Filed under: Activities & Attractions, Historic Places & Landmarks, Nature & Wildlife

From Outlaws to Crooked Trees and Prairie Lighthouses

Spend a half-day or day touring the grave of a notorious outlaw, negotiating a twisted forest or visiting a prairie lighthouse. These are just some of the things to do in and around the City of North Battleford and Town of Battleford in Saskatchewan.
•  Battle River Settlement Foundation Walking Tour
In the old town of Battleford, a scenic walking tour takes in Fort Battleford National Historic Site, Indian mass grave (1885), Battle Springs, Colonel Otter Park (1885), Telegraph Flats, Government Ridge and a number of other buildings and structures dating back to 1885 and earlier. (6 hours)
• Historic Homes/Buildings Walking Tour
The City of North Battleford walking tour has 92 homes, public and private buildings portraying the city’s railway beginnings in the 1900′s. Visit the tombstone of one of the most notorious outlaws in the West. Sam Kelly was the leader of the Nelson Jones gang, known for rustling livestock, bank and train robberies. (4.5 hours)
• Finlayson Island
Finlayson Island is located on the North Saskatchewan River between the arched bridges connecting North Battleford with Battleford. Finlayson Island has a variety of nature trails and is a great place to hike, ski or picnic. The wide variety of flora and fauna along with wildlife make it a unique recreational opportunity for all to enjoy. (2.5 hours)

• Cochin Lighthouse Drive
Saskatchewan’s only working lighthouse is located just north of Cochin on the edge of Jackfish Lake. It was built in 1988 has 158 steps and is 11.5 meters high. How to get there: Located just outside of the resort village of Cochin, approximately 45 km north of North Battleford on Hwy 4 North. (1.5 hours)
• North Shore Trail
At the observation tower on the west side of North Battleford, the North Shore Trail runs along the northern shores of the North Saskatchewan River to two km beyond the modern water treatment plant. You can also see where the North Saskatchewan River and the Battle River Converge along the trail. (2 hours)
• Crooked trees/Redberry Lake
Dubbed as a botanical mystery, no one knows why this grove of aspen trees grew so crooked. The trees appear whimsical along the boardwalk as they twist and bend. How to get there: Located on Hwy 40 turn off towards Alticane and head north and follow the signs. Redberry Lake is a World Biosphere Reserve where 200 bird species are found including the rare American White Pelican. (3.5 hours)

• Battlefords Geolog Tour
For those who want to go back in time even further, a 19-stop tour of the geological formations of the area provide an insight into surrounding hills, rivers, lakes, levees, sand dunes, boreal forest and an ancient glacial spillway. (1 day)
• Saskatchewan Birding Trail – Northwest loop
A self-guided tour of six locations in Northwestern Saskatchewan for bird-lovers including: The Battlefords Goose Project, Jackfish Marsh, Redberry Lake World Biosphere Reserve, Turtle Lake Nature Sancturary, St. Walburg and Meadow Lake Provincial Park.
(1.5 Days)

For more information on things to do and see around the Battlefords visit www.battlefordstourism.com

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