Scenic Views · Fishing · Saskatchewan
North America's oldest bird sanctuary, at the north end of Last Mountain Lake near Simpson, Saskatchewan, with short trails, an observation tower and huge fall migrations. Day use only, on gravel roads.
Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area and Migratory Bird Sanctuary covers wetlands, prairie and shoreline at the north end of the lake. Over 300 bird species have been recorded, and during migration the area can hold hundreds of thousands of geese and tens of thousands of sandhill cranes. Visitors describe it as vast, quiet and far from anything busy.
Environment and Climate Change Canada runs the site for day use from dawn to dusk. A short shoreline walk leads to an observation tower, a longer prairie trail loops through native grassland and there's a driving tour. The picnic shelter at the headquarters has a large floor map of migration routes for 17 species, with booklets on the wall, and reviewers rate the washrooms highly.
Canoeing and kayaking are allowed after nesting season, and fishing and hunting are permitted only in designated areas under federal permits and Saskatchewan rules. Staff at the office were helpful to one visitor, though the interpretive pavilion is only staffed on weekdays in season, and another found it closed on a weekend.
All access roads are gravel, and visitors say it can be hard to find and some trails are poorly marked. There's no camping, food or much shade, and biting insects are common in summer.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 56 Google reviews. Conditions and rules change — check current park, access and fishing regulations before you go.
