Shellbrook
Shellbrook is a small town of 1,400 people (2011) in Northern Saskatchewan. Shellbrook sits at the convergence three major highways which continue east to Prince Albert.
Understand
Shellbrook is located in Saskatchewan's Parkland region. There are many lakes and recreational opportunities within a 50-km radius of the community.
History
European settlers began arriving in the area in the late 19th century and, in 1894, a post office named after the Shell Brook was established. More settlers began to arrive in the district in the early 20th century, with significant representation from people of British and Scandinavian origins. In 1910, the Canadian Northern Railway reached Shellbrook from Prince Albert and the community developed as a service centre for the surrounding agricultural region.
Get in
Shellbrook is 45 km (28 mi) west of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan's third largest city, at the junction of Highways 3, 40, and 55; Highway 3 & 55 continue east to Prince Albert.
- π Shellbrook Airport (2 km east of town). No commercial service.
See
- Shellbrook & Districts Museum (Main St & Railway Ave), β +1 306-747-4900. Located in the town's former CNR Station the museum features artifacts pertaining to the history of Shellbrook and the surrounding area. The museum also features a schoolhouse.
Do
- Hidden Hills of Shellbrook Golf Course, 99 2nd St W, β +1 306-747-3484, shellbrookgolf@sasktel.net. 9-hole course featuring fully irrigated fairways, large rolling greens and three tee boxes on each hole.
Buy
- Riverview Arts (3 km N of Shellbrook on Hwy 55), β +1 306-747-7221, riverview_arts@yahoo.ca. Daily 9AM-7PM. Housed in a converted barn overlooking the Shell River and surrounding farmlands and woodlands, this studio features handcrafted paper, hammered copper bowls, raku, horse-hair and pit fired pottery, original prints, woodcuts and paintings.
Eat
- π Arnie's Grill, 133 Main Street, β +1 306-747-2770. M-Sa 7AM-9PM, Su 8AM-8PM. Vietnamese and Canadian food.
- π Shellbrook Restaurant, 18 Main St, β +1 306-747-3450. M 9AM-7PM, Tu-Su 9AM-8PM. Chinese food.
- Amanda Pizza, #2 131 Service Rd East, β +1 306-747-2148. Pizza, wings, ribs.
Drink
- Lou's Bar, Grill and Offsale, 2 Main St (in the Shellbrook Hotel), β +1 306-747-2233. M-Th 11AMβmidnight, F Sa 11AM-2AM, Su noon-7PM. Karaoke, bar games.
Sleep
Camping
- π Shellbrook Kinsmen Park (Hwy 3 & 2nd St W), β +1 306-747-2597, recdirector@townofshellbrook.ca. Full-service campground with a variety of campsites, modern bathroom/shower facility, camp kitchen, picnic tables, barbecues and firewood. Open May 1 to Oct 15.
- π Sturgeon Lake Regional Park (12.7 km (7.9 mi) E on Hwy 3/55, 21.7 km (13.5 mi) N on Grid 693, 1 km (0.62 mi) E on Grid 788), β +1 306-747-3331, sturgeonlakeregionalpark@sasktel.net. Located on the north side of Sturgeon Lake and park amenities include a kitchen shelter, beach change house, modern washrooms and showers, fish cleaning facility, overflow camping areaβ and a restaurant. Seasonal campsites are also available. Annual fishing derby held during free fishing weekend in July and family fun weekend in August. $8/night.
Motels
- π Shellbrook Motel, 111 Service Rd W (Hwy 3 service road, 1 block E of Hwy 55), β +1 306-747-2631, info@shellbrookmotel.com.
Connect
- Shellbrook Tourist Information Booth (Shellbrook Kinsmen Park; Hwy 3 & 2nd St W; 2 blocks W of Hwy 55).
Nearby
- Big River is 88 km (55 mi) northwest of Shellbrook on Highway 55 on Cowan Lake and near Delaronde Lake. Offers numerous outdoor recreational opportunities including fishing and ATV/snowmobile trails.
- Blaine Lake is 60 km (37 mi) southwest of Shellbrook at the intersection Highways 40 & 12. There are a variety of campgrounds and golf courses within a short driving distance.
- Doukhobor Dugout House National Historic Site (18 km SE Blaine Lake), β +1 306-497-7747, chev1farms@sasktel.net. Open July, Sa only; tours at 11AM, 1PM and 3PM. Costumed guides demonstrate the Doukhobors who settled in the area in 1899.
- Saskatchewan's Largest Tree (20 km SE of Blaine Lake). A plains cottonwood cross, with black or balsam poplar, the tree stands nearly 21 metres (68 feet); estimated age of 160 years.
- Shell Lake is 50 km (31 mi) west of Shellbrook at the intersection Highways 3 & 12. Activities in the area include mini golf, camping, golfing, swimming, boating, hiking, cycling, canoeing, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and dogsledding.
Go next
Alternate access to Prince Albert National Park is provided via Highway 240, 45 km (28 mi) north of Shellbrook; the road is gravel once it enters the park.
Routes through Shellbrook |
Two Hills β Spiritwood β | W E | β Prince Albert β Melfort |
Wainwright β The Battlefords β | W E | β END |
Cold Lake β Meadow Lake β | W E | β Prince Albert β Nipawin |