[Updated 2012]

For an historical adventure spanning more than 6,000 years, Saskatchewan’s West Central Region is hard to beat.

Begin your journey with a visit to the Wanuskewin Heritage Park (5 km north of Saskatoon, where you can witness the beautiful history of the Plains Indian people who’ve lived in this area for more than 6,000 years. View active archaeological digs along park trails that meander through the prairie and dip into the South Saskatchewan River Valley. Enjoy traditional Indian dance at the amphitheatre, or soak up the wealth of information at your fingertips within the world-renowned interpretive centre.

From Saskatoon, travel north to the Batoche National Historic Site (60 km north of Saskatoon) where Métis leader Louis Riel fought with Canadian government forces during the North West Resistance of 1885. Nearby, Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park (80 km north of Saskatoon) illustrates the story of the fur trade in Saskatchewan during the 1860s and 1870s.

Explore the area of Lake Diefenbaker, a huge man-made lake created in 1967 when the Gardiner Dam was built across the South Saskatchewan River. The area, located 130 km south of Saskatoon, offers dozens of camping, boating, sailing, swimming and other recreational opportunities, including golfing at a scenic 18-hole course overlooking the deep harbor near the village of Elbow (pop. 317).

The history of the region is well-preserved in more than a dozen museums such as the Outlook & District Heritage Museum and Gallery (100 km south of Saskatoon, 306-867-8285) located in a restored Canadian Pacific Railway Station. Or check out the famous Ruby Rush at the Harris & District Museum (85 kms southwest of Saskatoon, 306-656-4725).

Fort Battleford National Historic Site, near the Town of Battleford, recalls the so-called "Seige of Battleford'' during the 1885 Riel Resistance, and the reasons why Aboriginal communities of the district believed they were being treated unfairly.

The border city of Lloydminster straddles the boundary of Saskatchewan and Alberta. The energetic city features a number of museums, including the Barr Colony Heritage Centre (visitors/attractions), which focuses on an a very interesting if ill-advised colonization project at the turn of the last century.

Jump further back into the region’s history with a visit to the Herschel Petroglyphs (150 km southwest of Saskatoon, 306-377-2045), where prehistoric Indian life is reflected in rock carvings and tipi rings.

Bird watchers will marvel at the variety and rarity of some of the species, such as the white pelican and the piping plover, routinely sighted at Redberry Lake, 90 km northwest of Saskatoon.

Jackfish and Murray lakes (175 km northwest of Saskatoon) offer year-round recreational opportunities, while art lovers should not miss the Allen Sapp Gallery in North Battleford (140 km northwest of Saskatoon, 306-445-1760). The setting for the work of this renowned Cree artist is a Carnegie Foundation building previously housing the city’s main library.

For a vacation capable of providing more than 6,000 years worth of memories, check out Saskatchewan’s West Central Region.

• Search for events in this and other regions (courtesy Tourism Saskatchewan).
  
• Golf courses in this region.

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