ELLA-VATED TRAILS

Tracing prairie trails through memory, discovery, and home.

By Ella Gidluck, SaskTrails Storyteller

Moose Jaw Trails: Trying Different Terrains in Wakamow Valley

Wakamow Valley in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan offers a mix of prairie pathways, riverside boardwalks, and beginner-friendly walking trails right inside the city. This trail network combines nature, history, and quiet spaces that feel surprisingly removed from urban life.

First impressions

Moose Jaw trails are the kind you don’t need to over plan. You park, step onto the path, and suddenly you’re in the middle of green space with the river curving alongside. It feels tucked away but still very much part of the city, like you’ve effortlessly escaped into nature.

Starting point, the Trans Canada Trail sign in Moose Jaw’s River Valley

Following the Wakamow Valley Trails

The trail flips between open prairie stretches and shady tree-lined spots. One minute you’re looking out at big sky and grasslands, the next you’re shaded in by trees. The surfaces change too: dirt, gravel, then boardwalk. It keeps things interesting and offers something to those who bring strollers, bikes, or are just casual walkers. Not sure where to go? Check out the map to navigate!

Narrow dirt trail through tall prairie grass under a cloudy sky — A winding prairie path leading out toward open skies

Little surprises

The best part of these trails is the small things you don’t expect:

Information sign about Plaxton’s Lake in Moose Jaw’s River Valley — Plaxton’s Lake, a hub of history and community connection

A boardwalk that brings you right to the water’s edge

Educational sign about tree planting in Moose Jaw’s Wakamow Valley — Roots in Moose Jaw, planting trees for the future

A rustic wooden bridge tucked into the trail network

The Moose Jaw River weaving through the valley

Voices in the valley

The trails carry history if you slow down enough to notice. A stone engraved with Chief Little Pine’s words about the medicines of Mother Earth hits harder when you’re surrounded by grasses and wildflowers. Another marker simply says “Toss your troubles to the magic of nature.” Corny or not, it works.

Stone engraved with a Chief Little Pine quote about grasses and medicines from Mother Earth — Wisdom from Chief Little Pine, engraved in stone along the trail

Large stone engraved with 'A Stone’s Throw – Toss Your Troubles to the Magic of Nature' — A stone marker that reminds you to let nature lighten the load

And then, tucked between trees, you’ll find quirky things like an ivy-covered stone arch that looks like it belongs in a play. It’s not polished, but that’s what makes it memorable.

The Takeaway

This isn’t a trail that tries too hard. It’s flexible, welcoming, and full of little details that shift it from “just another walk” into something memorable. Whether you’re there for a quick loop or a longer wander, Wakamow Valley earns its spot on the trail list.

Ella-vated Trail Rating

Scenery: 4.5/5, prairie and river in one walk
Ease: 5/5, flat and friendly for all ages, also some hills and dirt paths (a little something for everyone)
Family vibe: 5/5, benches, signs, wide paths
Overall: A city trail that feels bigger than it is, calm, scenic, and worth the stop

Share your day

Tag us with your photos from the boardwalk or Plaxton’s Lake. We love seeing trail days from every angle.

This article is part of the SaskTrails Storyteller Series. Thank you to the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association and Trans Canada Trail for supporting this initiative.

Ella Gidluck is the Saskatchewan Trails Association’s 2026 Summer Storyteller. She’s a university student with a love for quiet places, trail snacks, and telling the stories behind the paths we walk.