Grasslands National Park
Grasslands National Park
4.5
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Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
129 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
29
Average
11
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Iryna S
Regina, Canada53 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
We have just returned from Grasslands National Park. We stayed in East block in oTentik for two days. Despite the heat and lack of any shelter, the park was beautiful, peaceful and had lots to offer. We biked and drove the Badlands Pathway, hiked a few times, including 1000 Devils Valley early in the morning. As it was hard to hike during the day due to the heat, we drive to the west block. The drive was neat and pleasant. The west block is different from the east one - it’s bigger and has more hikes but we felt more comfortable in the east block.
At night, there were always activities planned, such as signing by the fire, listening to storytelling by local Elders or just relaxing at the site.
The nights were chilly but it got warm really once the sun was up.
Our kids (ages 9 snd 11) had fun catching Minos in the creek, chasing rabbits and playing games by the park office site.
Saskatchewan has so much to offer but it was a truly unique experience to see badlands in this amazing province.
At night, there were always activities planned, such as signing by the fire, listening to storytelling by local Elders or just relaxing at the site.
The nights were chilly but it got warm really once the sun was up.
Our kids (ages 9 snd 11) had fun catching Minos in the creek, chasing rabbits and playing games by the park office site.
Saskatchewan has so much to offer but it was a truly unique experience to see badlands in this amazing province.
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
altima2000
Regina, Canada136 contributions
Sept 2021
Great place to spend a day. 3 or 4 hours minimum for the east block. Not yet tried the west block. Friendly staff at the office, admission is cheap $5 for seniors. Good walking shoes for the walking tour is recommended, the driving tour is easier on the feet but still involves out of the car to get the best bang for your buck. Not the easiest place to find and does involve driving on a gravel road for 10or 12 miles. All in all an exceptional place to visit.
Written September 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colette P
Richmond, Canada127 contributions
Sept 2021
Our second time to the Park and we Loved it!!!!! We stayed one night in a Frenchman Valley Otentik GREAT experience. You cannot believe the stars you will see and hearing the animals at night was fantastic!! It gets very cold at night so bring many layers. The Otentik is very very basic but it fits your needs. The heaters Do not heat up the unit at all.. Lovely drive throughout the park and an easy drive as well. A must see!!!
Written October 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leanna J
2 contributions
Jul 2021 • Solo
This ancient landscape is unlike anything else in the world. The badlands in the east block are dramatically different from the surrounding landscape - I highly recommend visiting both blocks for this reason. The west block offers more wildlife viewing opportunities, in addition to the beautiful landscapes. The park is accessible for all ages and abilities. If you’re not into hiking, the scenic drives in both blocks are just as wonderful. The immaculate campgrounds offer spacious oTENTniks with BBQ’s and big fire pits… The interpretive programs are worth planning for.
Written February 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moremanoi
Montreal203 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
I’ve been interested in visiting for many years and finally got the chance.
The park is really interesting with lots of room to get off the beaten track.
We visited with kids during the pandemic and went backcountry camping. In fact, we were the only backcountry campers both East and West. The 80km scenic drive was closed, oddly enough.
Both blocks offer great views but are completely different. I recommend at least a night or two in both sections.
We were there during a full moon so could not enjoy the dark sky but did enjoy an orange moon.
It can get extremely hot and both water and food are hard to come by in the area. We visited over a long weekend and shops on the way were closed both Sunday and Monday! There is not much on offer at the office, so we had to head to Swift Current to get supplies. Gas, however, is available with credit cards 24/7.
We saw lots of wildlife including a herd of pronghorn. We also listened to the coyotes sing. I was disappointed not to have found the buffalo and it seems park staff don’t track them closely so you do have to search at certain times a year.
Staff are lovely, particularly on the East block. However, when planning a trip the person I spoke to at the West block had little experience actually hiking or camping in the park.
I would definitely come back. This park is highly underrated and you’ll enjoy the lack of visitors.
The park is really interesting with lots of room to get off the beaten track.
We visited with kids during the pandemic and went backcountry camping. In fact, we were the only backcountry campers both East and West. The 80km scenic drive was closed, oddly enough.
Both blocks offer great views but are completely different. I recommend at least a night or two in both sections.
We were there during a full moon so could not enjoy the dark sky but did enjoy an orange moon.
It can get extremely hot and both water and food are hard to come by in the area. We visited over a long weekend and shops on the way were closed both Sunday and Monday! There is not much on offer at the office, so we had to head to Swift Current to get supplies. Gas, however, is available with credit cards 24/7.
We saw lots of wildlife including a herd of pronghorn. We also listened to the coyotes sing. I was disappointed not to have found the buffalo and it seems park staff don’t track them closely so you do have to search at certain times a year.
Staff are lovely, particularly on the East block. However, when planning a trip the person I spoke to at the West block had little experience actually hiking or camping in the park.
I would definitely come back. This park is highly underrated and you’ll enjoy the lack of visitors.
Written August 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry and Nicol... G
Reading, UK1,184 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Grasslands national park in Saskatchewan has a bit of everything, a part from crowds of people. You can find solitude, animals, views, scenic drives and big skies. We were in the west bloc near Val Marie. The roads into the park are gravel but fine if you take it easy. Its a place to stop, walk and forget about the your worries. Open your eyes, your ears and that will open up your heart.
Written June 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krista T
92 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
I absolutely love how this park is relatively undeveloped. I love visiting national parks, but dislike when there is development with town sites, shops, etc. Parks Canada, please don't add more development to this park! I love the silence (except for birds and wind) and not seeing other people while out hiking. We were amazed by all the wildlife we saw; bison in their natural habitat, black-tailed prairie dogs, golden eagles, so many meadowlarks, and many other birds. We spent most of the time in the West bloc, hiking some trails and exploring the backcountry. On the way home we stopped by the East Bloc to see the badlands. This park is a dark sky preserve with the darkest skies in Canada (aka FANTASTIC views of the Milky Way) so it's a must for those interested in astronomy. We will definitely be back!
Written April 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caitlin M
Canada231 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
I recently visited Grasslands National Park West Block (near Val Marie) and partook in a new program they are offering - guided horseback riding tours! It was so incredible! Quiet Horses suitable for a beginner rider (and lunch!) were provided. The guide was Donny Gillespie and he was very knowledgeable (having lived on the land before it was a national park).
We rode through rugged badlands and heard stories of the old west. Cowboy shootings, Sitting Bull and the Lakota Sioux and saw a HUGE bison rubbing stone. We saw old homesteads and learned how the first settlers survived this dry prairie ecosystem. For a history fanatic like myself it was really, really interesting and I learned so much!
The horse I rode was named Buddy! He was so fantastic - he hauled me up to the top of hills to see the best views and through the river (and I didn't get wet!) I love hiking, but this was a way cooler way to see the park!
This program was called the Cowboy Adventure Program and must be booked through the Visitor Reception Centre in Val Marie. It only goes out on certain dates. I kept the postcard and it says that the next ones are August 11, 12 or 13 for the half day program. there is also an over night one in September from 1-3 (I didn't do that part). If you are going to visit the park at all near these dates I would highly recommend partaking in this program!!!! Change your trip plans if you have too.... but it is a cool experience!!!!
We rode through rugged badlands and heard stories of the old west. Cowboy shootings, Sitting Bull and the Lakota Sioux and saw a HUGE bison rubbing stone. We saw old homesteads and learned how the first settlers survived this dry prairie ecosystem. For a history fanatic like myself it was really, really interesting and I learned so much!
The horse I rode was named Buddy! He was so fantastic - he hauled me up to the top of hills to see the best views and through the river (and I didn't get wet!) I love hiking, but this was a way cooler way to see the park!
This program was called the Cowboy Adventure Program and must be booked through the Visitor Reception Centre in Val Marie. It only goes out on certain dates. I kept the postcard and it says that the next ones are August 11, 12 or 13 for the half day program. there is also an over night one in September from 1-3 (I didn't do that part). If you are going to visit the park at all near these dates I would highly recommend partaking in this program!!!! Change your trip plans if you have too.... but it is a cool experience!!!!
Written August 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allison P
Fort McMurray, Canada20 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
If you love wild places, you must visit Grasslands National Park. We visited in July 2008 for car-camping and re-visited again on bicycles in September 2012. The infrastructure isn't as developed as some national parks, but it's well worth your visit.
On our second trip (cycling) we did some geo-caching, short hikes and lots of photography. We especially enjoy the West Block of the park, particularly the country around North Gillespie. Seeing bison, prairie dog colonies and cacti each in different parts of the park was amazing. The sunrises and sunsets on this landscape are breathtaking, but the night sky is even more impressive. On a cloudless night in this Dark Sky Preserve, you see so many stars you feel like you are the last humans on earth. Actually, if you get off the well-travelled roads you may feel this any time of day.
Make sure to add Grasslands to your bucket list!
On our second trip (cycling) we did some geo-caching, short hikes and lots of photography. We especially enjoy the West Block of the park, particularly the country around North Gillespie. Seeing bison, prairie dog colonies and cacti each in different parts of the park was amazing. The sunrises and sunsets on this landscape are breathtaking, but the night sky is even more impressive. On a cloudless night in this Dark Sky Preserve, you see so many stars you feel like you are the last humans on earth. Actually, if you get off the well-travelled roads you may feel this any time of day.
Make sure to add Grasslands to your bucket list!
Written March 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaykay99
Ontario102 contributions
Sept 2018 • Solo
I spent three nights at Grasslands National Park in September - two nights in the East block and one night in the West block. The scenery in the park was spectacular and unlike anything I'd seen before. Definitely worth a few days' visit. I especially enjoyed exploring the badlands in the East block. Hiking through the Valley of 1,000 Devils was unforgettable. The Ecotour scenic drive in the West block was another highlight, particularly the prairie dog colonies and the bison herd. I'm not a camper, but I spent all three nights in oTENTiks at the campgrounds and had a really good experience without a lot of hassle. The two oTENTiks I stayed in were both very clean and well-maintained. They each had a propane BBQ outside and an electric heater inside. Apart from a sleeping bag, food and some cooking implements, I didn't need to bring a whole lot of 'camping stuff' to have a comfortable stay. Plus I got to experience the night sky in the park, which was incredible. It's somewhat off the beaten path, but Grasslands National Park was absolutely worth the trip.
Written October 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am planning a stop this summer for two nights on our trip across Canada. Which campground do you think is betterfor hiking and dark sky? West or East? Thanks in advance.
Written January 16, 2020
Is it possible to get to the park without a car? Is there busses you can book?
Written April 24, 2019
I am considering visiting Grasslands on the May long weekend. Has anyone else been to the park at that time of year? Is it worth going this early in the season or should I wait until the fall?
Written April 12, 2019
A lot of the park is accessed via a vehicle, so you could see quite a bit of the park through the vehicle. There are paths, but most are not paved so it may be difficult to push a wheelchair. It is quite flat, however
Written July 3, 2017
How does one get to the dark sky preserve without using lights ?
Written May 22, 2017
There is no ambient light. Drive in and turn off your lights. You will be dazzled.
Written August 10, 2017
Wifi or cellular service? website says there's none
Written February 27, 2017
Wifi is found in some establishments in towns like Val Marie, such as the Convent Inn. The park itself is remote with even cell service unavailable. The park posts warnings about that for hikers.
Written August 10, 2017
This may be an odd question but what is out there for washrooms and showers?
Written December 13, 2016
There are some bathrooms just up the hill from the campground, but no showers. It is a really unique park, worth the visit.
Written December 15, 2016
Some guided tours are available. You need to check with the park's main visitor center in Val Marie.
Written August 10, 2017
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