A green valley of lakes, a 225 km prairie lake, a beach town inside a national park and canoe country in the north, from one to about four hours away.
Saskatchewan is called the land of living skies, and it has more lakes than most people expect: about 100,000 of them. From Regina, the Qu’Appelle Valley’s chain of beach lakes is only an hour away; from Saskatoon, the long sandy shores of Lake Diefenbaker are an hour and a half south. Further north, the prairie gives way to boreal forest at Waskesiu and the canoe country around La Ronge, while the Cypress Hills rise out of the southwest corner of the province.
Here are five regions, with driving times from both cities. Each one links to cabins and cottages for rent there and to our full local guide.
About an hour north-east of Regina, a surprising green valley cuts through the flat prairie, with a chain of lakes lined with cottages and beach villages: Pasqua, Echo, Mission, Katepwa, Crooked and Round. Fort Qu’Appelle is the friendly hub, Echo Valley and Katepwa Point have beaches and trails, and September turns the valley gold.
Best for: weekends from Regina, families, boating
About an hour and a half south of Saskatoon (two and a half from Regina), this 225 km lake on the South Saskatchewan River has more than 800 km of shoreline, sandy beaches and some of the best walleye and trout fishing in the province. Elbow has a marina and golf course, and Danielson, Douglas and Saskatchewan Landing provincial parks have beaches.
Best for: fishing, boating, big skies
About two and a half hours north of Saskatoon, Waskesiu Lake sits inside Prince Albert National Park, where the prairie turns into boreal forest. The townsite has a long sandy beach, golf and a lively summer feel; canoe routes lead to Grey Owl’s cabin, and bison, elk and loons are part of the scenery. Emma Lake and Christopher Lake nearby are popular cottage lakes too.
Best for: beach summers, wildlife, canoeing
See cottages for rent in Waskesiu & Prince Albert National Park →
About four and a half hours from Regina, the Cypress Hills rise out of the prairie in the south-west corner with lodgepole pine, cool lakes and the highest point between the Rockies and Labrador. The park is shared with Alberta and is a Dark Sky Preserve, with cabins and a beach around Loch Leven and historic Fort Walsh in the West Block.
Best for: stargazing, hiking, quiet cabins
About four hours north of Saskatoon, the road from Prince Albert leads into true canoe and fishing country. Lac La Ronge Provincial Park has more than 100 lakes and the Churchill River with its rapids and fur-trade routes, and Meadow Lake Provincial Park has a chain of 25 lakes in the west. Expect walleye, pike and lake trout, and northern lights on clear nights.
Best for: fishing trips, canoe routes, northern lights
Every cabin and cottage on our site is rented directly from its owner, with no booking fees. Open a region above to see places for rent there, read the full local guide and write to the owner about your dates.
Own a cottage or chalet here? List it free — guests contact you directly, no commission. List your cottage →
Updated 2026-10-22
