Winding its way through an area of limestone gorges, the Hawkrock River boasts a mix of fast-flowing rapids and gorgeous lakes, making it an ideal place to push your canoeing skills to a new level. Add to the mix Saskatchewan’s pristine nature, abundant wildlife, as well as its spruce- and pine-scented air, and you’ll feel the true sense of wilderness. Even though the river has until recently remained quite empty, it has started getting more traction ever since it was discovered by avid canoers. It also houses many beautiful camping spots scattered along the way where you’ll be able to make tasty meals, re-energize, and enjoy new surroundings each day with your fellow canoers. With your expert guide showing you more advanced canoeing techniques, you’ll fast-track your skills, have tons of fun, and discover what it’s like to be active and live in Canada’s untamed wilderness.
Paddle the river’s clear waters and its many runnable rapids
Discover Saskatchewan’s wild side as you improve your skills
Marvel at rarely-seen animals such as bald eagles, otters, minks, bears, and moose
Experience the wild side of Canada and dip your paddle into the Hawkrock River to master new canoeing skills. Immerse yourself in Saskatchewan’s wild landscapes and let your guide navigate you through the epic rapids and lakes found in the area. Look for new camping spots every night and regain your energy by preparing healthy, nutritious meals. Take in the stunning views all around you, observe wildlife in its natural habitat, and discover the call of the wild.
This adventure begins the day before the first day. You’ll fly into Points North from Saskatoon and meet your guide in Points North. Here you’ll have a pre-trip meeting, the guide will take a look at your gear, and you’ll have dinner and spend the night at Points North at your own expense.
After you’ve had your breakfast, you’ll be transferred in a van to Forsyth Lake on the Hawkrock River. The guide will review some canoe skills such as paddling strokes, canoe maneuvers and safety before you head downstream. At the first rapids, you and the guide will go over river reading and route planning. You’ll get to paddling and set up a camp.
Kick off each day with a delicious breakfast and start paddling! Work on your skills with the help of your friendly guide and paddle the clear waters of the Hawkrock River. You’ll find many fun and runnable rapids that will allow you to take your canoeing skills to the next level. Each night you’ll look for a new camping spot while surrounded by Saskatchewan’s pristine wilderness. Apart from paddling, you’ll observe the abundant wildlife including bald eagles, osprey, martins, loons, otters, mink fishers, northern pike, walleye, and many more beautiful creatures that call this place home! You and the rest of the group will help prepare meals over a wood fire or camping stove and tell stories before hitting the hay and getting ready for each upcoming day.
Today is the last day of this adventure and you’ll be picked up in the morning from the Fond du Lac River in a charter aircraft and fly to Points North. Once in Points North, you can have an optional group dinner and spend the night at your own expense or depart from Points North to Saskatoon some time in the mid-afternoon. Once you arrive in Saskatoon, you can spend the night here at your own expense or catch a flight home.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures on the Hawkrock River, SK, please refer to the Government of Saskatchewan website.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
You need to have a moderate level of fitness to participate in this canoeing adventure. You should be capable of carrying a heavy load (packs and barrels) or a canoe (75 lb / 34 kg). There are no portages and the rapids are not overly long. You’ll need to be able to paddle for 7 days and even though the rapids are easy in the beginning, they get progressively harder as the river gains volume.
In order to participate in this wild canoe adventure on the Hawkrock River, you need to have previous canoeing experience. While you don’t need to be an expert, it would be good to be familiar with white water maneuvers and safety. You need to be comfortable enough with your canoeing skills and ready for the rapids which start out quite easy and almost imperceptibly gain in difficulty as the river gains volume. The river bed is generally made up of boulders and shelves.
Canoes, paddles, personal floatation devices, helmets, throw lines and other accessories, tents, all cooking equipment, first aid and repair kits, communications equipment, and canoe rescue gear will be provided by your guiding service. Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
Canoeing on the Hawkrock River can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to the Hawkrock River, most people fly into Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE) and then fly into Points North Landing Airport (YNL).
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, you will meet your guide in Points North on Day 0. On Day 1, a van will transfer you to Forsyth Lake on the Hawkrock River. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
On Day 7, you’ll take a charter flight from the Fond du Lac River back to Points North where you can have an optional group dinner, spend the night at your own expense, or depart from Points North to Saskatoon in the mid-afternoon, where you can then spend the night at your own expense or fly back home.
A deposit of 50% of the total price is due with your booking unless otherwise indicated. Once your guide confirms your booking, your trip departure is guaranteed. Final payments are due 120 days before your trip starts. If you book the trip within 120 days of departure, full payment is due upon booking. Please note that deposits are absolutely non-refundable, and final payments are non-refundable after the final payment date. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
