Carrot River: Discover Winter Festivals and Fossils

Carrot River offers several reasons to visit: festivals shape the annual calendar in town, and about 15 minutes away, visitors can look for fossils along the shale banks of the Carrot River at the Big Bert Site. Fields, forests, and waterways are also nearby. If you are looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Carrot River, you can start by deciding whether local events, snowmobile trails, or fossil and regional park explorations will be the focus of your trip.

Festivals Throughout the Year

The Winter Festival takes place every year on the third weekend in March. The program includes a chainsaw competition, a festival breakfast, and a bonspiel. The various events give the festival its distinctive character: competition, a communal breakfast, and curling go hand in hand. The Family Festival takes place every year in June. A parade, entertainment, and afternoon activities for the whole family make it another opportunity to get to know Carrot River during an event.

There are also scheduled events in November and December. Christmas on Main takes place on the Wednesday before Black Friday in November. It includes extended shopping hours, additional activities, visits with Santa, and a bonfire at Community Square. Winter Wonderland on Ice offers free skating during the holidays every year on December 23, 24, and 26. Santa Clause Day is an annual event featuring visits with Santa, photo opportunities, and sleigh rides. The specific dates are helpful for planning your trip if you would like to combine your visit with one of these occasions.

Snowmobile Trails and Outdoor Activities

Carrot River is connected to other communities by an interconnected snowmobile trail network. The community offers trail-side amenities such as food, fuel, and accommodation. For travelers interested in snowmobile trails, this offers a different perspective on the town than a stay focused mainly on festivals or fossil finds. The Carrot River Outdoors Club (CROC) has a state-of-the-art shooting range.

Fossils Along the River and in the Regional Park

At the Big Bert Site, a short trail leads to a lookout; another trail leads to the banks of the Carrot River. Access there depends on the weather and water levels. These conditions are especially important if you plan to include the riverbanks in your visit. Visitors can search for fossils along the shale banks of the Carrot River.

Another fossil exhibit is located at the Dickson Hardie Interpretive Centre in Pasquia Regional Park. The park is 10 km south of Carrot River on Highway 23. The Centre features a permanent exhibit with the skeleton of “Big Bert” and other marine-like fossils. Searching for fossils along the shale banks and visiting the exhibit at the Interpretive Centre offer different ways to explore the area's fossils. The local library lends regional park passes.

Culture and Getting Around Locally

Carrot River has an Art & Culture Center. After the United Church closed, a local nonprofit organization took over the property to promote and support arts and culture in the community. Those interested in the town's cultural life will find another aspect to explore here, beyond festivals and outdoor activities.

The Carrot River Visitor Information Booth provides information about what's happening in and around Carrot River. It is staffed by OUTBACK ambassadors who have lived in the community and surrounding area for many years. Alongside specific event dates, information about local happenings is also central to helping visitors find their way.

More town pages: Redvers, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Assiniboia, Humboldt and Regina.

For the broader travel overview: Saskatchewan.