The Whiteshell Provincial Park is located in the southeastern section of Manitoba. It is almost 2800 square kilometres of Canadian Shield, and has a wide range of habitats for wildlife. There are thirteen lakes and dozens of rivers in the park, so there is no shortage of things to see and do.
Whether you enjoy roughing it in a tent, have a travel trailer, or prefer a luxurious cottage, the Whiteshell is right for you. There are about a dozen different campgrounds, and at least twenty different resorts. Whatever your comfort level is, it is available.
In the summer there is boating, fishing, hiking, and of course relaxing on a beach. In winter, there are many cross country skiing trails, as well as ice fishing and snowmobiling.
The area is known for it’s rugged beauty, and there are lovely landscapes and spectacular sunsets. After dark on a clear night, there are thousands of stars to be seen. Those with some knowledge of the night sky can pick out constellations and planets. After midnight, it is common to see the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights.
Birdwatchers are almost guaranteed sightings of bald eagles, golden eagles, loons, Canadian geese, cranes, hawks, falcons, and a vast variety of small songbirds. Larger animals that can be spotted include moose, deer, black bears and in more remote areas, wolves.
“Must sees” in the park include West Hawk Lake, the petroforms at Bannock Point and for the golfers, the links at Falcon Lake. West Hawk Lake was created by a meteor and is the deepest lake in Manitoba. It is the diving training ground for the local RCMP detachments, so bring your scuba gear and explore the depths. Bannock Point is a prehistoric site that is home to rock figures created by the Aboriginal peoples of the area thousands of years ago. It is a breath-taking sight and fascinating to those with an interest in history. The golf course at Falcon Lake not only offers a fantastic golf course, but also a driving range, putting green, 18 hole miniature golf course, tennis courts, lawn bowling, horse shoes, bocce ball and a restaurant/patio/bar.
Whiteshell Provincial Park is a gem and must be visited when you are in southern Manitoba. Whether you rent a cabin for a week or visit one of the beaches for the day, be sure to catch the pristine beauty of this gorgeous area.