Narrow Hills Provincial Park — Attraction in Unorganized Division No. 18

Bouncing along the corrugated road with a rooster tail of dust following behind, the sweet smell of pine sap invades the vehicle signifying adventure is ripe for the picking. The road narrows and vehicle travel is happily replaced with boots and easy access to lush blueberry bushes that replace the store-bought hiking snacks. The gentle breeze moves silently through pine trees and only the distant tumbling water of McDougal creek breaks the silence.

Two hours northeast of Prince Albert is Narrow Hills Provincial Park - filled with rolling hills and countless perfect little lakes that will cleanse your mind of any of life’s worries. Sculpted by the last glacial period, the park’s 53,000 hectares of wilderness is infused with narrow valleys and exciting terrain - not exactly what you would expect to find in Saskatchewan. With twenty-five lakes ready for fishing you’re not likely to bump into any crowds while spending a day angling. The campgrounds are remote and quaint enough that you’ll feel alone, yet not so remote that basic amenities are forgotten.

The first corner of Narrow Hills Provincial Park that I explored was Sealey Lake. It’s one of the larger lakes in the park with its own boat launch and stocked with both brook and rainbow trout. The clear water makes exploring the shore on foot plenty of fun and if you’re in the midst of a long hot summer road trip, Sealey Lake is just metres from the highway - perfect for a quick refreshing swim.

Following Sealey Lake I made my way towards McDougal Creek, where you’ll find a few wilderness campsites perfect for tenting. I’m not sure that what I followed was an official trail, but it was beautiful and led me to the creek. In true Saskatchewan fashion, the hike to the creek was just as fun as the creek itself. The trail was flanked by lush wild blueberry bushes, which made packing myself a snack redundant. The undergrowth of the pine forest was littered with bright red bunchberries and countless oddly shaped toadstools. From what I’ve read, McDougal Creek is stocked with brook trout and from what I saw, it would be a relaxing spot to confirm that.

Further along I found my way to Baldy Lake, which has a few of the most picturesque camping spots right along its shores. If the camping spots here are full, just two kilometres southwest is Stickley Lake with more camping sites.

I don’t often compare one unique geographic location with another, because ultimately no two places are identical. However, in this instance visiting Narrow Hills Provincial Park immediately reminded me of exploring the Interior and Cariboo regions of British Columbia - the hot dry pine forests and the undulating terrain are...

We had a great stay in a yurt. They were clean and nicely equipped. The fire ban was in place but people were still having camp fires so it was frustrating to see that people think they are not needing to follow the rules. Bring a propane camp fire pit if you would like to still have a fire experience. There were a lot of bugs, especially horse flies. The beach is gorgeous and has beautiful sand. Don’t wear a dark coloured bathing suit with the horse flies or they will attack you while wet. Bring deep woods bug spray! Fishing was lovely. We rented a boat from Pine Ridge and they were great! There are some leeches in the lake. We did a great hike at gem lakes, download maps before you go as there is no cell...

Narrow Hills Provincial Park in Saskatchewan is a hidden gem of natural beauty. Its diverse landscapes, from lush forests to serene lakes, offer a peaceful escape from city life. The park's well-maintained trails and camping facilities make it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or simply enjoying the tranquility, Narrow Hills Provincial Park is a place where you can truly reconnect with the great outdoors. It's a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the beauty of...