Riding Mountain National Park — Attraction in Unorganized Division No. 17

This is a great national park surrounding the stunning Clear Lake. We took a long drive in through the “back door”, coming through Elphinstone south of the Park (*be aware: if you’re uncomfortable driving on gravel roads this isn’t likely a route you want to take). After entering the Park we drove through the Lake Audy Bison enclosure, where we were lucky enough to see a large, herd of these beautiful animals off in the distance. Then we saw a large adult fox dash across the road about 20 meters ahead of our car. In what seemed like only moments later, a beautiful adult black bear came into sight, resting in the grasses along side the road a scant five meters from our car. Wildlife sightings like this are one of the benefits of taking the roads less travelled.

The Visitor Centre was closed for renovations with no information about where to go, how to pay for registration (the main entry gate was closed as well) or grab up a camp site. This was disconcerting to say the least. After a rather exhaustive search of a not-easily navigated web site we found the phone number to the Wasagaming Campground kiosk (204-848-7263, or 204-848-7259). Even though the kiosk had just closed the lovely young woman waited for our arrival to give us camp site options, agreeing to take payment ($28 for an unserviced site, taxes included) in the morning.  She also pointed us out to the firewood which was $8 for 12 logs.

Tent sites are well maintained and a respectable distance apart.  We had a good amount of space, on a quiet road, with a fire pit. The site itself was surrounded by conifers with almost no understory. The trees provided a sound buffer to what little traffic there was on the roads leading to the various campsites, with enough openings in the canopy to do some casual stargazing.

There was a water tap adjacent to our camping site, as well as showers, sinks and toilets less than a one minute walk away. The shower building was very well appointed and very clean. A nice bonus when you’re tenting.

We had a lovely sleep and were all set to take our time exploring the park when things started to go sideways. We paid for our campsite and firewood in the morning, but the campground kiosk couldn’t process our request to upgrade our annual pass for one single national park to an annual pass for all national parks. We were directed to the temporary Visitor Information Centre in the business district to do that. So, off we went, looking forward to getting our pass paid for and then taking in a short hike along the lakeshore.

When we arrived at the temporary Visitor Centre it was closed, but just before we gave up an employee sauntered over and let us in. When we asked to convert our pass we were told that we couldn’t get that done there, but could have the people at the South Entry Gate process the new pass. Fine, we thought, let’s drive out there then circle back and enjoy our hike.

We were frustrated to no end when we got to the main entry gate to find it closed, with no sign of activity anywhere. We had to circle back (again), tie up loose ends and left the park without enjoying our hoped for day hike. It was a frustrating end to our visit to what is a lovely park (save for the administrative challenges).

Wasagaming is a nice town. It looked like it had potential to get busy during peak times, but our mid week September visit was quite nice. We saw a number of potentially great restos and chose to try T.R. McKoys Italian - but that’s...

Riding Mountain National Park is one of my favourite places to explore and relax in Manitoba. It is a gorgeous park with beautiful natural landscapes and scenery, a charming town with restaurants and shops and fantastic hiking and camping. It is located only 2.5 to 3 hours from Winnipeg.

The charming and peaceful town of Wasagaming is located within the park shortly after the entrance. It has lots of cute souvenir shops and clothing boutiques along with a variety of great restaurants, a movie theatre in a historic log cabin, a spacious beach and beautiful park, historic visitor centre with a small museum and plenty of cabins and lodging. The town is always full of activity and I enjoy walking the streets, browsing the shops and eating good food there.

The Wasagaming Campground is located a short drive from town and is a great place to camp with spacious, treed and well-maintained sites. There are modern washrooms and showers (free to use) throughout the campground. Many of the sites are designed for trailers and motor homes but there are some that are more conducive for tenting, which I like. There are also oTentiks and a Yurt for a more glamorous camping experience.

There are plenty of things to see and do at Riding Mountain and it is especially great for outdoors lovers. Hiking is my favourite activity and the hikes range from easy to difficult. My favourite hikes include Bald Hill (11 km, difficult, on the east side of the park, leads to an amazing view overlooking the escarpment); Bead Lakes (4 km loop through forest with views of lakes, scenic and pretty); Boreal (1 km short loop, scenic and beautiful); Kinosao/Brule (4.2 km to Kinosao Lake along the Kinosao Trail and back along the Brule Trail, the lake is absolutely stunning and serene in the morning, pretty trail through the forest); Arrowhead (3 km loop that leads through the forest, some ups and downs); Ominik Marsh (easy walk along boardwalks over the marsh, opportunity to see beavers and other water creatures); and Lakeshore (easy walk along Clear Lake on a gravel path leading to Deep Bay). There are so many more great hikes as well, including longer backcountry trails.

Other interesting and fun things to do at the park include driving through the Bison Paddock at Lake Audy, having a relaxing picnic at Moon Lake or Grayling Lake, renting bikes, paddle boarding or kayaking on Clear Lake, and relaxing on the beach. In the summer, the Visitor's Centre often hosts different events and learning experiences too, like guided hikes or campfire songs.

As for restaurant recommendations, I love the Foxtail Cafe, Whitehouse Cafe and Bakery, the Lakehouse and Wigwam Restaurant.

I always look forward to visiting Riding Mountain and it's a great place to explore in all seasons. Would...

Riding Mountain National Park, located in Manitoba, Canada, is a stunning natural gem that offers diverse landscapes and rich wildlife. Established in 1929, the park spans over 3,000 square kilometers, encompassing rolling hills, dense forests, and pristine lakes. Its elevation creates a unique ecological zone, bridging the boreal forest of the north with the prairie to the south.

The park is renowned for its variety of recreational opportunities. Hiking enthusiasts can explore numerous trails, such as the popular Bald Hill Trail, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The park's extensive network of trails caters to all levels, from gentle walks to more challenging hikes. For those interested in wildlife, Riding Mountain is home to a wide array of species, including black bears, moose, and bison. Birdwatchers will also find plenty to admire, with species like the American robin and the common loon frequenting the area.

Fishing and boating are popular activities on the park's lakes, including Clear Lake, the largest body of water in the park. The lake's sandy beaches and clear waters make it an ideal spot for swimming and picnicking. Winter transforms the park into a snowy wonderland, offering opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.

Cultural heritage is also a significant aspect of Riding Mountain. The park features historical sites and visitor centers that provide insight into the area's Indigenous cultures and early settler history. With its combination of outdoor adventure, natural beauty, and cultural richness, Riding Mountain National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor...