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Scenic route · Val Marie, Saskatchewan
Ecotour Scenic Drive
About a 20 km unpaved road through the Frenchman River valley in the West Block of the park, with prairie dog colonies, bison and prairie overlooks.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Ecotour Scenic Drive
The Ecotour Road is the main route through the West Block of Grasslands National Park. It enters the park a few kilometres from Val Marie and follows about 20 km along the Frenchman River valley, with numbered stops and panels about the prairie, the history of ranchers and Indigenous peoples, and the animals.
Along the way are several colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs, with hundreds of burrows in the ground. The animals stand at the entrances to their burrows and give alarm whistles. Further on, the road enters the fenced bison area, reintroduced in 2005; they may be near the road or far away in the hills.
The road is unpaved and can become impassable after heavy rain. The route, with stops, takes about 2 hours, or longer for those who take the short trails that branch off it.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to four hours.
Best time
From May to September, early in the morning or late afternoon, when more animals are visible and the light on the prairie is soft.
How to get there
By Highway 4 and the park’s dirt road, about 15 km from Val Marie.
Tip
Keep at least 100 metres from bison and do not allow pets near prairie dog colonies.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Ecotour Scenic Drive
How long does the Ecotour road take?
About 2 hours including stops, or longer if you do the trails.
Is the Ecotour road paved?
No, it’s gravel/dirt and can become impassable after heavy rain.
Can you see bison along the Ecotour road?
Often, but not guaranteed: the herd roams over a large area.