Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District
Boreal Trail- Meadow Lake Provincial Park 
Advisory: Due to the October 2016 and April 2017 snow storms all trails within the park have a significant amount of fallen trees on them and users must use extreme caution. Please contact the park administration office for further instructions at 306-236-7680 or 306-236-7617.
The Boreal Trail – which is the only destination backpacking trail in one of Saskatchewan’s provincial parks – is located within the picturesque Meadow Lake Provincial Park in Northern Saskatchewan. The trail, which extends 150 km and was officially opened in 2011, is suited for more advanced hikers, mountain bikers and backpackers, due to the challenging and often rugged terrain. However, those that venture along the path, either on a single or multi-day adventure, will find that it is well worth the effort. Spectacular views of crystal clear lakes, the Waterhen River, beautiful wildflowers, and expansive forests filled with spruce, birch, jack pine and poplar await you along the Boreal Trail.
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including black bear, woodpeckers, moose, wolf, beaver, warblers and red squirrels. Back-country campsites are available throughout the trail for $11 per night per tent and include BBQ pits, bear-proof food lockers and pit toilets. Visitors can also access any of the eight front-country campgrounds that are accessible from the trail. Some of these campgrounds include places where you can buy supplies and have access to hot showers.
The trail system is a mixture of old roads and trails and existing hiking trails. Out of the total 150 km within the system, only 11km is new trail. Overall, the Boreal Trail in the Meadow Lake Provincial Park has everything you need to enjoy a wonderful trail excursion this year.
Tips: wear sturdy footwear; bring a camera and all necessary supplies for your tour; watch out for and stay away from wildlife (make noise so that the animals will know that you are there); travel in groups; and prepare for fluctuating weather conditions.
Note: For your safety, you must register before entering or camping along the Boreal Trail and inform park staff when leaving the area. After registering, the park will provide you with GPS coordinates for the trail, including the campsites and campgrounds. Fires are not allowed in non-designated back-country campsites along the trails; however, camping is permitted in non-designated campsites.
We have a four part series about running the Boreal Trail posted on our blog. You can check out the link here.
DISCLAIMER: Individuals travel the trails at their own risk. The Saskatchewan Trails Association cannot be held liable or responsible if the above trail conditions or information changes. Please contact the Meadow Lake Provincial Park to confirm the current state of the trail system.
Trail Stats
Length: 150 km
Difficulty: Advanced
Wheelchair accessible: No
Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, backpacking
Surface: natural terrain
Amenities: back-country campsites, featuring pit toilets, BBQ pits and bear-proof food lockers; trail connects to eight front-country campgrounds in the park that offer locations to purchase supplies and hot showers
Location: Meadow lake Provincial Park
Closest Community: Pierceland, Goodsoil, Dorintosh
Trailhead GPS: contact MLPP
Contact Info: Meadow Lake Provincial Park, call (306) 236-7680 or email meadowlake@gov.sk.ca or visit www.saskparks.net/borealtrail
Creighton Walking Trails
The Town of Creighton, which is on the border between Saskatchewan and Manitoba, features beautiful walking paths that allow users to enjoy the sights and sounds of the North East. There are two main trails in the surrounding area; Flinty’s Boardwalk and the recently developed Community Connections Walking Path.
Flinty’s Boardwalk is located in Flin Flon, MB and allows visitors to stroll along the beautiful Ross Lake. The Community Connections Walking Path also connects the two communities of Creighton, SK and Flin Flon, MB and is an excellent path to travel along as it is well-lit, maintained and has a great view of the HBM&S mining site.
The Creighton area is also a canoe and kayak enthusiast’s dream come true as it boasts numerous lakes and rivers that are ideal locations for water adventures. Routes are available for canoeists and kayakers of all abilities, and trail maps are available through the Creighton Tourism Office.
Creighton and its surrounding area are home to a variety of amenities and attractions, including the Royal Northwest Mounted Police Post Museum, a beautiful beach, golf course, petting zoo, drive-in theatre, the Northern Visual Arts Centre, a wildlife sanctuary, spray pool, parks, baseball diamonds, restaurants, accommodations and service stations.
DISCLAIMER: Individuals travel the trails at their own risk. The Saskatchewan Trails Association cannot be held liable or responsible if the above trail conditions or information changes. Please contact the Creighton Tourism Office to confirm the current state of the trails.
Trail Stats
Length (Flinty’s Boardwalk): – 4.3 km
Length (Community Connections Walking Path): 2.5km
Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate
Activities: walking
Surface: natural terrain, wood covered boardwalk
Wheelchair accessible: Flinty’s Boardwalk only
Area amenities: trail markers, restaurants, gas station, accommodations, museum, spray pool, parks, baseball diamond, tennis and basketball courts
Location: Creighton area, North East Saskatchewan
Closest Town: Creighton
Trailhead GPS:
Contact Info: Creighton Tourism Office, call (306) 688-3538, email townofcreighton@sasktel.net or visit www.townofcreighton.ca
Gem Lakes- Narrow Hills Provincial Park
An abundance of trails, roughly 210 km, are available in the Narrow Hills Provincial Park area, including those for hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, ATVing and snowmobiling.
The Narrow Hills Scenic Drive is an interpretive trail that is open to mountain bikers, hikers and snowmobilers; however, it is also open to vehicles, so please use caution when travelling this trail. The trail features several curves, breathtaking views of the boreal forest and the area’s many lakes and a museum that was once a former Park Ranger Station.
The provincial park also boasts more than 200 km of high quality, groomed snowmobile trails that feature a gas station and warm-up shelters for trail users. Although hikers and mountain bikers are welcome to use these trails, visitors should watch out for water covered areas in the spring, summer and fall that may be difficult to cross at times, depending on the trail user’s experience and fitness level.
Hikers will also enjoy travelling along the Island Lake Hiking Trail and the Gem Lakes Hiking Trails, which are both roughly 6 km long. The Island Lake trail is a fairly easy trail to follow as it is wider and features a sandy terrain. This area features an abundance of black spruce and jack pine trees and is a great place to see moose and deer that frequent the area. Meanwhile, the Gem Lakes interpretive trails are designed for more advanced hikers as there are some challenging hills to climb. Within the park alone there are 25 bodies of water and dozens more surround the park, making it an ideal location for canoe and kayak adventures. ATVing is permitted on designated trails only. Please inquire at the park office. Visitors should bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, proper footwear and clothing, and GPS equipment or a compass with them when travelling the trails. Visitors are also asked to use caution
and respect the wildlife in the area.
Note: visitors should bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, proper footwear and clothing, and GPS equipment or a compass with them when travelling the trails. Visitors are also asked to use caution and respect the wildlife in the area.
DISCLAIMER: Individuals travel the trails at their own risk. The Saskatchewan Trails Association cannot be held liable or responsible if the above trail conditions or information changes. Please contact Narrow Hills Provincial Park to confirm the current state of the trail system.
Trail Stats
Length: over 210 km
Difficulty: Beginner to advanced
Wheelchair accessible: No
Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, snowmobiling, ATVing
Surface: Natural and sandy terrain, as well as groomed snowmobile trails
Amenities (trail): Warm-up shelters on snowmobile trails, interpretive signs, museum, parking, wilderness campsites
Amenities (park): Boat launches, beach, fishing, picnic sites, swimming, boating, accommodations, restaurants, gas station, boat rentals, convenience store
Location: Narrow Hills Provincial Park
Closest Community: Smeaton
Trailhead GPS:
Contact Info: Narrow Hills Provincial Park, call (306) 426-2622, email narrow.hills@gov.sk.ca, or visit www.saskparks.net
La Ronge and Area Trails 
La Ronge
Public Trails
The Lac La Ronge Provincial Park has five well-maintained trails, approximately 120 km, for all ages and abilities. Trail surfaces vary – natural terrain, paved sections, wooden boardwalks, gravel roads, sidewalks and wood chips.
The Nut Point Trail is 15 km one way, and runs the length of a long peninsula extending into Lac La Ronge. The trailhead is located at the Nut Point Campground with the trail passing through rock outcrops, forests and muskeg typical of the Canadian Shield. Primitive camping areas are located along the trail.
The Nemeiben Lake Self-Interpretive Trail was affected by the 2015 wildfires and will remain closed until further notice. Parks staff are currently developing/upgrading this trail.
The Devil Lake Trail is a 2.5-km hike connecting the upstream (west) end of Otter Rapids Portage to the Devil Lake Campground. Trail begins at the Devil Lake Campground boat launch area and ends at the Churchill River Campground. It features excellent viewpoints and provides great photo opportunities.
Nipekamew Sand Cliffs Trail is a 1.3-km hike one way, through a mature forest stand to the Nipekamew Sand Cliffs. Trail begins at the parking lot located off the highway.
The park also features 62 km of groomed classic and freestyle cross-country ski trails including the Don Allen Trails and 5 km of lit trail during the winter at the Nut Point Campground. The park’s trails meander and wind through the boreal forest and over the Pre-Cambrian rock outcrops. Mountain biking and hiking is allowed along the trails during the summer season and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Lac la Loche – Methye Portage Historic Trail – Clearwater River Provincial Park, Public Trails, Natural Attraction
The Methye Portage Historic Trail, northern Saskatchewan’s longest and most historic portage trail, spans the plateau linking the Churchill and Arctic watersheds. In 1778, the famous explorer, Peter Pond, guided by the Dene First Nations crossed this 20.5 km trail, opening the first practical overland trade route to the Northwest. Plaque commemorating Peter Pond located at south end of the trail.
This one-way hiking trail extends from the northwest end of Wallis Bay on Lac la Loche in a northwest direction to the Clearwater River for 20.5 km. There is no road to the start of the trail; the trail is accessible by water and air travel only. The south end of the trail starts at a conspicuous rock cairn approximately 165 m up La Loche Creek which empties into the northwest shore of Wallis Bay. Boat or air access to trail head is available from La Loche, a small community 304 km north of Green Lake along Hwy 155.
Trail covers difficult terrain and is recommended for experience hikers only. It is located in a wilderness area – no services on site. Prior to visiting the area, contact the Ministry of Parks, Culture & Sport office at 1 – 101 Railway Ave, Meadow Lake for additional information.
Thomson’s Resort, located in Missinipe on Otter Lake:
Winner of the 2021 Traveller’s Choice Award for TripAdvisor-
If you are looking for a year-round adventure, Thomson’s Resort is surrounded by the well-loved trails listed above for any snowshoe or fat bike enthusiast. With cozy cabin rentals available, this is the perfect destination to squeeze in all your favourite winter activities.
As part of the Churchill River System, Otter Lake is a more remote destination offering pristine views of the virtually untouched wilderness. Snowshoe the trails to find an ideal ice fishing spot or watch as snowmobiles whizz by on their own designated trail network – or perhaps rent one yourself. The resort has everything you need, including a delicious restaurant.
For more information, visit: https://www.adventuredestinations.ca/thompsons-resort.html
Photo courtesy of Adventure Destinations.
McLennan Canoe Trails
The McLennan Lake Area in North Central Saskatchewan offers beautiful and exciting canoe trails that are perfect for individuals and families of all ages and abilities. Currently, there are 26 canoe trails in the area that run between 2.5 km to 83 km in length and are fairly easy to navigate. Some of the routes can be traveled in one day, while others will require several days to complete.
McLennan Lake, which is 22.5 km long, is the main starting point for the trail routes. Portage points connect McLennan Lake to several other outstanding, calm, pristine lakes, including Versailles Lake, Davis Lake, Driediger Bay, and Hutchings Lake. Excellent campsites are located throughout the trails, and visitors will be treated to the sights and sounds of Saskatchewan’s Boreal Forest, which boasts picturesque views, granite rock formations, dense forests and a wide variety of plant, bird and animal species. Trout and northern pike are also found throughout the region, making it an enticing fishing location.
Visitors are encouraged to park their vehicles at the service station located at the McLennan Lake launch point before heading out onto the trails. Remember to respect the wildlife in the area and keep your distance from them at all times. Please do not create your own campsites, leave the area as you found it, and take out everything that you packed in. If you do not wish to camp along the trails, rustic rental cabins are available at Bear’s Camp, which is on the shores of McLennan Lake.
Guided canoe trips, rental equipment, lessons, accommodations, maps and supplies can also be purchased through the Churchill River Canoe Outfitters in Missinipe. For more information, visit www.churchillrivercanoe.com.
DISCLAIMER: Individuals travel the trails at their own risk. The Saskatchewan Trails Association cannot be held liable or responsible if the above trail conditions or information changes. Please contact the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport to confirm the current state of the trail system.
Trail Stats
Length: Canoe trails vary between 2.5 km to 83 km
Difficulty: All levels
Activities: Canoeing, fishing
Surface: Lakes are connected by natural portage sites
Amenities: campsites, rental cabins, supplies
Location: Saskatchewan’s Far North
Closest Community: Missinipe
Trailhead GPS:
Contact Info: Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport, call 1-800-205-7070 or email info.tpcs@gov.sk.ca.
Michel Point, Dore Lake Trails
Dore Lake
Public Trails
Hiking, walking, biking, ATVing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are all welcome activities on the The Michel Point, Dore Lake Trails system which are open to the public year round, free of charge.
Local volunteers maintain the trails, so on your journey you may come across fallen trees, tree roots and rocks, making for an exciting and memorable adventure exploring some of northern Saskatchewan’s most beautiful and pristine terrain. All trails have natural surfaces including sand, dirt and moss, and are perfect for people of all ages and skill levels.
Have you had an adventure on one of the trails in the Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District?
