Wood Mountain (2016 population: 20) is a village in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan within the Rural Municipality of Old Post No. 43 and Census Division No. 3. Its name is derived from the Red River Métis words "montagne de bois" (meaning mountain of wood in French), due to the abundance of poplar trees in the otherwise barren region. Highway 18 and Highway 358 intersect south of the community.

Wood Mountain is known for its annual stampede that has been held every year for more than 120 years.

This village is home to the First Nations administrative office for the band government of the Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation.

History

Wood Mountain was the terminus of the Fort Ellice-Wood Mountain Trail that was used from 1757 to the 1850s to haul provisions such as pemmican by the Metis and First Nations. The trail was over 400 kilometres long. It incorporated as a village on March 4, 1930.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Wood Mountain had a population of 20 living in 8 of its 14 total private dwellings, a change of 0% from its 2016 population of 20. With a land area of 0.61 km (0.24 sq mi), it had a population density of 32.8/km (84.9/sq mi) in 2021.

In the 2016 Census of Population, the Village of Wood Mountain recorded a population of 20 living in 9 of its 10 total private dwellings, a -25% change from its 2011 population of 25. With a land area of 0.61 km (0.24 sq mi), it had a population density of 32.8/km (84.9/sq mi) in 2016.

Economy and tourism

Historically, Wood Mountain's economy has relied mainly on the agriculture industry. The community still has strong roots to farming and ranching, but with its location and rich history, tourism has become a main industry. The community has accommodations, such as hotels and bed and breakfasts, a cafe restaurant, pool, library, community hall, churches, museums, campgrounds, and parks.

Local attractions

• Wood Mountain Regional Park
• Wood Mountain Rodeo & Ranching Museum (located at Wood Mountain Regional Park)
• Wood Mountain Community Pool
• Wood Mountain Post Historic Park

Events

• Wood Mountain Stampede, oldest continuous annual Rodeo in Canada. It is located at Wood Mountain Regional Park and has run since 1890.
• Wood Mountain Farmers Market

Regional attractions

• Wood Mountain Hills
• Grasslands National Park
• St. Victor Petroglyphs Provincial Historic Park
• Thomson Lake Regional Park

Notable residents

• Andrew Suknaski, poet
• Kacy & Clayton, folk-rock group

See also

• List of communities in Saskatchewan