The Village of Val Marie

Location: Val Marie, SK

About

Known as the “Gateway to Grasslands National Park”, Val Marie is a small village with a population of just over 100 people. Despite it’s population, Val Marie is bustling with places to explore, accommodations to fit any style of traveler and events to take part in. Adventure can be found around every corner of this quaint ranching and farming community. Explore the only place in Canada that is home to the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog, the Black-Footed Ferret and the Wild Plains Buffalo.

Val Marie was once used by many First Nations tribes seeking the bison. In 1803, the wild prairie was a part of the Louisiana Purchase and was considered to be a part of the United States. John Palliser, who explored the land in 1857, laid claim that the land there was a “barren desert wasteland” and so most of the land remained native prairie and undisturbed. In the 1880’s, the British North American Boundary Commission placed Val Marie in Canada and at the time was used as open range land for the 76 ranch.

It was named Val Marie by Father Passaplan and has since been settled as a ranching and farming community. Many of the land remains undisturbed generations later and is a retreat unlike any other.

Val Marie Rodeo by Robert Germain

Attractions

Val Marie offers a variety of accommodations including camping in the local campground, Sky Story Bed and Breakfast and so much more. The village also houses many places to eat, a cardlock gas station and a grocery store. Val Marie hosts an annual indoor rodeo every fall as well as other events in the community throughout the year.

For more information please visit their website here!