Clearwater River Provincial Park
Canada › Saskatchewan

Clearwater River Provincial Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Established: 1986
  • River: the Clearwater, a Canadian Heritage River
  • Whitewater: Class 2 to Class 4 rapids, with waterfalls and canyons
  • History: the Methye Portage, a key fur-trade route to the Athabasca country
  • Gateway: La Loche
  • Managed by: Saskatchewan Parks

The landscape

The Clearwater River runs west across the northern Saskatchewan boreal forest toward Alberta, cutting through sandstone and granite in canyons, falls and long rapids. Clear water, sand beaches and spruce and jack pine forest line the banks. The Methye Portage, once the gateway for fur traders crossing into the Arctic watershed, lies at the river’s western end. Moose, black bears, wolves and river otters live along the river.

Best time to go

The paddling season is short, from late June to August, when water levels and weather are most reliable. Early summer brings higher water and bugs; late summer brings lower water with more rocks showing. Wildfire and smoke are possible in dry years.

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Getting there and around

From La Loche, Highway 955 leads northeast to Warner Rapids, where the road crosses the river and paddlers put in for the lower Clearwater, the faster and more dramatic section. Paddlers wanting the upper river fly in by floatplane. Trips end at road access or with a floatplane pick-up.

Things to do

The Clearwater is a multi-day wilderness whitewater trip for experienced paddlers, with a mix of runnable rapids and mandatory portages around falls. Anglers fish for Arctic grayling, walleye and pike. The wilderness campground near Warner Rapids is a base for shorter trips.

Staying safe

This river is for skilled whitewater paddlers only. Scout every rapid you do not know, and portage around falls and anything beyond your ability. Wear a life jacket and helmet in whitewater, and carry spare paddles and a repair kit. Help is far away and there is no cell service, so carry a satellite messenger and leave a detailed trip plan. Store food away from bears and check fire status before leaving.

Know before you go

A park entry permit is required. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm water levels, fire restrictions and access with Sask Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
56.8983, -108.9810
Magnetic declination
11.7° E (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

2 places in Clearwater River Provincial Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Sights 2

Heritage site

Point of interest

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Multi-day/expeditionCanoeing & kayakingBackcountry

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Terrain
RiversForestLakes
Key hazards
Class 2 to 4 rapids and waterfallsRemote from helpCold waterBlack bearsWildfire
Best seasons
Summer
Difficulty
Strenuous (remote wilderness)
Access / trailheads
Grid road Highway 955 runs about 37 miles (60 km) northeast from La Loche to the park and the river crossing at Warner Rapids, the main put-in. Floatplanes serve the upper river.
Water
River and lakes; filter or treat all water.
Cell / satellite coverage
None. A satellite messenger is essential.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911 by satellite device. Sask Parks: 1-800-205-7070.
Permits & regulations
A Saskatchewan park entry permit is required. Check with Sask Parks for any registration for river trips.
Leave No Trace
Use existing campsites, carry out all waste, keep fires small, and leave fur-trade sites undisturbed.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high43°F(6°C)6°C(43°F)
Average low30°F(−1°C)−1°C(30°F)
Rainfall0.8 in(19 mm)19 mm(0.8 in)
Daylight, mid-month10 h 28 minSunrise 7:47 a.m., sunset 6:15 p.m.
  • Below-freezing nights

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1981–2010 from Environment Canada climate normals, measured at the Buffalo Narrows Airport station, 76 miles (123 km)123 km (76 miles) away at 1,423 feet (434 m)434 m (1,423 feet). That is the nearest station with long-term records, so treat these as a regional guide. Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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