The small resort townsite of Waskesiu sits inside the national park on the southern shore of Waskesiu Lake, about 90 km north of Prince Albert. In summer it operates as a classic Canadian lakeside community: a sandy beach, a marina with canoe and kayak rentals, a golf course, a Heritage Museum, restaurants, and an ice cream shop. Families have been coming here since the park opened in 1927.
The beach is the main draw — the water is warm enough for swimming by July, and the lake stretches away to forested hills that turn the horizon deep green. Canoes can be paddled directly into the backcountry; a network of lakes and portages fans out to the north and east. The townsite has a Parks Canada visitor centre with exhibits on the park's ecology and Grey Owl's story. Most services close after Labour Day.