The Canadian Explorer
The Canadian ExplorerDiscover Canada · Explore Beyond
The Canadian Explorer
The Canadian ExplorerDiscover Canada · Explore Beyond
Whiteshell Provincial Park

Manitoba Parks

Whiteshell Provincial Park

Manitoba Est. 1961 2,721 km²

200+ Canadian Shield lakes and granite ridges 90 minutes east of Winnipeg.

Overview

Whiteshell is Manitoba's biggest provincial park and its most-used — a Shield-country tangle of granite, pine and 200+ lakes right on the Ontario border. Falcon and West Hawk lakes anchor the highway corridor with serviced camping, swimming beaches and cottage country services. The Mantario Trail (63 km) is the longest hiking route on the Canadian Shield in western Canada. Boreal petroforms at Bannock Point are pre-contact Anishinaabe sacred sites.

  • 200+ Shield lakes, closest wild country to Winnipeg
  • Mantario Trail — western Canada's longest Shield backpack
  • West Hawk Lake — a meteor-crater lake, 115 m deep
  • Bannock Point petroforms — Anishinaabe sacred site

Quick facts

Size
2,721 km²
Established
1961
Deepest lake
West Hawk 115 m (meteor crater)
Mantario Trail
63 km

Things to do

  • Falcon Lake beach and marina

  • Mantario Trail backpack

  • Bannock Point petroforms tour

  • Ice-fishing on West Hawk

Camping

Reservations: Required · Frontcountry: Yes · Backcountry: Yes · RV: Yes · Glamping: Yes

  • Falcon Beach, West Hawk, Big Whiteshell, Nutimik campgrounds
  • Yurt rentals at Falcon Beach
  • Backcountry sites along Mantario Trail

Campgrounds in and near this park

Hiking

  • Mantario Trail

    Hard · 63 km

    4-5 day Shield-country traverse; western Canada's classic long trail.

  • Hunt Lake Trail

    Moderate · 12 km

    Rugged out-and-back along West Hawk's rocky shoreline.

  • Bannock Point Petroforms

    Easy · 1.5 km

    Interpretive loop past Anishinaabe rock formations.

  • Pine Point Rapids

    Easy · 6 km

    Family boardwalk and river-view loop.

Wildlife

Common

Moose, Black bear, Beaver, Loon

Signature

Timber wolf, River otter, Bald eagle

Viewing tips

Moose in marshy bays at dawn; wolf howls audible from Mantario campsites.

Safety

Bear-safe food storage required; ticks common May-July.

Photography

  • Granite islands of Big Whiteshell at sunset
  • West Hawk crater lake overlook
  • Petroforms at Bannock Point in autumn
  • Aurora over Falcon Lake in winter

Best time to visit

spring

May-June: fishing opener; bugs boom late month.

summer

Jul-Aug: warm swim, busy weekends.

fall

Sept: gold aspen mixed with pine.

winter

Ice-fishing shacks and cross-country ski at Falcon Ridge.

Peak: July-August · Shoulder: June, September

Family & accessibility

Family

  • Falcon Lake beach with lifeguard
  • Mini-golf and playgrounds at Falcon townsite
  • Rentals: kayaks, SUPs, canoes

Accessibility

  • Accessible sites at Falcon Beach
  • Paved beach access

Reservations

Book through Manitoba Parks Reservation Service — opens 90 days ahead of arrival.

Reserve now

Suggested itineraries

  • family

    Falcon Lake Weekend

    Two nights at Falcon Beach, marina afternoon, Hunt Lake day-hike.

  • canoe

    Mantario Traverse

    5-day thru-hike with a shuttle at each end.

FAQ

How far from Winnipeg?

About 90 minutes east on the Trans-Canada.

Do I need a Manitoba Parks pass?

Yes — daily or annual vehicle permit; buy online or at gate.

Is Mantario really Shield-country's longest trail?

In western Canada, yes. It's rocky, wet and technical — plan carefully.

Nearby

Nearby cities

Plan this trip with a human

Our Travel Concierge builds custom itineraries around Whiteshell Provincial Park — permits, campsites, driving times, and shoulder-season strategy included.

Talk to the Concierge