A Hidden Gem in Saskatchewan: Blackstrap Glamping Resort

What do you get when you combine the beauty of a lakefront provincial park just 20 minutes south of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with a luxurious overnight experience? You get much more than a campground on a pretty lake – you get a ‘GlampGround’. At least that’s what I would call it, after Henk and I spent a night in one of the geodesic domes at Blackstrap Glamping Resort.

Blackstrap Glamping Resort – The Best of Both Worlds

“Glamorous Camping” lives up to its promise when you book a stay at Blackstrap, which overdelivers on the now-popular ‘glamping’ term used by so many. There are definitely degrees of luxury when it comes to this style of accommodation, and not all locations who offer a glamping experience are created equal. But Blackstrap Glamping Resort definitely takes its luxurious description seriously, offering boutique-hotel-like amenities in uniquely and thoughtfully designed geodesic domes.

What makes Blackstrap Glamping Resort unusual is that it is actually contained within a provincial park, (although it is managed independently), so guests at the Resort still have access to the amenities and activities available in the Park but without having to tote your own camping gear. (This is especially handy for visitors who fly into Saskatchewan but still want to experience the great outdoors in the province.)

The People Behind the Domes

Blackstrap is the brainchild of owner Josh Turner and his business partner Jane Rusbridge. Turner can best be described as a ‘’serial entrepreneur”, a fact which soon became apparent when Henk and I began chatting with him after arriving at the Resort. Josh is involved in a number of business ventures in the area, including running the Little Kahuna’s Tiki Bar next to the main beach in the Provincial Park, and like most entrepreneurs, he is very hands-on. Together with Jane, they have built Blackstrap Glamping Resort from the ground up and oversee every detail of the property.

When I asked Josh where the idea for the resort originated, he told us that while travelling the world as a flight attendant in his previous career, his personal experience seeing what really stood out in accommodations contributed to his vision for what Blackstrap Glamping Resort could become. He and Jane applied that inspiration, (plus a lot of research, trial-and-error and sweat equity), into the planning and construction of the geodesic domes that they chose for the resort’s signature rental units. And as for the actual interior design, Jane turned to a designer friend that she had worked with as a counsellor at Blackstrap Youth Camp – Karen Palibroda of Metric Design in Saskatoon.

Domes with Personality Plus

Palibroda must have had a LOT of fun tricking out the interiors of the geodesic domes, since each one has its own unique vibe and design aesthetic, giving her the freedom to play. Staying true to the theme in each unit, no detail has been spared, from the choice in unique lighting fixtures to the top-notch bed linens. (Even the tucking on our duvet cover matched the geometric design of the triangular window panels!)

Sometimes sophisticated, sometimes whimsical, but always of the highest quality and taste, it was difficult to choose which Dome’s personality suited Henk and I best, but we finally decided on The Jack. With nods to Canadiana classics like buffalo plaid, Hudson’s Bay mementos and earth-toned leather furniture, the Jack had an upscale cabin vibe (albeit with a beautiful bathroom, complete with heated floor!). And being situated just a few steps from the shores of Blackstrap Lake, we had the perfect amount of privacy without sacrificing the great view provided by the Dome’s floor-to-ceiling windows.

Each Dome comes with a fully equipped kitchenette, complete with wine glasses, kettle, coffee maker, hot plate, microwave and much more. Meaning if you prefer to cook inside versus on the propane BBQ provided outside, you have everything you need to get more creative with your meals than just serving hot dogs and s’mores. (unless of course, that’s what you want as part of your glamping memories!)

Unique Accommodations, Accessible for All

Josh and Jane want their glamping resort experience to be inclusive for all, so they have been working with local organizations to outfit one of their domes, the Raven, so that it meets all the requirements for guests in wheelchairs, as well as for those with hearing difficulties or who may be visually impaired.

The Raven even includes a guest book written in braille, just one example of the personal commitment that both owners share when it comes to providing the best possible experience for every guest.

What to Do at Blackstrap Glamping Resort?

Once the hard choice of which Dome to reserve has been made and you’re settled in to your luxurious digs, you might wonder what else there is to do in and around the Resort. Being right inside the provincial park, you have access to two great swimming beaches, one of which (Aspen Grove) is just a few steps from Blackstrap Glamping Resort.

The lake, a man-made reservoir, is also great for fishing, and the 15 kilometers of park trails all around it are popular for mountain biking. And if hiking is your thing, you can always climb the 45-meter-high Mount Blackstrap, another man-made feature that was constructed as a ski hill to host the 1971 Canada Winter Games. We had no idea when we were driving to Blackstrap that this ‘bump’ on the horizon was actually a man-made mountain, nor did we expect to find a lake – with pelicans no less – right beside it. So both came as a surprise.

Man-made or not, the views from the top of Mount Blackstrap are definitely worth the hike.

Four-Season Glamping

One of the truly unique things about Blackstrap Glamping Resort is that their Domes are available all year long, being fully insulated so that they remain comfortable in all types of weather (including air conditioning in the summer). Henk and I visited in early June when the wild rose bushes just outside our dome were in bloom, and the summer season was just beginning, but we can only imagine how beautiful this place would be in the fall, too, surrounded by autumn colours. Not to mention in the winter, when it must feel like being inside a snow globe, except here the snow is falling all around you on the outside while you cozy up in front of your fireplace on the inside and wait for the northern lights to appear. Not many glamping destinations can offer that experience to its guests.

A Surprise and Delight

Henk and I always look for the unexpected when it comes to accommodations, and Blackstrap Glamping Resort certainly fit this bill. Much like Blackstrap Lake itself, you would never know it was there as you are driving along the highway, until you descend from the prairie flats into this valley and discover a beautiful lake where you least expected one. Finding this luxurious hidden gem so close to Saskatoon was definitely a surprise, but a truly delightful one that we would highly recommend to anyone looking for a 4-star ‘glampground’ under a million-star prairie sky.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR BLACKSTRAP GLAMPING RESORT

PROVINCIAL PARK ENTRANCE FEE
Since Blackstrap Glamping Resort is located inside the provincial park of the same name, you will need to pay for a Park Pass in order to access the property. ($11 per vehicle/day in 2025)

COOKING:
There are propane BBQ’s at each Dome if you want to cook outside, as well as a 2-burner hotplate and microwave inside.
TIP: Be sure to stock up on your supplies before arriving at Blackstrap, though, because the closest grocery stores are in Saskatoon. (there is a well-stocked liquor store in the convenience store/gas station in the tiny town of Dundurn, however, about 5 minutes from the Park).

LITTLE KAHUNA’S TIKI BAR:
If you don’t want to cook at all, you can always grab a burger at the funky Little Kahuna’s beach bar, (along with a grown-up beverage or two!)

WATERCRAFT:
If you would like to kayak or canoe on the lake, there are outfitters who will rent equipment on Aspen Grove beach, just steps from the Resort.

Special thanks to Jane and Josh of Blackstrap Glamping Resort, who hosted us for our overnight stay.