The Best Summer Adventures in Canada’s Prairies
It’s a warm summer night and I am relaxing in a hammock suspended between two pines at a group camping site in Alberta’s Kootenay Plains Provincial Recreation Area. I’ve camped here many times, but on this night, the stars are glistening in the vast velvety, dark sky, and I feel a sense of my own smallness as I stare up at them from the comfort of my make-shift bed.
The prairie provinces are some of Canada’s most underrated regions. I’ve spent many summers exploring Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and I’m always blown away by the unforgettable experiences waiting in their wide-open spaces. While these provinces are often grouped together under the “prairies” label, I’m continually surprised by just how diverse the landscapes really are—from mountains and badlands regions in Alberta to sand dunes and flat farmland in Saskatchewan and remote waterfalls and lakes in Manitoba.
The other thing I love about adventuring in the prairies is the slower and more intentional way of travelling that you might not get elsewhere. I’ll never forget spending a summer night under some of the best stars I’ve ever seen at Saskatchewan’s Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. With no light pollution and nothing but time, I was reminded of how massive the universe is and how small we all are, in the best possible way. It’s one of those experiences that sticks with you.
This summer, slow down and take in all of the magic the prairies have to offer with this roundup of experiences. Whether you’re road tripping through familiar places or visiting for the first time, these adventures are a great place to start.
Alberta
Take a Guided Medicine Walk with Mahikan Trails
My first medicine walk experience was with Brenda Holder of Mahikan Trails when I was a young child, and the experience really stayed with me. A medicine walk is a chance to slow down and enjoy the outdoors while learning about the Indigenous uses for the plants found in nature. Holder was able to identify any plant and explain how it was used for survival. She talked about her grandmother and the things she taught her about plants. She also shared some of the plant names in the Cree language. It was a magical experience that involved the sharing of stories, teachings and history, and I left seeing the land and the plants on it in a new way. Mahikan Trails offers guided medicine walks in Sundre and Banff.
Stay in Geo Domes at Elk Island Retreat
If you love the outdoors but want a few more amenities than pitching a tent, the geo domes at Elk Island Retreat offer the perfect balance of nature and comfort. The spacious domes feature comfortable beds and furniture, a gas fireplace and, my favourite part, large windows that really make you feel like you’re sleeping outside, in the best way possible. Elk Island Retreat is located close to the west entrance of Elk Island National Park, making it a fantastic home base for exploring the park, where you can see bison, birds and incredible dark skies in the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve.
Saskatchewan
Float in Canada’s “Dead Sea” at Little Manitou Lake
Little Manitou Lake is three times saltier than the ocean, making it one of the most unique lakes among the thousands found in Saskatchewan. About a 90-minute drive from Saskatoon, the lake’s high salt content means you can effortlessly float on the surface—no swimming required. Due to its mineral rich waters, the lake has been nicknamed the “Dead Sea of Canada,” and its waters have historically been thought to have healing properties. After your float, you can visit the Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa for some added relaxation, where you can soak in the spa’s mineral pools and partake in spa treatments inspired by the lake’s mineral properties.
Stargaze Beneath the Dark Skies of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
Wait until after dark at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park to be completely wowed by the night sky. A designated Dark Sky Preserve, Cypress Hills is one of the best places to stargaze in all of the prairies. There are many camping options throughout the park so you can fall asleep under the stars. Plus, you can visit the Cypress Hills observatory for guided programming and telescope viewing during select times of the year.
Manitoba
Kayak with Belugas in Churchill During Their Summer Migration
Churchill holds a special place in my heart. If you’ve never been, it’s a small town in northern Manitoba that can only be reached by plane or train. It’s probably most famous for viewing polar bears, but every summer you can get up close with the beluga whales as thousands migrate to the Churchill River estuary. I visited Churchill with Frontiers North, a respected tour operator with an excellent Belugas, Bears and Blooms summer tour.
Hike to Kwasitchewan Falls in Remote Pisew Falls Provincial Park
There are so many amazing hikes in the prairie provinces, and I had to include at least one. The hike to Kwasitchewan Falls is a 22-kilometre round trip trek that leads to the tallest waterfall in Manitoba. It’s a challenging trail, so I’d recommend staying at one of the backcountry campsites at the falls and making it an overnight hike. The entire trail is an adventure in itself and makes the effort well worth it. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how wild and beautiful the prairies can be.
