Escape to Echo Valley: The Perfect Day Trip from Regina

Echo Valley Provincial Park, located in the scenic Qu'Appelle Valley about an hour northeast of Regina, is a summer escape filled with beaches, trails, lake views and activities for all ages. With two lakes, rolling hills and immersive nature programs, it offers relaxation and exploration, and a great way to take a break from the city.

Getting There

Echo Valley Provincial Park is less than 70 kilometres northeast of Regina along highway 22, making it an easy day trip for families, visitors and anyone needing fresh air.

It's paved highway all the way from Regina, travelling across open prairie before descending into the tree-lined Qu'Appelle Valley. All vehicles entering the provincial park require a valid Park Entry Permit, which can be purchased online or at the park.

Season
  • Summer
Time needed
  • Full Day
Locations
  • Echo Valley Provincial Park
  • Katepwa Point Provincial Park
What You Need to Bring
  • A valid Park Entry Permit
  • Sunscreen
  • Good walking shoes or hiking boots to explore the trails.

Morning

Start your day by soaking in the quiet beauty of the valley.

  • Hike the Mink Trail (3 km): This popular route winds through cool, shaded coulees, up to ridge views, and across meadows with sweeping sightlines of the valley. The trailhead is located near the “Hole in the Wall” group camping area. Trail maps are available at the Visitor Centre or available by scanning a QR code at the trailhead.
  • Join a guided experience: Park Interpreters lead informative hikes and other programming throughout the summer, sharing stories about local geology, ecology and history. View summer events.
  • Visit Lookout Point: Located just a short walk from Lookout Point Campground visitors will find a stunning panoramic view of Echo and Pasqua Lakes and the surrounding landscape. Visitors will discover short trails along the valley rim with benches for enjoying the view. Stop by the wooden picture frame for fun to snap with family or friends. Come back in the fall and see the hills light up with yellow and orange.

Optional upgrade: Hit the greens at Echo Ridge Golf Course in the scenic Qu'Appelle Valley or join Back2Nature Wellness and Adventure for a stand-up paddleboard yoga, a sauna session, or a holistic healing session.

Midday

After an active morning, cool off by the water or settle in for a lakeside lunch.

  • Hit the beach: Each of the two lakes has a swimming area marked by buoys, along with barrier-free change rooms and washrooms. A Life Jacket Loaner Station and beach wheelchair (call the park ahead of time to ensure availability) make the area accessible for all. Pups are also welcome at the dedicated dog beach located at Pasqua Lake.
  • Pack a picnic: Picnic tables and day-use spots, including barbecue pits, are scattered near both beaches. Some sites include concrete pads for better accessibility. If you're planning on having a picnic, bring briquettes for the public barbecues as they are not sold on-site.
  • Prefer to buy lunch? A concession is located at the Echo-Par mini golf course on the Pasqua Lake side and offers summer treats and quick meals.

Optional stop: Explore the interpretive displays at the Visitor Centre to learn about how glaciers shaped the valley.

Afternoon

With lunch enjoyed and sun high in the sky, shift to activities on and around the lakes.

  • Go boating: Launch your boat at either Echo or Pasqua Lake using the park's dedicated ramps. Paddleboarding and kayaking are also popular choices. Thirty minutes away, Katepwa Point Provincial Park also offers a fully accessible dock with a gently sloping ramp, non-slip surfaces, and a specialized system for seamless access from a wheelchair to a paddle boat, kayak, or canoe.
  • Try mini golf: Located near Sioux Crossing, Echo-Par Mini Golf offers a fun, casual activity for all ages.
  • Check out the adventure zone: Near the Visitor Centre, visitors of all ages can enjoy the 100-foot zipline, ninja slackline course and bouldering wall—all free.
  • For anglers: Cast for walleye, northern pike and perch. A fully accessible fish filleting station is available beside the Pasqua Lake boat launch.

Pro tip: Winds change quickly in the valley. If one lake is choppy, the other often remains calm.

Make it an Overnight Trip

Those wanting to extend their stay will find plenty of overnight options. The park features multiple campgrounds with non-electric sites, electric sites and group camping areas. For a more comfortable stay, consider booking one of the Camp-Easy yurts, which come furnished with beds, seating and basic amenities. Or experience glamping at Earth To Sky Accommodations.

  • Where to grab supper: If you don't bring food from home, the nearby communities of Fort Qu'Appelle and Katepwa Point Provincial Park offer restaurants, cafés and stores.

Good to Know

Maximize your trip enjoyment with a little planning. Here's some pro tips:

  • Get a Park Entry Permit in advance.
  • Bring charcoal if you plan to barbecue in the day-use areas.
  • Trail maps are available at the Visitor Centre.