Carrot River, a quaint town nestled in east-central Saskatchewan, Canada, is a hidden gem with a population of around 1000. This town is also the administrative hub for the Rural Municipality of Moose Range No. 486.
The town's name, Carrot River, is derived from the Plains Cree word for 'river of wild carrots', a nod to the wild carrots that once flourished along the Carrot River. The settlement's growth was initially slow until the arrival of the Canadian National Railway in 1931, which brought farmers from the south. The construction of roads and drainage ditches significantly improved the land conditions around Carrot River. The town was officially recognized as a village in 1941 and was incorporated as a town on April 1, 1948.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Carrot River had a population of 946 living in 426 of its 463 total private dwellings. This represented a slight decrease of -2.8% from its 2016 population of 973. With a land area of 1.75 km2 (0.68 sq mi), Carrot River had a population density of 540.6/km2 (1,400.1/sq mi) in 2021.
Carrot River is surrounded by natural beauty and offers a variety of attractions for visitors. Pasquia Regional Park, located less than 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south of the town, is home to the Pasquia Park Golf Club and the Dickson Hardie Interpretive Centre. The centre houses "Big Bert", the remains of a 92-million-year-old Terminonaris robusta crocodile. These remains, found near Pasquia Park on the shores of the Carrot River, were the first of their kind to be discovered in North America.
To the north of Carrot River lies Tobin Lake, a popular fishing and recreation lake created by the E.B. Campbell Hydroelectric Station. Carrot River provides one of the few accesses to Tobin Lake and its many boat launches and beaches. It is also the closest community to the hydroelectric station.
Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or an adventure seeker, Carrot River, Saskatchewan, has something to offer everyone.
