Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park

Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park
Flyover of the sand dunes
Location of Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park in Canada
Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park (Canada)
Location Saskatchewan
Nearest cityUranium City
Coordinates59°03′47″N 108°57′44″W / 59.06306°N 108.96222°W / 59.06306; -108.96222
Area1,925 km2 (743 sq mi)
EstablishedAugust 1992
Governing bodySaskatchewan Parks

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.

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 (1,300 to 4,900 ft) long, with a maximum height of approximately 30 metres (98 ft). 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.