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    • People sitting at tables under umbrellas, surrounded by trees, on the patio of the Lakehouse restaurant.

    Explore Clear Lake like never before

    For whatever your heart needs this year, Clear Lake Country is calling.

    Know Before You Go


    Before heading out on your Riding Mountain adventure, please be aware that Parks Canada has prohibited the use of motorized boats as well as canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards on Clear Lake this summer. These measures are to facilitate detection of zebra mussels and decrease the risk of spread, to better ensure the future health of the lake. Swimming is still permitted, along with fishing from shore or wharfs, the use of beach toys and personal flotation devices. For further information about Clear Lake watercraft restrictions, click here.

    Clear Lake Country logo

    Locals refer to the area Clear Lake because of the deep, crystal waters at the park’s heart. Along the south shore is Wasagaming, a charming resort town with streets lined with independent shops, restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals. Beyond the energy of Clear Lake, Riding Mountain National Park has a serene backcountry of boreal and deciduous forest, grassland meadows and marshy wetlands.

    Hundreds of kilometers of trails for hiking and biking crisscross the park - many along the dramatic elevation of the Manitoba Escarpment. Clear Lake Country is also home to Manitoba’s most iconic wildlife - black bears, elk, moose, lynx and bison - that can be viewed in any season.

    CLEAR LAKE COUNTRY IS LOCATED ON TREATY 2 TERRITORY.

    Spring-Summer Trip

    Make Time For

    • Gorge Creek: a challenging hike that offers dramatic views of the Manitoba Escarpment
    • Lake Audy Bison Enclosure: do a self-guided drive to view a resident herd of bison
    • Kinosao Lake: venture down to the scenic Brûlé Trail to find this hidden gem lake. A first-come-first-served canoe is stationed at the lake during the summer and fall.
    • Deep Bay: pack a picnic and head to the beach for fun and swimming

    Where To Stay

    If There’s Time

    • Park Theatre: watch a movie at this historic, one-of-a-kind log cabin theatre
    • Clear Lake Golf Course: play a round at this Stanley Thompson-designed golf course
    • Big Putts Mini-Golf: enjoy a round of mini golf at this family-friendly course in Onanole
    A person fat biking along the lakeside trails in Riding Mountain National Park.

    Play outside!

    Swimming, hiking and biking - summer is the perfect time for your next outdoor adventure at Riding Mountain National Park. Find out why this area is a hit with outdoor enthusiasts.

    More Info

    PART 1 - Get active outdoors

    Your first stop should be Parks Canada’s Visitor Information Centre in Wasagaming to get your bearings and learn about the 370 km of trails that attract hikers and bikers of varying abilities. Options range from the leisurely Lakeshore Trail leading from the Clear Lake’s main beach to secretive Deep Bay; the kid friendly Ominnik Marsh for birding and critter viewing; or the challenging and picturesque Bald Hill and Reeve’s Ravine in the eastern backcountry.

    Friends of Riding Mountain Learning Centre     has fat bike rentals and Clear Lake Gas and Beavertail Rentals provide novelty bike rentals for cruising around the townsite. You can venture out on an E-bike from Clear Lake E-bike Rentals too. If swimming and sunbathing is your way of staying active, beaches and docks galore surround Lake Katherine, Lake Audy and Moon Lake.

    PART 2 - Unique Accommodations

    Camping is a big reason vacationers head to Clear Lake Country in the summer. The Wasagaming campground is large, and not only offers a variety of RV and tenting sites, but also unique camping accommodations such as yurts, Micro-Cubes and the popular oTENTiks that you can rent. These spacious, a-frame structures sleep up to six people and are equipped with furnishings, a wood stove and bbq. Or spend your days fishing, then relax in the cozy comfort of your Turtle Shell beneath the starry night sky. Take a dip in the pool, enjoy an outdoor sauna, or relax by a bonfire at Smokey Hollow. For non campers, Elkhorn Resort and Conference Centre is a top option for families with kids needing to burn off energy. Check out Klar So Nordic Spa to refresh and recharge. The waterpark features a waterslide, obstacle course and outdoor hot tub. In the heart of Wasagaming, quaint weekly vacation cabins abound such as Thunderbird Bungalows and Cottages at Clear Lake.

    Explore by Horseback
    There is no Riding Mountain after all. Rather, the name of the park and biosphere is a nod to riding horseback, which is how peoples of the region historically explored the rugged highlands for furs and game. Today, visitors can still explore on the back of a horse by booking riding experiences with a few ranches. Trailhead Ranch in Onanole offers family-friendly rides by horse or wagon. 9 Finger Ranch near Rossburn, southwest of the park, offers full day rides and overnight packages.

    PART 3 - Eat, shop, repeat

    If your idea of adventure is just shopping and dining, visitors can easily fill a weekend in Clear Lake Country doing just that. Dine your way around to all the iconic spots: Barnaby’s Grille for plentiful plates of ribs, Whitehouse Bakery for fresh cinnamon buns in a variety of flavors, T.R. McKoys for hearty pasta dishes and Lake House for cheese boards and cocktails. If you’re looking for ice cream delights, head to the Velvet Dip. Explore Camp Cantina for tasty takeaway, picnic fares and local goodies. Wasagaming is also lined with quaint souvenir shops such as Deep Bay Clothing and Chocolate Fox for trendy fashion, Friends Learning Centre for nature-themed kids toys, and Mainly Manitoba for handmade goods from local artisans. In Onanole, just south of the park, stop in at Poor Michael’s Emporium or Jewels of Siam for global gifts and used books.

    OTHER ACTIVITIES

    A hidden gem and national historic site, the East Gate Registration Complex is the last remaining 1930s-style national park gate in Canada. The log and stone structure greets visitors when they enter via the lesser-travelled highway 19 on the eastern edge of the park. An elegant truss bridge spans twin turret-like cupolas and is a shining example of Canadian Rustic Design architecture.