Wood Mountain Regional Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wood Mountain Regional Park |
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 Wood Mountain Regional Park
Location in Saskatchewan
Wood Mountain Regional Park
Location in Canada
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| Location | RM of Old Post No. 43,  Saskatchewan |
| Nearest city | Wood Mountain |
| Governing body | Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association |
Wood Mountain Regional Park is a fun place to visit in the southwestern part of Saskatchewan, a Canadian province. It's a special area set aside for both protecting nature and for people to enjoy outdoor activities. The park is located in a dry, hilly area known as the Wood Mountain Hills.
You can find the park in the Rural Municipality of Old Post No. 43, about 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of the village of Wood Mountain. It's easy to get to, right off Highway 18.
Right next to the park, you'll find Wood Mountain Creek and Wood Mountain Post Provincial Park. To the west is the Wood Mountain Indian reserve, and to the east is the Wood Mountain Game Preserve.
Inside the park, there are lots of cool things to do. You can visit the Rodeo Ranch Museum, watch the famous Wood Mountain Stampede, or see the Sitting Bull Monument. There are also ball diamonds, campsites, places to buy snacks, a swimming pool, and trails for hiking and biking. This park is managed locally, which means people from the area help run it.
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A Look Back: Park History
The Wood Mountain area has a rich history! In 1874, a group called the Boundary Commission was mapping the border between Canada and the United States. They set up a supply camp right where the park is now.
Later that year, the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) bought this camp. The NWMP was a police force that traveled west to keep peace. They used this spot to build good relationships with local First Nations people. They also patrolled the border and stopped people from illegally trading whisky or stealing horses and cattle.
Sitting Bull and the NWMP
In 1876, a famous leader named Chief Sitting Bull led his 5,000 Lakota Sioux tribe into Canada. They came to the Wood Mountain Hills after a big battle in the United States. The Canadian government was worried about problems, so they asked James Walsh of the NWMP to help keep the peace.
Walsh did a great job! He and Sitting Bull became close friends over the years. In the nearby provincial park, you can see reconstructed buildings and old items that tell the story of their friendship. After five years, Chief Sitting Bull and some of his people returned to the United States. However, many Lakota stayed in the Wood Mountain area. In 1910, they were given their own Indian reserve, and their families still live there today.
The Police Post Closes and Reopens
The North-West Mounted Police closed their Wood Mountain Post in 1883. But it reopened in 1885 when the North-West Rebellion started. Two years later, the old buildings were too run down. So, new buildings were built about 300 meters (984 feet) to the southeast, across Wood Mountain Creek. This new location is now part of the Wood Mountain Post Provincial Park. The police post stayed open there until it finally closed for good in 1918.
Fun Things to Do and See
Wood Mountain Regional Park is located in beautiful rolling hills and ranchland. It's a great place to explore the outdoors.
Trails and Swimming
There are several trails throughout the park. One trail even leads to the provincial park next door. On a hot day, you can cool off in the heated swimming pool.
Rodeo Ranch Museum
The Rodeo Ranch Museum is a cool place to learn about the history of cowboys and ranchers. These brave people settled the area in the 1880s. The museum has old photos, pioneer tools, and items from rodeos and the Wild West. It also has an information center for the East Block of Grasslands National Park.
Wood Mountain Stampede
The Wood Mountain Stampede started way back in 1890! The North-West Mounted Police created it to encourage sports and celebrate the July 1 holiday (which was then called Dominion Day). It became an annual event held every second weekend in July. It's now Canada's longest-running annual rodeo! You can watch cowboys and cowgirls compete in exciting events.
Sitting Bull Monument
A special monument to Chief Sitting Bull sits on top of a hill. It overlooks the regional park, right behind the museum. It's a great spot to reflect on the history of the area.
See also
- History of Saskatchewan
- List of protected areas of Saskatchewan
- Tourism in Saskatchewan
