Riding Mountain National Park
Riding Mountain
Protected mountain wilderness featuring diverse ecosystems with elk, bison, and bears alongside scenic lakes and forest trails. Essential for outdoor enthusiasts offering camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and access to pristine natural landscapes in western Manitoba.
Things to do
- Hiking the Escarpment Trail — A moderate 9.6 km loop that climbs the mountain escarpment with panoramic views of forests and lakes below.
- Wildlife Viewing at Lake Audy — Prime spot for observing bison herds grazing in a restored prairie grassland along the park's west side.
- Canoeing on Clear Lake — The park's largest lake offering pristine paddling opportunities with views of forested shorelines and wildlife viewing potential.
- Visiting Wasagaming Beach — The main visitor hub featuring a sandy beach on Clear Lake with picnic areas and access to interpretive programs.
- Bear and Elk Viewing Tours — Guided educational experiences led by park interpreters focusing on these iconic species and their habitat use throughout seasons.
- Mountainside Trail Hike — A scenic 6 km route through boreal forest offering lookout points and opportunities to spot deer and other wildlife.
- Visiting Riding Mountain East Gate Area — Less-crowded eastern entrance featuring quieter trails and access to backcountry camping and wilderness exploration.
Food to try
- Wild game dishes featuring local elk and bison — Local restaurants and lodges serve wild game sourced from Manitoba ranches and heritage preparations reflecting prairie cuisine.
- Whitefish and pickerel from Clear Lake — Fresh freshwater fish caught locally and prepared in lakeside restaurants, often pan-fried or smoked.
- Wild berry pie and preserves — Saskatoon berry and blueberry pies made from fruits foraged in the boreal forest, sold at park lodges and local bakeries.
- Bannock bread at interpretive programs — Traditional Indigenous fry bread served during park cultural events and educational sessions about First Nations heritage.
- Local honey and maple products — Pure honey and maple syrup from Manitoba apiaries and sugar bushes available at visitor centers and park shops.
Local customs & good to know
- Respect wildlife distance regulations — Maintain at least 100 meters from most wildlife and 250 meters from bears and wolves; use binoculars rather than approaching animals.
- Learn about Indigenous heritage — The land is traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Dakota, and Dene peoples; interpretive centers share this history and contemporary Indigenous connections to the park.
- Plan visits for season-specific wildlife — Spring and early summer offer best bear and elk viewing; autumn provides migration viewing; winter requires proper preparation and equipment for backcountry access.
- Reserve camping well in advance — Summer weekends and holiday periods book months ahead; shoulder seasons (May-June, September-October) offer better availability and pleasant conditions.