Regina 
Find almost any winter activity at central Saskatchewan’s Greenwater Lake Provincial Park. This large, protected area around Greenwater and Marean Lakes is abundant with trails and off-trail winter fun, with accommodations at the centre of it all.
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Greg Huszar Photography
Many in Saskatchewan may consider Greenwater Lake a summer destination thanks to its beautiful campground and swimming areas. If you prefer the snowy fun of cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, or ice skating, then Greenwater Lake Provincial Park remains a perfect getaway destination.
30km of Cross-country Ski Trails at Greenwater Lake
While much of the summer fun is found closer to the lake and beach, the winter trails of Greenwater Lake Provincial Park wind around the forested section of the park on the opposite side of Highway 38. This part of the park is dotted with several much smaller lakes. The ski trails loop around many of those smaller lakes to create just over 30km of trails. Take comfort in three different warm-up shelters located throughout the park trails.
- There are two parking lots on Highway SK-38 for cross-country ski trail access. The south lot starts at the system’s smallest and easiest trail, the Hawkins Loop (3.7km). The north lot begins at the 5.5km Wuche Trail which connects to the Yotin Loop, the longest trail in the park at 7.5km.
- With the series of interconnected loops and the three warm-up shelters (Hawkins Trail, Wuche Trail, and Yotin Trail), there are many different route options available.
- Use caution on the trails, as some of the cross-country ski areas are also open to snowmobiling.
Snowshoeing & Winter Hiking
The trails in the Marean Lake part of Greenwater Lake Provincial Park offer scenic spaces for snowshoeing and hiking through the trees and along the shores of Marean Lake. These trails are also especially great for birding and wildlife viewing.
- The Klinger Trail is 3.5km one-way as it follows the south shore of Marean Lake. The east side connects to the Birding Loop (1.5km) with a lookout area halfway through the loop.
- The west side of the Klinger Trail offers access to the other two hiking/snowshoe loops, both of which are about 1km each.
Photo credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Greg Huszar Photography
More Winter Activities at Greenwater Lake
Greenwater Lake Provincial Park is a huge winter playground with winter fun on all sides of the lake.
- The park now operates an ice skating rink beside the lake marina and campgrounds. The skating rink is in a quiet and sheltered part of the park while still being near the lake views.
- Anglers can take advantage of the variety of fish available from Greenwater Lake during the colder months. Ice fishing is permitted on Greenwater Lake during the winter and offers chances to catch walleye, pike, perch, or burbot.
- Between the skating loop and the golf course is where to enjoy a thrilling afternoon on the hill. The area’s large and steep hill is a hot spot all winter for tobogganing.
You may like:
- As with many of Saskatchewan’s Provincial, National, or Regional Parks, Greenwater Lake offers an abundance of wildlife viewing, birding, and nature photography opportunities. The area is home to over 200 different species of birds, small critters like foxes, and larger animals like elk and moose.
- Snowmobiling is one of the best ways to explore Greenwater Lake Provincial Park given that these trails encompass the entire lake, and the east side of the park by the ski area. The Greenwater Lake trails include a mix of groomed, natural, and primitive trails to offer an array of difficulty levels.
Winter Accommodations at Greenwater Lake
The many campgrounds of Greenwater Lake Provincial Park may be closed for the winter; however, the small lakeside resort town and other nearby areas, still have plenty to offer winter visitors. The Lake Life Inn Bed & Breakfast, Greenwater Cabin Rentals, and Fisherman’s Cove Resort are all lakeside accommodations that are open all year.
Winter Trip to Greenwater Lake Provincial Park
Photo credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Greg Huszar Photography
What: Greenwater Lake Provincial Park is a year-round lake destination in east-central Saskatchewan. During the summer, the park is a popular camping and beach destination that boasts several dozen kilometres of hiking trails. During the winter, most of the park is open, aside from the campground, with several more recreational opportunities.
Winter fun at Greenwater Lake includes skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, tobogganing, and ice fishing. Plus, the small lakeside town has a handful of winter accommodations to bring an overnight stay into the heart of the park.
Location and how to get there: 270km east of Saskatoon and 290 km north of Regina on the west side of Highway SK-38 in Porcupine Plain.
Best time to go: open year-round; December to March for winter activities
How much: $11.00 daily vehicle permit
For more information:
Greenwater Lake Provincial Park
