Having spent just over a year in the Queen City, I’ve accumulated a small collection of great day trips from Regina that I would recommend to anybody hoping to explore a bit more of Southern Saskatchewan. Regina is conveniently located within a few hours drive of some fantastic destinations, so why not start planning your next excursion?
1. Castle Butte, Ogema, and the St. Victor Petroglyphs
Castle Butte is located about two hours south of Regina. The butte is on private land but there is no fee to visit. If you are planning to climb Castle Butte, you will want proper hiking shoes as the path up is very steep and crumbly. However, this area of the badlands is beautiful regardless of whether you climb or not. A walk around the butte will offer lots of opportunities to photograph fabulous natural textures.
On the way to or from Castle Butte, you will probably pass the town of Ogema. Here, you will find an authentic Italian pizza place called Solo Italia. It only takes them about five minutes to prepare a thin crust pizza, so it won’t slow your exploration schedule by much.
If Castle Butte doesn’t tire you out, head a little over an hour west to the St. Victor Petroglyphs to see some pre-contact rock carvings made by the Indigenous peoples in the area (likely the ancestors of the Dakota and Nakota peoples). Though the area that contains the petroglyphs is fenced off, you can still glimpse bear paws, hooves, and deer heads carefully etched in the stone. The views alone will give you an idea why this place was so important!
2. Lebret and Katepwa
If you are hoping to stay a bit closer to Regina, Lebret is only an hour northeast of the city. With its two beautiful churches and picturesque views over the lake, Lebret has become a popular spot for photographers. However, a dark chapter of its past still looms over this quaint village. A survivor visiting with his daughter told us that children from the residential school were forced to climb the path, lined with the stations of the cross, as a form of punishment. The path up the hill is a good place to contemplate Canada’s past, present, and future.
If you are visiting Lebret in the warmer months, I highly recommend heading down the road to Katepwa, which has a pleasant beach good for swimming, amenities, and a vendor where you can buy burgers and ice cream.
3. Manitou Beach
Experience Saskatchewan’s version of the Dead Sea at Manitou Beach, located about two hours from Regina. When the weather is warm, you can experience the buoyancy of Little Manitou Lake and float the day away. If you prefer to visit in the colder months, you can still float in the waters, but at the Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa. Manitou Beach has amenities and various options for food as well.
4. Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw is a perfect day trip from Regina and it’s under an hour away. For me, Temple Gardens Mineral Spa is a must. It’s a fantastic way to relax and escape reality for a few hours. Before or after your spa visit, I recommend coffee and a snack from Evolve coffee shop, which is just around the corner. Moose Jaw also offers a variety of tours, including visits to the Moose Jaw tunnels and a tour of a meadery. For more information about touring Prairie Bee Meadery, check out this post.
5. Douglas Provincial Park Sand Dunes
Douglas Provincial Park, about two hours from Regina, has some cool sand dunes and you can hike to them in less than an hour from the parking lot. For more information about hiking to the dunes, check out this post. Though this is the perfect fall hike, if you come during the summer months, be sure to pack a bathing suit and head over to the beach at Lake Diefenbaker afterwards!
6. The Riverhurst Ferry and Lake Diefenbaker
If you’ve never used one of Saskatchewan’s ferries, now’s the time! The Riverhurst crossing is two hours from Regina and can be combined with a visit to Lake Diefenbaker, which includes Danielson Provincial Park and Douglas Provincial Park (if you are feeling ambitious, combine 5 and 6 from this list). Once you are across the river, take highway 42 and then 45 to reach the northern limits of Lake Diefenbaker and then loop around the lake. You can stop in Elbow for coffee or ice cream. For more information about the Riverhurst Ferry, check out this post.
It’s the perfect time to start or continue exploring Southern Saskatchewan with some great day trips from Regina… because as we’ve been told many times before – There’s always something to do in Saskatchewan!
I need blog lessons. This is fabulous. You are amazing.
I live in Alberta and I’ve visited some of the places that you described in your blog. It’s a very good selection of activities. Evolve in Moose Jaw has wonderful paninis. Castle Butte is an amazing place to see. I look forward to spending more time in Saskatchewan.