Regina 
There are many features of Cande Lake Provincial Park that appeal to a wide range of summer vacationers. Families can take advantage of the shallow and sandy beaches with warm waters and nearby amenities, or couples can book a romantic wilderness getaway with days ending in sunsets over Candle Lake.
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Paul Austring
Whether as a couple, a family, or a group of friends, Candle Lake Provincial Park provides everyone with numerous recreational adventures, chances to explore the boreal forest, and chances to explore not only Candle Lake, but the neighbouring lakes as well.
Overall, there is one stunning feature of Candle Lake that makes it attractive to campers, vacationers, and Saskatchewan’s birds and wildlife: the clear lake surrounded by the southern border of the Boreal Forest.
Here are the top activities and ways to make the best of your trip to Candle Lake Provincial Park:
Green Forests, Clear Water, & Purple Sand
One of the most stunning features of Candle Lake is in one of the more remote parts of the Provincial Park. As with a few other beaches around the province, Candle Lake is abundant with purple sand around certain parts of the shore. The purple sand phenomenon, spotted in other parks like the Prince Albert National Park, is a sign of glacial movement and activity from over 10,000 years ago, when it is estimated that the garnet, or purple sand, was moved from the Canadian Shield and around the newly formed lakes.
For those who reach Candle Lake’s Purple Sand Beach by boat, you will be greeted as well by the more densely forested part of the Provincial Park. So, while the beach is secluded from people, it is also further sheltered by thick forest. This private, scenic, and picturesque beach experience is further enhanced by the sheer clarity of Candle Lake’s water, making it super inviting on a hot day.
Even for those who cannot reach the hidden Purple Sands Beach, those clear waters and lush green shorelines are available for swimming at the park’s three public beaches.
Forested & Lakeside Campsites
Candle Lake is the largest of the lakes within the Provincial Park. However, the campgrounds sit along the shores of Candle, Torch, and Bay Lakes to offer scenic lakeside camping no matter where you reserve a spot. This also works well for any campers who want to have a beach day, as the main swimming area and Waskateena Recreation Site are central to both campgrounds. And while this large recreational and picnic area is considered a main beach, both campgrounds boast their own beaches and boat launches.
- The Sandy Bay Campground is on the west side of Candle Lake in the Fisher Creek area, also where the park’s disc golf course is located.
- The Candle Lake Minowukaw Campgrounds (north and south) are on the far south shore of the lake.
- Each campground offers a mix of electrical sites and sites without services. The group camping area also has electrical hook-ups.
Three Beaches & the Hidden Purple Sands Beach
Candle Lake Provincial Park boasts two beaches for each campground, while the Waskateena Beach provides a nice central spot for campers to head to on a beach day. All three park beaches offer slightly different amenities, while all provide access to washrooms, parking, boat launches, and picnic tables. And that hidden Purple Sands Beach is as such thanks to its remote location on the densely forested northeast side of Candle Lake, where there is no vehicle access.
- The park’s central Waskateena Beach is a long stretch of white sandy shoreline with a long stretch of shallow waters, and it is groomed each summer for beachgoers. The beach is also the closest to the village’s services and dining options, all within walking distance from the beach.
- Minowukaw is a beautiful stretch of soft, white sand on the south shore of Candle Lake, with the whole beach surrounded by mature boreal forest trees. This area can be windy at times, causing waves in the shallow waters, but all the swimming areas are marked for safety! More fun at Minowukaw includes the basketball court and playground.
- Head to the Sandy Bay Beach on the west side of the lake for new waterfront views, more crystal-clear swimming areas, picnic opportunities, or the volleyball court and disc golf course.
- Those interested in accessing the Purple Sands Beach (marked on Google Maps) will need a boat, motorized or not. And as the name suggests, the sand does have a slight purple tint during the summer, which is easiest to view from afar on the boat. But once you arrive, take advantage of time at a private, secluded beach in the forest! Use any of the park’s three boat launches to start the adventure. These garnet (the purple source) sand beaches are also found in other parts of the province, like Prince Albert National Park.
History and Views from the Trails
The Village of Candle Lake and the sands of Waskateena Beach are perfect for a simple, quick sightseeing walk around the park. Candle Lake Provincial Park is also home to a handful of official hiking trails which offer a look into the area’s nature, wildlife and birds, other lakes, historical perspectives, and some awesome views.
Photo credit: Andrew Penner
- Get those awesome lake and forest views from the park’s Old Baldy Trail, which provides access to the Old Baldy Lookout. This area offers excellent views of Candle Lake from a slightly elevated area and creates a few hours on the trail as a 5km loop. The Old Baldy Trail is also a beautiful place in north-central Saskatchewan for fall foliage and scenery.
- Find the Homestead Heritage Trail on the far south side of the park and Torch Lake. The 3km loop includes a boardwalk section near a beaver pond, perfect for birding, wildlife viewing, or checking for wildflowers. But the real highlight of the trail is the historic homestead that has been well-preserved.
- Lastly, and roughly the shortest trail of the three is the Bay Lake Trail, which closely follows the western shore of the park’s smallest lake.
Boating & More on Candle Lake
With the Provincial Park’s three boat launches and PFD loaner system, a day on the water is simple for those with motorboats, canoes, kayaks, SUPs, or fishing boats. And speaking of fishing, the calm Candle Lake waters at dusk or dawn are perfect for angling. Plus, both campground launches also have fish filleting/fish cleaning stations. The large lake is home to perch, walleye, pike, burbot, and whitefish.
- The park also maintains Musker Pond, where non-motorized boats are permitted, and fishing for stocked trout is allowed, with a maximum of 2 catches per angler.
- The long stretch of Candle Lake’s remote eastern shoreline, including the Purple Sands Beach, and boreal forest wildlife. This could include a number of bird species, bears, moose, deer, or smaller mammals.
Village of Candle Lake
The entire area around all of Candle Lake’s shoreline is a popular summer destination for campers, anglers, cabin owners or cottagers. With this, the south shores of Candle Lake are well-developed with shops, restaurants, and a local Marina. This part of the park is conveniently central to both campgrounds and beside the Waskateena Beach.
Candle Lake Golf Resort.Photo credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Greg Huszar Photography
- The area’s restaurant options include casual takeout, family restaurants, and places for sweet treats. Those closest to the beach include The Wick, Emma’s Kitchen, or The Craft Ice Cream & Creamery. Additionally, the Candle Junction Restaurant is one of the first eatery options on anyone’s way into the park. Plus, a more elevated dining experience is available with the golf course’s public Water’s Edge restaurant.
- The Candle Lake Golf Resort is home to the restaurant, 18-holes around the shores of Candle Lake, the Angry Beaver Café, the Otter Bus ice cream shop, and a snack shop.
- If you plan for a longer stay, be sure to check out the beach programming from the Resort Village: they offer swimming, sailing, and snorkel lessons, and kids’ sports camps.
- And if you’re at Candle Lake in August, mark your calendar for the Drive-In Movie Night at the Community Grounds on the 15th.
Planning Your Trip – Candle Lake Provincial Park
What: The Candle Lake Provincial Park encompasses the shores of the large lake including the remote sides on the north and east shores, and the resort village on the south shores.
Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Paul Austring
The park is a popular destination year-round with activities for every season and is especially popular in the winter for ice fishing. This also makes it a popular fishing lake for the spring to fall seasons.
Candle Lake is well-known for its incredibly clean and clear water, and its sheer size lends itself to sailing, boating, and many other water sports.
Swimming is among the more popular ways to enjoy Candle Lake on a summer’s day, with trails and campground roads connecting the park’s three main areas: the Sandy Bay campground and beach, the Minowukaw campground and beach, and the Resort Village with Waskateena Beach.
Along with recreation, the park is popular for its unique scenery, including small sand dunes, a purple-sand beach, and surrounding dense forests.
Location and how to get there: 80km northeast of Prince Albert via SK-55E and SK-120N
Best time to go: May to October
Candle Lake Provincial Park is turning 40 in 2026. Join the birthday bash celebration at the Lakeside Legacy Festival on Sat, Jul 25, 2026.
Cost: camping $35 per night; day use free: $11 vehicle entry
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