Blackstrap Provincial Park Trails Near Saskatoon

ELLA-VATED TRAILS

Exploring Saskatchewan trails through storytelling, small adventures, and occasional navigational failure.

By Ella Gidluck, SaskTrails Storyteller

Blackstrap: Surely It Levels Out Around the Next Corner

Just a short drive south of Saskatoon, Blackstrap Provincial Park combines lake views, rolling terrain and a trail network that is considerably hillier than Saskatchewan stereotypes would suggest.

I started my visit by stopping at the park office for my park pass, then spent some time wandering around the shoreline and day-use areas. Blackstrap Lake was calm, the beach was busy enough to feel summery without being overwhelming, and there were plenty of places to stop for a view before I committed myself to the actual hiking portion of the day.

Sandy beach and calm water at Blackstrap Lake — A calm start before the mosquitoes learned I had arrived.

Tourism Saskatchewan lists 15 kilometres of trails at Blackstrap, used by hikers, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers. The park itself sits among rolling hills and coulees, which becomes very obvious the second you leave the shoreline and start walking uphill.

Picnic table overlooking Blackstrap Lake

Okay, Time to Hike

I eventually headed over to the cross-country trail system, where a large map lays out a network of beginner, intermediate and expert routes.

Blackstrap cross-country trail map showing beginner, intermediate and expert routes — In hindsight, I should have studied this for longer than approximately four seconds.

The route I ended up on started steep and grassy, surrounded by thick summer vegetation. I wish I could tell you exactly which trail I followed.

I cannot.

The network branches pretty quickly, and between the mosquitoes and my confidence that I would simply figure it out as I went, I never quite established which named route I was actually on.

Hazelnut trail sign at Blackstrap Provincial Park beside dense summer vegetation

The trail kept climbing. Every time I rounded a bend, I told myself there was probably a flatter section or lookout just ahead.

There was not.

It was more uphill grass enclosed by trees.

The Mosquitoes Win This Round

About ten minutes in, I accepted that I did not currently possess the strength, patience or blood volume required to continue battling the mosquito population.

A thunderstorm was also rolling in, which provided a very dignified reason to turn around and pretend this decision was entirely weather-related.

One practical thing I noticed at Blackstrap was the limited cell service. If you are relying on a trail map, directions or anything else on your phone, downloading it before you arrive would be smart.

Before You Go

Take a photo of the trail map before starting.
Bring bug spray during mosquito season. Then perhaps bring more bug spray.
Expect some real elevation by Saskatchewan standards.
Do not count on reliable cell service throughout the park.
Leave some time for the shoreline and day-use areas, even if your hike is shorter than planned.

Ella-vated Trail Rating

Category	Rating	Notes
Lakeside Views	9/10	Very pretty before the mosquitoes declared war.
Initial Incline	calves noticed	The trail simply kept going up.
Trail Wayfinding	5/10	I was technically on a trail. Which one? Great question.
Mosquito Commitment	14/10	They wanted me more than I wanted the hike.
Cell Service	thoughts and prayers	Download anything you need before arriving, including your tunes.
Thunderstorm Timing	10/10	Excellent excuse to accept defeat with dignity.
Final Ella-vated Rating	7.5/10	Beautiful park. Trail rematch pending stronger bug spray.

Blackstrap did not give me the longest hike of the trip, but it gave me lake views, a decent calf workout, a mystery route and a very clear reminder that Saskatchewan mosquitoes are capable of ending negotiations.

I would go back.

I would just arrive with significantly more insect repellent.

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 on a mission to prove Saskatchewan trails are cooler than people think, even when the mosquitoes disagree.