Moose Mountain Gravel: A Saskatchewan Classic

Jul 31
4 min read

Updated: Aug 19

Route Name: Moose Mountain Provincial Park Route Distance: 80 km | Elevation Gain: 745 m

Terrain: Dirt roads, oil lease roads, a pseudo-isthmus, and classic Prairie gravel.

Born Out of a Storm Pursuit

The inspiration for this route didn't come from a map—it came from chasing storms through Saskatchewan’s Moose Mountain Provincial Park. During one pursuit, I found myself traveling down a road that was rumored to be impassable when wet. It nearly was!

The road is no secret and locals know it as Center Road. It runs through Moose Mountain Provincial Park in an east/west direction twisting and turning through a striking landscape of rolling hills, mature trembling aspen forests and skirting dozens of hidden ponds and small lakes. In some spots, the road dips so low you’d swear you’re riding below the water line. It seems as though Center Road sees little maintenance through the year, it can heavily scarred by rain erosion exposing baby head sized stones beside deep ruts from motorists (like me) who took a gamble traversing the road on a rainy day. It can also be the perfect 'Prairie Pavement' surface that just rips!

In other words: it’s an absolute dream for a gravel cyclist!

From Google Earth to the Basecamp

Back in February 2019, using satellite images and a bit of guesswork, I mapped out a simple 80 km loop through the Moose Mountain Provincial Park combining dirt tracks, gravel, and oil lease roads. The catch? Nearly two-thirds of the route consisted of dirt roads, meaning a sudden rainstorm would turn the whole thing into unrideable peanut butter mud.

After checking in with a few locals I knew and my Saskatchewan Parks contacts, we confirmed the roads were dry and passable. I hitched up the camper to the truck, loaded the bikes and hit the road. The crew, Terry, Jeff, and I, set up basecamp at a beautiful campsite backing onto Little Kenosee Lake. Jeff chopped a mountain of firewood, and we prepped for tomorrow's big day in the saddle.

Into the Aspen and the "Wrong Turn"

We rolled out early the next morning, and Center Road delivered immediately. The hard-packed dirt surface was fast, punchy, and demanded total concentration as we dodged erosion gouges and exposed rock. Compared to the straight, grid-road gravel near home, this was GLORIOUS non-stop twisting, rolling terrain through dense aspen groves.

Spotting a non-native stand of pine trees tucked into the bush sparked our curiosity, so we ventured off-road to investigate. Instead of an old homestead, we stumbled upon a fire pit, a couple of rotting old lawn chairs, and the remains of an old prison camp, formerly known as Camp 100. The makings of the perfect photo op!

Then came the turn. When observing satellite imagery on Google Maps, the road appeared perfectly fit for cycling, but we encountered a 'gate'. It didn't look all that official so we hopped over it onto a heavily overgrown, unused road which we followed until the road essentially vanished into the water. Naturally, we followed standard protocol: Send Jeff first! Jeff navigated the pseudo-isthmus unscathed, we followed close behind, and what started as a wrong turn quickly became the highlight of the ride.

Oil Lease Heaven and Gravel Hell

Once the overgrown pseudo-isthmus road was conquered we cycled onto the oil well lease roads and they were magnificent! Twisting and rolling through the landscape, they felt more like the famous gravel routes we had ridden in the Dakotas or western Wyoming. Smooth, fast, pure happy kilometers.

Then came true Saskatchewan gravel.

Seven kilometers of deep, loose, freshly grated, cursed gravel. We won't dwell on that particular slice of hell as we watched Jeff turn into a demon himself as he dealt with this loose road surface. Relief finally arrived when we swung back south into Moose Mountain Provincial Park heading south on Gillis Lake Road.

Gillis Lake Road is another star of this route. 15 kilometers of undulating, winding dirt road. While riding near the lakes, we even spotted an elk, a rare sighting inside park boundaries that made for great news to share with the park management later.

Earned Milestones and Steak Suppers

This ride was a major milestone for Jeff, marking his longest gravel ride to date at 80 km with 745 meters of climbing, longer than both of the gravel races he had done in the USA, and the third longest ride of his cycling career.

Back at the campsite, we raised a glass to a superb route and reminisced about the isthmus, the wildlife, and how Jeff became a demon himself on the fresh gravel section. We wrapped up the day the only proper way you can. With a giant steak supper cooked over an open fire. Washed down by a fantastic beer, and that deep sense of satisfaction that only a rugged gravel adventure can give you.

Definitely one of Saskatchewan's great gravel routes.

Ride it Yourself: > Check out the route details, map, and GPX details right here on Saskatchewan Cycling Routes. Pro tip: Make sure to check weather and road conditions before heading out, as the dirt sections become impassable when wet!