Located north of Trans-Canada Hwy 1 in southwest Saskatchewan is a protected area covering more than 1,900 sq. km dotted with rolling sand dunes. This area, known as the Great Sand Hills, contains one of the largest areas of active sand dunes in Canada and the second largest in Saskatchewan. A must see! Keep reading to learn more about this unique region of the province, how to get there and what’s nearby.

Village of Sceptre

The village of Sceptre is your gateway to the Great Sand Hills. Whichever direction you may be coming from, this quaint village is where you want to land before your sandy trek begins. Upon arrival, visit the Great Sandhills Museum & Interpretive Centre. The museum is dedicated to collecting, portraying and preserving both the natural history and settler heritage of the area through natural artifacts, maps and documents. The staff will be pleased to share everything you need to know before starting your adventure to the dunes including a directional map.

Arriving to the Dunes

Access the active sand dunes by taking the grid road just east of Sceptre off Hwy 32 for 9.6 km south, follow the curve to the right at the T junction, travel west for 1.6 km, then south for approximately 10 km to the parking lot with interpretive signs. The last stretch of road leading to the dunes is leased to local ranchers who use the land as summer pasture for their cattle. Mind the cows and respect the distance between them. This is also your warning to watch where you step!

As you follow the road south you will notice the landscape begin to change. The road becomes sandy and rolling hills begin to appear. The sand dunes themselves feel like they rise out of the land from nowhere. Surrounded by native grasses, small trees and sagebrush. Mule deer, pronghorn and sharp-tailed grouse frequent this unique region, as well as many other species of birds. Pack binoculars to get a closer look.

Walk along the trails leading to the dunes and feel the soft sand between your toes. You may feel like you’re on a hot beach holiday in the middle of the prairie.
Visit “Boot Hill” which is accessible by foot from the parking lot. A memorial gate covered in old cowboy boots made in memory of local rancher, John Booth, honours his love for this place. It’s also a great photo opp.

Nearby Attractions and Amenities

Campsites are available for a nightly fee during summer months in the Village of Sceptre and neighbouring town of Leader. Leader also offers a couple fixed roof accommodations and places to grab a bite to eat.

Around Leader you will find attractions like Sagebrush Studios exhibiting beautiful artwork from Dean Francis, Leader’s wildlife sculptures created by Saskatchewan artists, and Checkerboard Hill scenic lookout over the South Saskatchewan River.

A little further, Swift Current is the closest city hub with all the accommodation and restaurant options you need. The city of Swift Current is about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Sceptre by car, making it a good base camp for exploring this southwest corner of Saskatchewan without sacrificing modern comforts. Treat yourself to a nice dinner at Nightjar Diner or Trattoria Raccolto and celebrate a fun day in the sand and sun with fresh southwest flavours from Black Bridge Brewery.

The Great Sand Hills is a must visit when travelling through southwest Saskatchewan. Discover this sandy gem as a self-guided day-trip or along with a tour that visits the area.