The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) has launched an interactive map designed to guide Canadians toward lesser-known parks that combine natural beauty with fewer crowds.
According to an article by Discover Moose Jaw, the tool arrives just in time for summer travel and highlights destinations across the country that offer unique outdoor experiences.
In Saskatchewan, the selection features Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Canada’s first interprovincial park, where visitors can discover mixed forests, rare orchids, and a Dark Sky preserve complete with an observatory.
Echo Valley Provincial Park in the Qu’Appelle Valley is also included, with sandy beaches, boating opportunities, hiking trails, and family-friendly amenities just an hour from Regina.
History enthusiasts are drawn to Last Mountain House Provincial Historic Park, which preserves an 1869 Hudson’s Bay Company fur-trade outpost through reconstructed buildings and interpretive programs.
Other highlights include Duck Mountain Provincial Park, a boreal forest upland rich with wildlife and trails, and Eagle Creek Regional Park near Saskatoon, offering fishing, golf, and camping.
While many destinations are open and ready for visitors, some locations such as Moose Mountain Provincial Park remain closed due to wildfire damage.
Conservation sites like Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve and McKell Wascana Conservation Park provide birdwatching and interpretive experiences, while Beaver Creek Conservation Area near Saskatoon blends prairie creek valleys with educational programming and dark-sky stargazing.
The launch of CPAWS’ interactive map is a reminder of the diverse opportunities available beyond Canada’s most famous parks.
Initiatives like this encourage travelers to spread out across lesser-known areas, supporting local economies while easing the pressure on heavily trafficked destinations, which is significant to the outdoor recreation industry.