ELLA-VATED TRAILS
Tracing prairie trails through memory, discovery, and home.
By Ella Gidluck, SaskTrails Storyteller
A Landmark Worth the Dust
Castle Butte rises out of the Big Muddy Badlands like it was dropped there from another world. At about 70 metres tall and 500 metres around, it’s massive enough to stop you in your tracks. Whether you climb it, circle around the base, or just stand there staring, it’s one of those rare places that makes you think, “Wait, this is Saskatchewan?”
Trails and Terrain
Getting to Castle Butte is part of the experience. The gravel roads kick up plenty of dust, and you might question whether you’re on the right track, but then it appears on the horizon and you know you’ve made it. Once you’re there, there isn’t a marked trail system. You just explore. Scramble up for the views, wander the formations at the bottom, or do a bit of both. Bring decent shoes, because the rock can be slick and crumbly.
Road Trip Stops Along the Way
On the drive south, we made a couple of small-town stops that made the trip feel like more than just a destination.
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Ogema: We grabbed food here and stretched our legs. It’s one of those towns where the main street feels frozen in time, with the grain elevator towering in the background. If you’re road tripping, Ogema is a good place to pause before heading further south.
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Pangman: We stopped here too and ended up finding snacks and chatting with locals. Sometimes the best part of a trail trip is stumbling into these places you wouldn’t usually plan for. Pangman has that “everyone knows everyone” feel, and they were quick to point us toward the best gas and food options.
These stops didn’t take long, but they broke up the drive and gave the day a road-trip energy rather than just an out-and-back.
History and Lore
Castle Butte has been a landmark for hundreds of years. Indigenous peoples and early settlers used it as a guide through the open prairie. Later, the Badlands around it picked up stories about outlaws hiding out. Standing there, it feels like those layers of history are still built into the sandstone.
Pro Tips for Your Visit
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Go in the morning or evening for better light and fewer people
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Bring water, sunscreen, and a way to protect your camera from the dust
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Check the roads before you go, especially if it rained recently
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Pair your trip with a stop in Coronach or smaller towns like Ogema and Pangman
Ella-vated Trail Rating
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Scenery: 5/5
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Unreal views
- Top-tier “wow” factor
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Dust Factor: 4/5
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You’ll be shaking it out of your shoes later
- Embrace it, or it’ll embrace your shoes
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Trail Ease: 2.8/5
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Short, flexible, but some scrambling if you climb
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Overall: 100% worth it for the photos, the views, and the bragging rights
Castle Butte is the kind of place that doesn’t need much hype. You drive, you see it, and you get why people talk about it. Pair it with a couple of small-town pit stops, and it makes for a full Saskatchewan day trip you’ll actually remember.
👉 Have you been to Castle Butte or explored the Big Muddy area? Share your photos and stories with us, we’d love to see your version of the adventure.
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 2025 Summer Storyteller. She’s a university student with a love for quiet places, trail snacks, and telling the stories behind the paths we walk.
