Spring/Summer
During the spring and summer in Manitoba, wildlife is out in abundance, the streams and lake flow with ease, and the temperatures are pleasant. Find all the outdoor adventures you can when you visit Manitoba.
Beaches
White, sandy beaches may not, in fact, be the first thing to come to mind when you think of Manitoba, but there are several you'll want to visit this spring and summer. One of the premier beach destinations in the province is the Grand Beach Provincial Park, found just minutes north of Winnipeg. Explore the 30 kilometers of trails, or cool off with a dip in the waters of Lake Winnipeg. Launch a boat, fish from the shore, or simply lay out a towel and relax.
On nearly the direct opposite shore of Lake Winnipeg, discover Winnipeg Beach and its many thrills. Enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk, or let the kids build sand castles. In western Manitoba, near the border, Asessippi Beach yields quick and easy access to Lake of the Prairies.
Wildlife Viewing
Secure the neck strap on your binoculars, find your lucky hat, and head out – you're in store for some exceptional wildlife viewing. Manitoba features a diverse array of animal wildlife, and during spring and summer, you're in for a treat.
Turtle Mountain is a choice destination when looking for white-tailed deer, moose, and birds like blue herons, and double-crested cormorants.
Back at Grand Beach, keep your eyes peeled for the ducks, ospreys, western grebes, and piping plover, which is endangered. In the Spruce Woods you can see elk and smaller critters like the prairie skink – a lizard – and the plains hognose snake.
Hiking
Hiking proves to be one of the most popular outdoor activities across Manitoba. With a slew of parks, trails, and wilderness areas, it's easy to see why. Make your way to the Whiteshell Provincial Park and experience the 60km Mantario Trail. For a shorter hike, there's also the 16km Hunt Lake Trail.
Within the Spruce Woods Provincial Park, check out the Epinette Creek Hiking Trail System. Craft your own hike – they can be as short as 4km, or as long as 40km. The Spruce Woods also features the Newfoundland Trail. Many hikers and outdoor explorers enjoy the Pisew Falls Provincial Park. Hike the 20km Kwasitchewan Falls Trail, which yields excellent views of Paint Lake.
A few other things…
You can also find a whole host of fun and adventure at parks near Winnipeg like the Assiniboine Park. At 1,100 acres in size, Assiniboine Park is home to the Assiniboine Park Zoo, and the Assiniboine Park Pavilion. Baseball fans often make trips to Shaw Park, where you can watch the Winnipeg Goldeneyes play.
Fall/Winter
Winter in Manitoba can bring frigid temperatures, icy conditions, and mounds of fresh snow. Bundle up and head on out there to find your new favourite outdoor recreation spot in Manitoba.
Snowmobiling
Visit Manitoba during the fall or winter and check out any and all of the many snowmobiling areas. Make your way to the Clearwater Lake Provincial Park and ride along the 144-km Sno Pass Trail which leads you into Flin Flon.
At Duck Mountain Provincial Park, you'll find a wide range of perfect trails guiding near and around Childs Lake and Wellman/Glad Lake. If you're heading to Whiteshell Park, discover the nearly 300 kilometres of snowmobiling paths.
Cross-Country Skiing
A fun, healthy, and often times safer alternative to downhill skiing, cross-country skiing is a popular sport in Manitoba. Spruce Woods Provincial Parkis often the first choice for those seeking excellent cross-country skiing terrain. Check out three different trail systems: Yellow Quill, Epinette, and Seton.
Close to Winnipeg, Birds Hill Provincial Park features an abundance of child-friendly ski areas – ideal for families with junior skiers. Grindstone Provincial Park, near Lake Winnipeg, yields some of the best scenic views while you ski, and Turtle Mountain Provincial Park features double tracked trails.
If you're visiting Thompson this winter, be sure to explore the nearby Mystery Mountain Winter Park.
Ice Fishing
Brave the low temperatures and make your way out for some ice fishing. Once the area lakes freeze over, the fish below the surface are still biting – drill a small hole and drop your line. Visit Big Whiteshell Lake, where the average size of fish kept there are considerable.
Lake Manitoba yields a variety of different fish at its many ice fishing locations, and Clearwater Lake is known for yielding heavy bounties of trout. Peterson Lake, just north of Oakburn, is known for its Rainbow trout. Just north of Brandon, in Dauphin, check out Lake Dauphin for excellent hauls of walleye.