Frenchman Valley Campground

Located in the West Block of Grasslands National Park, the Frenchman Valley Campground offers a large loop with 24 electrical sites, 4 otentiks (vinyl sided cabins for rent) and a large overflow area for dry camping. The campground also includes a building with a vented wood stove where campers can congregate and an outdoor community fire pit with benches. Wifi is ostensibly available but did not work while we were there.

Two buildings with pit toilets are located at either end of the electrical loop. There is also a dump station is just outside the campground on the road in. The vistas are breathtaking, the distances are deceptively long, and the wind sometimes gusty, other times calm. The topography is wide open prairie with no trees anywhere. Herds of bison roam freely though are unable to enter the campground due to fencing and texas gates. There are various trails to hike throughout the park.

Getting to the campground is about a 2 hour drive south from Swift Current on the Trans Canada highway. There was a 16 km section of Hwy 4n south of Cadillac that was under serious construction and road conditions were very poor. However, once the construction is completed, the road to Val Marie should be excellent.

The visitor’s centre is in the small town of Val Marie. It was closed when we arrived so we missed it. The drive to the campground from Val Marie is another approximately 40 kms, half of which is the gravel road that winds through Grasslands. The views are spectacular and the road is part of the 80 km ecotour that you can drive to really see the area with 7 interpretive signs along the way and interpretive guide books readily available at multiple locations.

The ecology is considered exceptionally rare and Parks Canada is working to reintroduce native flora and fauna to restore the area to it’s virginal state. Bison were brought back in 2006, black footed ferret in 2009. The black tailed prairie dog population appears plentiful here even though they are considered a species of special concern.

I can't add too much to the previous review. It is still a very unique and interesting place with a lot of outdoor things to do. The price I quoted above includes the park entrance fee which is charged on a per-day basis, if you have a parks Canada pass you would not have to pay this fee.
The only thing I would add is that during our stay the access road was in very poor condition. There is, I believe, about 14Km of gravel road to get to the campground and this road was full of washboard, I hate washboard it really bounces the trailer around. I don't know if this is normal for this road but it was the worst part of our visit. It would make the experience so much better if this road was paved.

2023-05-15: arrived early (good thing)! Road is very long and sinuous but you get there and bisons are awaiting next door! Amazing! We saw antilopes on the road as we drove in, mid day. 30Amp ok, water at main visitor pavilion. Well laid out but windy! Awnings? Not possible! Sunny? Plenty! Animal visitors? Everywhere you look for! Amazing!