To see a full spectrum of prairie birds, the best time to visit is in the spring and summer. The 20 km Ecotour Scenic Drive takes you through a variety of ecosystems. The drive has pull-offs with interpretive signage, some or which are picnic sites and access points to hiking trails. A trail map and self-guided brochure are available at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Val Marie.

The first section of the drive is upland grassland. Look for McCown's and Chestnut-collared Longspurs, Western Meadowlarks and Upland Sandpipers. Listen for Baird's Sparrows and Sprague's Pipits here. Further ahead is one of the prairie dog colonies in the park, where you can spot Burrowing Owls. Look carefully - these owls are about the same size and colour as the prairie dogs. Long-billed Curlews and Mountain Plovers also prefer this habitat, and Ferruginous Hawks can be seen hunting above.

Down the road, you will come to the Frenchman River. Search the shrubs for Loggerhead Shrikes, Yellow-breasted Chats and Spotted Towhees. Barn and Cliff Swallows make the bridges home and nest along the riverbanks. Beyond the river is lowland grasslands - a mix of longer grassy meadows and sagebrush. Look for Bobolinks and Short-eared Owls in the grass, and in the sage flats for Lark Buntings and Marbled Godwits. Both the Sharp-tailed and Greater sage-grouse have been spotted here. In the spring, listen for the Sharp-tailed Grouse leks.

This block is characterized by badlands and bear's paw-hilled open areas with dry, rocky features and the Rock Creek River running through it. The newly-built 11 km Badlands Parkway is the best way to access teh unique habitats and stunning vistas the park has to offer. This area provides opporunities to see Rock Wrens, Brewer's Blackbirds, Vesper Sparrows, and Prairie Falcons. At night, listen for the calls of Common Poorwills.

Both blocks of Grasslands National Park can only be accessed via gravel roads. The park's West Block can be accessed near the village of Val Marie via Highway 4 and Highway 18, a one-and-a-half hour drive south of Swift Current. The East Block can be accessed near the town of Wood Mountain on Highway 18.

Both blocks have visitor centres where you can get up-to-date information, including weather forecasts, road conditions, and park maps. In the West Block, the Visitor Centre is located outside the park in the village of Val Marie, and in the East Block, it is at Rock Creek Campground. The distance between the two blocks is 166 km.

Important information

Both blocks of Grasslands National Park are remote and at times offer few services. Make sure your gas tank is full before heading south of Highway 13. Food services are also limited, so ensure that you bring enough food for your visit.

Cell phone coverage in the park is unreliable.

Be aware that GPS directions are not always accurate when travelling to the park. It is recommended that you plan your route ahead of time using a paper map and follow Parks Canada signs along the way to guide you to the park.