Bagwa Canoe Route, Prince Albert National Park

Waskesiu Lake, SK

Backcountry permits are required for every overnight stay and are issued first come, first served at the Visitor Centre or South Gate, and all watercraft need an aquatic invasive species certification permit before entering park waters.

A boreal canoe route from the Kingsmere River across Kingsmere Lake, with paddle-in campgrounds

Why go to Bagwa Canoe Route, Prince Albert National Park

Prince Albert National Park sits where Saskatchewan's parkland meets the boreal forest, and Explore Magazine names it one of Canada's best canoe regions. The Bagwa Canoe Route starts on the Kingsmere River northwest of Waskesiu. It takes about 7 to 10 hours from the parking lot, and Parks Canada suggests stretching it into an overnight trip.

Paddlers begin with a 1 km rail portage using carts, then cross Kingsmere Lake, which is large and can force a wait for calm weather. Four campgrounds line the route, and Bagwa and Lily Lake can be reached only by canoe or kayak. Extending the trip to the end of Kingsmere Lake reaches Grey Owl's cabin. Rentals go through the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce, and overnight stays need a backcountry permit.

Did you know?

Paddlers start with a 1 km rail portage and choose a four-wheeled or a two-wheeled cart to haul their boats.source ↗
Grey Owl's one-room cabin on Ajawaan Lake was built in 1931 by the national parks service, and he lived there for seven years with his wife Anahareo.source ↗