Moose Mountain Provincial Park is set to receive several exciting improvements thanks to the provincial budget announced on March 19.
According to an article by Discover by Moose Jaw, among the most anticipated additions are new backcountry camping sites and major upgrades to the Chalet, which also serves as the park’s Visitor Centre and administrative hub.
According to Tanya Lawson, Acting Executive Director for Park Operations with the Ministry of Parks, Culture, and Sport, two new backcountry camping locations will be added within the park’s existing trail system.
These sites are designed for campers seeking a more rugged, off-the-grid experience. “These will be a hike-in or bike-in for campers to get to, and then each location will have multiple spaces for tents and some cooking areas,” Lawson said.
“We will have a little more rustic facilities for washrooms and they each have a shelter that is there that could be utilized to stay in, an open-air shelter if you will, just to give a little bit of a weather break, especially if you’re doing it in the off-season when it can be a little cooler out, but they will each be set up to have spaces for multiple tents,” Lawson added.
Lawson noted that these sites will cater to those who don’t require water, electricity, or modern amenities, making them an affordable option for outdoor enthusiasts.
For now, bookings must be made in person at the Visitor Centre and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. In terms of facilities, each site will be outfitted with a composting “urine-diverting toilet,” a practical solution for remote areas without plumbing.
“What we will have there are facilities that we’ve used in other backcountry areas in the park,” Lawson explained.
“We have what we call a ‘urine-diverting toilet’. It’s a composting toilet, so that will be installed, and that way there’s no actual plumbing required at these sites because they are a little distance from the core area where the facilities are.”
To support safe and sustainable camping, Saskatchewan’s provincial parks will continue to provide firewood free of charge with every reservation.
“We don’t want to introduce invasive species, and that can happen when people bring in their own firewood, so we do provide firewood and it is free of charge that comes with your camping reservation,” she said.
Over the next three years, the historic Chalet will also undergo renovations aimed at preserving its nearly 100-year-old heritage structure while improving functionality.
“This is one building we’re very proud of in our park system,” Lawson said. “This is a nearly 100-year-old heritage property. It has heritage designation and has for a couple of years now, so the intent is definitely not to replace but to renovate, to maintain the building in its current appearance and structure,” Lawson added.
Planned work includes a roof replacement, new windows, improved accessibility, and updates to mechanical systems—all while maintaining the Chalet’s distinctive heritage character. “The overall appearance and structure of the building will remain in that heritage state.”
Lawson emphasized that these decisions are guided by regular inspections and careful planning in collaboration with facilities teams.
“We look at all of our facilities throughout the parks and do regular maintenance on them. During the course of that, these items were identified as needing to be upgraded so that we can maintain the viability of this heritage property.” She added, “These are very exciting happenings for Moose Mountain and we’re really excited to see both projects going forward.”
Moose Mountain Provincial Park will open for the season on May 15 and will remain open until September 30.
These upgrades enhance both the range and quality of experiences available to visitors, offering more adventurous camping options while also preserving an important piece of Saskatchewan’s natural and cultural heritage.