North Battleford

North Battleford is a city of about 15,000 in northwestern Saskatchewan, Canada. It is directly across the North Saskatchewan River from the Town of Battleford, which had about 4,000 people. Together, the two communities are known as "The Battlefords".

Understand

The name Battleford is derived from the nearby river of the same name which was known as the "Fighting River" because it once marked the boundary between the Cree and Blackfoot Aboriginal Nations. In 1905, North Battleford came into being when the Canadian Northern Railway built a railway on the north side of the North Saskatchewan River.

The city is an administrative centre and service hub for the economic, education, health and social needs of the region.

• The Battlefords River Valley Visitor Centre, 801 River Valley Drive (at the base of King Hill in the Battlefords River Valley), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. All year M-F 9AM-5PM. (updated Jan 2018)

Climate

The weather in The Battlefords is generally dry and sunny. Summer daytime temperatures range from 18°C to 35°C (65°F to 95°F). Evenings are cool, requiring a light sweater or jacket. Winter temperatures vary from +5°C to -30°C (41°F to -22°F). There is sufficient snowfall for winter activities and sports.

Get in

North Battleford is 137 km northwest of Saskatoon on Highway 16, and 239 km southeast of Lloydminster.

Greyhound Canada Greyhound Canada terminated all services in Western Canada and Northern Ontario effective October 31, 2018.

Get around

The city has two public bus routes that operate M-F 7AM-7PM and Sa 8AM-6PM. There is no transit service on Sundays and holidays. The Battlefords Handi-Bus System operates on a five-day-a-week demand basis. Call [phone] for more information. Adults $3, children 6-16 $2. (Jan 2018)

Crown Cab ([phone]) serves the Battlefords and area. They also offer a wheelchair accessible van and car wash open 24 hours. Their office is located at 1072 - 102nd Street North Battleford.

See

• Allen Sapp Gallery, #1 Railway Ave. E, ☎ [phone]. Displays artwork of renowned Cree artist Allen Sapp. Gallery has a mixture of world class art, native artifacts, and audio visual shows. It has a unique museum which offers a blend of Cree culture, history, and deeply personal insights into one man's experience of growing up Cree at the turn of the century. The gallery was the winner of the 1999 and 2002 Attractions Canada "Best Provincial Indoor Site" award. Free. 
• Western Development Museum, Juntion Hwys 16 & 40 E, ☎ [phone]. 9AM-5PM. The museum tells the story of agriculture through preservation of farm equipment and a 1920s outdoor farm and village complete with steam locomotive and annual festivals. This is one of four branches of the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum. This branch focuses on the agricultural history of Saskatchewan, including a pioneer village. A prominent feature is the former Saskatchewan Wheat Pool grain elevator No. 889 from Keatley, Saskatchewan. The grain elevator was moved to the museum grounds in 1983. 
• Fred Light Museum, 11 -20th Street East in the Town of Battleford, ☎ [phone]. Late May-Aug 9AM-8PM. The museum serves as a tourist information centre for the Town of Battleford. (updated Jan 2018)
• Fort Battleford National Historic Site, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. June: M-F 10AM-4PM; Jul Aug: daily 10AM-4PM. Five original North-West Mounted Police buildings. Discover the role the Mounties played in the early years of settlement. Adult $3.90, senior $3.40, youth free in 2018. (updated Jan 2018)

Do

• Battlefords Wildlife Federation Nature Centre, Rivervalley Drive (southwest of North Battleford), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Sa noon-8PM. Located in the North Saskatchewan River Valley. The Battlefords is nestled in the heart of the Aspen Parkland between the boreal forests and the prairies, the centre is home to a wealth of plant and animal species. Experience more nature across the road at the Battlefords Goose Project. Free. 
• Gold Eagle Casino, Highway 16 (eastern entrance), ☎ [phone]. Su-W 9AM-3AM, Th-Su until 4AM. The Gold Eagle Casino has 267 slot machines, 3 Card Poker, Texas Hold Em, Phil'em Up and Let It Ride. There is also 10 live game tables,Black Jack, Roulette and Poker Tables. 

Buy

• Frontier Mall, 11429 Railway Ave, ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 9:30AM-6PM (Th until 9PM), Su noon-5PM. Regional shopping centre located in North Battleford's busiest commercial district adjacent to the Yellowhead Highway. Other surrounding shopping includes Wal-Mart, Mark's Work Wearhouse, and Canadian Tire. (updated Jan 2018)

Eat

• Kihiw Restaurant, 11902 Railway Ave E at the Gold Eagle Casino, ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 11AM–10PM, Su 10AM–10PM. Decorated with Aboriginal art. Mains $16-28, burgers and sandwiches $14-16. (updated Jan 2018)
• Beaver Grill Express, 1102 100th St, ☎ [phone]. Daily 11AM-8PM. Asian, Thai, fusion. (updated Jan 2018)
• Country Kitchen, 2401 99th St, ☎ [phone]. M-Sa 6AM-9:30PM, Su 7AM-9:30PM. (updated Jan 2018)

Drink

Sleep

• Eiling Kramer Campground (1.6 km south of the Town of Battleford, next to Fort Battleford National Historic Site), ☎ [phone]. Open in May to the end of September, the campsite offers 74 sites (15 & 30 amp receptacles) with full service sites available. There is also a playground and picnic area with shelter building. Contained campfires are allowed, firewood is supplied. (updated Jan 2018)
• Canadian Motel North Battleford, 971 Highway #16, ☎ [phone]. Every room comes with a microwave, a Keurig machine and a fridge. Free high-speed WiFi and guest BBQs. All rooms are outside access. Pet-friendly and smoking rooms are available upon request. From $105. (updated Jan 2018)
• Beaver Hotel, 1102 100th St, ☎ [phone]. Featuring a bar and video slot machines, this hotel offers free Wi-Fi, and a microwave and a refrigerator in each guest room. Cable TV is offered in all air-conditioned rooms. Free parking. From $74. (updated Jan 2018)
• Travelodge North Battleford, 992 101st St, toll-free: [phone]. Free continental breakfast & WiFi, an indoor pool, and a beer & wine store. (updated Jan 2018)

Connect

When in The Battlefords, tune to Tourism Radio 100.5 FM for information on festivals, events and attractions.

Stay safe

According to Statistics Canada, it is the most crime-plagued city in Canada. It has placed highest in the Crime Severity Index every year since 2009.

Go next

Battlefords Provincial Park. Set in rolling hills and woodland areas on the shores of Jackfish Lake. Lush lawns, golfing, camping, a beautiful beach, store, mini-golf, boat rentals and playground area. Open May long weekend to September long weekend. [phone].

Blue Mountain Outdoor Adventure Centre. Located on 1,440 acres of wooded hills, it features 30km of cross-country skiing and mountain bike trails, paintball, zip line, climbing wall, fear factor course, chalet, cabins, camping and a private lake. [phone].

Table Mountain Regional Park.This alpine ski area features a quad chairlift,variety of runs, terrain and tubing parks and is open early December to the end of March each year. [phone].

Routes through North Battleford

Edmonton ← Lloydminster ←	W  E	→ Saskatoon → Winnipeg
Meadow Lake ← Jct ←	N  S	→ Biggar → Swift Current
Edmonton ← Wainwright ← becomes ←	W  E	→ Shellbrook → Prince Albert (via )