I spent a week in Saskatchewan discovering fun ways to live out my cowgirl dreams and with each visit to this province, I’m amazed by the number of unique experiences on offer. If you’re looking for a momcation that will push you out of your comfort zone, this Saskatchewan girls trip might be the perfect option for you. Whether you’re looking for hands-on ranch experiences snuggling with horses or something a bit hands-off and relaxing, there’s something for every type of cowgirl in Saskatchewan. Of course if you’re like me, then you’ll want a good mix of all the cowgirl experiences in Saskatchewan!
Disclosure : This post is in partnership with Tourism Saskatchewan but, as always, opinions are TOTALLY ours!
Cowgirl Experiences in Saskatchewan
When I was first invited on this girls trip to Saskatchewan by Andrea from Mommy Gearest and Jodi from Tourism Saskatchewan, I was very hesitant because I knew both these ladies were experienced riders and I didn’t want to hold them back by my lack of horse riding experience. I mean…I THINK I have ridden a horse once during my Girl Guiding days growing up in the U.A.E…Maybe? The memory is hazy so it may not have happened in real life. Who knows? So how was I going to get up and STAY on a horse AND have fun? Well, I’m just glad I didn’t give into those thoughts and I certainly am delighted that I agreed to join these two lovely ladies on a Momcation in Saskatchewan because we had a thrilling time trying new things, eating fabulous dishes and sipping cocktails. Saddle up and see which type of cowgirl experience might suit your next girl friend getaway needs!
For a True Cowgirl |Ranch It Up At Reesor Family Ranch
If you’re looking for cowgirl comfort, history and adventure then plan for a couple nights at family owned and operated, Reesor Ranch. They really do encourage you to go ALL IN when it comes to enacting your cowgirl dreams. Located in the Cypress Hills in southwestern Saskatchewan, the ranch offers an unique and elevated view of rolling hills, forests and diverse wildlife near Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. This area is the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador and you get to explore the area on horse, ATV and by foot. Of course if you’re driving around in a JEEP like we were, then you’re going to have even more fun!
What I truly loved about our stay at the Reesor Family Ranch is that we were welcomed like family. Mother and son duo run this ranch with the help of a few dedicated staff members. It was impressive how this small team not only looks after the animals on site but also keeps everything clean and cooks up delicious homecooked meals-on the daily! The ranch has been in the family since 1904 and today Jason and his mom, Theresa, ensure that they continue to honour the work done by their ancestors and continue to celebrate their Western Canadian ranching history. During our stay at the Reesor Ranch we enjoyed hearty laughs with Jason and Theresa and they gave this city gal many tips on how to be a true Cowgirl!
There are plenty of lodging options at this Canadian ranch and they ranged from a barn which can house 30-50 guests to private cabins perfect for a solo escape. My friends and I stayed in the newly renovated Cypress Cabin which was Theresa’s mom’s home until very recently when she moved off the ranch. Jason has renovated and designed this cabin with all the details so pay close attention to the little things when you stay here. Having all the creature comforts like air conditioning, a jacuzzi bathtub, a full kitchen and plenty of lounge space definitely made me happy!
We also enjoyed late nights on the patio but sadly never did use the firepit because we were distracted by the stunning stars at night. It’s at Reesor Ranch that I witness my first Northern Lights display and that is a FOREVER memory. The Reesors do their best to keep the light pollution to a minimum (though of course the cabins do have sensor activated lights to keep us all safe at night) and during our stay we were right under the milky way on a clear night. The Cypress Hill area is a dark sky preserve and it was MAGIC! Ensure you plan to stay up late or set an alarm and wake up in the middle of the night to view the spectacular Saskatchewan night sky here. It was quite dark by 10-11 p.m. so I didn’t have to stay up beyond my usual bedtime.
Alright now the REAL reason you chose to add Reesor Ranch to your Saskatchewan itinerary is because you want to live the true cowgirl life! So obviously this western style ranch allows you to add-on experiences to your stay (you can also book these experiences if you aren’t staying on-site). The most popular experience is horse riding OBVIOUSLY! From spring to late fall you can partake in a 2 hour horseback riding adventure. Not only do you get to ride on the beautiful and diverse terrain of the Historic Reesor Ranch, but you also learn how to brush, saddle and get acquainted with your horse before mounting up. The horses here all have personality and some are even movie stars (Senor, one of the horses I rode, was in the aptly named Hallmark-esque movie, the Cowboy Christmas). This Canadian cowgirl experience is for those 10 and older but there are other experiences for younger kids here. Given my lack of confidence, I gladly accepted the offer to be tethered to the instructor (apparently the term in Ponying when you lead one horse while riding another) and so I felt safe as I went up and down around the ranch and was able to take in the serene views of the rolling hills and cattle chilling on the hills. I truly felt like I was in a movie myself. I mean… would you have ever pictured this Brown girl riding a horse in a Shalwar Kameez? Yah, I did that, as you can see! I obviously loved my introduction to horse riding and maybe next time, I’ll ride on my own without the need for that tether, because my experienced friends Andrea and Jodi definitely looked even more carefree as they lead their horses through the many trails on-site at Reesor Ranch.
The activities on this Canadian ranch don’t end after you hug your horse goodbye-there’s more on offer here! After your ride, I highly recommend tagging on a dinner experience because Jason and Theresa whip up a meal that’s perfect for every meat loving cowgirl! Our steaks were cooked to our liking, the potatoes were so darn creamy and Theresa’s homemade baked beans are finger licking good! They also serve locally made ice cream and the meal was so good that we requested the exact same meal for all our dinners! If you’re staying on the ranch they also serve up a hearty breakfast!
There’s one more Saskatchewan ranch activity I want to mention- ATV riding! If you’re 16 and over, you can join a guided ATV ride through the ranch EVEN if you don’t have a drivers license! I thought I would have to play the passenger role as always but I got to feel the power of driving the ATV as I raced through the ranch, zipping over troughs and soaring over bumps—it was an absolute adrenaline rush (once I got over the anxiety of having full control of a moving vehicle)!
Whether it’s your first horse riding experience or not, this Canadian ranch combines the cowgirl culture with Saskatchewan’s natural beauty, making this a unique Canadian holiday destination for those looking “for something different”. Go on, book that Cowgirl Momcation at Reesor Ranch!!!!
How about a Momcation in Moose Jaw?
For the Cowgirl Fashionista | Roam Around Maple Creek and the Cypress Hills
If you’re a Cowgirl who enjoys looking the part, then you must be properly decked out for your Cowgirl adventures in Saskatchewan. You can easily spend a day shopping and then exploring the nearby area where you’ll get some epic pictures of your outfit whilst learning about the local area.
Start your day by taking a stroll through the charming town of Maple Creek where the past is the present. The main shopping strip is lined with boutiques and cafes that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s so easy to picture horses meandering down the streets in years past and I’m surprised that this Saskatchewan town isn’t used as a movie backdrop more often! It was featured in the Cowboy Christmas movie and you’ll recognize some of the stores as you explore the area. Pop into Hill Country Clothing for some cowgirl outfits and check out their selection of boots. Don’t forget to grab some Cowboy coffee from Daily Grind coffeeshop (they’re also known for their London Fogs if tea is more your flavour) and if you need some presents for the kids, there’s quite a few stores selling candy and toys and you’ll find the largest independent toy store in the province and Western Canada’s largest puzzle display at Cowtown Kids Toy & Candy store in Maple Creek.
Once you’re caffeinated and shopped out it’s time to get your decked-out selves to the Conglomerate Cliffs in the western block of Cypress Hills Interprovincial park for a bit of a photoshoot. The rolling prairie hills are the perfect backdrop for a mini momcation photoshoot! My friends and I had a good laugh taking our pictures at this popular natural wonder. It takes about an hour to drive from Maple Creek to the Conglomerate Hills and once you’re done exploring the park you are only about a 40 minute drive from Reesor Ranch!
For the Relaxed Cowgirl | Unwind at Alive Sky
Whether you want to unwind in nature or just escape to do nothing (because you deserve that), Alive Sky in Rosetown, Saskatchewan is a great place to unwind in nature’s embrace. This accommodation option is a peaceful respite for those who want to spend some slow moments reading, unwinding in soaker bins and spending time with farm animals in a remote location.
During our stay at Alive Sky we we got to roam around the property and meet April who along with her husband has created everything here from scratch. They certainly are a creative duo to have dreamt up the idea of converting grain bins into rooms. You definitely have to visit this place to truly appreciate the creativity of the uniquely prairie accommodations. We toured the grain bin options so I’ve included some photos above for you to see the two grain bin lodging options which are a luxe compared to our bunkhouse below. They also have their own soaker bins so that’s another perk.
On this cowgirl getaway, Andrea and I shared the Cowboy Bunkhouse. It was fully decorated with all the cowboy nods you can think of but also had space for us to relax. There was a private bedroom in addition to the couch-bed in the living area and there was a kitchenette for us to prep our meals. Of course there was a fridge to store our drinks (no freezer) and best of all, we had a private deck, cold pool and bonfire area. Oh and yes this one has A.C too (which you KNOW I’m all about!).
We also enjoyed the hot tub which can be used by all Alive Sky guests. Bring your own bevies because there’s plastic stemware for you to use when you’re here.
Your Alive Sky stay includes a freshly made breakfast for two which April drops off to your cabin each morning and you can add-on extras like Charcuterie, dessert, soup etc if you want something light for dinner.
The Cowboy Bunkhouse is their only pet friendly accommodation but at Alive Sky you will bump into the resident dogs and cats and they have goats, chickens and a rabbit that you can hang with as well.
Beyond the bins and bunkhouse, there’s other accommodation options, including a bed and breakfast and a SCHOOL BUS accommodation in the summer time, so you can certainly find what suits you best on your road trip through Saskatchewan.
We were tracking the Northern Lights and attempted to spot them at 3 a.m. but sadly the light pollution wasn’t in our favour here. IF we had the energy to drive for 5 minutes, I’m guessing we’d have seen something magnificent.
Saskatchewan Road Trip Itinerary
We started and ended our trip in Saskatoon which was a delicious city that’s fit for the foodie cowgirl but I hope to tell you more about Saskatoon in detail one of these days! For now, here’s an itinerary I recommend if you’re driving around Saskatchewan on a cowgirl adventure. Spend a couple nights to explore Saskatoon before making the 4 hour drive to Reesor Ranch – on your drive in stop at Maple Creek for some shopping! Spend 2 or 3 nights at Reesor Ranch and then spend a night at Alive Sky before returning to Saskatoon.
Yes it’s a lot of driving but it’s also Saskatchewan-driving is part of life here so enjoy those views! Remember to stop at gas stations and wash those bugs off your windshield and stock up on snacks! During our early September visit, the weather was absolutely gorgeous and I wasn’t chilly at all (though I do run warm – bring a light jacket or sweater for the evening wanderings).
