Regina 
Escape to Echo Valley this winter! Central Saskatchewan’s Echo Valley Provincial Park is in the heart of the Qu’Appelle Valley, where the prairies transform into rolling hills around the steep valley of the Qu’Appelle River.
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan
This river is also responsible for the many scenic lakes around central Saskatchewan, including Echo and Pasqua Lakes. Find the Echo Valley Provincial Park between those two lakes and find year-round activities for relaxation, adventure, and everything in the middle. During the winter months, Echo Valley Provincial Park is a true winter escape or getaway destination with a huge array of recreational activities to offer, overnight winter accommodations, and several winter events.
Echo Valley as an Outdoor Winter Playground
The winter activities to enjoy at Echo Valley Provincial Park offer a perfect way to spend the afternoon outdoors and among the fresh winter air. This includes recreation both on the ice and on the trails.
- Winter trail activities at Echo Valley include both snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The 12km of groomed ski trails wind through open fields and forests on the south side of Pasqua Lake. And if you lack equipment for winter trail fun, the Visitor Centre offers snowshoe rentals, as well as advice on where to bring the snowshoes within the park.
- Glide through Echo Valley’s Aspen Campground this winter along the 900m skating loop. The trail, also lit for evening skating, surrounds a tipi with a fireplace where skaters can keep warm. The park also provides kick sleds for anyone requiring assistance with mobility on the ice. Get in some unique ice time with the park’s crokicurl rink. The game is a combination of curling and crokinole.
- All three lakes in Echo Valley Provincial Park are open to ice fishing and offer a chance to catch a variety of fish including carp, walleye, perch, or northern pike.
Winter Events & Programming at Echo Valley
Events and programs offered from Echo Valley Provincial Park this winter include both indoor fun at the Visitor Administration Centre, and outdoor activities around the park.
The indoor workshops centre around arts and crafts, while outdoor activities usually focus on recreation or nature education.
Echo Valley’s event calendar is released monthly with winter events including Nordic skiing workshops, a Valentine’s skating event, and craft workshops from the Visitor’s Centre.
Mission Ridge Winter Park
Fort Qu’Appelle, on the east side of Echo Lake, is home to more chances for outdoor winter fun with the Misson Ridge Winter Park.
The ski and snowboard hill or runs look out over the scenic Qu’Appelle Valley and Mission Lake, with rentals also available from the lodge. Mission Ridge also boasts a snow tubing hill and the Red T-Bar Lounge for all your Après needs.
Comfort Camping All Year
Over the winters, Echo Valley Provincial Park offers both tent and RV camping, and comfort camping. The winter comfort accommodations include three Camp-Easy Yurts with power access. There are many parks across Saskatchewan with Camp-Easy Yurts open during the summers, but Echo Valley is the only park in the province that offers this as a winter experience from November to March.
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan
Back2Nature Wellness & Adventures
Saskatchewan’s Back2Nature Wellness & Adventures operate experiences at Echo Valley and Blackstrap Provincial Parks. This winter, the spa and wellness retreat company offer both relaxation and adventure. Choose between experiences like a sauna session, a sled dog tour with sauna time, or their signature Body Talk Healing Sessions (intended for all ages), or Astrology Readings.
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan
More Places to Stay around Fort Qu’Appelle
Winter camping, even if considered comfort camping, is not everyone’s ideal accommodation type. Fortunately, the areas surrounding Echo Valley Provincial Park, including Fort Qu’Appelle, provide a variety of other options.
- Book with B-Say-Tah Point Bed & Breakfast for a cozy stay and meal near the park, Valley Cabin Rentals for a spot next to Echo Lake, the Katepwa Beach Hotel for winter discounts, or the Country Squire Inn for staying right in Fort Qu’Appelle.
- Choose between a handful of private cabin rentals around the Qu’Appelle Valley from VRBO, or Airbnb.
Planning your Winter Trip to Echo Valley Provincial Park
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan
What: A year-round park in Saskatchewan’s Qu’Appelle Valley between Echo and Pasqua Lakes.
Echo Valley Provincial Park offers all essential winter recreation for any type of day trip or winter camping trip, including cross-country skiing (with downhill skiing nearby), snowshoeing, winter walking or hiking, ice skating, crokicurl and ice fishing. The park’s location near the two lakes also makes it a prime summer destination in Saskatchewan, with sandy beaches, and picnic or beach facilities.
Summer Fun – Echo Valley Provincial Park
Location and how to get there: use Highway SK-10 from Fort Qu’Appelle or Regina to access SK-210 north toward Echo Valley PP
75km NE of Regina
Best time to go: camping and day use open year-round
Cost: $11 daily Vehicle Entry
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