National park · Canada
Grasslands National ParkParc national des Prairies
Go if you want empty prairie and badlands: drive to Val Marie for the West Block (70 Mile Butte, prairie dogs, bison) or the remoter East Block for Rock Creek badlands; skip in July–August heat and fire bans.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
907 km² (350 sq mi)350 sq mi (907 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
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.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 907 km² (350 sq mi)350 sq mi (907 km²)
- Parks Canada lists about 907 km²; some older figures cite 477 km² for the original designation (check).
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Grasslands protects one of the last stretches of undisturbed mixed-grass prairie in Canada, split into two blocks about 170 km apart in southwestern Saskatchewan. The West Block, based at Val Marie, has the Frenchman River valley, the 70 Mile Butte lookout, black-tailed prairie dog towns and a free-roaming plains bison herd. The East Block is wilder: Rock Creek badlands, the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary and a one-lane Badlands Parkway. It is among the least-visited Canadian national parks with road access, so crowds are rarely the problem — heat, distance and unpaved roads are.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1981.
Size and age
907 km² (350 sq mi)350 sq mi (907 km²) · national park since 1981
Parks Canada lists about 907 km²; some older figures cite 477 km² for the original designation (check).
Why go
- Prairie that was never ploughed: blue grama grass, needlegrass and silver sagebrush in every direction.
- The only place in Canada to see black-tailed prairie dog towns, plus a bison herd of several hundred in the West Block.
- Badlands eroded by glacial meltwater — 70 Mile Butte, the Frenchman River valley and Rock Creek.
- Dark-sky country: night lighting is managed so the park stays dark for nocturnal wildlife and stargazing.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, windy, snow; roads and services minimal
- FebCold and exposed
- MarMud season; unpaved roads soft
- AprCool, dry spells; some facilities closed
- MayMild, green, wildflowers starting
- JunWarm and dry; long daylight
- JulHottest, driest; fire bans likely
- Aug35°C (95°F)+ common; no shade95°F (35°C)+ common; no shade
- SepCooling, clear; good walking
- OctCrisp and quiet; early snow possible
- NovCold; visitor centre hours reduced
- DecWinter conditions; check road access
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plains bison (West Block herd)All year · Free-roaming; view from a distance, never approach on foot. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Black-tailed prairie dogsApr–Sep · Active in daylight; colonies closed to pets since 2010. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Pronghorn and mule deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Burrowing owls, ferruginous hawks and other prairie birdsMay–Aug | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Prairie rattlesnakesMay–Sep · Watch where you put hands and feet in rocky ground. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Wildflowers on the mixed-grass prairieMay–Jul | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Regina
Drive Highway 1 west to Swift Current, then south via Highway 4 to Val Marie (West Block); the East Block is via Highway 18 near Wood Mountain.
3.5–4 h to West Block; about 3 h to East Block
From Swift Current
Drive south on Highway 4 to Val Marie, then follow park signs to the West Block.
1–1.5 h
From Montana (US)
Morgan-Monchy border crossing is under 30 km (19 mi) from the West Block; Opheim–West Poplar River crossing is under 20 km (12 mi) from the East Block.Morgan-Monchy border crossing is under 19 mi (30 km) from the West Block; Opheim–West Poplar River crossing is under 12 mi (20 km) from the East Block.
Varies by crossing
From Saskatoon
Drive south via Highway 4 or Highway 1 then south; no regular tour service runs to the park.
5–6 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| West Block — Frenchman River valley | Rolling prairie, the river, 70 Mile Butte and most short trails. | Gravel roads and parking areas; fully driveable. |
| West Block — prairie dog towns and bison range | Black-tailed prairie dog colonies and a free-roaming bison herd on a fenced section. | View from roads and trails; keep distance, colonies closed to pets. |
| East Block — Rock Creek badlands | Eroded badlands, the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary and wide prairie sky. | Access road to the edge of the property; Badlands Parkway is one-lane paved. |
| Backcountry | Open prairie where you may walk almost anywhere. | On foot; register with staff first. |
Sketch map
- 1Val Marie visitor centre · Headquarters≈49.246, -107.732West Block reception, 101 Centre St.Map ↗
- 270 Mile Butte trailhead · Trail≈49.183, -107.617Approximate; about 5 minutes' drive from Val Marie.Map ↗
- 3Frenchman Valley Campground · Sleep≈49.217, -107.683Approximate.Map ↗
- 4McGowan's visitor centre (East Block) · Headquarters≈49.072, -106.530Map ↗
- 5Rock Creek Campground · Sleep≈49.070, -106.530Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Badlands Parkway · Viewpoint≈49.060, -106.550Approximate; one-lane paved loop in the East Block.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate, for orientation between the two blocks only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry, adult (Parks Canada daily) | CAD 6–12 (≈ US$5–9) | person | 2026 estimate; confirm current Parks Canada fee schedule |
| Family/group daily entry | CAD 12–25 (≈ US$9–19) | group | 2026 estimate |
| Discovery Pass (annual, all Parks Canada sites) | CAD 75–155 (≈ US$55–120) | person or group | 2026 estimate; see the national park passes topic |
| Front-country campsite, serviced with electricity | CAD 33–40 (≈ US$25–30) | night | 2026 estimate; 2024 rate was $33 |
| oTENTik glamping tent | CAD 111–130 (≈ US$85–95) | night | 2026 estimate; 2024 rate was $111 |
| Backcountry use and camping | CAD 7.5–12 (≈ US$6–9) | person per night | 2026 estimate; 2024 rate was $7.50 |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Campfire no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$6–12≈ US$5–9
- C$12–25≈ US$9–19
- C$75–155≈ US$55–120
- C$33–40≈ US$25–30
- C$111–130≈ US$85–95
- C$7.50–12≈ US$6–9
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parks Canada — Grasslands National Park fees before you go.
Park rules
- Pets and prairie dog colonies
- Domestic animals are not allowed in prairie dog colonies; sylvatic plague was found in the area in 2017.
- Campfires
- Open fires are usually banned in July and August; use a self-contained camp stove.check
- Backcountry travel
- Random camping is generally allowed, but register your sector with visitor centre staff first.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a Parks Canada permit (check).check
- Bison
- Keep well back; bison are fast and dangerous, and the herd is free-roaming.
Where to stay
Near the park
Val Marie lodging and B&Bs
The only village base for the West Block, with the visitor centre at 101 Centre St.
In the park
Frenchman Valley Campground
West Block serviced sites, tipis and oTENTik tents, plus a cook shelter.
In the park
Rock Creek Campground
East Block camping next to McGowan's visitor centre and the Badlands Parkway.
Safety
Heat and no shade high
Unpaved roads after rain medium
Navigation and phone signal medium
Isolation medium
Prairie rattlesnakes low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The West Block has short, wheelchair-friendly loops and interpretive panels next to parking areas.
- The Badlands Parkway in the East Block is paved and can be driven or cycled; the 70 Mile Butte trail is steep and rough.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on existing tracks where possible; prairie grass recovers slowly in this dry climate.
- Keep pets out of prairie dog colonies and pack out all rubbish.
- Follow fire bans — this landscape is a tinderbox in late summer.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Grasslands National Park?
Entry is a Parks Canada daily fee, roughly CAD 6–12 per adult and CAD 12–25 per family (2026 estimate). Camping is extra: serviced sites about CAD 33–40 a night and backcountry use about CAD 7.50–12 per person per night. A Discovery Pass covers entry to all Parks Canada sites for a year.
What are the best hikes in Grasslands National Park?
In the West Block, the short steep 70 Mile Butte trail is the classic lookout, about 5 minutes from Val Marie. The Frenchman Valley backcountry loop suits a half-day drive or walk. The East Block's Badlands Parkway is a paved one-lane route best done on foot or by bike. Most trails are self-guided; Parks Canada runs guided hikes in summer.
When is the best time to visit Grasslands National Park?
May, June and September: mild, dry and clear. July and August are the hottest and driest months, often above 35°C with no shade and near-certain fire bans. Winter is cold and windswept, and some access is limited.
Do I need a reservation to camp?
Yes for front-country sites, tipis and oTENTik tents — book through Parks Canada in advance. Backcountry random camping is generally allowed but you should register with visitor centre staff first.
Can I see bison and prairie dogs?
Prairie dog towns are in the West Block and are the only ones in Canada; watch from a distance and keep pets away. A few hundred plains bison roam a fenced section of the West Block, but they often stay far from the main road, so sightings are not guaranteed.
Is the park crowded?
No. It is one of the least-visited Canadian national parks with permanent road access, so the main constraints are distance, heat and unpaved roads rather than queues.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go