Regina 
The scenery in Saskatchewan dramatically changes and transforms as you travel across the province. While commonly thought of as the flat prairie province, Saskatchewan’s scenery also includes a great deal of boreal forest dotted with large, crystal clear lakes, badlands, sand dunes, and some incredible river valley scenery.
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan
The rivers of central and southern Saskatchewan flow through those flatter prairie and grassland areas to create valleys of rolling hills with lush greenery, deep embankments, or rocky badlands cliffs. The South Saskatchewan River, while damned to create a lake in western Saskatchewan, continues to run through the province with the appearance of a river but with the name Lake Diefenbaker. There are seven provincial parks in total along these shores, with Saskatchewan Landing situated right near the middle of the lake.
History around Every Corner of Saskatchewan Landing
Lake Diefenbaker, with over 800km of shoreline, is one of the largest lakes in the province! The man-made lake was formed by the Qu’Appelle Valley and Gardiner dams on the South Saskatchewan River. Much of the lake looks more like a river with narrower passageways and that expansive length that mostly runs east to west. Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park covers both sides of the central part of Lake Diefenbaker, where there are several different ways to enjoy the warmer months. This lake and its dams are some of the first nodes in history you’ll notice around the park.
The lake received its name as Diefenbaker is, so far, the only Prime Minister to be from Saskatchewan. Similarly, the Gardiner dam was named in honour of former Premier, James Gardiner (1926-29). And as a provincial water source, Lake Diefenbaker has huge significance: it helps with the production of electricity for parts of the province.
There are also smaller pieces of local history all around Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park which date back earlier than the dam and lake’s creation. Each of these sites are discoverable along the main hiking trails!
Local History on the Saskatchewan Landing Trails
Hiking the Saskatchewan Landing Park trails offers excellent opportunities for fresh air, Lake Diefenbaker views, birding or wildlife photography, exercise, and learning about the historic significance of the South Saskatchewan River. Most of the park’s hiking trails are lined with interpretive panels to provide all of that historic or cultural context. The park’s Visitor Centre is the first historic site to see as it is now in the historic Goodwin House.
- The Ridges & Ravines trail is on the same side of the water as the Goodwin House, but further east. This quick and simple 1.4km loop gains a bit of elevation in order to provide excellent views of the lake surrounded by the hills
- The park’s other two main trails offer more historical background on the park and are both on the south side of the water. This includes the Stone House and the Brunyea Homestead around the Equestrian campground road, and the Prairie Vista Trail, which provides some of the park’s most jaw-dropping scenery!
- The Rings, Ruts, and Remnants Trail follows the water on the south side of the lake for the first half before heading into the hills and creating a loop.
Fun on the Water
Lake Diefenbaker is a huge source of summer recreation for southern Saskatchewan. And all of this is accessible from Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park. This includes activities to enjoy across spring, summer, and fall.
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Paul Austring
- Choose between Saskatchewan Landing’s Bearpaw Beach, or Cottonwood Beach, for your swimming spot this summer. Campers and day use areas are permitted to use the beaches made of soft sand.
- The South Saskatchewan River and Lake Diefenbaker offer world-renowned fishing thanks to the wide array of species available to catch like walleye, rainbow or lake trout, northern pike, sauger, yellow perch, lake whitefish, burbot, and goldeye.
- Boaters are able to launch onto Lake Diefenbaker from two separate launches within the park. Explore areas like Landing Bay (location of one boat launch), seemingly endless stretches of shoreline, or Omache Bay next to the Marina. Those without their own boats will be able to get rentals for canoes, kayaks, or SUPs from the Marina.
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan
Fun off the Water
Aside from the hiking trails and interpretive trails of Saskatchewan Landing, there are a couple of awesome nearby attractions to add to your camping itineraries.
- The Saskatchewan Landing Golf & Country Club offers a scenic setting for a day on the course and a restaurant for a post-golf meal. More golfing is available from the Marina’s 18-hole mini-golf course.
- Catch a movie this summer or fall at the local Clearwater Drive-In, a short drive north of Saskatchewan Landing. Catch all the big summer releases at the Drive-In and with this classic, hard-to-find movie-going experience.
- The beaches of Saskatchewan Landing offer plenty of space for swimming and picnics; but there is a second option for a beach day or picnic near the Drive-In Theatre. The Clearwater Lake Regional Park has another great beach on the spring-fed lake, more camping options for tents, trailers, or RVs, and a camp store/concession.
Waterfront Camping & More at Saskatchewan Landing
There are dozens of beautiful campsites lining the shores of Lake Diefenbaker, among them, which offer a few different ways to camp. Also nearby is a more luxurious way to camp near the water.
- Saskatchewan Landing’s Equestrian Campground is on the south side of the park, where horseback riding is also permitted off of the interpretive trails.
- Larger groups of campers can take advantage of one of two group campgrounds at Saskatchewan Landing, both of which offer electricity.
- The rest of the campgrounds at the park, including Prairie Meadows, Bearpaw, and Riverside, are ideal for single tents, trailers, or RVs. Saskatchewan Parks also offers a few accessible sites. Choose between the park’s basic sites without services or those with electricity.
- No matter where you camp at Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park, there will be access to washrooms, including accessible washrooms, drinking water, showers, laundry facilities, a concession, and a convenience store.
- Find that elevated and more luxurious way to camp on the east side of the park with Glamping Resorts Ltd., which has canvas cabins for rent.
Planning Your Trip – Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Paul Austring
Saskatchewan Landing sits centrally on the wide Lake Diefenbaker, created by dams on the South Saskatchewan River. The park covers land on both sides of the river, with the main campgrounds to the north and the equestrian campground on the south side of the water. The large campgrounds provide several amenities and are close to the park’s main beaches, where swimming areas are marked. Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park is popular for its beaches, hiking trails, unique scenery, and boating opportunities. Within the park is a large marina and two boat launches. Visit for a day trip to the beach and trails, for a picnic, or plan for a longer summer getaway with weekly camping rates available.
Location and how to get there: 50 km north of Swift Current and the Trans Canada Highway via SK-4
Saskatchewan Landing is located 225 km (2 hr 20 minutes) from Saskatoon and 290 km (3 hours’ drive) from Regina.
Best time to go: May 15-September 14, 2025
How much: camping $35 per night; equestrian camping $20 per night
For more information:
Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park
