Drive the Eco-Tour Road in Grasslands National Park

Grasslands National Park is Canada's only prairie national park and is the perfect place to dive into a true prairie wilderness. This park is mostly backcountry, but taking the Eco-Tour route through the western section will allow you to sample the park and give you easy access to a number of short, interpretive trails.

Begin your drive in the tiny town of Val Marie, SK. Take Hwy 18 west to the Ecotour road. This road is an 80 km loop that will bring you through the heart of the park. Take your time and stop at some of the short hikes that take you off the road to prairie dog towns or views of the river. Look for wildflowers or birds hidden in the grasses. And go at dusk or dawn for the best chance to see wildlife like bison, mule deer, and prairie dogs roaming around as well as for the best light for photographs.

Since this park is not really close to anything - about halfway between Minneapolis and Seattle, the two largest cities anywhere near - dusk or dawn means you are probably staying over night. Fortunately, about halfway along the route is a campground where you can set up your tent under the stars or pre-reserve a tipi to stay in.