Prince Albert

Around Prince Albert

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Town and around · Saskatchewan · 45k people

Prince Albert

Locals say the Parkland · “P.A.”, “Gateway to the North”

Where the prairie meets the boreal

GoldForest greenLake blue

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Welcome to the Parkland, where the prairies meet the boreal forest. Whether you're here for the fishing, the hockey, or just to soak in the northern lights, you'll find a friendly community ready to share its love for the outdoors.

Clubs for Prince Albert

No clubs for Prince Albert yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Prince Albert. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

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All

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Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Prince Albert. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Prince Albert National Park Vast boreal forest, lakes, and wildlife.
  • Waskesiu Lake Main town in the park with beaches and services.
  • Art Hauser Centre Home arena of the Prince Albert Raiders.
  • Saskatchewan River Flows through Prince Albert; popular for canoeing.
  • Lac La Ronge Provincial Park Large park near La Ronge with fishing and camping.
  • Nipawin Regional Park On the Saskatchewan River, great for camping.
  • Outdoors Fish for walleye and pike on Waskesiu Lake
  • Outdoors Hike the Grey Owl Trail in Prince Albert National Park
  • With kids Swim at Waskesiu Lake beach
  • With kids Cheer on the Prince Albert Raiders
  • Evenings Catch a concert at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre
  • Evenings Enjoy a pint at a downtown pub
  • Locals love Lake fishing lodges
  • Locals love Hunting camps

Through the year

  • Prince Albert Winter Festival February Ice sculptures and outdoor fun in February.
  • Prince Albert Exhibition July Midway, exhibits, and local agriculture.
  • Northern Saskatchewan International Children's Festival June Performances and activities for kids.
  • Melfort Annual Fair Summer Agricultural show and carnival.
  • Nipawin Summerfest August Community celebration with music and food.

Cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Best time to be out is summer for lakes and winter for winter sports. Best: Summer (June–August) for lakes and hiking; winter for snow sports.

Talk like a local

“the Parkland”
The region itself
“bush”
Wilderness or forest
“slough”
A small pond or marshy area
“muskeg”
Boggy, wet ground

Getaways

Local flavour

Teams

  • Prince Albert Raiders WHL
  • Melfort Mustangs SJHL

Also rooting for Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL)

Eat and drink

  • Perogies
  • Saskatoon berry pie Made with locally foraged Saskatoon berries
  • Bison burgers From the prairies and northern game
  • Wild rice Harvested from northern lakes

Where people go

  • National parks Prince Albert National Park, Waskesiu Lake
  • Lake fishing lodges Camps for pike, walleye, and trout
  • Hunting camps Deer, moose, and waterfowl hunting
  • Grain elevators Iconic prairie landmarks in small towns

Heritage and traditions

Prince Albert is proud of its role as the Gateway to the North, where Métis and First Nations cultures meet farming and forestry, and where the Saskatchewan River splits the prairie from the boreal forest.

This time of year in Prince Albert

  • Fall: hunting and harvest Fall Hunters take to the fields and forests, and farmers bring in the crops.

Say it like a local: “Pop” — A soft drink (soda).

Festivals

  • Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Festival July A summer festival featuring bluegrass and old-time music.
  • Prince Albert Multicultural Festival June Celebrates the diverse ethnic communities with food, dance, and crafts.
  • La Ronge Wapiti Music Festival August A northern music festival in La Ronge featuring local and national acts.

Landmarks with a story

  • Holy Trinity Anglican Church (Stanley Mission) A historic log church from the 1850s, one of the oldest buildings in Saskatchewan.
  • St. Alban's Cathedral (Prince Albert) The Anglican cathedral in the city, a landmark of faith and architecture.
  • Sacred Heart Cathedral (Prince Albert) The Roman Catholic cathedral, serving the diocese since the early 20th century.
  • Prince Albert Historical Museum Housed in a former firehall, it tells the story of the region's fur trade, Métis, and pioneer history.

Food traditions

  • Bannock A flatbread baked over a fire or in a pan, a staple of First Nations and Métis cooking.
  • Métis stew A hearty stew made with wild game and root vegetables, often served at community gatherings.
  • Ukrainian cabbage rolls (holubtsi) A legacy of Ukrainian settlers, often served at Christmas and weddings.
  • Pickerel (walleye) fish fry Fresh-caught pickerel fried in butter, a summer tradition at lakes.

Music and arts

  • Métis fiddle music and jigging A vibrant tradition of fiddle tunes and step dancing, often at community gatherings.
  • Indigenous beadwork and birchbark biting Traditional crafts practiced by local First Nations, passed down through generations.
  • Folk and country music scene Local musicians perform in community halls, bars, and festivals throughout the region.

A little history

  • 1700s-1800s Fur trade era
  • 1866 Founding of the Presbyterian mission
  • 1885 North-West Rebellion
  • 1890 Arrival of the railway
  • 1927 Creation of Prince Albert National Park

Rivalries

  • Prince Albert Raiders vs. Saskatoon Blades WHL rivalry.
  • Melfort Mustangs vs. Nipawin Hawks SJHL local rivalry.
  • Game day Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) games
  • Game day Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) games
  • Outdoors Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing
  • Outdoors Berry picking (saskatoons, blueberries)
  • With kids Building snow forts and snowmen in winter
  • With kids Visiting the Northern Lights

People in the Prince Albert area speak with a Canadian Prairie accent, using words like 'eh' and 'pop' for soda. There are also influences from Ukrainian, Métis, and Cree languages, especially in place names and food terms.

Only here

  • The meeting of the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers at Prince Albert.
  • The 'Gateway to the North' nickname, reflecting its role as the last major city before the boreal forest.
  • Grey Owl's cabin in Prince Albert National Park, where the famous conservationist lived.
  • The Prince Albert Winter Festival, one of the oldest winter festivals in Canada.
New here? A few tips
  • Dress in layers; winters are very cold and can last from November to March.
  • Learn to drive in snow and ice; winter tires are essential.
  • Try a perogy and Saskatoon berry pie—they're local favourites.
  • Visit Prince Albert National Park; it's a short drive and offers year-round beauty.
  • Watch for wildlife on the roads, especially deer and moose at dawn and dusk.

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Nearby

Every area
Northeast SaskatchewanSaskatchewanWide skies, warm hearts.HumboldtSaskatchewanPrairie roots, hearty welcomeSaskatoonSaskatchewanWhere the prairie meets the riverNorth BattlefordSaskatchewanPrairie skies, river valley, and hometown spirit.Northwest SaskatchewanSaskatchewanWhere the boreal meets the prairie skyOutlookSaskatchewanMineral waters and prairie sunsets

Prince Albert. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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