The Best Places to Go Camping in Manitoba

Kellie Paxian

June 15, 2023

   

Camping season is upon us, and the beautiful landscapes of Manitoba beckon with opportunities for outdoor slumber parties. The province’s lush forests, pristine lakes and rolling hills set the stage for a well-deserved respite from everyday life. Whether you’re looking for rugged backcountry camping, well-equipped and easy-to-access campgrounds or even glamping experiences, there is something for everyone to enjoy an invigorating escape in nature. 

Here are some of the best places to go camping in Manitoba:

 

Riding Mountain National Park

^{Credit: Travel Manitoba}

Camping in Riding Mountain National Park presents a revitalizing outdoor experience in the heart of Manitoba’s natural beauty. With its diverse landscapes, inviting lakes and a plethora of hiking trails, the park is a haven for nature lovers. Set up camp at one of the 427 sites at Wasagaming Campground or go glamping in one of the oTENTik a-frames with sleeping platforms, a table and chairs and even plug-ins to charge your devices.

Drift to sleep and wake up surrounded by grasslands, boreal and deciduous forests, and spend your days enjoying hiking adventures like Kinosao Lake or the Boreal Trail or indulge in other outdoor activities like canoeing on Lake Audy, fishing on Clear Lake and viewing the herd of plains bison at the Lake Audry Bison Enclosure.

 

 Whiteshell Provincial Park

^{Credit: Travel Manitoba}

Whiteshell Provincial Park is a beautiful setting to spend your nights in nature, with captivating rivers, crystal clear lakes and dense forests. You’ll never run out of things to do here, with a meteorite lake inviting swimmers and scuba divers, golf courses and tennis courts for those with a competitive edge, ideal lakes for fishing and plenty of activities for the little ones including a Junior Naturalist and Park Explorer Program.

Set up camp at a well-loved site like the tranquil Falcon Lake Beach Campground, providing access to Falcon Lake Townsite that presents an array of local restaurants and businesses, or choose Big WhiteShell Campground, renowned for its breathtaking views and abundant recreational activities.

 

Grand Beach Provincial Park

^{Credit: Travel Manitoba}

For those looking to relax, recharge and soak in the sun, Grand Beach Campground is up there with as good as it gets in Manitoba and Canada as a whole. Situated along the southeastern shore of Lake Winnipeg (the sixth-largest lake in the country), the campground provides a range of campsites, both with and without electrical hookups, allowing you to tailor your camping experience to your preferences.

Lounge on the sandy shores or swim in the refreshing waters of the lake, venture out on the park’s hiking trails and discover its scenic viewpoints. Cap your days off by witnessing the tranquil sunsets over the lake before creating fireside memories with loved ones back at camp, and your biggest problem will be having to go home at the end of it all.

 

Pisew Falls Provincial Park

^{Credit: Travel Manitoba}

Nestled amidst the unspoiled wilderness in northern Manitoba, Pisew Falls Provincial Park offers a haven for lovers of the outdoors. For experienced adventurers, a 22-kilometre trek from Pisew Falls through a dense boreal forest will take you to Manitoba’s highest waterfall, Kwasitchewan Falls, which is 14 metres high.

Rather than rushing back to reality, extend your adventure by camping at one of the designated backcountry sites at the far end of the loop trail. Make sure to be bear aware, mind the slippery rock surfaces, and bring portable stoves or use one of the marked fire pits as open fires are prohibited. The reward of this serene natural setting makes all the effort worth it.

 

Nopiming Provincial Park

^{Credit: Josh McFaddin}

Nopiming Provincial Park, located in the southeast part of Manitoba, provides cottage areas, campsites and backcountry routes, opportunities for activities such as hiking and mountain biking, as well as a habitat for wildlife including the threatened woodland caribou. 

There are a variety of campgrounds at which to stay for your nights under the stars, whether it’s setting up near a picturesque and serene lake at the campgrounds of Beresford Lake, Bird Lake or Black Lake, or enjoying the natural energy of the lovely waterfall at Tulabi Falls campground or walk-in campsites. Nopiming also offers Shoe Lake backcountry camping for those looking for a true wilderness experience.

 

William Lake Campground

^{Credit: Travel Manitoba}

Tucked east of the main Turtle Mountain Provincial Park, William Lake Campground hosts 52 basic campsites with amenities including a water supply, firewood, modern washrooms and showers. It also has a fish cleaning area, which comes in handy as the lake is known to be teeming with rainbow trout.

Along with fishing, there are ample activities including hiking on the popular Turtle Back’s Trail, providing breathtaking views of southeastern Manitoba, as well as opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, sunbathing, swimming and building sandcastles. The whole family, friend group or solo adventurer will leave feeling recharged and revitalized after this scenic getaway in nature.

   

READ MORE: Adventure, Camping, Manitoba