The Duck Mountain Region spans both Manitoba and Saskatchewan and for both provinces, this region is protected as a Provincial Park.
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan
With that comes dozens of activities to enjoy in these parks any time of the year. The Saskatchewan Duck Mountain Provincial Park, while considerably smaller than its Manitoba counterpart, remains a hub of outdoor adventure with just as many activities. This includes several opportunities for getting outside this winter and taking advantage of the snow, the trails, or the ice of Duck Mountain Provincial Park.
Duck Mountain’s Winter Trails
No matter how you prefer to explore the snowy landscapes of Duck Mountain Provincial Park, these trails permit almost every winter activity to include routes for skiers, hikers, snowshoers, and ice skaters.
- Duck Mountain is a top cross-country skiing destination in southern Saskatchewan with over 50km of groomed trails. This includes routes for all different skill levels.
- The park’s ice skating trail and area offer everything needed for a memorable day on the ice including the beautiful winter scenery, and a warm-up shack.
- Snowshoe adventures are easy to take on at Duck Mountain Provincial Park with rentals available from the park office, and as much space to snowshoe as there is for cross-country skiing. Those 54km of ski trails are open to hiking and snowshoeing so long as you avoid the groomed ski tracks.
More Winter Adventures & Activities
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan
No matter your age or athletic abilities, the winter activities in the Duck Mountain region offer something for everyone. This is on top of all of the trail recreation listed above and could create reasons to plan a full weekend winter getaway at the park.
- Madge Lake is at the heart and centre of Saskatchewan’s Duck Mountain Provincial Park. And while it is a huge source of summer fun, Madge Lake is also a great source of winter adventure. Once frozen, Madge is open ice fishing for the winters with chances to catch pike, walleye, or perch from the spring-fed lake.
- Snowmobiling across the hills and valleys of Duck Mountain Provincial Park is one of the top ways to see the entire park’s incredible boreal landscape over winters. This park offers over 75km of trails as well as direct trail access from the on-site lodges and cabins.
- Tobogganing is a perfect activity to combine with a day on the trails or with a day of skating. The hill, right next to the ice path, is a budget-friendly way to offer kids of all ages some winter fun.
- Find the Duck Mountain Ski Resort to the south of the Provincial Park where winter adventure opportunities include downhill skiing, snow tubing, and snowshoeing.
Annual Duck Mountain Loppet
February 22 will mark the 44th year for the annual Duck Mountain Loppet. The Loppet is a cross-country skiing event which encourages skiers of all ages and levels to register and record their distance travelled on the trails for the day.
The park’s ski trails have shelters along the way; and for the Loppet, five of those shelters will have snacks and “Duck Mtn Dew” available for skiers. Registration for the event will include a post-ski meal to enjoy at the Lodge.
Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan
The Duck Mountain Lodge & More Accommodations
The Provincial Park’s campgrounds are only open for the spring, summer, and fall. However, that still leaves a handful of winter accommodation options right in the park.
- A winter stay with the Duck Mountain Lodge gets you access to the cozy rooms, as well as their highly rated restaurant and bar. The hotel is a favourite spot for snowmobilers with the trails located right outside the rooms.
- Cabin rentals are also available with Madge Lake Developments. Their 10 cabins are situated lakeside while the rental company also offers snowmobile rentals for winter guests.
Winter Getaways to Resorts and Lodges in Saskatchewan Parks
Planning Your Winter Trip – Duck Mountain Provincial Park
What: Duck Mountain Provincial Park covers protected boreal forest areas in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. This is the southernmost point of Saskatchewan’s Boreal Forest with the parkland surrounding Madge Lake. The park’s activities and camping areas are located at and start at the south side of Madge Lake. In the summers, the area offers a beach with lake swimming, camping and comfort camping, fishing, and hiking. During a winter visit, the park still has overnight lodging (while campgrounds are closed), and large expanses of forested trails for numerous winter activities.
Location and how to get there: on the north side of Highway SK-57 between Kamsack and the Manitoba border.
Duck Mountain Provincial Park is located approximately 100 km (1 hr drive) from Yorkton, 290 km (3 hr drive) from Regina and Brandon, and 375 km (4 hr drive) from Saskatoon.
Cost: $11.00 per day
Best time to go: open year-round