centuries. Later, when the fur traders found and forded the creek on their westward treks, they named it “Riviere Au Courant”, or Swift Current.In 1882, the C.P.R. bridged the creek, and decided to build a depot. Furthermore, Swift Current became the freight terminus for goods hauled north and south on overland trails, and emerged as an integral part of The Battleford Trail that cut the deep wagon ruts we still see today. Overnight in Regina
Overnight: Regina