Expert on Saskatchewan parks reveals hidden gem camping spots

As the final school bell rings and summer vacation begins, many families will begin planing their camping trips for the summer.

The weather hasn’t been the greatest for outdoor adventures lately, but that hasn’t stopped some campers.

Mike Clancy, author of ‘A User’s Guide to Saskatchewan Parks,’ said families looking for hidden gem campsite in the provnice might want to check out Pine Cree Regional Park, which he said is a very underrated location.

“You get to Pine Cree and you actually forget you are in Saskatchewan,” said Clancy. “You’re camping amid huge tall lodgepole pines… the kids are just scrambling around the tree like squirrels. The one well that they have there by the cookhouse, the water is so cold your teeth hurt.”

Cypress Hills is another camping location in the province that Clancy said doesn’t feel like Saskatchewan.

“The thing about Cypress Hills is you’re actually camping above the bug line. There’s very few mosquitoes,” said Clancy.

Clancy said he would like to add Porcupine Hills and Great Blue Heron to his book.

“These are the two new ones in the province,” said Clancy. “Porcupine Hills, for instance, it’s so new the wrappings really haven’t come off it yet.”

Camping trails and much more are still being worked on in Porcupine Hills, and Clancy said the camping there is very rustic.

For those who don’t go camping regularly, Clancy recommended using the Camp Easy system offered in many Saskatchewan parks.

“There are 13 different parks from top to bottom of the province,” said Clancy. “These things have everything for you, like an axe, camp stove and propane, fire pit (and) picnic table.”