Narrow Hills Provincial Park

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Narrow Hills Provincial Park
A small lake along the Narrow Hills Scenic Drive in Narrow Hills Provincial Park in Saskatchewan, Canada. (37589435476).jpg
A small lake on the Narrow Hills scenic drive
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Location in Saskatchewan
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Narrow Hills Provincial Park (Canada)
LocationFlag of Saskatchewan.svg  Saskatchewan
Nearest town Smeaton
Coordinates 54°06′15″N104°41′49″W / 54.1043°N 104.6970°W / 54.1043; -104.6970
Area530 km2 (200 sq mi)
Established1934
Governing bodySaskatchewan Parks

Narrow Hills Provincial Park [1] is a northern boreal forest provincial recreational park in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. [2] It is located in a hilly plateau called the Cub Hills and contains several recreational facilities and over 25 accessible lakes within its boundaries. [3] The geographical features of the park, including the lakes, valleys, and lowlands were formed over 10,000 years ago during the last ice age. [4] The town of Smeaton is the closest community and it is located 70 kilometres (43 mi) to the south.

Contents

The park was established in 1934 as Nipawin Provincial Forest (later renamed Nipawin Provincial Park), and was renamed Narrow Hills in the 1990s. The park's boundaries were also changed with the renaming. [5]

Hanson Lake Road, which begins at Smeaton, is the main highway through the park. Other highways in the park include 120, 913, and 920.

Recreation

Narrow Hills offers a variety of recreational facilities and opportunities. These include sport fishing, hiking, and camping. The park contains 25 bodies of water suitable for fishing and another 30 within an hour's drive. In addition to the native walleye, yellow perch, whitefish, and northern pike, the park contains stocked trout species including brown, lake, brook, cutthroat, rainbow, and tiger. [6] Some of the bodies of water that are stocked or otherwise accessible for fishing and recreation include McDougal Creek, Lost Echo Creek, Upper and Lower Fishing Lakes, the Gem Lakes, Summit Lake, Lost Echo Lake, Zeden Lake, Laycock Lake, Fairy Glen Lake, and Stickley Lake.

The southern tip of Little Bear Lake is in Narrow Hills Provincial Park and just north of the park boundary on the eastern shore of the lake is Little Bear Lake Recreation Site. Piprell Lake Recreation Site is immediately west of the park boundary at the northern end of Piprell Lake. Other nearby provincial parks include Clarence-Steepbank Lakes Provincial Park and Candle Lake Provincial Park.

Campgrounds

There are four campgrounds suitable for RV camping. These include Baldy Lake Campground, [7] Ispuchaw Lake Campground, [8] Zeden Lake Campground, [9] and Lower Fishing Lake Campground. [10] In addition to these, there are several tenting-only campgrounds throughout the park. [11]

Wilderness campgrounds can be found at McDougal Creek, and the lakes of Lost Echo, Stickley, Jade, Diamond, and Opal. [12]

Resorts and lodges

Located on the southern shore of Upper Fishing Lake is Caribou Creek Lodge, which offers a motel, cabins, a dining room, fuel, and a convenience store. [13]

Pine Ridge Resort is located on Lower Fishing Lake and has beach access, a boat launch, cabins, RV camping, and a store. [14]

Gem Lakes

Little Jade Lake Little Jade Lake, Narrow Hills PP.jpg
Little Jade Lake

The Gem Lakes are a cluster of seven deep, sand-bottom lakes at the north-west corner of Narrow Hills Provincial Park. [15] The lakes are closed basin lakes that were formed more than 10,000 years ago during the last ice age. They are collectively called "Gem Lakes" because they reflect colours of emerald, jade, and aqua blue. The seven lakes include Pearl ( 54°11′00″N104°48′03″W / 54.1834°N 104.8009°W / 54.1834; -104.8009 ), [16] Opal ( 54°11′01″N104°48′06″W / 54.1836°N 104.8018°W / 54.1836; -104.8018 ), [17] Sapphire ( 54°11′07″N104°47′55″W / 54.1853°N 104.7985°W / 54.1853; -104.7985 ), [18] Jade ( 54°11′29″N104°48′40″W / 54.1915°N 104.8112°W / 54.1915; -104.8112 ), [19] Diamond ( 54°11′22″N104°48′07″W / 54.1895°N 104.8020°W / 54.1895; -104.8020 ), [20] Little Jade ( 54°11′21″N104°48′26″W / 54.1893°N 104.8073°W / 54.1893; -104.8073 ), and Little Pearl ( 54°11′06″N104°48′07″W / 54.1851°N 104.8020°W / 54.1851; -104.8020 ). [21]

A looping 5.5 km (3.4 mi) trail winds its way around all seven lakes with the trailhead and parking lot located at the north-west corner of Jade Lake. Along the trail, located at Jade, Diamond, and Opal Lakes, are eight wilderness campsites. The trail wanders along shorelines and up wooded ridges that provide lookouts and vantage points. There are several interpretive panels along the route and each lake is stocked with native fish species. [22] Access to the lakes is from a secondary road off of Highway 913. [23] [24] [25]

Flora and fauna

The forests of the Narrow Hills Provincial Park are classified as Mid-Boreal Upland and trees found in the park include jack pine, aspen, birch, and spruce. There is a wide variety of animals that make the park home, including moose, white-tailed deer, elk, black bears, timber wolves, lynx, snowshoe hares, beaver, and muskrats. Bird species include the loon and red-tailed hawk. [26]

See also

Related Research Articles

Little Bear Lake is a lake in the boreal forest ecozone in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The lake is in a hilly plateau called Cub Hills and the landforms, such as the lakes and streams, of the Cub Hills were formed over 10,000 years ago during the last ice age. Little Bear Lake is accessed from the Hanson Lake Road, which runs along the eastern side of the lake, and by a small airport called Little Bear Lake Airport.

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Kimball Lake is a lake in Meadow Lake Provincial Park in the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. The lake is located near the centre of the park, north of the Waterhen River and Little Raspberry Lake and south of First Mustus Lake. Rusty and Greig Lakes are to the east. Several small streams feed into the lake and the outflow is at the southern shore, which feeds into the Waterhen River, a tributary of Beaver River. The Beaver River, in turn, flows north into Lac Île-à-la-Crosse and the Churchill River, a major tributary in the Hudson Bay drainage basin.

Matheson Lake is a lake in Meadow Lake Provincial Park in the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. The lake is located near the centre of the park, north of the Waterhen River, west of Vivian Lake and south of Peitahigan Lake. Several small streams feed into the lake and the outflow is at the southern shore, which feeds into the Waterhen River, a tributary of Beaver River. The Beaver River, in turn, flows north into Lac Île-à-la-Crosse and the Churchill River, a major tributary in the Hudson Bay drainage basin.

First Mustus Lake is a lake in Meadow Lake Provincial Park in the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. The lake is the first of four lakes in a row named Mustus in the Rusty Creek watershed. The other lakes are Second, Third, and Fourth Mustus. Rusty Creek and the lakes are part of the Waterhen River drainage basin. The Waterhen River is a tributary of the Beaver River, which flows north into Lac Île-à-la-Crosse and the Churchill River, a major tributary in the Hudson Bay drainage basin. Highway 224 provides access to both First and Second Mustus Lakes.

Mistohay Lake is a lake in Meadow Lake Provincial Park in the Canadian Province of Saskatchewan in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. The lake is part of the Waterhen River drainage basin. The Waterhen River is a tributary of the Beaver River, which flows north into Lac Île-à-la-Crosse and the Churchill River, a major tributary in the Hudson Bay drainage basin.

Nipekamew Lake is a lake in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The lake is north-east of Clarence-Steepbank Lakes Provincial Park and north-west of Narrow Hills Provincial Park and the Cub Hills. It is a long and narrow lake that runs in a north to south direction and is surrounded by boreal forest, rolling hills, and muskeg. The outflow, Nipekamew River, is at the northern end of the lake and at the southern end of the lake, neighbouring East Trout Lake flows directly into it through a short channel. Several other smaller rivers, such as Nipekamew Creek, also flow into the lake. The lake is part of the Churchill River watershed, which flows into the Hudson Bay.

East Trout Lake is a lake in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The lake is directly north of Clarence-Steepbank Lakes Provincial Park in Saskatchewan's Northern Administration District. It is a long and narrow lake that runs in a west to east direction and is surrounded by boreal forest, rolling hills, and muskeg. Several streams flow into the lake and its outflow is at the eastern end where it flows directly into neighbouring Nipekamew Lake through a short channel and bay. The lake is part of the Churchill River watershed, which flows into the Hudson Bay.

Lost Echo Lake is a lake in the east-central part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in Narrow Hills Provincial Park. It is situated in a glacier-formed valley in the Cub Hills and the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. It is south of Summit Lake and is accessed from secondary roads that branch off of Highway 913. While there are no communities nor settlements on the lake, there is the Lost Echo Wilderness Campsite on the western shore.

Lower Fishing Lake is a lake in the east-central part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in Narrow Hills Provincial Park. It is situated in the Cub Hills and the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. The lake is accessed from Highway 920, which connects to Hanson Lake Road and Highway 120. The Fishing Lakes Fire of 1977 burned much of the region upstream and around the lake and now the area is now dominated by jack pine, which is a tree species that is well adapted fire burned forests.

Ispuchaw Lake is a lake in the east-central part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in Narrow Hills Provincial Park. It is situated in the Cub Hills and the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. The lake is surrounded by a forest of mature jack pine.

Zeden Lake is a small recreational lake known for its trout fishing in the east-central part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in Narrow Hills Provincial Park. It is situated in the Cub Hills and the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. The lake is surrounded by a forest of mature jack pine.

Baldy Lake is a lake in the east-central part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in Narrow Hills Provincial Park. It is situated in the Cub Hills and the boreal forest ecozone of Canada.

Piprell Lake is a lake in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. The lake is located in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District, just south of the geographical centre of Saskatchewan in the Cub Hills. It is west of the western boundary of Narrow Hills Provincial Park and south-east of Clarence-Steepbank Lakes Provincial Park Piprell Lake Recreation Site and Rainbow Lodge are situated at the northern end of the lake and its amenities are accessed from Highway 913.

The Cub Hills are a hilly plateau located south-east of the geographical centre of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The hills are in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada and the landforms of the hills were shaped more than 10,000 years ago during last ice age. Throughout the Cub Hills, there are dozens of lakes and rivers and several parks. The Cubs Hills are 150 km (93 mi) north-east of Prince Albert and are in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District and Census Division #18. Several highways criss-cross the plateau to provide access to the various parks and other amenities.

McBride Lake is a lake in the east-central part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. It is a narrow lake that runs west to east along the course of the Pepaw River known for its fishing and recreational opportunities. It is situated in the Porcupine Hills and within Saskatchewan's Porcupine Provincial Forest. There is a provincial park and a small subdivision along the lake's shore and access is from Highway 983. Eldredge Lake is upstream from McBride Lake along the course of the Pepaw River and Pepaw Lake is downstream. Swallow lake is to the north and a short stream flows from Swallow Lake into the eastern end of McBride Lake.

Saginas Lake, is a lake in the east-central part of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in the boreal forest ecozone of Canada. It is located along the course of the Pepaw River and is situated in the Porcupine Hills. It is within Saskatchewan's Porcupine Provincial Forest and a portion of Porcupine Hills Provincial Park is on the eastern shore of the lake. Upstream along the Pepaw River is Pepaw and McBride Lakes—both of which lakes also have recreation sites that are part of Porcupine Hills Provincial Park. The lake and park are accessed from Highway 982, also known as Little Swan Road.

References

  1. ↑ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Narrow Hills Provincial Park". www4.rncan.gc.ca.
  2. ↑ "Boreal Plains Ecozone". ecozones. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  3. ↑ "Narrow Hills Provincial Park". Tourism Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  4. ↑ "Trout Streams of the Cub Hills". environment.gov.sk. Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment.
  5. ↑ "Provincial Parks". The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. University of Regina. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  6. ↑ "Trout Streams of the Cub Hills". environment.gov.sk. Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment.
  7. ↑ "Baldy Lake Campground | Tourism Saskatchewan".
  8. ↑ "Ispuchaw Lake Campground | Tourism Saskatchewan".
  9. ↑ "Zeden Lake Campground | Tourism Saskatchewan".
  10. ↑ "Lower Fishing Lake Campground". Tourism Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan Government. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "Narrow Hills Provincial Park". The Outdoorsy.com. Outdoorsy, Inc. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  12. ↑ "30 Free Places to Camp in Saskatchewan". Explore. Explore Magazine. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  13. ↑ "Caribou Creek Lodge Ltd". Tourism Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  14. ↑ "Pine Ridge Resort". Tourism Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  15. ↑ "Gem Lakes". Tourism Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  16. ↑ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Pearl Lake". www4.rncan.gc.ca.
  17. ↑ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Opal Lake". www4.rncan.gc.ca.
  18. ↑ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Sapphire Lake". www4.rncan.gc.ca.
  19. ↑ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Jade Lake". www4.rncan.gc.ca.
  20. ↑ Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Place names - Diamond Lake". www4.rncan.gc.ca.
  21. ↑ "Exploring Narrow Hills Provincial Park: A Saskatchewan Provincial Parks Signature Experience". The Lost Girls Guide. The Lost Girl's Guide to Finding the World. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  22. ↑ "Gem Lakes Hiking Trail". Saskatchewanderer. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  23. ↑ "Narrow Hills Provincial Park Trails". Tourism Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  24. ↑ "Gem Lakes". All Trails. All Trails. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  25. ↑ "Gem Lakes-Narrow Hills Provincial Park". SaskHiker. SaskHiker. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  26. ↑ "Ecoregions of Saskatchewan". usask. University of Saskatchewan. 30 May 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
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