Canada Guide
Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Prince Albert National Park
Some 230km north of Saskatoon Prince Albert National Park is a great tract of wilderness where the aspen parkland of the south meets the boreal forest of the north, a transitional landscape that incorporates a host of rivers and creeks, dozens of deep lakes, pockets of pasture and areas of spruce bog. The shift in vegetation is mirrored by the wildlife, with prairie species such as coyote and wild bison giving way to black bear, moose, wolf, caribou, osprey and eagle further north. There's an entry fee of $7 to the park, with reductions for groups and longer stays.
The tourist village of WASKESIU, approached from the south by Hwy 263 and from the east by hwys 2 and 264, is the only settlement in the park.
Waskesiu's main street, Waskesiu Drive, runs roughly parallel to and just south of the lake, its western section curving round behind Lakeview Drive. Almost all the hotels and motels are on or near these two streets, including the Lakeview Hotel, Lakeview Drive ( 
306/663-5311 or 1-877/331-3302, 
www.lakeviewhotel.com ; Price: $61-80), and the more luxurious All Season Waskesiu Lake Lodge, Lakeview Drive ( 306/663-6161, www.waskesiulakelodge.com ; Price: $101-125; May to mid-Oct), with one- and two-bedroom apartments that include lakeside decks and barbecues. For bungalow and cabin accommodation try Kapasiwin Bungalows ( 306/663-5225, www.kapasiwin.com ; Price: $81-100; May to mid-Oct), 2km round the lake to the east of the resort, which has cabins that form a quiet mini-resort with its own private beach.
Waskesiu has two campsites: the centrally situated Trailer Park ( 306/663-4522 or 1-877/255-7267; $30; mid-May to Sept) on the north end of Waskesiu Drive near Waskesiu Lodge, and the nearby Beaver Glen Campground ( 306/663-4522 or 1-877/255-7267; $20–25; mid-May to Sept), near Waskesiu Lake. The basic, unserviced Kingsmere Lake Campgrounds ( 306/663-4522 or 1-877/255-7267; $9 backcountry permit from park office; year-round) is near Grey Owl's Cabin. For reservations at all other Prince Albert campsites, call 1-800/333-7267.
There are several low-priced restaurants and snack bars in the centre, while on the beachfront, The Beach House is good for cappuccinos, wraps, desserts and sunsets. For more expensive dining, try the Mackenzie's Dining Room at the Hawood Inn, 851 Lakeview Drive, where main courses start at around $15, and include good cuts of local beef.