Meadow Lake Provincial Park Photo: Georgialh / CC BY-SA 3.0
Canada › Saskatchewan

Meadow Lake Provincial Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Established: 1959
  • Signature route: the Boreal Trail, about 84 miles (135 km) from Cold Lake to Greig Lake
  • Backcountry: 13 designated campsites with pit toilets and bear-proof food lockers
  • Setting: a chain of lakes along the Waterhen and Cold rivers, near the Alberta border
  • Gateway: the town of Meadow Lake
  • Managed by: Saskatchewan Parks

The landscape

Meadow Lake Provincial Park stretches across northwestern Saskatchewan along a chain of more than 25 lakes linked by the Waterhen and Cold rivers. Boreal forest of aspen, spruce and jack pine surrounds sandy beaches and quiet bays. Moose, black bears, wolves, beavers, loons and pelicans live here.

Best time to go

Summer is the main season for camping, paddling and beaches. Late summer and early fall are best for backpacking the Boreal Trail, with fewer bugs and cooler nights. The trail is open year-round, and winter brings cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

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Getting there and around

From the town of Meadow Lake, highways lead north into the park, and Highway 224 runs its length past lakes, campgrounds and Boreal Trail access points. The trail can be hiked end to end in about a week, or in shorter sections between road crossings.

Things to do

The Boreal Trail is Saskatchewan’s premier long-distance backpacking route, with bookable backcountry sites. Paddlers explore the lakes and the Waterhen River, and anglers fish for walleye, pike and perch. Drive-in campgrounds and beaches make the park popular with families.

Staying safe

Black bears are common: use the food lockers at every backcountry site and keep a clean camp. Some stretches of the Boreal Trail are far from road access, so carry enough food, water treatment and a satellite messenger. Wind builds quickly on the larger lakes. Leave a trip plan and check fire restrictions before you go.

Know before you go

A park entry permit is required, and Boreal Trail sites should be booked ahead. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current alerts and campsite availability with Sask Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
54.5583, -109.1393
Magnetic declination
11.5° 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

47 places in Meadow Lake 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.

Getting there 1

Airstrip

On the trail 7

Route

Campgrounds

Sights 39

Lakes

Island

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

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingMulti-day/expeditionCanoeing & kayaking

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
ForestLakesRivers
Key hazards
Black bearsRemote sections between road accessWind on large lakesBiting insectsWildfire
Best seasons
Summer, Early fall, Winter
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Access / trailheads
From the town of Meadow Lake, Highway 55 and Highway 224 lead north into the park, with Highway 224 running east to west past most lakes and campgrounds.
Water
Lakes and rivers; filter or treat all water.
Cell / satellite coverage
Patchy across the park. Carry a satellite messenger on the Boreal Trail.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911. Sask Parks: 1-800-205-7070.
Permits & regulations
A Saskatchewan park entry permit is required. The 13 Boreal Trail backcountry campsites are booked online or at the park office.
Leave No Trace
Camp only at the designated Boreal Trail sites, use the bear-proof lockers, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high48°F(9°C)9°C(48°F)
Average low29°F(−2°C)−2°C(29°F)
Rainfall0.5 in(11 mm)11 mm(0.5 in)
Daylight, mid-month10 h 36 minSunrise 7:44 a.m., sunset 6:20 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 Cold Lake Airport station, 27 miles (44 km)44 km (27 miles) away at 1,775 feet (541 m)541 m (1,775 feet). 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.

Looking for somewhere closer to home?
See every park and monument within a day’s drive of where you are.

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