Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park
Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park was created to protect the Athabasca sand dunes, a unique boreal shield ecosystem located in the far-northwest part of the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District. The Athabasca sand dunes are one of the most northerly active sand dune formations on Earth.
| Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park | |
|---|---|
IUCN category Ib (wilderness area) | |
Flyover of the sand dunes | |
Location of Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park in Canada Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park (Canada) | |
| Location | Saskatchewan |
| Nearest city | Uranium City |
| Coordinates | 59°03′47″N 108°57′44″W |
| Area | 1,925 km2 (743 sq mi) |
| Established | August 1992 |
| Governing body | Saskatchewan Parks |
It first came to attention that it should be a protected area in 1969, finally becoming the Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Wilderness Park on August 24, 1992.
The park extends for 100 kilometres (62 mi) along the southern edge of Lake Athabasca and lies within the Athabasca Basin of the Canadian Shield. The sand dunes are 400 to 1,500 metres long, with a maximum height of approximately 30 metres. The park is accessible by float plane or boat only.
The William River flows through the western section of the park, ending in a large river delta. The McFarlane River flows through the far eastern section of the park. The First Nations village of Fond du Lac is about 44 kilometres (27 mi), by air, from the park's eastern boundary. The park goes around the Fond du Lac 231 Indian reserve, located on the McFarlane.