Soak, Float, and Unwind in Saskatchewan’s Famous Mineral Waters
Hidden in the Saskatchewan prairies is a lake so salty you can lie back in the water and simply float. No treading water. No inflatable. The water does the work for you. And at Manitou Springs Resort & Mineral Spa, you can experience those mineral-rich waters year-round without ever dipping a toe into the chilly Saskatchewan lake.
Known as the “Dead Sea of Canada,” Little Manitou Lake had been on my Saskatchewan list for a while. And after spending several months dealing with a frozen shoulder and trying to regain my range of motion, its reputation for mineral-rich “healing waters” suddenly bumped it much higher on my list.
I was curious: could it actually help with my shoulder?
Spoiler alert: I lifted my arm above my head for the first time in months!
On my first visit to Manitou Beach, I debated between just hanging out at the lake or relaxing in the much warmer waters at the Manitou Springs Resort. Despite growing up in Saskatchewan, I’m not a cold water girl, so the debate was pretty short.
We wandered around town, checking out a few of the things to do in Manitou Beach. Then we grabbed some lunch at the Little Manitou Grill in the spa’s parking lot before buying our day passes to the mineral pools. We spent the afternoon soaking and floating, following the resort’s recommended circuit through the warm pool, hot pool, cold shower, rest and cool pool.
ℹ️ Where is Manitou Springs Resort?
The resort is located in Manitou Beach, Saskatchewan about 80 minutes south east of Saskatoon and approximately 2 hours north west of Regina, making it an easy addition to a Saskatoon itinerary.
By the time I left the pools, there was a noticeable difference in my range of motion. My shoulder wasn’t “healed,” but it felt better than it had in months. It was enough to earn a return trip back just two weeks later for an overnight stay with the family.
Disclosure: This post was created as part of a paid partnership and may include complimentary products, services, or experiences. As always, all opinions and experiences shared are my own.
The Healing Waters of Little Manitou Lake
The idea that there’s something special about the waters of Little Manitou Lake isn’t new. An enormous mural connecting Manitou Springs Resort to the spa tells the local legend behind the waters.
Several sick Indigenous men were left behind at the lake because they were too weak to continue travelling. According to the story, they drank from the lake, bathed in its waters and recovered enough to rejoin their group.
That story of Manitou’s “healing waters” has been passed down for generations—and it’s still very much part of the identity of Manitou Beach today.
Why Is there a Salt Water Lake in the Middle of Saskatchewan?
Anyone else wondering how a landlocked province in the Canadian Prairies has a lake five times saltier than the ocean?
Aparently, the answer goes back to the last Ice Age. Little Manitou was once a much deeper freshwater lake formed by retreating glaciers. Over time, it became a closed basin with no outlet. Water evaporated, minerals stayed behind, and thousands of years later, Saskatchewan ended up with its remarkably salty lake- it’s very own “Dead Sea of Canada.”
What’s Actually in Little Manitou Lake’s Mineral Water?
Salt isn’t the only thing concentrated in Little Manitou Lake. The water contains a mix of dissolved minerals, including magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium.
It’s this mineral-rich water that has drawn people to Little Manitou Lake for generations—and today, you don’t have to brave a chilly Saskatchewan lake to experience it. Manitou Springs Resort pumps the lake’s mineral water directly into its indoor pools, where you can soak and float year-round.
Experience the Mineral Waters at Manitou Springs Resort
You don’t have to wait for summer to experience Little Manitou Lake’s mineral-rich water. Manitou Springs Resort brings the experience indoors with mineral pools that are open year-round.
Just like the lake, the resort’s mineral water is incredibly buoyant. You can simply lean back, pick your feet up and float.
There are pool noodles available if you want one—they’re nice for relaxing on, but you definitely don’t need one to stay afloat.
The mineral pools range from 93°F to 103°F (34°C to 39°C). As someone who hates cold water, I appreciate this more than most. Even the coolest pool is comfortably warm.
But possibly my favourite discovery? The showers are warm too! I’m not saying I’m usually the person who skips the pre-pool shower because I don’t want to stand under freezing-cold water. I’m just saying that if that’s you, you don’t have to worry about it. The showers are actually enjoyable.
There is, however, one notable exception: the cold shower that’s part of the recommended mineral-water circuit. After sitting in the 103°F hot pool, that one is indeed very cold. But it’s part of the process, so try to embrace it
If you want to try the full experience, this is the mineral-water routine recommended by Manitou Springs.
And despite its name, I wouldn’t call the “cold pool” cold. It’s solidly lukewarm and much warmer than most swimming pools, which was a welcome surprise.
📌 Pro Tip: Bring a water bottle. Proper hydration is an important part of the process, and there is a water filling station inside the pool area.
After three full cycles on each of my first two visits, I noticed a significant improvement in my shoulder. That experience was actually what prompted me to reach out to Manitou Springs Resort.
I wanted to learn more about the wellness side of the resort, and that eventually brought Craig and me back for a third visit—this time as part of a hosted partnership.
Don’t be surprised if the pools don’t look exactly like the photos you’ve seen online. Signs in the spa explain that the mineral content can affect the colour and clarity of the water. You can see in my photos that the water looked slightly different on our last trip than it was on the first two trips.
An Award-Winning Saskatchewan Wellness Destination
Manitou Springs Resort & Mineral Spa received two major recognitions from Spas of America in 2025. It was named one of the Top 10 Mineral Hot Springs of 2025—and was the only Canadian spa to make the list.
The resort also ranked #42 on Spas of America’s Top 50 Canada Spas of 2025, marking its fifth consecutive year on the Canadian list.
More Ways to Make It a Wellness Getaway
The mineral pools may be the main reason people come to Manitou Springs Resort, but they aren’t the only way to turn a stay here into a wellness getaway. During our hosted stay, Craig and I had a chance to try several of the resort’s other wellness experiences, including massage, yoga and a frequency session.
Spa Treatments
You can take the relaxation beyond the mineral pools at Serenity Massage & Esthetics, located right inside Manitou Springs Resort. The spa offers a range of massages, facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures and hair services.
I received a 50-minute hot stone massage. I listed my frozen shoulder as a problem area on my intake form, but the treatment itself was a relaxing full-body massage rather than one focused specifically on my shoulder.
While I didn’t notice the same kind of improvement in my shoulder that I had after spending time in the mineral pools, the massage was incredibly relaxing. And that night, I had one of the best sleeps I’d had in a long time.
If you’re hoping to address a specific problem area, I’d mention that when booking so you can ask which treatment would be the best fit for what you’re looking for.
Wellness Opportunities
Beyond the mineral pools and traditional spa treatments, Manitou Springs Resort also offers some less conventional ways to make wellness part of your stay. We tried a few of them during our visit, including a personalized frequency wellness session and, for the first time for both of us, yoga.
Frequency Treatment
This was probably the most unusual wellness experience of our stay—and one I had never tried before. Our 90-minute personalized frequency wellness sessions combined several different treatments, including touchless frequency wands positioned around our bodies, a foot treatment using frequency technology, a magnesium and castor oil foot massage, and a vibrational platform.
The idea behind the treatment is to use different forms of frequency and vibration as part of a personalized wellness experience focused on relaxation, restoration and overall well-being. The session itself was completely non-invasive, and much of it involved simply lying back while the equipment did its thing.
I didn’t notice a change immediately afterward. But about a week later, I realized I had again gained a little more mobility in my shoulder after my progress had previously plateaued. I’m pretty open-minded to natural therapies, so the progress was enough to get me considering a follow-up treatment.
Yoga
Neither Craig nor I had ever tried yoga before, so when our instructor asked what type of yoga we’d like to do, we had absolutely no idea. We left it entirely up to her, and she decided to split our private session between yin and yang yoga.
Having a private session was a great introduction for two complete beginners. We didn’t need to know anything going in—we could simply follow her lead as she guided us through the session.
We also got to take our new yoga skills to the mineral pools. Pool yoga is offered three times a week, and we joined a class during our stay.
This was a completely different experience from the private session. Instead of working on a mat, we followed the instructor through the movements while standing in the warm mineral water, using the side of the pool for support when needed. And if you’re worried you need yoga experience before joining, we were proof that you definitely don’t.
Staying at Manitou Springs Resort
Although Manitou Beach makes an easy day trip from Saskatoon, staying overnight gave us more time to explore the town and enjoy the resort’s wellness experiences at a much slower pace.
Resort Rooms and Amenities
We stayed in a lake-view room overlooking Little Manitou Lake, and the sunset view over the lake was easily the highlight. Our room had a king bed and a sitting area with a couch positioned right in front of the windows, plus a private balcony with a table and chairs overlooking the water. In the evening, we could watch the sun set over the lake right from our room, and the balcony was a pretty great spot for a morning coffee.
One small touch I particularly appreciated was the robes provided in the room. Every room at Manitou Springs Resort includes them, so you can throw one on over your swimsuit to head down to the mineral pools—or just curl up in one while relaxing in your room afterward.
Our room also had a fridge and microwave, which was a nice convenience. Room amenities do vary, though. On our previous visit, we stayed in a standard room that had a fridge but no microwave. However, there is a microwave available for guests in the lobby, so we were still able to heat up food when we needed to.
There are quite a few accommodation options depending on what you’re looking for, including rooms with private Jacuzzis and accommodations with kitchenettes or full kitchens. The suites, kitchenettes, and full-kitchen accommodations are located outside the main resort building, so it’s worth paying attention to both the amenities and location when choosing your room.
📌 Pro Tip: If you’re not sure what amenities are included in your room, check with the front desk staff before booking. They are super friendly and helpful.
The resort is set up for more than leisure stays. With accommodation, dining, wellness experiences and meeting spaces all in one place, the resort can also accommodate conferences, retreats, group getaways, and corporate wellness events.
Mineral Pool Access for Resort Guests
Of course the biggest perk to staying at Manitou Springs Resort is that mineral pool access is included with your stay. We took advantage of it on both of our overnight visits, using the pools in the evening and again the next day.
Checking out doesn’t necessarily mean your pool time is over. On your last day, you can check out of your room, head into the mineral pools, and stay past the hotel checkout time.
Resort guests also have access to an on-site fitness room. We used it during our first overnight stay, when our visit was mostly about the mineral pools. On our second stay, we opted for some quiet down time after all of ur wellness sessions.
Dining at Manitou Springs Resort
Of course, a wellness getaway still needs good food—and you don’t have to leave the resort to find it. They have excellent options that offer both a casual, poolside cafe and a full-servi.
Watercrest Café
The café is the most convenient option when you want something casual. It’s accessible from both the lobby outside the pool and through an ordering window in the pool area, so you can grab something to eat without leaving the pool.
The café has a good selection of reasonably priced options, and we found the portions generous. And most important they have cheese cake along with several other tasty desserts!
It’s an easy choice when you want a good meal without the full sit-down restaurant experience.
Water’s Edge Restaurant
When you’re looking for more than a quick café meal, the resort also has a full-service restaurant. The menu has a much wider selection, with burgers, pizza, full entrées and other choices, as well as beer, wine and cocktails.
We ate here during our stay and found it a good option when we wanted to sit down for a proper meal without having to leave the resort. It’s especially convenient after an evening in the mineral pools when getting dressed and driving somewhere else is pretty low on the list of things you want to do.
Final Thoughts on Manitou Springs Resort
Three trips to Manitou Beach in under three months wasn’t on my summer 2026 bingo card, but sometimes the best gift you can give yourself
Sometimes self-care looks like stepping away from the schedule, slowing down long enough to rest, embracing opportunities when they come along, and giving your own healing and well-being a place on the priority list.
My first visit to Manitou Springs Resort started with curiosity about Saskatchewan’s famous mineral waters and what they might do for my stubborn shoulder. I didn’t know what to expect, but the difference I noticed after that first afternoon was enough to bring me back just two weeks later.
Since then, I’ve experienced the resort multiple ways: as a day visitor, on an overnight family getaway, and finally as a wellness-focused stay with Craig. Each visit was different, but each gave me another reason to slow down and enjoy this little Saskatchewan wellness destination.
And I have a feeling my third visit won’t be my last.
