The Battlefords
The Battlefords are in West Central Saskatchewan, consisting of the city of North Battleford and the town of Battleford. These two towns are separated by the North Saskatchewan River.
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.
North Battleford 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, North Battleford (at the base of King Hill in the Battlefords River Valley), ☏ +1 306-445-2000, contact@battlefords.ca. All year M-F 9AM-5PM.
History
The Battleford area was the site of numerous independent and Hudson's Bay Company fur trading houses dating from the 1770s. William Holmes operated a post for the North West Company just above the confluence of the Battle and North Saskatchewan Rivers in 1784; at least three posts were in use between 1868 and 1914. Battleford was founded in 1875 as a fur trading post and North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) fort; its post office opened in 1877. Between 1876 and 1883, Battleford was the territorial capital of the North-West Territories (now Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, northern Quebec, northern Ontario and the Northwest Territories) before it was moved to Regina, and the NWMP fort (Fort Battleford) located there played an important role in the 1885 North-West Rebellion. It is also the terminus of the historic Swift Current-Battleford Trail.
In 1905, the construction of the Canadian Northern Railway main line to Edmonton placed the line on the north side of the North Saskatchewan River, bypassing Battleford. North Battleford was built along the railway line and was incorporated as a village in 1906, as a town in 1907, and as a city (with a population of 5,000) in 1913. Its position along the railway caused it to surpass Battleford as the major regional centre.
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 135 km (84 mi) northwest of Saskatoon on the Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway), and 240 km (150 mi) southeast of Lloydminster.
- Rider Express, toll-free: +1-833-583-3636. Operates a route between Edmonton and Regina with stops including in Vegreville, Vermilion, Lloydminster, North Battleford, Saskatoon, and Davidson. Travel time to North Battleford from Edmonton is 5 hours, from Lloydminster is 1.5 hours, from Saskatoon is 1.5 hours, and from Regina is 4.5 hours.
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, North Battleford, ☏ +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, Junction Hwys 16 & 40 E, North Battleford, ☏ +1 306-445-8033, nbattleford@wdm.ca. 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, Battleford, ☏ +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, North Battleford, ☏ +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.
- 6 Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame, 292 22nd Street W, Battleford, ☏ +1 306-446-1983, saskbaseballmuseum@sasktel.net. M-F 9AM-4PM. It has a display of memorabilia including uniforms, photographs, baseball bats, baseballs, equipment, trophies, and "Canada's Biggest Bat". $25.
Do
- 1 Battlefords Wildlife Federation Nature Centre, Rivervalley Drive, North Battleford (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 Finlayson Island, 24 St, Battleford. Finlayson Island is located on the North Saskatchewan River between the iconic arched bridges that previously connected Battleford to North Battleford. The 4 km island is full of unique vegetation and wildlife that can be observed throughout the various nature trails great for hiking or cross-country skiing. The south side of the island includes a picnic area. Bridge access from Battleford is open to automobiles, bridge access from North Battleford is pedestrian only.
- 3 Gold Eagle Casino, 11902 Railway Avenue, North Battleford, ☏ +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.
- 4 The Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts, 623 Carlton Trail, North Battleford, ☏ +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.
- 5 The Credit Union CUplex NationsWEST Field House (NWFH), 625 Carlton Trail, North Battleford, ☏ +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.
- 6 The Credit Union CUplex Battlefords CO-OP Aquatic Centre (BCAC), 626 Carlton Trail, North Battleford, ☏ +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.
- 7 Battlefords Provincial Park, ☏ +1 306-386-2212. 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.
- 8 Table Mountain Regional Park, ☏ +1 306-937-2920. 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.
Buy
- 1 Frontier Mall, 11429 Railway Ave, North Battleford, ☏ +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, North Battleford, ☏ +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, North Battleford (Northland Power Curling Centre), ☏ +1 306-441-9040. Daily 11AM-8PM. Asian, Thai, fusion.
- 3 Country Cuisine, 2401 99th St, North Battleford, ☏ +1 306-446-4555. M-Sa 6AM-9:30PM, Su 7AM-9:30PM.
- 4 Dejma's Curry House (Dejmas), 1183 101st Street, North Battleford, ☏ +1 306-445-7577. M-F 11AM-2PM, 4PM-8PM.
Drink
- 1 Armoury Brewing Company (The Armoury), 2401 99th St, North Battleford, ☏ +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, Battleford (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, North Battleford, ☏ +1 306-445-7747. Every room comes with a microwave, a Keurig machine and a fridge. Free high-speed Wi-Fi and guest BBQs. All rooms are outside access. Pet-friendly and smoking rooms are available upon request. From $105.
- 3 Beaver Hotel, 1102 100th St, North Battleford, ☏ +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, North Battleford, toll-free: +1-844-771-1522. Free continental breakfast & WiFi, an indoor pool, and a beer & wine store.
- 5 Tropical Inn, 1001 Highway 16, North Battleford, ☏ +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 E, North Battleford, ☏ +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
| Routes through The Battlefords |
| Lloydminster ← Maidstone ← | W   E |
→ Saskatoon → Yorkton |
| END ← Meadow Lake ← | N  S |
→ Biggar → Swift Current |
Wainwright ← becomes  ← Jct N   S ← |
W  E |
→ Shellbrook → Prince Albert via .svg){kind=small} .svg){kind=small} |