Nearby: Estevan
This 10,000 resident city is the major population center in the south-east corner of the province.
It was founded in 1892, and the town’s name is a combination of two railway giant’s last names:
George Stephen and William van Horne. The town is also one of the sunniest spots in Canada,
with over 2,536 hours of sunshine (an average of 7 hours a day). Estevan is known as Saskatchewan’s
Energy Capital, with both coal, natural gas, and oil resources, and visitors can take (surface)
coal mine tours of the area. The town’s proximity to the US border gives it access to two border
crossings: one directly south at Noonan, and southeast on Highway 39 at Portal (with Saskatchewan’s
only duty-free shop). Contact the Estevan Tourism Booth 306-634-6044.
The town also has a golf club, and is home to the Souris Valley Aquatic and Leisure Centre,
which has a swimming pool, water slide, squash courts, and activity rooms. The town also hosts
the Souris Valley Theatre, which produces two productions each summer under the big tent beside
Woodlawn Regional Park (306-634-6044)
FoundLocally's
Business listings for Estevan
Attractions
Estevan Heritage Walking Tour
local tourist office, Highway 39 west
306-634-6044
Pick up a booklet, and walk yourself to the buildings of historical or architectural importance.
There is also a booklet for a Historic Driving Tour through the Souris Valley.
Estevan Brick Wildlife Display
This 28 hectare compound on the south edge of the city has free ranging antelope, bison and deer.
Roche Percée and Short Creek Cairn
Southeast of town on Highway 39, just east of Roche Percee
These strangely eroded rocks were once worshipped by local Indians. Most of the animals and initials carved
have been eroded away, but the sit is still visited by spirits, whose murmurs can be heard when the wind blows.
There are autographs and other markers from European explorers, US Cavalrymen, and NWMP and surveyors.
There is the Short Creek Cairn, marking a rest stop by the NWMP (the Mounties) on their Great March West in 1874.
Estevan National Exhibition Centre
Highway 39 at 118 4th Street
306-634-7644
This facility hosts local events, exhibitions and provides tours. Open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm, Sundays & holidays 1 pm to 3:30 pm.
Wood End Building
next to Exhibition Centre
This building was the 1893 barracks for the Northwest Mounted Police (NWMP) and has a number of artifacts from the early settlement days.
Eli Mandrel Heritage Park
This park has early oilfield industry displays.
Boundary Dam & Shand Power Station
5 km south on Highway 47
306-634-1300
This dam close to the Canada-US border is used to provide water for irrigation and to help to power
station convert coal’s heat into steam into electricity. You can see the surface coal mine with its
massive draglines to move coal to the nearby power plant. Free tours of the power station can be arranged.
Monday to Friday 9 am to 11:30 am, 1:30 pm to 9 pm, Saturday & Sundays 2-5 pm and 7-9 pm.
Rafferty Dam
5 km west of town
This dam provides a long lake for recreational uses like boating and swimming.
Oilfield Technical Society
next to National Exhibition Centre, east end of 4th Street
306-634-6484
Displays depict the treatment of oil from pumping to shipping to the refinery. You can also visit the oil
derrick at the west end of the city. Open continuously, with free admission.
Shand Greenhouse
east of town on Highway 39 at 18, beside the Shand power station
306-634-5413
This greenhouse uses the by-products from the power generation process to grow tree seedlings.
Best times to visit are July to September, and January to April. Open daily 8 am to 4 pm, free admission.
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