Roads radiating north from Saskatoon grow gradually fewer and further apart as the landscape becomes more forested, rugged and the silence, greater. Northern Saskatchewan is a paradise for outdoors enthusiasts, with fishing, hunting, hiking and seasonal skiing for anyone discerning enough to seek out this provincial secret.
Stock up on supplies in Prince Albert before foraging on to find hidden lakes and secluded scenery. Prince Albert National Park offers a less drastic adventure, where the easy escape to forested trails is coupled with access to tourist amenities, either in Waskesiu, a village in the park, or down the road in Prince Albert. Here at the park, blonde wheat fields give the nod to boreal forests, characterized by long stretches of coniferous trees, as agriculture succumbs to a new ecosystem.
Head far enough north, to the end of the Highway 2, and the forest gradually turns to low foliage and almost tundra. From here on up, travel is largely by float-plane, so plan accordingly. Book a guided hunting or fishing tour in Saskatoon if you want to penetrate this remote region further.
Prince Albert is 85 miles from Saskatoon and 225 miles from Regina. Prince Albert National Park is about an hour's drive out of Prince Albert.