Outdoor-adventures on the Churchill River in Lac La Ronge Provincial Park
One of the largest parks in the province, Lac La Ronge Provincial Park is a nature-lover’s dream come true. Nestled in the heart of the Churchill River system, this park has close to 100 lakes and more than 30 documented canoe routes, many of which follow ancient fur trade routes. The Churchill River takes all of the “Saskatchewan is flat and boring”-stereotypes and blows them out of the water. Stretching across the province from east to west, the mighty Churchill River offers incredible opportunities for canoeing, fishing, hiking and sightseeing in Lac La Ronge Provincial Park.
Canoeing
Northern Saskatchewan is known as a canoer’s paradise. People from around the world visit each year to paddle across some of the finest canoe country that North America and the world has to offer. The Churchill River is made up of a series of interconnected lakes with countless falls and rapids flowing through the rugged Canadian Shield.
Locals usually travel with their own canoe and stay at one of the park’s five campsites, each of which is more beautiful than the other. However, those travelling without their own equipment are in good hands with Churchill River Canoe Outfitters. In addition to basic equipment rental, they offer a variety of multi-day guided canoe tours in the region and inspire with their passion for canoeing and Saskatchewan’s wilderness. The outfitter is based in Missinipe on the edge of Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, where the canoe groups meet to be taken by van or seaplane to the actual starting point of their multi-day adventure. They then spend days travelling by canoe through the breathtaking wilderness of northern Saskatchewan with the best chances of spotting moose, bears or bald eagles. In the evening, tents are usually pitched on the banks of a lake or the river – some tours also include comfortable overnight stays in lodges or resorts.
Sightseeing
Take a boat tour to some of the scenic and historic landmarks of the region. Take in the powerful Nistowiak Falls, ancient Indigenous rock paintings and Saskatchewan’s oldest standing building – the Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
Fishing
Lots of fish and pristine wilderness. Whether or not you are a seasoned angler, fishing along the Churchill River will give you an experience you won’t soon forget. Large bald eagles are plentiful, and you might even see one doing its own fishing right in front of you!
Take a break on one of the many islands scattered throughout the region to enjoy a shore lunch with your fresh catch of the day. Tip: Otter Rapids is a popular shore lunch spot, and for good reasons!
Local outfitters rent out boats and fishing equipment or provide guided fishing trips, even for beginners.
Hiking
Had enough of adventure ON the water? Then get your hiking boots on! On a peninsula in Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, the Nut Point Trail is a 30-kilometre backcountry hike along a million-year-old rocky ridge. The winding trail through the Canadian Shield is known for its blueberries, dense moss beds and unique lake panoramas. At the end of the trail, hikers are rewarded with the ultimate view of the historic Lac La Ronge.
Don’t forget your swimwear, as the ice-cold lake will quickly refresh tired hikers’ legs!
Flying
Yes, flying! Northern Saskatchewan is scattered with thousands of lakes and rivers, making transportation by float plane one of the more popular options. Anglers and canoeists alike take to the sky to visit their favourite secluded destinations that would otherwise be very difficult to access. Seeing the pristine northern landscape from the window of a float plane will provide perspective on the enormous scale of lakes and rivers that you can’t get any other way.
55° North – it's where to find it all
A short ten-minute float plane or thirty-minute boat ride east of Missinipe in Lac La Ronge Provincial Park is Twin Falls Lodge, nestled in a bay on the Churchill River next to the waterfalls it’s named after, Twin Falls. The lodge has eight private cabins, four of which are brand new and are incredibly comfortable given its remote location.
Waking up to the smell of a home cooked breakfast and coffee prepared daily to fuel a day of adventure out on the water is a treat. Lunch is packed or served in the lodge depending on your itinerary for the day, and dinner is a family style feast in the evening, the perfect way to wind down and share stories. If there aren’t enough stories to fill the room, there will be plenty from lodge manager Randy and his wife who will make you feel like you are part of the family there.
The days are long up in Northern Saskatchewan during the summer, allowing you to stay out for hours on end exploring the waterways, portage to other lakes or down the Churchill. Guided tours by local first nations are available to Stanley Mission and the awe-inspiring Nistowiak Falls, telling tales of their ancestors and sharing traditions passed down through generations.
The days end with the most jaw-dropping sunsets late in the evening.
A sense of calm is cast over the water as it mirrors the pinks and orange hues in the sky, signaling the end to a perfect day in Northern Saskatchewan and time to retire to a warm cozy cabin to get some rest.
Further information can be found at www.tourismsaskatchewan.com.
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