
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan
Nicolle Flats Marsh Interpretive Area is a popular birding destination, near to Buffalo Pound Lake. In addition to bird watching and hiking, the area is also a well-known bison viewing area.
The hiking trail near the Nicolle Flats Marsh can be accessed from the east and west trailhead. The east trailhead at the Nicolle Homestead Parking Lot can be used to access the Dyke Trails, the Valley Interpretive Trail, as well as the Nicolle Flats trails. The west trailhead at the Buffalo Viewing Tower is used to access the Bison View Interpretive Trail, the Marsh Boardwalk trail and the Nicolle Flats Trails.
Nicolle Flats Trail – This trail follows the south shore of the Nicolle Flats Marsh between the Buffalo Viewing Tower and the Nicolle Homestead. The Nicolle Homestead was built by Charles Nicolle and his family in 1903. This, 3 km long (each way), trail connects the two parking lot trailheads in the Nicolle Flats Marsh area. Hiking Trails
Dyke Trail – Part of the Trans Canada Trail, this 4.5 km long trail, follows the north shore of the Nicolle Flats Marsh and the banks of the Qu’Appelle and Moose Jaw Rivers. You can follow a short 200-metre trail that will lead to the confluence of the rivers. There is also an old cable car and water station to see.
Valley Interpretive Trail – The Valley Interpretive Trail is a 1.5 km long loop trail that follows the Moose Jaw River for some distance before exploring the wetland area. This trail connects to the Dyke Trail on the north end.
Bison View Interpretive Trail – Measuring about 3 km, this trail follows the bison paddock fence to the top of a hill. Climb the top of the lookout tower near the starting trailhead to view herds of plains bison.
Long ago, Plains Indians used to hunt and capture bison in this area. The present name of the park is based on the evidence of this fact. Today, plains bison are kept in a pasture in the southeast corner of the park which can be viewed from the trail and lookout tower.
Marsh Boardwalk Trail – This is a birdwatching trail about 0.5 km long that follows a wooden boardwalk onto the Nicolle Flats Marsh and leads to a viewing area.
View this post on Instagram
How to go: Head to the Buffalo pound Provincial Park. After entering the Buffalo Pound Provincial Park gate, follow east along the south shore of the Buffalo Pound Lake. The Nicolle Flats Interpretive Area is located on the southeast side of Buffalo Pound Lake.
Latitude: 50.56132° N,
Longitude: -105.2995° W