Regina 
The Qu’Appelle River Valley is as significant to local history and culture as it is beautiful and scenic. Year-round, the valleys and many lakes along the Qu’Appelle River offer lush, rolling green hills, Saskatchewan’s signature “living skies,” and diverse natural habitats.
Photo credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Paul Austring
Among the places to visit to take in the nature, scenery, wildlife, and history, all in one trip, Buffalo Pound Lake Provincial Park may be the best in the region!
Here are all the things to do at Buffalo Pound Lake Provincial Park—from hiking and mountain biking to swimming, boating, fishing, golfing, wildlife viewing, and exploring historical sites, plus cozy camping options for those looking to stay overnight and soak it all in.
The Rich History of Buffalo Pound Lake
The name of the lake comes from the area’s connection to Indigenous history. The Buffalo Pound, or impound, was one of two fairly common buffalo/bison hunting methods for Plains cultures. The other method, the Buffalo Jump, is also shown through geological or historical evidence and artifacts around the Canadian plains or prairies.
On top of the major historical and natural significance of this body of water is the park’s direct connection to local farming history. An abandoned farming homestead remains within the borders of Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, accessible by a hike and among mature trees.
Overall, Buffalo Pound Lake Provincial Park checks several reasons-to-visit boxes. This includes day trips or overnight trips that could be filled with watersports and swimming, hiking or biking, camping and stargazing, birding, boating, tons of learning, and wildlife viewing.
Swimming & More Water Fun at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park
Photo credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Paul Austring
There are three great opportunities within the park for a refreshing dip in the water on a hot summer day. Choose between one of two public beaches on the shores of Buffalo Pound Lake or the park’s heated outdoor pool, which is open from June to August. Beyond swimming, Buffalo Pound Lake offers additional recreational opportunities, too!
- The beaches are steps from two of the park campgrounds and share their names: Elmview and Maple Vale beaches. Both beach areas offer space on the grass or the sand for sprawling across with a towel or chair, while they also have a decent amount of tree cover for shade. Pack a picnic, too! The beaches and day-use areas offer picnic tables and small wood-fired grills.
- Boating is permitted on the lake for paddlers and powerboaters. This means there are options for slow and relaxing meandering along the shores, as well as more thrilling watersports. With powerboating permitted, there is also room for waterskiing, tubing, or wakeboarding.
- Fishing is also permitted from the lake shores or from your boat, while the park also offers a stocked trout pond. This is a popular year-round activity at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park with ice-fishing allowed over the winter.
Exploring the Buffalo Pound Trails
Photo credit: Tourism Saskatchewan
Biking and hiking are both popular activities at the Buffalo Pound Provincial Park. This is thanks to the park’s bike park and trails, scenic lookout areas, and historical or interpretive exploration.
- Learn more about the area’s history on the Nicolle Homestead Interpretive Trail on the east side of the park and lake. To hike the entire loop around the pond would be a 10km day-hike. There is also the option to create a shorter 3km hike out of exploring the east shores of the pond and the abandoned Nicolle Homestead.
- The homestead still stands as a preserved building, although there is no public access to the inside of the home. There is also a bison paddock at the start of the trails where you’ll get close-up views of the bison. The park has a rich Indigenous history with close ties to the bison.
- The area is popular for biking as there is a full mountain bike park with trails on the north, east and south sides of Buffalo Pound Lake. A large majority of these trails are south of the Chalet campgrounds.
- The many campgrounds of the park are all connected with trails
Lakeside Golf & Disc Golf
There are a handful of different golf facilities and amenities at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park. This seems fitting given the hilly and grassy terrain around the area, which creates a few levels of challenge to any type of golf.
- There are two disc golf courses at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park: the Maple Vale Campground course being 9-holes, and the Valley Campground course being 18-holes.
- Anyone taking a day for the pool or time near the water can also get in a round of mini golf with the course located right beside the outdoor pool.
Cozy Camping at Buffalo Pound Lake
The Provincial Park offers a number of campsites and camping options for an overnight stay next to Buffalo Pound Lake. All of the campsites at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park are seasonal and open from May to September. The park campgrounds occupy the areas on the south shores of the long, narrow lake.
- The coziest of camping options at Buffalo Pound at the Provincial Park’s camp-easy yurts. The shelters, made of a soft shell covering a hard floor, come with amenities like beds, wash bins, chairs, a stove, a picnic table, and a fire pit.
- The remainder of the campsites are open to tents, RVs, and trailers. These can be made to be pretty cozy and comfortable, too; the park’s Elm View, Lakeside, Maple Vale, Shady Lane, and Trails End campgrounds all offer electrical hookups for each campsite. The park also has full-service sites at the Valley Campground.
- For a more rustic experience, the Lower Chalet Campground is without any services.
More Places to Stay Around Buffalo Pound Lake
Whether you prefer a hotel or lodge room, private cabin, or more camping options, there are many more accommodations around the Lake and outside of the Provincial Park.
- Glamping Resort Ltd. offer the chance to stay in geodomes on the north side of Buffalo Pound Lake. And to the south, on the way to Moosejaw, are more unique options with the Bin There Campground with updated and renovated grain bin cabins.
- The small city of Moose Jaw is about 30km south of the park and has several hotel options. There are also many adorable bed and breakfast options around Moose Jaw.
Summer Events at the Park
Buffalo Pound Provincial Park plays host to major celebrations this summer, including Canada Day and Trails and Tales Festival. Both days are scheduled to include an array of family-friendly activities, fun just for kids, and educational opportunities.
Planning Your Trip – Buffalo Pound Provincial Park
What: Buffalo Pound Lake is a man-made reservoir on Saskatchewan’s Qu’Appelle River, with the Provincial Park taking up much of the lake’s south shore. The Provincial Park is open year-round for day-use activities and is a popular destination for ice fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing in the winter. Camping at the park is seasonal, from spring to fall, when activities can include boating, hiking, biking, fishing, and swimming (lake or pool). The Provincial Park and lake have a rich, diverse history, with much of it on display at the Visitor’s Centre and along the Nature Trail on the east side of the park.
Location: 85km west of Regina via Highway 1 and SK-301 North; 30km north of Moosejaw via SK-301 North
Best time to go: day use open year-round; camping May-September
How much:
- Daily Vehicle Entry: $11
- Camping $20-$49 per night
For more information:
