Grasslands National ParkAbout Grasslands National Park
Grasslands National Park is a Canadian national park in southern Saskatchewan that protects one of the last extensive areas of mixed-grass prairie in Canada. The park conserves prairie grassland, badlands terrain and associated wildlife.
Wildlife highlights include plains bison, pronghorn and prairie dogs, as well as bird species associated with open grassland. The park offers hiking, wildlife viewing and interpretive drives rather than dense forest trails.
The protected area is organized into separated units, often referred to as the West Block and East Block, which conserve different sections of prairie and badlands. Management focuses on preserving native grassland processes and species.
The park is located in southern Saskatchewan; the village of Val Marie serves as the main local access point for visitors to the West Block and to nearby prairie landscapes.
- Ecosystem importance: One of Canada’s few protected areas that preserves mixed-grass prairie ecosystems, with native grasses, badlands outcrops and species adapted to semi-arid conditions.
- Visitor access: Val Marie is the small gateway community most commonly used by visitors to the park’s West Block.
What to See#
- West and East Blocks: The park comprises separate units commonly referred to as the West Block and East Block, preserving distinct tracts of mixed-grass prairie and badlands terrain.
Best Time to Visit Grasslands National Park
Summer and early autumn are best for wildlife viewing and long daylight hours.
Weather & Climate near Grasslands National Park
Grasslands National Park's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -20°C to 28°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -20° - -7° | -21° | 13 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
| February | Poor | -16° - -3° | -16° | 9 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.9h |
| March | Acceptable | -9° - 4° | -8° | 14 mm | overcast | 68% | 4.6 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.7h |
| April | Good | -2° - 13° | 2° | 18 mm | partly cloudy | 58% | 4.9 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 13.6h |
| May | Very Good | 4° - 19° | 11° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 56% | 5.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.2h |
| June | Very Good | 9° - 24° | 17° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 57% | 4.6 m/s | 1.7 very high | 16.0h |
| July | Excellent | 11° - 28° | 19° | 53 mm | some cloud | 49% | 4.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 15.6h |
| August | Excellent | 10° - 28° | 19° | 30 mm | some cloud | 51% | 4.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.2h |
| September | Very Good | 4° - 21° | 13° | 29 mm | partly cloudy | 57% | 4.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Good | -2° - 14° | 3° | 15 mm | partly cloudy | 66% | 4.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.6h |
| November | Acceptable | -10° - 3° | -9° | 14 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.9h |
| December | Poor | -17° - -4° | -18° | 12 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.0h |
How to Get to Grasslands National Park
Grasslands National Park has two main blocks. The West Block is reached from the town of Val Marie (about 80 km southwest of Swift Current). The East Block is accessed from Assiniboia and surrounding communities. Driving is the primary access method; some local shuttle and tour options may be available seasonally.
Tips for Visiting Grasslands National Park
- Explore the Frenchman River and sandhills early in the day to see bison or pronghorn at dawn.
- Take a guided prairie ecology walk - park rangers run interpretation programs that explain the rare mixed-grass ecosystem.
- Bring insect repellent in summer; wetlands can host many mosquitoes during warm spells.