Wanuskewin Heritage Park sits just north of Saskatoon, above opimihāw Creek and the South Saskatchewan River. The park says it has been a sacred site and gathering place for more than 6,400 years. Today it is a heritage and cultural centre for Northern Plains Indigenous peoples.
We are based in Saskatoon, and Wanuskewin is close to our hearts. It is also one of the places our clothing is stocked. This guide covers what the park is, what makes it important, and how to plan a visit.
What Wanuskewin is
The park describes its purpose as advancing the understanding and appreciation of the evolving cultures of the Northern Plains Indigenous peoples. It combines a visitor centre, galleries, trails, a restaurant, a shop and a bison herd.
The name comes from nēhiyawēwin, the Plains Cree language. The park's website says it roughly means "seeking peace of mind." UNESCO's tentative list entry gives the approximate meaning as "sanctuary."
The UNESCO entry adds that the site remains important for education, ceremonies, peaceful co-existence and reconciliation for all nations.
An archaeological record 6,400 years deep
What sets Wanuskewin apart is how much history lies in a small area. UNESCO's tentative list entry describes 19 Pre-Contact archaeological sites within about 2 square kilometres.
Those sites include:
- Bison jumps and pounds
- Tipi rings
- Habitation and campsites
- Ceremonial features
- A Medicine Wheel, which UNESCO calls the northernmost recorded in North America
UNESCO notes that nearly every Pre-Contact Northern Plains cultural group lived at the site. That makes it an intact and comprehensive record of human settlement over 6,400 years.
Canada's longest-running dig
The University of Saskatchewan reports that archaeological work at Wanuskewin has run since the 1970s. The 19 pre-contact sites were identified in 1982. The park calls it the longest continuously running archaeological program in Canadian history.
Dr. Ernie Walker, a USask professor emeritus, is the park's chief archaeologist and a co-founder. Graduate students from the university have studied bison bone from excavations at the park.
The bison come home
Plains bison had been gone from the area for about 150 years. In December 2019, Wanuskewin partnered with Parks Canada to bring them back.
According to the University of Saskatchewan, the first arrivals were six female calves from Grasslands National Park. Five more animals came from the United States shortly after. The park says the herds trace back to Grasslands National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
One goal, USask notes, is to help restore native grasses and support the recovery of other species.
A find made by the herd
The bison soon made history themselves. In 2020, their wallowing, which means rolling on the ground to make dust pits, exposed a buried boulder. Dr. Walker recognized it as a petroglyph, an image carved in rock.
The park announced the find on November 19, 2021. The team uncovered four petroglyphs in total, plus the stone knife used to carve them. One is a Bison Ribstone linked to the Hoofprint Tradition of rock art.
The park estimates the carvings are between 300 and 1,800 years old, most likely around 1,000 years.
The UNESCO World Heritage bid
Wanuskewin was added to Canada's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status. The UNESCO entry is dated April 13, 2018. It is proposed under cultural criterion (iii), which relates to the evolution of land use and methods of survival over millennia.
The park's own timeline says it has been building its nomination dossier. It lists a final submission to Parks Canada in 2026 and an expected decision by the World Heritage Committee in 2028.
What to see and do
Plan for at least a half day so you can walk the trails and see the galleries.
- Visitor centre and galleries: interactive exhibits and art spaces on Northern Plains Indigenous cultures.
- Bison viewing: a short trail is set aside for watching the herd.
- Tours: guided interpretive tours, or explore on your own.
- Weekend presentations: dance and music on weekends.
- Tipi sleepovers: overnight stays on site.
- Restaurant: Indigenous cuisine with a contemporary twist, open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Gift shop: work by Indigenous artisans.
- School programs: education for students and public groups.
The trails
More than 6 km of trails wind through the opimihāw Valley near the visitor centre. The park lists these:
| Trail | Length | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Trail of Discovery | 0.8 km | 30 min |
| Path of the People | 2.1 km | 60 min |
| Circle of Harmony | 1.3 km | 35 min |
| Trail of the Bison | 1.6 km | 35 min |
| Bison Viewing Trail | 0.4 km | 15 min |
The site also connects to the Meewasin Trail system. In winter, admission includes free snowshoes when there is enough snow. Bicycles, pets (except service animals) and drones are not allowed on the trails.
How to visit
The address is RR#4 Penner Road, Saskatoon. The park says it is about five minutes north of the city, reached by Highway 11 or Millar Avenue.
In 2026, the park noted that Wanuskewin Road north of 72nd Street was closed through late October for pipeline work. Check the website for current road conditions.
Hours
- Open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Spring and summer statutory holidays (May to September): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Closed on fall and winter statutory holidays (October to April).
- Closed December 25 to January 1.
Admission (2026 rates)
- Adult (18–64): $16
- Senior (65+): $10
- Student with ID: $12
- Child (6–17): $8
- Ages 0–5: free
- Family (up to 6): $40
Parking is a flat $5 per day, paid by credit card or the Honk Mobile app. For questions, call (306) 931-6767.
Finding XUSI at Wanuskewin
Our clothing is stocked at Wanuskewin locations, including the shop at the park and at Broadway and Saskatoon Airport. See our retail locations page for details. Many of our designs carry a Cree word and a story, which you can read on our Meanings page.
You can also browse our tees online, or read about Indigenous clothing in Saskatoon. For more on this land, see Treaty 6 and Saskatoon: where XUSI comes from.
Questions people ask
How far is Wanuskewin from Saskatoon?
The park says it is about five minutes north of the city. UNESCO places it 2.5 km north of Saskatoon.
Can you see bison at Wanuskewin?
Yes. Bison returned in December 2019, and there is a dedicated Bison Viewing Trail.
Is Wanuskewin a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Not yet. It is on Canada's tentative list, and the park expects a decision in 2028.
Is Wanuskewin open in winter?
Yes. It operates year-round, with free snowshoes when snow allows. It closes on fall and winter statutory holidays and from December 25 to January 1.
Sources
- Wanuskewin Heritage Park
- Wanuskewin: Visit
- Wanuskewin: Hours and admission
- Wanuskewin: Trails
- Wanuskewin: Our story
- Wanuskewin: UNESCO
- Wanuskewin: Major archaeological discovery
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Wanuskewin (tentative list)
- University of Saskatchewan: Graduate student examines importance of bison
Written by XUSI, an Indigenous-owned clothing and screen printing brand from Saskatoon on Treaty 6 territory. Our story · What the words mean