Parc national des Prairies

Explore the East and West blocks of Grasslands National Park, the village of Val Marie, Wood Mountain Regional Park, the site of the oldest rodeo in the province, the Rodeo Museum, and the Wood Mountain Ranch. 

The East Block of Grasslands National Park is the “Badlands”, land unsuitable for agricultural development, the land of cacti and sage, skylarks, and wildflowers uniting their colors in a concerto of herbaceous species from the original short-grass prairie, riddled with abundant canyons. This panorama – and it is quite a panorama for you to see– will give you the impression of leading to a prehistoric landscape but designed to accommodate sustainable tourism with its primitive camping accommodation, adapted to this fragile and mysteriously captivating environment. Thanks to many bike paths and interpretive panels, you will understand the unexpected wealth of this part of the region. 

The West block offers a different experience, yet as fascinating, due to the presence of the Frenchman River. The burrowing owl, also an endangered species, makes its nest underground by taking advantage of the excavation work of the black-tailed prairie dogs. Observing it allows us to understand how each species that makes its home here is the result of thousands of years of adaptation to an arid environment, where it has long been more common to encounter bison than people. 

The courtship dance of the sage grouse, an endangered species in Canada, will convince you that nature has taught us as much since time immemorial as human beings have taught their peers since the dawn of their presence on this land. 

Originally a community of French-speaking cattle breeders, the village of Val Marie is now a resort. It was notably the place of residence of Lise and Fernand Perreault, two nature lovers who successfully led a campaign to protect the rattlesnakes that take refuge here.