Located in the Loon Lake region of northwestern Saskatchewan, Makwa Lake Provincial Park offers over 25 sq. km/9.65 sq miles of lakeshore heaven. Expansive forests of birch, aspen, and pine connect five lakes and sandy beaches to offer a truly unique experience.
If you’re interested in military history, then located near to the Park is the site of the final battle of the famous Northwest Resistance of 1885, where Major Samuel Steele attacked an encampment of Cree Indians. From the battle site’s hill, you can also see the gravesite where the Cree buried their dead.
Apart from the rich history, Makwa Lake Provincial Park also offers its visitors plenty of recreational activities to enjoy their outdoor camping holiday. Recreationally, water sports dominate the majority of park activities. Boating, canoeing, tubing, and water-skiing are just some of the options available.
The Loon Lake Golf and Country Club is also located about three kilometers from the main park entrance. Enjoy one of the Province’s best nine-hole golf courses with luscious green grass tucked into the mixed-wood forest of Makwa.
With so much do and plenty of campsites to choose from Makwa Lake Provincial Park is the ideal beach and camping holiday for those wanting to get out of their daily rut and enjoy mother nature at her finest.
Getting to Makwa Lake Provincial Park isn’t difficult at all depending on where it is you are coming from. The park is located just 3 kilometers or a little under 2 miles away from the Village of Loon Lake with wide well-maintained roads leading to the park entrance. Depending on what campground you would like to visit, set your GPS before setting out as different routes lead to Makwa Lake Provincial Park. Once inside the park a mixture of paved and gravel roads lead to the camp store, beach area, campsites and various facilities available inside park premises.
Makwa Lake Provincial Park has a total of around 260 campsites divided between three campgrounds. All the campgrounds provide access to a beach area with a camp store nearby for any essentials you might need. The campsites also have shared playgrounds which allow kids to occupy themselves while you set up camp for the night. Pets are allowed on the campgrounds as well as long as they are leashed at all times.
Stabler Point Campground is the largest campsite but because of its unique geography and clever planning, the campsites offer plenty of privacy as they are divided into sections separated by adjoining hills. The campground offers nearly a 100 partially serviced sites with 15 and 30 amp electric hook-ups as well as an equal number of basic campsites. Stabler Point Campground is located by a sandy beach area with hot and cold showers and washroom facilities that are ADA accessible. The modern facilities and amenities make for a comfortable stay.
Has a total of sixteen tent only campsites that are close to vault toilets and a beach area. Shower facilities are not available. Ideal for camper looking for a more private and primitive camping experience. Jumbo Beach Campground is located on the other side of the lake overlooking Stabler Point Campground and has a well-treed campground with a designated swimming area. The campground also has picnic tables, firepits, picnic shelters, and a nearby boat launch area.
Considering there are five lakes in the Park, it's no surprise that fishing is a year-round activity. Anglers will be spoiled for choice with lake water teaming with a wide variety of fish species including northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, rainbow trout, and tiger trout. Push your kayak out onto the water and enjoy pristine views of the forested terrain while catching your favorite fish.
Makwa Lake Provincial Park is known for its many water-based activities and boating is among the most popular. Whether you bring your own aquatic vehicle or hire one from nearby, the lakes offer a serene and entertaining boating experience. Water access points are located at four points in the Park; Stabler Point Campground, Makwa Lake, Park Entry, and Steele Narrows.
For hiking enthusiast, the park offers five trails, that vary in length from around one km to nearly two and a half km in length. If you’re a true nature lover and want to see wildlife in its forest habitat, then consider the Mewasin Nature Trail. Some of the trails are ADA accessible while others lead to the parks historic sites and many viewing points from which hikers can see the lakes, woodlands, and rolling hills encompassing the park.
Mewasin Beach Campground is located on the southern end of Big Jumbo Lake and has a total of around 40 campsites that are situated right by the beach area. The campsites are located close to change rooms, showers, toilets and drinking water access points as well as a nearby boat launch area.
During the winter months, the Park management turn the paved hiking trails into cross country ski trails for winter enthusiasts. Usually, the ski trail starts at the Poplar Trail trailhead, but you should contact the Park office each time you are planning your trip just to make sure of conditions and availability.
An ideal spot for a day out picnicking in this beautiful Saskatchewan Landscape surrounded by lakes, lush green hills, and beautiful sandy beaches. Makwa Lake Provincial Park offers plenty of facilities for picnicking enthusiasts that want to spend the day out relaxing by the beach or indulging in the many recreational activities available at the park.
Considering the Park’s protected status, the wildlife viewing experience is as natural as it gets. You can see black bears, foxes, deer, and a variety of birds at various places around the park. Be sure to contact the Park office to get familiar with the safety measures you should take and what the rules are when it comes to interacting with wild animals.
