Saskatchewan: Cruising on the 1 through one of Canada’s most overlooked provinces

Drive 241.5 miles, 4 hours, 42 minutes

The Trans-Canada Highway is one of the longest automotive routes in the world, and the section through Saskatchewan (“Sask,” for short) serves as a great introduction to an often-overlooked province. The beauty of the Land of Living Skies is well documented, but the history and culture of the area might surprise you.

1. Regina

Starting Point

The flatlands of Saskatchewan first come to life in the province’s capital city. Perhaps best known as the home of the Mounties, the RCMP Heritage Center is where new recruits don the red jacket and Stetson that have made Canada’s esteemed police force famous. Tours of the grounds and training facility are available weekdays. In late July and early August, don’t miss a performance of one of North America’s longest running theatre productions at 48 years – the Trial of Louis Riel. The one-act play highlights the life of the controversial Canadian figure and is alone worth the visit to the capital.

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2. Moose Jaw

45.1 miles, 59 minutes

Home to a collection of rejuvenating mineral pools, this is the place to relax the muscles and mind. For a singular experience, try the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa and Resort for a true pampering at one of the finest geothermal springs in the world. The Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery is a popular destination that features a heritage wing giving insight into the history and culture of the region. Whatever you do, don’t miss the award-winning Tunnels of Moose Jaw tours, which give access to the whiskey smuggling tunnels that Capone used to sneak contraband across the border. No wonder that in its heyday, Moose Jaw earned the nickname “Little Chicago.”

3. Swift Current

110.4 miles, 2 hours, 5 minutes

Long an oasis from Saskatchewan’s endlessly stretching prairie, this frontier town is also a perfect jumping-off point for exploring the province’s singular parks. Head south to the famed Big Muddy Badlands, which redefines “remote.” The rugged landscape features tours of the caves where outlaws Sam Kelly and the Sundance Kid hid from the law. Grasslands National Park is home to herds of pronghorn, bison and prairie dogs with numerous opportunities for photographers and hikers alike to enjoy the animals while leaving the crowds behind. Equally photogenic are the Great Sandhills, a bizarre collection of dunes that stretch across the plains northwest of town.

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4. Maple Creek

86 miles, 1 hour, 38 minutes

Past meets present in Maple Creek, where a storied history of cowboys, bootleggers, Native Americans and Mounties comes together. The Old Cowtown Heritage District offers free walking tours of the saloons and shops that made the frontier town great, while many new boutiques and galleries have sprung up in the neighborhood. The Walking Trail that winds around the town offers more insight into life on the prairie and is perfect for a short hike or bike ride. You’ll pass the Living Skies Park and Jasper Cultural and Historical Centre, before arriving at the Southwest Oldtimers’ Museum and Archives, which operates a number of functioning frontier properties, including a log cabin, homestead and visitor’s center.