The Battlefords
North Battleford is a city in northwestern Saskatchewan directly across the North Saskatchewan River from the Town of Battleford. Together, the two communities are known as "The Battlefords".
Understand
The name Battleford is derived from a fording area of the Battle River found at the confluence of the Battle River and the North Saskatchewan River. The English name of "Battle River" originates from indigenous languages, which was known as the "Fighting River" because it once marked the boundary between the Cree and Blackfoot Aboriginal Nations. In 1905, North Battleford came into being when the Canadian Northern Railway built a railway on the north side of the North Saskatchewan River.
The city is an administrative centre and service hub for the economic, education, health and social needs of the region.
North Battleford had a permanent population of about 14,000 in 2011, but in 2018, the mayor said that the transient population would increase this to about 30,000 people. The Town of Battleford had about 4,000 people in 2011.
- 1 The Battlefords River Valley Visitor Centre, 801 River Valley Drive (at the base of King Hill in the Battlefords River Valley), ☏ +1 306-445-2000, contact@battlefords.ca. All year M-F 9AM-5PM.
Climate
The weather in The Battlefords is generally dry and sunny. Summer daytime temperatures range from 18 °C (64 °F) to 35 °C (95 °F). Evenings are cool, requiring a light sweater or jacket. Winter temperatures vary from 5 °C (41 °F) to −30 °C (−22 °F). There is sufficient snowfall for winter activities and sports.
Get in
North Battleford is 137 km northwest of Saskatoon on Highway 16, and 239 km southeast of Lloydminster.
- Rider Express, toll-free: +1-833-583-3636. One bus per day on its Regina - Saskatoon - Edmonton route. From Saskatoon, it takes 1 hr 30 min ($45-65).
Get around
By bus
The city has two public bus routes that operate M-F 7AM-7PM and Sa 8AM-6PM. There is no transit service on Sundays and holidays. The Battlefords Handi-Bus System operates on a five-day-a-week demand basis. Call ☏ +1 306-445-7797 for more information. Adults $3, children 6-16 $2. (Jan 2018)
By taxi
Crown Cab (☏ +1 306-445-8155) serves the Battlefords and area. They also offer a wheelchair accessible van and car wash open 24 hours. Their office is at 1072 - 102nd Street North Battleford.
NB City Cab (☏ +1 306-445-5556) You can book online or by phone. Their office is at 2112-100th Street North Battleford.
See
- 1 Allen Sapp Gallery - The Gonor Collection (The Sapp), #1 Railway Ave. E, ☏ +1 306-445-1760. Displays artwork of renowned Cree artist Allen Sapp. Gallery has a mixture of world class art, native artifacts, and audio visual shows. It has a unique museum which offers a blend of Cree culture, history, and deeply personal insights into one man's experience of growing up Cree at the turn of the century. The gallery was the winner of the 1999 and 2002 Attractions Canada "Best Provincial Indoor Site" award. Free.
- 2 Western Development Museum, Juntion Hwys 16 & 40 E, ☏ +1 306-445-8033. 9AM-5PM. The museum tells the story of agriculture through preservation of farm equipment and a 1920s outdoor farm and village complete with steam locomotive and annual festivals. This is one of four branches of the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum. This branch focuses on the agricultural history of Saskatchewan, including a pioneer village. A prominent feature is the former Saskatchewan Wheat Pool grain elevator No. 889 from Keatley, Saskatchewan. The grain elevator was moved to the museum grounds in 1983.
- 3 Fred Light Museum, 11 20th Street E, Battleford, ☏ +1 306-937-7111. Late May-Aug 9AM-8PM. The museum serves as a tourist information centre for the Town of Battleford.
- 4 Fort Battleford National Historic Site, ☏ +1 306-937-2621, toll-free: +1-888-773-8888, battleford.info@pc.gc.ca. June: M-F 10AM-4PM; Jul Aug: daily 10AM-4PM. Five original North-West Mounted Police buildings. Discover the role the Mounties played in the early years of settlement. Adult $3.90, senior $3.40, youth free in 2018.
- 5 The Chapel Gallery, 891-99th Street, ☏ +1 306-445-1760. The Chapel Gallery is a public gallery which provides public access to and ownership of the art heritage of North Battleford, its region and province. In addition to exhibition opportunities, the gallery facilitates workshops, mentorship programs and provides venues for the critical and interpretive reception of art. Free.
Do
- 1 Battlefords Wildlife Federation Nature Centre, Rivervalley Drive (southwest of North Battleford), ☏ +1 306-445-4244. Tu-Sa noon-8PM. Located in the North Saskatchewan River Valley. The Battlefords is nestled in the heart of the Aspen Parkland between the boreal forests and the prairies, the centre is home to a wealth of plant and animal species. Experience more nature across the road at the Battlefords Goose Project. Free.
- 2 Gold Eagle Casino, Highway 16 (eastern entrance), ☏ +1 306-446-3833. Su-W 9AM-3AM, Th-Su until 4AM. The Gold Eagle Casino has 267 slot machines, 3 Card Poker, Texas Hold Em, Phil'em Up and Let It Ride. There is also 10 live game tables,Black Jack, Roulette and Poker Tables.
- 3 The Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, 623 Carlton Trail, ☏ +1 306-445-4898. The 6,000 ft² (560 m2) Evelyn Ulmer Atrium, with its floor to ceiling 150 foot glass wall, is used for receptions, parties, or trade shows, it is designed to impress.The theatre seats 385 people, with a large projection screen, professional sound system and technical support for presentations. The Event Hall is designed to accommodate 200 people for banquets, 96 using conference style seating and 165 in a classroom configuration. Again, an array of state of the art Audio/Visual equipment is available as is technical support. With a full commercial kitchen on site, meals can be catered right here.
- 4 The Credit Union CUplex NationsWEST Field House (NWFH), 625 Carlton Trail, ☏ +1 306-445-1790. The NationsWEST Field House has two fields with seating for 250 spectators on each. The south field is turf - suitable for sports such as soccer, football and even baseball. The north field is a rubberized court to accommodate sports such as volleyball, basketball, tennis and badminton.
- 5 The Credit Union CUplex Battlefords CO-OP Aquatic Centre (BCAC), 626 Carlton Trail, ☏ +1 306-445-1745. Opened in 2012. It has a 6-lane lap pool, wave pool, two waterslides, a lazy river, whirlpool, and steam room.
Buy
- 1 Frontier Mall, 11429 Railway Ave, ☏ +1 306-445-3414. M-Sa 9:30AM-6PM (Th until 9PM), Su noon-5PM. Regional shopping centre in North Battleford's busiest commercial district adjacent to the Yellowhead Highway. Other surrounding shopping includes Wal-Mart, Mark's Work Wearhouse, and Canadian Tire.
- 2 Territorial Place Mall (Co-op Mall), 1301 9800 Territorial Drive, ☏ +1 306-445-9800. Territorial Place Mall includes a gas bar, hardware/lumber store, liquor store, sports/leisure store, walk-in medical centre, dentist, travel agency, physio-therapy, food court, dollar store, pedicure/manicurist, and grocery store.
Eat
- 1 Kihiw Restaurant, 11902 Railway Ave E, North Battleford (Gold Eagle Casino), ☏ +1 306-446-3833. M-Sa 11AM–10PM, Su 10AM–10PM. Decorated with Aboriginal art. Mains $16-28, burgers and sandwiches $14-16.
- 2 Beaver Grill Express, 623 Carlton Trail (Northland Power Curling Centre), ☏ +1 306-441-9040. Daily 11AM-8PM. Asian, Thai, fusion.
- 3 Country Cuisine, 2401 99th St, ☏ +1 306-446-4555. M-Sa 6AM-9:30PM, Su 7AM-9:30PM.
- 4 Dejma's Curry House (Dejmas), 1183-101st Street, ☏ +1 306-445-7577. M-F 11AM-2PM, 4PM-8PM.
Drink
- 1 Armoury Brewing Company (The Armoury), 2401 99th St, ☏ +1 306 445 2739, sales@armourybrewing.com. Tu 3-9, W Th 3-10PM, F 3-11PM, Sa 1-11PM.
Sleep
- 1 Eiling Kramer Campground (1.6 km south of the Town of Battleford, next to Fort Battleford National Historic Site), ☏ +1 306-937-6212. Open in May to the end of September, the campsite offers 74 sites (15 & 30 amp receptacles) with full service sites available. There is also a playground and picnic area with shelter building. Contained campfires are allowed, firewood is supplied.
- 2 Canadian Motel North Battleford, 971 Highway #16, ☏ +1 306-445-7747. Every room comes with a microwave, a Keurig machine and a fridge. Free high-speed WiFi and guest BBQs. All rooms are outside access. Pet-friendly and smoking rooms are available upon request. From $105.
- 3 [dead link] Beaver Hotel, 1102 100th St, ☏ +1 306-445-8115. Featuring a bar and video slot machines, this hotel offers free Wi-Fi, and a microwave and a refrigerator in each guest room. Cable TV is offered in all air-conditioned rooms. Free parking. From $74.
- 4 Travelodge North Battleford, 992 101st St, toll-free: +1-844-771-1522. Free continental breakfast & WiFi, an indoor pool, and a beer & wine store.
- 5 Tropical Inn, 1001 Highway 16, ☏ +1 306-446-4700, toll-free: +1-800-219-5244. 119 Guestrooms, indoor swimming pool, 2 waterslides, Smitty's restaurant, Bennigan’s Good Times Bar & Grill From $114.
- 6 Gold Eagle Lodge, 12004 Railway Avenue East, ☏ +1 306 446 8877, reservations@goldeaglelodge.com.
Connect
When in The Battlefords, tune to Tourism Radio 100.5 FM for information on festivals, events and attractions.
Stay safe
In 2018, Maclean's magazine ranked North Battleford as Canada's most dangerous place for overall crime. The city's mayor, however, said that this per-capita ranking was based on the town's permanent population, and that its ranking would be much lower of the crime rate were based on its total population.
Go next
- Battlefords Provincial Park. Set in rolling hills and woodland areas on the shores of Jackfish Lake. Lush lawns, golfing, camping, a beautiful beach, store, mini-golf, boat rentals and playground area. Open late May to early September. ☏ +1 306-386-2212.
- Blue Mountain Outdoor Adventure Centre. Located on 1,440 acres of wooded hills, it features 30km of cross-country skiing and mountain bike trails, paintball, zip line, climbing wall, fear factor course, chalet, cabins, camping and a private lake. ☏ +1 306-445-4941.
- Table Mountain Regional Park.This alpine ski area features a quad chairlift,variety of runs, terrain and tubing parks and is open early December to the end of March each year. ☏ +1 306-937-2920.
| Routes through The Battlefords |
| Edmonton ← Lloydminster ← | W   E |
→ Saskatoon → Yorkton |
| END ← Meadow Lake ← | N  S |
→ Biggar → Swift Current |
Edmonton ← Wainwright ← becomes  ← |
W  E |
→ Shellbrook → Prince Albert via .svg){kind=small} .svg){kind=small} |