Danielson Provincial Park is a gorgeous provincial park located in Macrorie in Southern Saskatchewan, Canada. This scenic lakeside park has three campgrounds as well as its own sandy stretch of beach and a boat launch area, making it the ultimate summertime camping spot. There are bucket loads of activities to look forward to for the whole family!
As the park is set on the banks of the 62-mile (100 km) long Lake Diefenbaker and the border of Gardiner Dam, much of the recreational activity at Danielson Provincial Park is water-based. Campers and day visitors alike can enjoy swimming in the lake as well as fishing, windsurfing, canoeing, and non-motorized boating.
Back on land, there are three children’s playgrounds, picnic areas, and several hiking and biking trails to discover if you’re feeling energetic. There’s the more challenging Trans Canada Trail, also known as the Great Trail, and the shorter looped Prairie View Nature Trail. Wildlife is abundant in the park and along the trails. Keep an eye out for jackrabbits, deer, sharp-tailed grouse, and western meadowlarks - even coyote!
Camping in the park can be enjoyed at your choice of three electric campgrounds for tents and RVs. Take your pick of Elmview, Bayside and Shady Lane campgrounds which offer the basics, from washrooms to children's playgrounds. There is also an unserviced overflow camping area available when the main three campgrounds are full. Elsewhere in the park you’ll find a Visitor’s Center where you can learn about Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan’s 'Great Lake', a small theater, and a restaurant.
The entrance to Danielson Provincial Park can be found off Highway 44 in Macrorie, Southern Saskatchewan in Canada. There are no specific driving restrictions within the park but campers should drive slowly on park roads to watch out for wildlife. You may also need to watch out for low hanging branches in the campgrounds.
Overflow parking is available in the center of the three campgrounds as well as at the boat launch area. If you are staying overnight, you can also park in one of the three campgrounds.
Together, Bayside and Shady Lane Campgrounds have a total of 43 electric campsites. They cater for tents and RVs or trailers up to 50 feet in length. There are washrooms and showers available in-between the two campsite loops. Bayside also has a children's playground within the loop.
Campers have access to another central children’s playground, firewood, an RV dump station, a water point, and an overflow parking area. A boat launch area with overflow parking and toilets can be found near the lake. Reservations are not accepted; it is first-come, first-served.
Together, Bayside and Shady Lane Campgrounds have a total of 43 electric campsites. They cater for tents and RVs or trailers up to 50 feet in length. There are washrooms and showers available in-between the two campsite loops. Bayside also has a children's playground within the loop.
Campers have access to another central children’s playground, firewood, an RV dump station, a water point, and an overflow parking area. A boat launch area with overflow parking and toilets can be found near the lake. Reservations are not accepted; it is first-come, first-served.
Elmview Campground has a total of 46 electric campsites. They cater for tents and RVs or trailers up to 50 feet in length. There are washrooms and showers available inside the loop as well as a children's playground.
Campers have access to a central children’s playground, firewood, an RV dump station, a water point, and an overflow parking area. A boat launch area with overflow parking and toilets can be found near the lake. Reservations are not accepted; it is first-come, first-served.
Non-electric overflow camping is available at Lakeside Overflow Campground when the first three campgrounds are full. There are washrooms and drinking taps available within the loop.
Campers will also have access to the nearby facilities at the other campgrounds: a central children’s playground, firewood, an RV dump station, a water point, and an overflow parking area. A boat launch area with overflow parking and toilets can be found near the lake. Reservations are not accepted; it is first-come, first-served.
As Danielson Provincial Park is set on the edge of Lake Diefenbaker and the border of Gardiner Dam, it’s no surprise that much of the activity here is water-based. Whether you’re visiting for the day or camping overnight, the lake offers some excellent summertime recreation. Paddle along the lake shore, cool off with a swim, or launch your boat and enjoy a range of non-motorized water sports, from canoeing to sailing. Power boating is not permitted.
Danielson Provincial Park is a fantastic destination for hiking enthusiasts. Take the Trans Canada Trail, also known as the Great Trail, which leads through wetlands, woodlands, open prairies and along the shore of Lake Diefenbaker. Alternatively, take the Prairie View Nature Trail, a looped trail that starts and ends at the campground. These trails can be used by both hikers and bikers.
If you enjoy cycling, you’ll have plenty of recreational fun ahead of you at Danielson Provincial Park. Both the Prairie View Nature Trail and the Trans Canada Trail (the Great Trail) are open for cycling. As the trails are open to hikers as well, cyclists need to keep an eye out for pedestrians. Some parts of the trail can also be quite sandy which can be difficult to cycle on. You may need to get off and push your bike past these hazards.
During the off season, Danielson Provincial Park offers some much-needed peace and quiet. You can still access the park in the winter when the campgrounds are quieter. As there are fewer crowds outside of the summer season, your chances of spotting wildlife and some interesting birds are much greater. Keep an eye out for a variety of small mammals and birds such as jackrabbits and sharp-tailed grouse, as well as deer, coyotes, and western meadowlarks.
If you’re big on fishing, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy in Danielson Provincial Park all year long. Lake Diefenbaker is filled with a variety of fish and has hundreds of great fishing spots to choose from. Try your luck fly fishing for northern pike, walleye, burbot, lake whitefish, and lake trout. Ice fishing for burbot is very popular in the winter months, and these fish are particularly active at night!
The campgrounds at Danielson Provincial Park are open all year long and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. Warm up with a winter stroll along the Trans Canada Trail, also known as the Great Trail, or the looped Prairie View Nature Trail. Both lead through some spectacular scenery from wetlands to woodlands that are especially beautiful in the winter months. Keep an eye out for cyclists as these trails are open to bikers too.
