30 Places to Camp for Free in Manitoba
We love Manitoba!
For a province known for its cold winters, Manitoba pays us back with rich summers that are short but sweet.
The South sparkles with the Red River, Lake Winnipeg and the city of Winnipeg itself. The East offers summer fishing, hunting and the edge of Hudson’s Bay. Keep your ears open in Central Manitoba and you might hear buffalo trekking through prairie land. North Western Manitoba is the wildest of the regions, and only meant for the bravest of souls who want to dive into blue-green waters and to see roaming moose and bison.
With ample to see in each area, you want to spend more time enjoying the province and less time spending money. Most of the top camping spots are located within parks or near paid areas, so be mindful of which ones have a fee and which are considered “backcountry” or “wilderness.” But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this list of 30 free camping spots—so you can focus on exploring.
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Legend:
Wilderness Camping: A designated area within a park or designated park where camping is allowed at any suitable location
Backcountry Camping: Designated campsites accessed by hiking from a parking lot, or trailhead. Trails range from 0.5 km to 60 km. All equipment must be carried in and out by campers. Can book for up to 3 days at a time.
Water-route Camping: Designated campsites available only by canoe or boat. This could mean a one-hour paddle or a multi-day trip. All equipment must be packed in and out by campers. Portages exist on some routes.
For all camping areas, treat the land and community with respect. Follow “leave no trace” policies and exercise caution around wildlife.
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1. Burge Lake Provincial Park
Site overview: Minutes away from transparent waters of Burge Lake. 13 sites available
Amenities: Picnic shelter, pit privy toilets, boat ramp, playground, complimentary firewood
Location: 10 km from the town of Lynn Lake off Provincial Trunk Highway 394
2. Helca / Grindstone
Wilderness Camping
Site overview: Camping is permitted on islands except for Hecla Island and sections of Grindstone Point. Pre-register with a Natural Resource Officer as a safety precaution
Amenities: None
Location: Located on Highway 8, 165 km north of Winnipeg
3. Pembina Valley
Wilderness Camping
Site overview: Pack enough water as there is limited access to it here. Trails to wilderness camping locations are not well-maintained
Amenities: Non-modern washrooms are located within Pembina Valley Provincial Park
Location: Approximately 120 km southwest of Winnipeg
4. South Atikaki
Wilderness Camping
Site overview: Take your pick of wilderness camping—just avoid the shorelines of Siderock and Wallace Lakes
Amenities: None
Location: Accessible by canoe from Wallace Lake Campground
5. Mossberry Trails
Duck Mountain
Backcountry Camping
Site overview: 4 sites available. Campers are to check-in at Blue Lake or Childs campground
Amenities: Winter use and parking lot
Location: 40 km multi-use trail from Duck Mountain Provincial Park entrance on Division No. 20
6. Kwasitchewan Falls Hiking Trail
Pisew Falls
Backcountry Camping
Site overview: 4 sites available
Amenities: Site markers, picnic table, parking lot, non-modern washroom
Location: 5 – 6 hour hike (22 km) from Pisew Falls Provincial Park at Highway 6
7. Seton Trails
Spruce Woods
Backcountry Camping
Site overview: 1 site available and must contact Carberry District office for overnight use (204-834-8800)
Amenities: Site markers, picnic table, firebox, parking lot, non-modern washroom
Location: 1 – 2 day hike (16.5 km) from Spruce Woods Provincial Park at MB-5
8. Epinette Creek Trails
Spruce Woods
Backcountry Camping
Site overview: 3 sites available and must contact Carberry District office for overnight use (204-834-8800)
Amenities: Site markers, picnic table, firebox, parking lot, non-modern washroom, campground
Location: 1 – 3 day hike (41.7 km) from Spruce Woods Provincial Park at MB-5
9. Yellow Quill Trails
Spruce Woods
Backcountry Camping
Site overview: 1 site available and must contact Carberry District office for overnight use (204-834-8800)
Amenities: Site markers, picnic table, firebox, parking lot, non-modern washroom, campground
Location: 1 – 2 day hike (12.7 km) from Spruce Woods Provincial Park at MB-5
10. Cabin Lake
Whiteshell Provincial Park
Backcountry Camping
Site overview: 1 site available
Amenities: Site markers, picnic table, firebox, parking lot, non-modern washroom
Location: 2 – 3 hour hike (4.6 km) and can be accessed starting at Cabin Lake hiking trail
11. Oskar Lake
Backcountry Camping
Site overview: One site available
Amenities: Site markers, picnic table, firebox, parking lot, non-modern washroom
Location: One-hour hike from Oskar Lake in Morton
12. Meditation Lake
Whiteshell Provincial Park
Backcountry Camping
Site overview: Three sites available and the lake has a staging area for paddlers
Amenities: Site markers, picnic table, firebox, parking lot, non-modern washroom
Location: one-hour hike from entrance at Provincial Rd 307
13. Mantario Hiking Trail
Whiteshell Provincial Park
Backcountry Camping
Site overview: 14 sites available; only intended for experienced backcountry use. Bear boxes are located in the southern campsites
Amenities: Site markers, picnic table, firebox, parking lot, non-modern washroom
Location: 3 – 5 day hike (63 km) from entrance at Provincial Rd 307
14. Beaver Lake
Duck Mountain
Water Route
Site overview: Canoe launch only. One site available
Amenities: Site markers, boat launch, parking lot, non-modern washroom
Location: 6.4 km (return) including five portages from Duck Mountain Provincial Park entrance on Division No. 20
15. Chain Lakes
Duck Mountain
Water Route
Site overview: 3 sites available. Canoe launch only, motor boats prohibited and overnight campers must register at Blue Lakes Campground office
Amenities: Site markers, parking lot, boat launch
Location: 5.8 km (return) and 4 portages from Duck Mountain Provincial Park entrance on Division No. 20
16. Grass River
Water Route
Site overview: 38 sites available
Amenities: Firebox, parking lot, boat launch, non-modern washroom, campground, lodge
Location: Can be accessed from three campgrounds located in the park or from travel-through point along a Grass River tip. Be prepared for 5 portages
17. Manigotagan River
Water Route
Site overview: A section of the canoe route only, most will start in Nopiming or community of Manigotagan. There are 23 sites available
Amenities: Firebox, privy/garden throne, parking lot, boat launch, non-modern washrooms, lodge, campground
Location: 5-day paddle (45 km) with 20 portages
18. Paint Lake
Water Route
Site overview: 2 sites available and can be done alone or with Grass River from Cranberry Portage to Split Lake
Amenities: Parking lot, boat launch, non-modern washroom, campground, lodge
Location: Manigotagan River Provincial Park, Division No. 19
19. Stephens Lake Municipal Park
Site overview: 10 sites available
Amenities: Fishing, swimming, fire sing, boat ramp, non-modern washrooms
Location: On Butneau Road, 1 km southwest of Gillam
20. Zed Lake Provincial Park
Site overview: Sandy beach playgrounds, swimming, and a scenic getaway without the crowds. 10 sites available and pets permitted
Amenities: Hand water pump, complimentary firewood, picnic shelter, non-modern washrooms
Location: Lynn Lake, Manitoba
21. Stanley Park
Wilderness Camping
Site overview: Free non-serviced camping within a municipal park
Amenities: Picnic shelters and washroom facilities
Location: Rural municipality of Stanley
22. Waterhen Wayside Ferry Park
Site overview: Fish, boat and bring your pets
Amenities: Boat ramp, fire ring, picnic tables, non-modern washrooms
Location: Near intersection of Highways 328 and 276
23. Benito Campground
Site overview: Nearby playground
Amenities: Cook shack, outdoor fire pit
Location: Village of Benito
24. Russell Peace Park
Site overview: Approximately 20 sites available, all close to a swimming pool and convenience store.
Amenities: Picnic shelter, playground, BBQ pits
Location: Town of Russell
25. Hollywood Beach
Site overview: Along Lake Manitoba. Perfect for bird watching
Amenities: Fire ring, restrooms, trash cans
Location: Trans Canada Highway to Langruth
26. Deleau Sifton Tennis Park
Site overview: 30 + campsites available on a large green site
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, playground, basketball/soccer courts/field
Location: Trans Canada Highway W to Deleau on 1st Avenue
27. Sourisford Municipal Park
Site overview: 1 – 5 sites available
Amenities: Drinking water, boat launch, electricity (2 sites), non-modern washrooms
Location: Front St. in Melita, Manitoba
28. Bird River
Elbow Lake (Nopiming)
Water Route
Site overview: 19 sites available. If you want to continue to Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (ON), contact Ontario Parks for permit
Amenities: Site markers, picnic table, firebox, parking, boat launch, non-modern washrooms, campground, lodge
Location: 3-day paddle (55 km) including 7 portages from Nopiming Provincial Park at PR 314
29. Oskar Lake
Turtle Mountain
Water Route
Site overview: 8 sites plus a cabin (must pre-register at 204-534-2026)
Amenities: Non-modern washrooms, boat launch, parking, firebox, picnic table, site markers
Location: 2 – 3 day (19 km) paddle with 7 portages from Turtle Mountain Provincial Park in Boissevain
30. Assiniboine River
Spruce Woods
Water Route
Site overview: 2 well-maintained sites
Amenities: Site markers, firebox, picnic table, parking, boat launch, campground, non-modern washrooms
Location: Accessible from Spruce Woods Provincial Park at MB-5
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