The Ultimate Guide to Day Trips From Saskatoon
Looking for the best day trips from Saskatoon? Although you could easily fill multiple days exploring all of Saskatoon’s unique attractions without ever leaving the city, sometimes it’s nice to escape the urban vibe and explore what the surrounding province has to offer.
From scenic lakes and charming small towns to outdoor adventures and unique attractions, these Saskatoon day trips showcase another side of Saskatchewan.an.
If you’re looking for a refreshing change of pace to round out your Saskatoon itinerary, these day trips provide the perfect opportunity to experience the diverse landscapes, rich history, and hidden gems. Whether you’re heading into the wild prairies, discovering small-town charm, or exploring Saskatchewan’s natural wonders, there is something to enjoy in every season.
Saskatoon Planning at a Glance
If you want a quick overview without overthinking it, this gives you a clear starting point for planning your next Saskatoon adventure.
If you’re planning a few days in Saskatoon, see how to map them out.
Where to Stay:
- Delta Downtown (Moderate)
- Vrbo Nutana 2 BD Home (Moderate)
- Days Inn Airport (Budget)
What to See:
- Broadway District
- Meewasin Riverfront and Trails
- Wanuskewin Heritage Park
What to Book in Advance:
- Car Rental- Expedia
- eSIM- Saily
- Travel Insurance- Safety Wing
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Getting Around Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a road tripper’s paradise, and these day trips are no exception! The quickest and easiest way to get around the province is by car. Throughout the province, traffic is marginal; gas prices are reasonable; and parking rates are free or minimal.
All of these trips will require access to a motor vehicle.
Saskatoon Car Rental
We recommend comparing prices with both Discovercars.com and Expedia to find the best rates for your trip.
Best Overall Saskatoon Day Trip
1. Manitou Beach (Canada’s Dead Sea)
Distance from Saskatoon– 115 km
A lake that’s five times saltier than the ocean probably isn’t something you’d expect to find in the middle of the Saskatchewan prairies, but that’s exactly what makes Little Manitou Lake so special.
Known as Canada’s Dead Sea, the mineral-rich water makes it easy to float and has drawn visitors seeking its therapeutic benefits for more than a century.
In the summer, you can float in the lake itself, but because it’s still a Saskatchewan lake, the water stays refreshingly cool.
If you’d rather enjoy the same floating experience in warm water, visit the Manitou Springs Mineral Spa, which pumps its mineral-rich water directly from the lake. Many people, myself included, have experienced relief from aches and pains after soaking in the water, and even my husband—who has never been able to float before—was amazed at how effortless it was in these waters.
Before heading home, stop for lunch at Water’s Edge Café inside the spa. After trying several cafés around Manitou Beach, it’s become my favourite for its generous portions, reasonable prices, and consistently excellent food.
With its one-of-a-kind salt lake, relaxing spa, and welcoming small-town atmosphere, Manitou Beach is my top overall day trip from Saskatoon.
North Bound Day Trips
2. Batoche National Historic Site- Best For Canadian History
Distance from Saskatoon– 90 km
Thanks to the 2026 Canada Strong Pass, Batoche National Historic Site is free to visit this year, making it the perfect time to discover one of Saskatchewan’s most important historic sites. Best known as the site of Louis Riel’s last stand during the Northwest Resistance of 1885, Batoche brings the history, culture, and resilience of the Métis people to life through its historic buildings, exhibits, and guided experiences.
During our visit, we started with the guided tour of the church and rectory before strolling the easy trails to Mission Ridge for beautiful views of the South Saskatchewan River. We wrapped up the afternoon with a bison taco in a bag from the visitor centre. The portions were generous, and the prices super reasonable.
📌 Pro Tip: If you’re visiting in spring or early summer, be prepared for tick season. A good insect repellent containing DEET helps protect against both ticks and mosquitoes. You will want to do a tick check before heading home and again once you arrive.
Batoche is close enough to Saskatoon, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the evening back in the city. Stop for supper on the way home or pair your visit with one of Saskatoon’s many free activities for a budget-friendly adventure.
Pack Smarter. Travel Prepared.
🥾 Free Saskatchewan Packing List
This free packing list helps you prepare for Saskatchewan’s changing seasons, with practical tips to stay comfortable from city exploring to outdoor adventures.
3. Candle Lake- Best For Kid-Friendly Beaches
Distance from Saskatoon– 224 km
The Resort Village of Candle Lake offers a plethora of outdoor options. There are two provincial parks (Sandy Bay and Minouwaka) that offer camping options, and the Candle Lake Golf Resort offers cabin, townhouse, and hotel style accommodations.
Waskateena Beach offers a free, family friendly beach with shallow sandbars great for young kids, skim boarding, Spikeball, frisbee etc. This is our primary beach spot during the summer months.
Sandy Bay has an inflatable water park on the lake for kids ages five and up to enjoy.
The Golf Resort also offers boat rentals and Play and Stay golf packages. Candle Lake offers outdoor adventure for every budget.
For park entry prices see here
4. Prince Albert National Park- Best For Outdoor Adventure
Distance from Saskatoon– 224 km
Prince Albert National Park is the borderland where the southern prairies meet the northern lakes and wetlands of the boreal forest. The park is an ideal setting for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.
Opportunities include day and overnight paddling trips, 120 kms of hiking trails, wildlife viewing, fishing, water sports, golf, beach lounging, lake swimming, and camping. During winter there is ice fishing, cross country skiing and snowmobile trails available.
📌 Pro Tip: The park is in bear country, so understanding bear safety before you go is essential if you’re planning to do any outdoor activities.
The resort village of Waskesieu, the only town inside the park, offers full services year round including accommodations, dining, and paddling and bike rentals.
5. Youth Farm Corn Maze- Best For Fall Fun
Distance from Saskatoon– 66 km
The Youth Farm Corn Maze is open seasonally from approximately mid August to the end of October. It is a great pit stop on the way to Candle Lake, Waskesieu, or Batoche, or it can be an entire day by itself. They have activities for the whole family including the corn maze, petting zoo, climbing wall, hay rides, mega slide and more.
You can grab lunch at the Burger Shack on site, or jump over to the local Dairy Queen once you’re finished.
As an added bonus, Rosthern has the cheapest gas between Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
For hours and prices check here
📌 Pro Tip: Just 15 minutes past the corn maze is the Glen Scrimshaw Art Gallery. Glen is a local artist who sells his nature /landscape paintings and prints out of a small gallery in Duck Lake.
South Bound Day Trips
6. Moose Jaw- Best For a Weekend Getaway
Distance from Saskatoon– 225 km
Moose Jaw is Canada’s “most notorious city.” It is brimming with history, adventure, and luxury. From the underground tunnels that provided a safe haven for gangsters and rumrunners during prohibition, to luxury spa treatments, to walking and paddling trails in Wakamow Valley, there are plenty of activities to fill your day.
The historic downtown provides a welcoming small-town vibe, while green spaces and cozy cafés offer the perfect spots to unwind.
Download our free Moose Jaw Scavenger Hunt to explore its hidden gems, discover local history, and challenge yourself with trivia and fun clues.
7. Roughrider Home Game
Distance from Saskatoon– 255 km
The CFL’s Roughriders are Saskatchewan’s only major league sports team. As such, “Rider Nation” spews an atmosphere of passion and energy at every home game and has been affectionately nicknamed the “13th man on the field.” The atmosphere is electric as the entire province unites to cheer on our team in a sea of green.
📌 Pro Tip: Don’t forget to pick up your watermelon hat before the game
8. Douglas Provincial Park-Best For Sand Dunes
Distance from Saskatoon– 140 km
Douglas Provincial Park is one of Lake Diefenbaker’s three provincial parks and has been a family favourite of ours for years. While the park is best known for the nearby Great Sand Hills-style sand dunes that attract hikers and photographers, we enjoy its beautiful beach, excellent camping, and relaxed atmosphere.
The full-service park offers camping, swimming, boating, geocaching, hiking, picnic areas, and modern washroom facilities. The well-treed campsites provide plenty of shade and privacy, making it an ideal summer getaway.
Make sure to stop by The Store by the Shore and say hi to Miss Anne. Our kids’ visits with her over the years have become some of their favourite Douglas memories. She offers friendly service, concession-style meals, ice cream, and basic groceries and camping supplies.
9. Pike Lake Provincial Park- Best For Family Fun Close to the City
Distance from Saskatoon– 30 km
Pike Lake is the easiest and closest day trip from Saskatoon. Its close proximity to Saskatoon makes it a local hot spot. Head there for a day or make it your home base while exploring Saskatoon.
There are opportunities to kayak or paddleboard on the lake, rent a canoe or pedal boat from Irene’s Paddle Boat Rentals, waterslide in the outdoor pool, compete on the tennis, pickleball, or beach volleyball courts, launch a fishing boat (max 10 hp), enjoy a round of golf or mini golf, walk the trails, or take the kids to the playground.
Finish the day off with a bite to eat from The Huddle, the local concession/fast food. There is a daily vehicle fee to enter all provincial parks unless you have a Sask Parks season pass.
For park entry prices see here
West Bound Day Trips
10. The Crooked Bush- Best For Unique Natural Wonder
Distance from Saskatoon– 123 km
Looking for the weirdest hike in Canada? The Crooked Bush is an enchanting blend of mystery and natural wonder. Tucked away in the heart of rural Saskatchewan, this tiny grove of aspen trees grows in wild, twisted spirals—gnarled, bent, and completely mystifying. Surrounded by ordinary, straight-growing aspens, these contorted trees seem to defy the natural laws of the forest.
11. The Borden Bridge- Best For a Unique Photo Shoot
Distance from Saskatoon– 47 km
On your way back from The Crooked Bush make a pitstop at the Borden Bridge. It is an abandoned arch bridge that stretches across the North Saskatchewan River, near Borden, Saskatchewan. It is enroute to The Crooked Bush and is a great place to stop for a short hike, picnic, and photo shoot. The views over the valley in the fall are particularly pretty, and it’s a good spot for some night photography.
12. Table Mountain- Best For Snow Sports
Location– 16 km west of Battleford
Distance from Saskatoon– 166 km
Table Mountain is where our family learned to ski and snowboard, and it is one of our favourite winter activities when we’re at home. They have 2 quad chairlifts, 11 runs with groomed trails, a terrain park, a bunny hill, a chalet, and a tubing area. From the bunny hill to 360’s on the terrain park, the kids learned everything they needed to know to be mountain ready here.
They offer private and group lessons as well as equipment rentals. You can either pack a lunch or order from the concession inside the chalet. Either way there are tables and a fireplace for a warm up and lunch break. There’s something for the whole family to do here. You’ll have no problem filling a full day.
Where to Stay in Saskatoon
After a full day exploring Saskatoon’s top activities and day trips, you’ll want a cozy place to rest and recharge. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly comfort or a stylish downtown stay, Saskatoon has great options to fit every travel style. If you’re still deciding where to stay, these are a few options to consider.
Delta Hotels by Marriott Saskatoon Downtown
Location- Downtown near the river and Broadway district
Provides modern rooms, a stunning riverside location, and upscale amenities like an indoor pool, spa, and on-site dining, ideal for those wanting to stay in the heart of the action. 👉🏼 Check availability and rates at Delta Downtown
🕐 Lock in your stay early!
Days Inn
Location- Near the airport
Provides affordable, family-friendly accommodations with free breakfast, an indoor pool, free parking and free airport shuttle—ideal for budget travellers and those with a vehicle. 👉🏼 Check availability and rates at Days Inn
Neither of those quite what you’re looking for? No problem. Just check out the map below. Enter your dates, number of people and budget, and it will show you dozens of options. Choose one that fits your vibe and budget.
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Saskatoon Day Trips Wrap Up
Whether you’re in the mood for history, hiking, quirky natural wonders, or a bit of Saskatchewan sports pride, these day trips deliver something for everyone. Walk through Métis history at Batoche, hit the beach at Candle Lake, explore the wild beauty of Prince Albert National Park, or wander the twisted trees of the Crooked Bush. In winter, carve down the slopes at Table Mountain, and in summer, unwind by the water at Pike Lake or Douglas Provincial Park. Add in a road trip to Moose Jaw or a rowdy Rider game day in Regina, and you’ve got the makings of an unforgettable prairie getaway—no overnight stay required.
