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Major city · Canada

Melfort

Give Melfort one night as a Highway 3 stop between Prince Albert and Tisdale, or skip it if you are not driving this corridor.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Melfort is a small city of about 6,000 in the Carrot River valley of north-central Saskatchewan, on Highway 3 about 95 km southeast of Prince Albert and 172 km northeast of Saskatoon. There is no rail or scheduled air service; you arrive by car. The draw is a compact museum and pioneer village, a pool and arena complex, and winter cross-country ski and snowmobile trails. Most travellers use it as a single overnight on the way to Nipawin, Hudson Bay or Prince Albert.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
CAD
Best months
Jun–Sep for the museum, golf and campground; Dec–Mar for skiing and snowmobiling
avoid Nov and Apr (trails closed, attractions on shoulder hours)
Airports
YXE · CJZ3
Nights
1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
  • Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
  • Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Melfort911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Saskatchewan highway conditions511

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Melfort, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeC$2–5 (≈ US$2–4)
  • Street or quick mealDiner breakfastC$12–20 (≈ US$9–15)
  • BeerDraught beer in a barC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8)
  • Museum or sight ticketMuseum admissionC$5–12 (≈ US$4–9)
  • Budget bedCampground site, a night, per roomC$23 (≈ US$17)
  • Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)
  • High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$220 (≈ US$160)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$150 (≈ US$110) · High C$240 (≈ US$180)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Melfort & District Museum pioneer villageNorthern Lights Palace pool and arenaGronlid cross-country ski trailsWinter snowmobile trailsCarrot River valley farmland
Airports
YXE Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International (About 172 km (107 mi) southwest via Highway 41; the nearest international airport. No scheduled bus to Melfort: check.) · CJZ3 Melfort (Miller Field) Aerodrome (Small field about 4.8 km (3 mi) west of town; no scheduled passenger service.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    −11°C (12°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    −8°C (18°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    −1°C (30°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    9°C (48°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    −2°C (28°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    −9°C (16°F)

Best: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr, Nov. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)), coolest Jan (−21°C (−6°F) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Melfort: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−11°C (12°F)

−21°C (−6°F)

8 rd

Feb

−8°C (18°F)

−19°C (−2°F)

6 rd

Mar

−1°C (30°F)

−12°C (10°F)

7 rd

Apr

9°C (48°F)

−3°C (27°F)

7 rd

May

18°C (64°F)

4°C (39°F)

9 rd

Jun

22°C (72°F)

9°C (48°F)

11 rd

Jul

24°C (75°F)

12°C (54°F)

11 rd

Aug

24°C (75°F)

11°C (52°F)

10 rd

Sep

18°C (64°F)

5°C (41°F)

9 rd

Oct

9°C (48°F)

−1°C (30°F)

7 rd

Nov

−2°C (28°F)

−11°C (12°F)

8 rd

Dec

−9°C (16°F)

−19°C (−2°F)

8 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the practical way to move: the museum, golf course and campground sit outside the walkable core. Downtown Melfort is small enough to walk once parked. There is no local transit worth planning around; check with the city if you need it.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Tisdale

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Drive east on Highway 3

Small town stop with the Tisdale Recplex and a walkable main street; pairs well with a Melfort museum morning.

Nipawin and the Saskatchewan River

go

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Drive northeast on Highway 35 from Tisdale, or Highway 3 then north

River valley, fishing and the Franco-Manitou area; a full day or an overnight.

Prince Albert and Prince Albert National Park

overnight

Door to door: About 1.25 h

Drive northwest on Highway 3

The park deserves its own night; do not try it as a return day trip from Melfort.

Hudson Bay

caution

Door to door: About 2 h

Drive east on Highway 3

Forest and trail country; check fuel and winter road conditions before setting out.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Highway 6 south strip

Motels and the Canalata Hotel at the south entrance; easiest with a car and bags.

Main Street and downtown

Walkable to shops and cafés; a short drive from the museum.

Melfort Campground

About 1.6 km (1 mi) south on Highway 41 near the Highway 3/6/41 junction; electric and non-electric sites, usually late May to end of September, weather dependent.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
Mid
C$140–220 (≈ US$110–160) excl. bed
High
C$220 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × C$150C$150
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150C$300
Fuel, Saskatoon–Melfort return, about 350 km1 × C$45C$45
Museum admission, per person2 × C$8C$16
eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$15C$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeC$54
Trip total≈ C$298 per person per day, bed includedC$595≈ US$450

2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; fuel and long-distance travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeC$2–5 (≈ US$2–4)
Diner breakfastC$12–20 (≈ US$9–15)
Burger or pizza mainC$15–28 (≈ US$11–25)
Draught beer in a barC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8)
Museum admissionC$5–12 (≈ US$4–9)
Campground site per nightC$23–28 (≈ US$17–25)
Golf green fee, 18 holesC$40–70 (≈ US$30–55)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Melfort is a quiet prairie town and street crime is low. The real risks are winter driving, long empty stretches of highway and wildlife on the road at dusk: carry a phone, water and a blanket in the car from October to April.
  • Distances are long and services thin between towns: fill the tank in Melfort before heading north or east.
  • Winter driving on Highway 3 and 6 can turn icy fast; check the provincial highway conditions before you leave.
  • Cell coverage is good in town and patchy on rural grid roads.
  • The campground is seasonal and weather dependent: confirm it is open before you rely on it.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Saskatchewan highway conditions
511

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MelfortMelfort

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Saskatchewan highway conditions511

Embassy

No embassies in Melfort. The US consulate general is in Calgary or Winnipeg; most other countries keep embassies in Ottawa. Check before you travel.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Saskatoon → Melfort by car, Highway 41: about 172 km (107 mi), roughly 2 h
  • Melfort → Prince Albert by car, Highway 3: about 95 km (59 mi), roughly 1 h 15 min
  • Melfort → Regina by car, Highway 6: about 280 km (174 mi), roughly 3 h

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you (English is the main language)
  • Where is the gas station? — Where is the gas station?
  • Is the museum open today? — Is the museum open today?
  • How much is it? — How much is it?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?

Tipping is expected in Canada: 15–20% at restaurants and bars, 10–15% for taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Melfort. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep for the museum, golf and campground; Dec–Mar for skiing and snowmobiling · avoid Nov and Apr (trails closed, attractions on shoulder hours) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for YXE: last Saskatoon–Melfort drive window, rental-car desk hours, motel fallback.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Main Street, Kerry Vickar Centre, the museum grounds, the Highway 6 south strip.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Melfort & District Museum, Kerry Vickar Centre, Northern Lights Palace, Melfort Golf and Country Club) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Winter fixture for Gronlid Trails and the snowmobile trail network so the Dec–Mar page can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Canada

Sources