The Best Things to Do in Riding Mountain National Park

Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba is an amazing destination for its sweeping landscapes, wide array of fun activities and unique accommodations. We spent three days in Wasagaming (the main town within the park) and the park itself, so we're excited to share our favourite things to do in Riding Mountain National Park.

Riding Mountain National Park is located within Treaty 2 Territory, and it's important to recognize the importance of Indigenous communities and their relationship to this land, both throughout history and in present day. We happened to visit in June, which is also National Indigenous History Month.

Walk the Ominik Marsh Trail

When you visit Riding Mountain National Park, there's one trail that's a must visit. And you don't have to be a hiker to tackle this trail!

The Ominik Marsh Trail is an easy, flat path to walk that stretches across Ominik Marsh. It's a 0.5km loop trail that's primarily a floating boardwalk with a few benches at viewpoints on the way.

It's a fantastic place to go birdwatching (I had my Merlin app out the entire time) and you might even spot a beaver. We stumbled upon a beaver den and heard a bit of a kerfuffle in the waters below the boardwalk at one point that we think might have been a beaver!

We suggest walking the Ominik Marsh Trail around sunset or at least during golden hour. It's a pretty place to watch the sunset. Another great place to watch the sunset is from the end of the pier on Clear Lake right within the town site of Wasagaming.

More Hiking Trails at Riding Mountain National Park

For the hikers, Riding Mountain National Park contains 370km of trails in varying difficulty levels. If you visit in the wintertime, there are 130km of winter trails for snowshoeing, cross country skiing and fat biking.

Some memorable hiking trails at Riding Mountain National Park include the Bald Hill Trail (a difficult trail with an amazing lookout point), the Kinosao Lake Trail, the Bead Lakes Loop Trail and of course, the Ominik Marsh Trail.

Here's a full listing of the Riding Mountain National Park trails so you can plan your adventures.

Renting E-Bikes at Riding Mountain National Park

One of our favourite things to do at Riding Mountain National Park was renting e-bikes for a couple of hours one afternoon. We borrowed a pair of e-bikes from Clear Lake E-Bike Rentals and had no problem renting them on the spot.

While the bike rental shop is operated by the folks at Clear Lake Marina, the pick-up spot is not on the pier where the kayaks are located. Instead, they're right across the street from the Whitehouse Bakery next to the Peachtree Clothing Store.

Justin and I took the e-bikes out for two hours, which was the perfect amount of time to ride to the Wishing Well and back. Starting in Wasagaming, we rode down to Clear Lake and followed the paved path travelling east by Clear Lake.

Near the beginning of the bike ride, there was one point where we encountered a steep decline. We walked our bikes down the hill (I envisoned myself flying over the handlebars!), but the rest of the ride was pretty flat with picturesque views of the lake.

The Wishing Well

We reached the Wishing Well, which is a small garden with colourful blooms, an elaborate wooden carving, idyllic bridges, and even an actual wishing well! A couple was getting some wedding photos taken there when we visited, which demonstrates that this is a pretty special place.

The Wishing Well is an excellent place to have a picnic. Though we didn't bring any food or snacks with us, this is something you could totally add onto your Riding Mountain National Park itinerary. Just factor in an additional hour for your e-bike rental.

After admiring the gardens at the Wishing Well, we turned around and rode back to Wasagaming. Justin and I love riding e-bikes; our first e-bike ride was through the countryside past vineyards in the Burgundy region of France.

E-bikes provide an assist that helps you get up the hills easier, though you're still getting some exercise. All in all, it was a really enjoyable ride with scenic views throughout.

Go Kayaking on Clear Lake

Another fun little adventure we had at Riding Mountain National Park was kayaking on Clear Lake. Justin and I decided to rent a tandem kayak at Clear Lake Marina.

We didn't book anything in advance; we simply showed up and requested a tandem kayak for an hour. This was a short trip out on the lake to admire the scenery from an alternate perspective.

Certainly, you could easily take the kayaks out for much longer if you'd like. There are also single kayaks, stand up paddleboards, pedal boats (seats two people), and even pontoon boat rentals.

While enjoying a peaceful paddle, we suddenly heard laughter and screams coming from the paved path where we rode our e-bikes the day prior. Justin and I looked over and saw at least six guys (if not more) on a Surrey Bike come tearing down the steep hill that we previously walked our e-bikes down! I'm glad they didn't crash, what a wild ride!

Visit the Lake Audy Bison Enclosure

Did you know that you can see a herd of bison at Riding Mountain National Park? There's a captive herd of approximately 40 bison living at the Lake Audy Bison Enclosure.

Bison lived across the plains of Manitoba for centuries before they were sadly overhunted in the mid-late 19th century. The reintroduction of Plains Bison to this landscape is one step in restoring its ecosystem.

The plains at Lake Audy were selected because bison bones and markings were found here, meaning that bison used to live at this specific location. The enclosure spans 500 hectares, divided into winter and summer pastures. The bison can roam freely within these grounds.

There is a loop road to drive in order to see the bison. Drive north on Lake Audy Road until you reach the one-way road to see the Lake Audy Bison Enclosure. Do not get out of your vehicle. Take photos from the safety of your own car.

There's no guarantee of seeing the bison, and there's a better chance of viewing them in the morning or evening. With that said, we drove to the bison enclosure around noon and had no problem spotting them right away.

Lake Audy Bison Exhibit

After driving the loop road, there's another stopping point labelled on Google Maps as "Lake Audy Bison Exhibit". There is a little parking lot and you can get out of your car here.

There is a wooden lookout platform where you might be able to spot the bison, as well as informational signs about them.

Bear Sightings

On the way back to Wasagaming, we managed to spot black bears right by the side of the road. We saw one black bear on its own. I said to Justin, "Wow, we've seen bison, we've seen a black bear, now we just need to see baby bears".

It wasn't two minutes later that we spotted another momma black bear at the side of the road with three little bear cubs by her side! They were so cute. We admired them for some time (from the car, of course!).

Stay Overnight at Turtle Village

If you're like us, you love being close to nature but don't really want to sleep in a tent. That's why an accommodation like Turtle Village is ideal.

It's in the middle of Riding Mountain National Park (Treaty 2 Territory), but you sleep comfortably. Stay in one of the off-grid Turtle Shell huts for the perfect blend of the outdoors and comfort.

Turtle Village is owned and operated by an Indigenous family who aim to offer a quiet connection to your surroundings. It's unlike any other camping or glamping experience.

Every Turtle Shell is powered by the sun, making it a totally off-grid and eco-friendly place to stay. There's indoor lighting and heating (if necessary, it wasn't when we stayed in June), as well as a USB port to charge your phone.

There's a cozy queen bed that comfortably sleeps two, a small wooden table with stools, and a place to hang a few coats or outfits. Outdoors, there's a picnic table, a fire pit for cooking, and a spot to park your car.

Located in the Wasagaming Campground, you can access shared restrooms just a short walk away. While I'm not usually a huge fan of washrooms at campsites, these are kept really clean and they are conveniently only steps from the Turtle Shells.

Even if you don't spend the night at Turtle Village, the following two experiences can be booked by anyone visiting Riding Mountain National Park. We do however encourage you to stay in a Turtle Shell for a unique overnight stay!

Auntie Bannock Experience

One thing we loved about staying at Turtle Village was having the opportunity to experience Indigenous culture first hand. The Auntie Bannock Experience takes place on set dates in Turtle Village at a communal gathering spot among the Turtle Shells.

There's a huge open fire with seats all around it. We gather, learn how to make bannock, and share our stories.

Bannock is a flatbread that was introduced to Indigenous peoples by Scottish settlers in the 18th and 19th centuries. It's made from flour, water, baking powder and oil, and it's cooked over an open fire.

We made our own Bannock dough, cooked it over the open flames, and added some cooked strawberries for some extra flavour. As the Bannock baked, Justin and I enjoyed some great conversations with the whole family.

We also had one of those quintessentially Canadian experiences where we discovered that one family member had at one point lived just a couple streets over from our current home.

It's fun to learn how to create something new, enjoy a tasty treat, share conversation with new friends, and bring that skill along for the future. Now we know how to make Bannock for any future camping (ahem...most likely glamping) trips!

The Feather We Carry Workshop

Next, the Feather We Carry Workshop is another activity to participate in at Turtle Village. This is a self-reflective practice that comes from Anishinaabe teachings relating to identity and belonging.

We painted our wooden feathers that relate to our own experiences, childhoods and lives. Then, we shared and discussed our ideas and stories.

This experience can be added on to your stay at Turtle Village or booked independently of an overnight stay.

Things to Do in Riding Mountain National Park: Town Site of Wasagaming

While there are so many fun things to do in Riding Mountain National Park that involve immersing yourself in nature and the great outdoors, the town of Wasagaming is at the heart of it all.

There's a main street in Wasagaming extending from Clear Lake where you'll find restaurants, shops, and some places to stay. This is also where you can rent outdoorsy equipment and participate in activities like mini golf, pickleball, tennis and more.

Visit the Parks Canada Visitor Centre

The best place to start is the Parks Canada Visitor Centre. From May 15th through Labour Day weekend, it's open from 9am to 6pm. Then, the hours are reduced from 9am to 4:30pm until the Thanksgiving long weekend in October.

There are exhibits to learn more about the wildlife, Indigenous history, ecological projects and  traditional Anishinabe culture. Some of the displays are interactive and great for kids.

It's also home to a parks shop with Riding Mountain-themed merchandise. Of course, there are also washrooms and places to fill your water bottle. Be sure to talk to the staff if you have any questions or if you'd like some trail maps.

Go Shopping in Wasagaming

There are quite a few charming little souvenir and gift shops in Wasagaming that the two of us enjoyed browsing. We even came away with some new shirts, a bracelet and some trinkets from some of them.

Chocolate Fox was one of our favourite shops. They've got a great selection of clothing, accessories, and even another counter with ice cream and coffee. The Sugar Shack is a candy store to grab a sweet treat.

Clear Lake Trading Post has many essentials in case you forgot anything at home, and it's also a really small grocery store.

Play Mini Golf

Wasagaming even has a mini putt course. Adventure Mini Golf offers 18 holes of miniature golf. Some of them are pretty unique, like putting through a little log house.

Also on site, you can choose to play pickleball or tennis. You can book your court rental at the same little building where you pay for mini golf.

The Park Theatre

Have you ever watched a movie inside a log cabin movie theatre? The Park Theatre is a heritage building that was constructed in 1936-1937. The theatre has 500 seats and it shows current Hollywood movies.

Clear Lake Beach and Pier

In Wasagaming, there's a little sandy beach on Clear Lake that's perfect for swimming, building sandcastles or simply relaxing. You might even want to spend the whole day at the beach, especially if you have kids.

I mentioned that there are rentals available on the Clear Lake pier. It's also the starting point of a boat cruise that takes place in the afternoon and at sunset.

I also recommend watching the sunset from the end of the pier if the weather cooperates.

Restaurants and Cafes in Wasagaming

There are quite a few restaurants and cafes in Wasagaming where we dined over the course of a few days. I'm going to write a more in-depth vegan dining guide for Wasagaming and Riding Mountain National Park, I'll share a quick list of spots we'd recommend that you check out:

• Camp Cantina (fireboards, perfect for a picnic, order in advance)
• Lakehouse Restaurant
• Whitehouse Bakery
• TR McKoys

Poor Michael's Emporium

Just down the road in Onanole, Poor Michael's Emporium is a destination in itself. This is a bookshop, a record shop, a store featuring handmade and locally made wares, and a little cafe.

We ordered coffee and vegan banana bread that was really yummy. Set aside at least an hour if you're looking to browse all of the books, records and artisan goods.

Stay at the Elkhorn Resort Spa & Conference Centre

Elkhorn Resort Spa & Conference Centre is a fantastic home base for exploring Riding Mountain National Park. While we spent two nights at Turtle Village within the Wasagaming Campground, we also spent one night in an Executive King room at the Elkhorn Resort.

The hotel is home to a large indoor swimming pool, outdoor hot tub, spa and restaurant. We dined at the Buffalo Bar in the evening where I had a delicious vegan burger.

Our Executive King room was incredibly spacious with a seating area, fireplace, patio, and bathroom with a massive shower (two showerheads!). Those staying in Executive King rooms can also take advantage of a late checkout time at 1:00pm.

Discover the Speakeasy

Shhh...the Elkhorn Resort has its own speakeasy! Between the front lobby and the Buffalo Bar, there's a door labelled as "housekeeping".

Walk through that door and there's a hidden speakeasy that awaits. There's a whole menu of tantalizing handcrafted cocktails to match the vibrant decor.

We loved being able to enjoy a cocktail after dinner in such a unique environment. Pop by anytime nightly from 6pm during your hotel stay, after a spa day at Klar So, or if you're taking a trip to Riding Mountain National Park.

Relax at Klar So Nordic Spa

The following morning, Justin and I loved our relaxing moments at Klar So Nordic Spa. The name "Klar So" is Danish for "Clear Lake".

Alternate between hot and cold at this traditional Scandinavian spa. Not only is it restful and rejuvenating, but it helps your circulation, immune system, and aids in pain relief.

It was so convenient having the Nordic Spa attached right to the hotel. It's so convenient to be able to walk down the hall and access pure tranquility right on site.

A Nordic spa pass provides access to the hot and cold pools, sauna, steam room, and relaxation areas. Visit between 9am and 10pm and get spa treatments from 9am to 8pm.

You can check out Travel Manitoba website for more suggestions.

Thank you so much to Travel Manitoba for working with us on this media trip. Our review and opinions are always entirely our own. It's always such a pleasure visiting Manitoba, a truly underrated Canadian province.

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