View source for Grasslands National Park

{{Short description|National park in Saskatchewan, Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=November 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Grasslands National Park
| alt_name        = Parc national des Prairies 
| iucn_category = II
| photo = Saskatchewan - Grasslands National Park 02.JPG
| photo_alt = Lake Waskesiu
| photo_caption = Bison grazing in Grasslands National Park
| photo_width = 255px
| map = Saskatchewan#Canada
| map_width = 255px
| map_caption = Location in [[Saskatchewan]]##Location in [[Canada]]
| relief = yes
| location = [[Rural Municipality of Val Marie No. 17|RM of Val Marie No. 17]], [[Saskatchewan]], [[Canada]]
| nearest_city = [[Val Marie, Saskatchewan|Val Marie]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|49.15|N|107.51|W|region:CA-SK|display=inline,title}}
| area_km2 = 907
| established = 1981
| visitation_num = 19,656
| visitation_year = 2022–23<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Parks |title=Parks Canada attendance 2022_23 - Parks Canada attendance 2022_23 - Open Government Portal |url=https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/57c69cfc-fc85-495b-9eef-555a08404034/resource/020bfd16-2079-4fa7-839f-f4cc8c19851c |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=open.canada.ca}}</ref>
| governing_body = [[Parks Canada]]
| url = [http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/sk/grasslands/visit.aspx Grasslands National Park]
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 7
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
}}

'''Grasslands National Park''' is a [[National Parks of Canada|Canadian national park]] located near the village of [[Val Marie]], [[Saskatchewan]], and one of 44 national parks and park reserves in [[Parks Canada|Canada's national park system]] (though one of only two in Saskatchewan itself). This national park is north of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Montana]] and lies adjacent to the [[Canada–United States border|international boundary]]. It consists of two separate parcels, the East Block and West Block.

The park was established in 1981. Prior to this the province's only national park was [[Prince Albert National Park]]. Grasslands annually receives about 12,000 visitors.

Grasslands National Park represents the Prairie Grasslands natural region, protecting one of the nation's few remaining areas of undisturbed dry mixed-grass/shortgrass prairie [[grassland]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whelan |first=Piper |date=2021-05-03 |title=The struggle to restore native prairie |url=https://www.canadiancattlemen.ca/research/the-struggle-to-restore-native-prairie-2/ |access-date=2021-09-20 |website=Canadian Cattlemen |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920213711/https://www.canadiancattlemen.ca/research/the-struggle-to-restore-native-prairie-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The park is located in the [[World Wildlife Fund]]-defined Northern short grasslands ecoregion, which spans much of southern Saskatchewan, southern [[Alberta]], and the northern [[Great Plains]] states in the US. The unique landscape and harsh, [[semi-arid]] climate provide niches for several adapted plants and animals. The park and surrounding area house the country's only [[black-tailed prairie dog]] colonies. Fauna found in the park include [[Plains bison|bison]], [[pronghorn]]s, [[greater sage-grouse]]s, [[ring-necked pheasants]], [[burrowing owl]]s, [[Plains coyote|coyote]]s, [[ferruginous hawk]]s, [[swift fox]]es, [[crotalus viridis|prairie rattlesnake]]s, [[black-footed ferret]]s, [[Coluber constrictor flaviventris|eastern yellow-bellied racers]], and [[greater short-horned lizard]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ferrets, foxes and the fringed orchid: Species that suffer when grasslands are threatened |language=en |work=The Nature of Things: Science, Wildlife and Technology |url=https://www.cbc.ca/natureofthings/m/features/ferrets-foxes-and-the-fringed-orchid-species-that-suffer-when-grasslands-ar |publisher=CBC |access-date=2020-10-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/sk/grasslands/nature/faune-wildlife |title=Grasslands National Park: Wildlife |access-date=5 June 2022 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605234836/https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/sk/grasslands/nature/faune-wildlife |url-status=live }}</ref> Flora includes [[blue grama]] grass, [[needlegrass]], [[plains cottonwood]] and [[silver sagebrush]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Camping in Grasslands National Park |date=24 November 2021 |publisher=[[Parks Canada]] |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/activ/activ4.aspx |access-date=28 September 2012 |archive-date=9 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209122705/http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/activ/activ4.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Grasslands National Park GNP 29.jpg|left|thumb|West Block viewed from the summit of 70 Mile Butte]][[Erosion]] by glacial [[meltwater]] formed many of the park's characteristic features. Highlights of the park's geological landscape include the [[Frenchman River]] Valley, the Seventy Mile Butte, and the [[badlands]] of Rock Creek.

In 1874, Sir [[George Mercer Dawson]] discovered [[Western Canada]]'s first [[dinosaur]] remains<ref>{{cite web |title=Unique Places to visit in Saskatchewan |url=https://www.todocanada.ca/unusual-places-visit-saskatchewan/ |publisher=To Do Canada |access-date=30 March 2024 |date=21 July 2023}}</ref> in the Killdeer Badlands during the [[Boundary Commission Trail|International Boundary Survey]]. Later, in 1877, [[Sitting Bull]] took refuge in the area with around 5,000 [[Sioux]] after the defeat of [[General Custer]] at the [[Battle of Little Bighorn]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Grasslands National Park of Canada: Human - Land Relationships - Human History |publisher=Parks Canada |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/natcul/natcul5.aspx |access-date=April 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210002739/http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/natcul/natcul5.aspx |archive-date=February 10, 2013}}</ref>

Grasslands National Park is [[Treaty 4]] land of the [[Blackfoot Confederacy|Blackfoot (Niitsítapi)]] people of the Canadian and American plains.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Key First Nation, Welcomes Home Bison Herd Back To Treaty 4 Land |url=https://www.thedailyscrum.ca/2022/02/01/the-key-first-nation-welcomes-home-bison-herd-back-to-treaty-4-land/ |access-date=17 March 2023 |work=TDS News |date=February 1, 2022 |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317003543/https://www.thedailyscrum.ca/2022/02/01/the-key-first-nation-welcomes-home-bison-herd-back-to-treaty-4-land/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A 2022 agreement between the [[Métis Nation - Saskatchewan]] and Parks Canada provides for the transfer of 24 bison.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 20, 2022 |title=Bison to once again roam lands around Batoche, Sask., after deal inked |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/bison-batoche-metis-nation-1.6657463 |access-date= |archive-date=21 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121183601/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/bison-batoche-metis-nation-1.6657463 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== West and East Blocks ==
[[File:Valley of 1000 Devils Grasslands NP.jpg|left|thumb|The Valley of 1000 Devils in the East Block]]
The West Block of the park is located one hour south of [[Swift Current, Saskatchewan|Swift Current]], and the main visitor reception centre is located in the town of [[Val Marie, Saskatchewan|Val Marie]]. Highlights of the West Block include the [[Frenchman River]] Valley, a herd of over 300 [[plains bison]] as well as [[prairie dog]] colonies. A {{convert|10|mi|adj=on|order=flip}} wide stretch of land on either side of the Frenchman River is an [[Important Bird Area]] of Canada called ''Grasslands National Park (west) (SK 024)''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibacanada.com/site.jsp?lang=EN&siteID=SK024 |title=Grasslands National Park (west) Val Marie, Saskatchewan |publisher=IBA Canada |access-date=28 December 2022 |archive-date=14 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014195433/https://www.ibacanada.com/site.jsp?lang=EN&siteID=SK024 |url-status=live }}</ref> Frenchman Valley Campground offers visitors serviced [[camping]] sites, [[teepee]] camping, and a cook shelter. [[Backcountry]] camping is also available.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/1282/grasslands-national-park-frenchman-valley-campground |title=Grasslands National Park Frenchman Valley Campground |publisher=Tourism Saskatchewan |access-date=9 July 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327211651/https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/1282/grasslands-national-park-frenchman-valley-campground |url-status=live }}</ref> The West Block is located in [[Division No. 4, Saskatchewan|Census Division No. 4]].

The East Block of the park is located about an hour's drive south of [[Assiniboia, Saskatchewan|Assiniboia]] on the south side of the [[Wood Mountain Hills]] in [[Division No. 3, Saskatchewan|Census Division No. 3]]. The interpretive centre is in the McGowan House at the new Rock Creek Campground and the information centre is at the museum in [[Wood Mountain Regional Park]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woodmountain.ca/regional.html |title=Wood Mountain Regional Park |publisher=Wood Mountain |access-date=28 December 2022 |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005145927/http://www.woodmountain.ca/regional.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The East Block is more of a wilderness area but has views of the [[badlands]] of Rock Creek, the [[Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary]], and prairie skies. A one-lane, {{convert|11|km|adj=on}} parkway traverses the Rock Creek Badlands.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rock Creek Badlands - Badlands Parkway |url=https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/3135/rock-creek-badlands---badlands-parkway |website=Tourism Saskatchewan |publisher=Government of Saskatchewan |access-date=9 November 2022 |archive-date=31 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031202405/https://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/listings/3135/rock-creek-badlands---badlands-parkway |url-status=live }}</ref> The East Block contains the ''Grasslands National Park (east) (SK 023)'' Important Bird Area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibacanada.com/site.jsp?lang=EN&siteID=SK023 |title=Grasslands National Park (east) Killdeer, Saskatchewan |publisher=IBA Canada |access-date=28 December 2022 |archive-date=9 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709060954/https://www.ibacanada.com/site.jsp?lang=EN&siteID=SK023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
In 2006, plains bison from [[Elk Island National Park]] in Alberta were reintroduced to Grasslands. By 2015, the herd had grown from the original 71 animals to over 300.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bison Again Roam Free in Canada's Grasslands National Park|url=https://todayinconservation.com/2018/05/may-24-bison-again-roam-free-in-canadas-grasslands-national-park-2-6/ |access-date=2024-04-02}}</ref> The herd is maintained on a {{cvt|181|km2}} section in the park's West Block. On 2 October 2009, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada designated Grasslands National Park a [[dark-sky preserve]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/sk/grasslands/activ/activ7.aspx |title=Parks Canada |date=January 29, 2016 |website=World Class Astronomy |access-date=October 2, 2016 |archive-date=13 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213134826/http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/sk/grasslands/activ/activ7.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> and a small population of [[black-footed ferret]]s were reintroduced into the prairie dog towns after a 70-year absence. Improved night-lighting practices under the dark-sky agreement ensure that the park remains dark at night, preserving a natural environment for all nocturnal wildlife.<ref>{{Citation |title=Grasslands National Park |publisher=Parks Canada |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/index.aspx |access-date=April 13, 2012 |archive-date=8 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508084151/http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/index.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Gallery ==
;Plants of the park
<gallery>
Opuntia polyacantha polyacantha GNP 05.jpg|Plains prickly-pear cactus
Allium textile GNP 01.jpg|Prairie onion
Elaeagnus commutata GNP 01.jpg|Wolf-Willow
Ericameria nauseosa GNP 02.jpg|Rubber rabbitbrush
Oenothera cespitosa GNP 01.jpg|Gumbo Evening Primrose
Arnica fulgens GNP 03.jpg|Foothill arnica
</gallery>

;Mammals of the park
<gallery>
Taxidea taxus GNP 01.jpg|American badger
Urocitellus richardsonii GNP 08.jpg|Richardson's ground squirrel
Cynomys ludovicianus GNP 21.jpg| Black-tailed prairie dog
Canis latrans GNP 02.jpg|Plains coyote
Odocoileus hemionus GNP 01.jpg|Mule deer
</gallery>

;Birds of the park
<gallery>
Eremophila alpestris enthymia GNP 05.jpg|Horned lark
Lanius ludovicianus GNP 02.jpg|Loggerhead shrike
Tympanuchus phasianellus campestris GNP 03.jpg|Prairie sharp-tailed grouse
Molothrus ater GNP 05.jpg|Brown-headed cowbird
Tyrannus tyrannus GNP 01.jpg|Eastern kingbird
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus GNP 04.jpg|Yellow-headed blackbird
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[List of National Parks of Canada]]
* [[List of protected areas of Saskatchewan]]
* [[List of protected grasslands of North America]]
* [[Tourism in Saskatchewan]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Portal-inline|Canada}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180804013949/http://prairielearningcentre.ca/ The Prairie Learning Centre]
* {{WWF ecoregion|name=Northern Short Grasslands|id=na0811}}
* [http://esask.uregina.ca/grasslands_national_park.html Grasslands National Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305031827/http://esask.uregina.ca/grasslands_national_park.html |date=5 March 2016 }} - Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan

{{National parks of Canada}}
{{Saskatchewan parks}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Grasslands of Canada]]
[[Category:National parks in Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1981]]
[[Category:Dark-sky preserves in Canada]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:1981 establishments in Saskatchewan]]