Tourism
Leader, Saskatchewan is a thriving community located at the cross-roads of Highways 21 and 32 in Southwest Saskatchewan. It’s an oasis of individuality and a gateway to the unexpected.
Leader is your home base for exploring sights throughout the area. We call it the “Leader Loop,” and it begins with a visit to the old CNR Caboose, where you’ll find maps, brochures and souvenirs.
Leader Tourism is open from the May long weekend to Labour Day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Visit the Caboose, or call 306-628-3995. From September through May, you may also contact the Recreation Coordinator at 306-628-3860, or the Town Administration Office at 306-628-3868.
LEADER TOURIST CABOOSE
Millennium Gardens was built in 2000 in recognition of our history and cultural heritage. Located on Main Street, the park is used for community events in Leader.
Millennium Gardens was designed by a student of the University of Guelph School of Landscape Architecture.
The park features a large gazebo, walking paths, and commemorative monuments.
For more information please call the Recreation Office at 306- 628-3860.
MILLENNIUM GARDENS
The Great Sandhills encompass 1900 sq. km of Southwest Saskatchewan and are one of the largest in the country. The view from the top of the hills is breathtaking, and visitors to the area consider it a once in a lifetime experience. The largest sand dunes are 25 meters in height and cover several hectares of land.
Only a fraction of the Sandhills are actually exposed sand dunes. The remainder of the area is covered with native grass which help bind the sand together. As they are subject to strong winds from the northwest, the sand dunes move east at a rate of almost four meters per year.
To visit the Great Sandhills, travel 12 miles/19.3 km east of Leader to Sceptre. Take the grid road on the east side of Sceptre. Follow the road south 6 miles/9.6 km from Highway 21, then follow the curve west for 1 mile/1.6 km before turning south again for 6 miles/9.6 km. This road is an all season access, and is privately leased by local ranchers who use the land as summer pasture for their cattle. All fires and camping are prohibited in the Sandhills. Parking is allowed only in designated areas. Please remember to respect the environment; take only pictures, leave only footprints.
GPS: N50°41.611′ W109°16.899′
THE GREAT SANDHILLS
The South Saskatchewan River near Leader is one of the most outstanding natural attractions in the province. The diligent and patient bird watcher will be treated to rare species of birds that frequent the spectacular river valley.
The riparian woodlands of the Leader area are the largest of their kind in Saskatchewan, and the largest tract between the Cypress Hills and the northern forest. The cottonwood stands are home to the Pileated Woodpecker, Golden Eagle an Great Blue Heron.
The extensive grasslands in the valley attract various rare species such as the Ferruginous Hawk, Long-billed Curlew and Loggerhead Shrike, as well as the endangered Burrowing Owl.
LEADER BIRD WATCHING
St. John’s School is a Provincial Heritage Site, and was built in the 1920s.
The building is a shining example of the one room schoolhouses that covered the prairies for the first half of the century.
St. John’s School is completely original, and features furnishings from the period. You’ll find it 8 and a half miles/14 km south of Leader on Highway 21.
ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL
Blumenfeld Church is a Provincial Heritage Site and was erected in 1915. The interior of the church is one of the most beautiful in Canada. It has been carefully maintained and includes all the original furniture and fixtures.
Behind the church is a Grotto made of prairie stones, where members of the Catholic religion gather once a year to enjoy a church service which is called “Pilgrimage.”
Tours are available in the summer on Sundays from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. The church is located 10 miles/16 km south of Leader on Highway 21. Turn east when you come to the sign, then travel another 4 miles/6.4 km.
BLUMENFELD CATHOLIC CHURCH
Located in Sceptre just minutes down the road from Leader, the Great Sandhills Museum & Interpretive Centre is a great place to start your adventure in the Great Sandhills. Museum staff will be pleased to tell you everything you need to know before starting out for the dunes.
Take a walk down memory lane and stroll the wooden boardwalks of the interior exhibits. Eleven room displays each depict a different theme.
The grounds feature a historical village with barn, church, antique machinery and wildflower gardens.
The Great Sandhills Museum & Interpretive Centre is located along Highway 32 in the Village of Sceptre and is open seasonally May to September. For information visit www.greatsandhillsmuseum.com or call 306-623-4345.
GREAT SANDHILLS MUSEUM & INTERPRETIVE CENTRE
The Smith Barn was built in 1914 by W. T. Smith, and represents his greatest achievement. Smith was a man who dreamed of building the most elaborate ranch in the world. When the barn was built, his livestock included 1,600 head of mules, 2,000 head of horses, 2,000 hogs, and 10,000 sheep.
The barn is the largest ever built in North America. Upon completion, the building stood 400′ x 128′ x 60′. Building materials totalled 875,000 board feet of fir lumber from British Columbia, one and a half train carloads of nails, 60,000 square feet of roofing and 30,000 sacks of cement. It took 100 men five months to build it, and when it was finished, people came from as far away as California for the celebration.
W. T. Smith was a living legend of the west, but died only 4 four years after achieving his goal.The barn was dismantled in 1921, however the concrete foundation remains standing today. The Smith Barn Site is now a Provincial Heritage Site. A scale model of this landmark can be found at the Leader Tourist Booth.
THE SMITH BARN
