I'll update the site from time to time with pictures from the park and some personal observations. I first visited the park in the spring of 1990 and return at least once a year, usually 4-5 times a year. The most I've been to the park in one year has been 11 times. So I like the park and created this short personal site. I'm not trying to provide a complete overview of the park's attributes. I'm simply expressing personal observations that I hope will encourage others to visit.

When you first arrive in Val Marie, visit the park visitor centre for a good overview of the park. But also visit the museum in the old school just across the street to view exhibits on some of the history of the area. As important, this museum has a small gift shop and coffee shop run by the "Friends of Grasslands" group. The shop sells some unique items such as plush black tailed prairie dogs and black footed ferrets - you know you need those. I would suggest you buy the "Grasslands National Park Field Guide". This is a small green binder with a variety of inserts on most topics of the park. It's expensive if you buy all the inserts but it gives a complete overview of the park from bird checklists to a summary of First Nations activity to the geology of the area. Even the sole canoe route. The existance of this field guide is part of the reason why I'm not worried about this site trying to be inclusive. No need to duplicate that Field Guide.

You can get good coffee here too before heading out. (And usually brownies.)

General information about hiking and camping in grasslands as well as some personal observations can be found ON THIS PAGE.

Go to THIS PAGE to find out more about the Park in general. The park does not yet have a high visitation so it's a good time to visit. Having said that the numbers of visitors seems to be increasing certainly in summer.