National park · Canada
Pimachiowin Aki
Go only if you can paddle or fly in: there is no road to either park, so plan a 4–7 day canoe route from Wallace Lake or a floatplane to a lodge, June–September, with a Manitoba or Ontario licence and permit sorted before you leave.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
29,040 km² (11,212 sq mi)11,212 sq mi (29,040 km²)
approximate
Established
2018
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 29,040 km² (11,212 sq mi)11,212 sq mi (29,040 km²)
- 2,904,000 ha (29,040 km²) as listed; the two provincial parks cover slightly different boundaries (check).
- Established
- 2018
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Winnipeg
Pimachiowin Aki is a 2.9 million hectare mixed World Heritage site — the only one in Canada — made of two roadless provincial parks: Atikaki in Manitoba and Woodland Caribou in Ontario. It is the ancestral land of four Anishinaabeg communities and is still used for hunting, fishing and gathering. There is no gate, no ticket booth and no day visit: you arrive by canoe or floatplane and stay out for days.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2018Canada's only mixed natural and cultural World Heritage site.
Size and age
29,040 km² (11,212 sq mi)11,212 sq mi (29,040 km²) · national park since 2018
2,904,000 ha (29,040 km²) as listed; the two provincial parks cover slightly different boundaries (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Winnipeg.
Why go
- One of the last big roadless boreal landscapes in the world, with lakes, rivers and wetlands instead of highways.
- Woodland caribou, moose, black bear, loons and bald eagles in a forest that has been lived in for generations.
- About 2,000 km (1,243 mi) of maintained canoe routes in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, used by roughly 1,000 paddlers a year.About 1,243 mi (2,000 km) of maintained canoe routes in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, used by roughly 1,000 paddlers a year.
- Anishinaabeg pictographs on rock faces, and a landscape that is a living cultural site, not a museum.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanWinter; lakes frozen, no practical access
- FebWinter; lakes frozen, no practical access
- MarWinter; lakes frozen, no practical access
- AprBreak-up; ice unsafe and access unreliable
- MayIce-out timing varies by lake; ask an outfitter before committing
- JunLongest days; peak blackflies and mosquitoes
- JulWarmest water and weather; busiest paddling weeks
- AugGenerally stable summer weather
- SepCooler nights and far fewer insects
- OctShort, cold days; some outfitters close for the season
- NovFreeze-up; access unreliable
- DecWinter; lakes frozen, no practical access
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodland caribouAll year · Rare and shy; the range holds an estimated 300–500 animals. Never chase or approach. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Moose and black bearMay–Sep · Store food properly; bears are active around camps. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Loons and bald eaglesMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Blackflies and mosquitoesJun–Jul · Peak nuisance; head nets and repellent help. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Walleye, lake trout and sturgeonJun–Sep · Check season dates and limits for the province you are fishing in. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Winnipeg
Drive Highway 59 north then PR 304 to Wallace Lake, the usual put-in for Atikaki; about 250 km (155 mi).Drive Highway 59 north then PR 304 to Wallace Lake, the usual put-in for Atikaki; about 155 mi (250 km).
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Red Lake, Ontario
Fly or drive to Red Lake, then use a backcountry road access point such as Johnson Lake, Onnie Lake, Leano Lake or Lund Lake.
5–6 h from Winnipeg by road
Open the page →
From Floatplane base
Charter from Red Lake or Winnipeg to a lodge or lake inside the site; arrange with the lodge or an air charter company.
1–2 h flight
Open the page →
From Bloodvein
Closest community on the Manitoba side; some paddlers finish or start here.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Atikaki Provincial Wilderness Park (Manitoba) | Roughly the western half: boreal forest, lakes and rivers on some of Canada's oldest rock, about three billion years old. | No road access; canoe from Wallace Lake or fly in. No designated campsites. |
| Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (Ontario) | The eastern half: about 2,000 km (1,243 mi) of maintained canoe routes and around 1,500 canoe-in campsites.The eastern half: about 1,243 mi (2,000 km) of maintained canoe routes and around 1,500 canoe-in campsites. | No road to the park, but several backcountry road access points near Red Lake; permit required. |
| Pictograph and cultural sites | Rock paintings and habitation, travel and ceremonial sites of the four Anishinaabeg communities. | Reachable by canoe; no touching, no chalk, no drones. |
| Caribou range | Atikaki covers about half of the Atikaki-Berens woodland caribou range, estimated at 300–500 animals. | No targeted access; keep distance if you see one. |
Sketch map
- 1Wallace Lake (Atikaki put-in) · Gate≈51.000, -95.350Approximate.Map ↗
- 2Bloodvein · Village≈51.790, -96.700Approximate; closest community on the Manitoba side.Map ↗
- 3Woodland Caribou Provincial Park · Headquarters≈51.078, -94.820Map ↗
- 4Johnson Lake access · Trail≈50.983, -94.197Map ↗
- 5Onnie Lake access · Trail≈50.917, -94.268Map ↗
- 6Leano Lake access · Trail≈50.789, -94.429Map ↗
- 7Lund Lake access · Trail≈51.104, -94.288Map ↗
- 8Red Lake · Town≈51.064, -93.829Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
The site spans the Manitoba–Ontario border; the marker is a central point. Access points and communities are approximate, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodland Caribou Provincial Park interior camping permit | CAD 12–16 (≈ US$9–12) | person per night | 2026 estimate; Ontario Parks interior rates vary by party size and season (check). |
| Atikaki Provincial Wilderness Park backcountry use | Free | person per night | No designated campsites and no posted fee; lodges charge separately. |
| Manitoba angling licence (non-resident, annual) | CAD 60–70 (≈ US$45–55) | person | 2026 estimate; conservation and one-day options cost less (check). |
| Ontario fishing licence (non-resident, 8-day) | CAD 35–45 (≈ US$30–35) | person | 2026 estimate; needed if you fish on the Ontario side (check). |
| Floatplane charter, Red Lake or Winnipeg base | CAD 900–2,500 (≈ US$700–1,900) | aircraft | 2026 estimate; depends on distance, load and operator (check). |
| Guided lodge package, per person per day | CAD 300–700 (≈ US$250–550) | person per day | 2026 estimate; includes cabin, meals and boat or guide time (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Woodland Caribou interior camping permit permit or guide
Atikaki backcountry access no permit
Fishing licence permit or guide
Pictograph sites no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$12–16≈ US$9–12
- C$60–70≈ US$45–55
- C$35–45≈ US$30–35
- C$900–2,500≈ US$700–1,900
- C$300–700≈ US$250–550
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Pimachiowin Aki before you go.
Park rules
- Permits
- Woodland Caribou requires an interior camping permit; buy online or register on arrival. Atikaki has no campsite booking.
- Fishing
- A valid Manitoba or Ontario licence is required depending on which side you fish, with provincial limits observed.
- Pictographs
- Do not touch, wet, chalk or climb on rock art; it is a protected cultural site.
- Campfires
- Use existing fire rings where present; check for fire bans before you go, and never leave a fire unattended.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the park authorities.
- Waste
- Pack out everything, including food waste; there is no collection anywhere in the site.
Where to stay
In the park
Backcountry lodges (Atikaki)
A few lodges predate the park designation; fly-in or boat-in, meals usually included.
In the park
Canoe-in campsites (Woodland Caribou)
About 1,500 primitive sites, first-come first-served, no booking; fire rings may or may not be present.
Near the park
Red Lake
Closest town on the Ontario side: motels, outfitters and floatplane bases.
Near the park
Winnipeg
The practical staging city for the Manitoba side, about 250 km (155 mi) from Wallace Lake.The practical staging city for the Manitoba side, about 155 mi (250 km) from Wallace Lake.
Safety
Remoteness and no phone signal high
Cold water and capsize high
Bears medium
Weather changes medium
Getting lost among lakes medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- There is no road, no visitor centre and no accessible trail: access is by canoe or floatplane only.
- Lodge-based trips suit travellers who cannot paddle long days, but the flight and the shoreline transfer still need mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Follow Anishinaabeg guidance on the land: this is a living cultural landscape, not a wilderness playground.
- Keep groups small and camp on established sites; the caribou range is sensitive to disturbance.
- Do not fish beyond limits and do not target caribou; report poaching to the province.
- Pack out all waste, including fish guts away from camps and portages.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pimachiowin Aki?
There is no entrance gate or day ticket. On the Ontario side you pay for a Woodland Caribou Provincial Park interior camping permit, roughly CAD 12–16 per person per night (2026 estimate, check current rates). On the Manitoba side no campsite fee is posted, but lodges, floatplane charters and fishing licences are the real costs.
What are the best hikes in Pimachiowin Aki?
There are no maintained hiking trails. Travel is by canoe and portage: the usual routes are the Wallace Lake entry into Atikaki and the marked canoe circuits from the Johnson Lake, Onnie Lake, Leano Lake and Lund Lake access points in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park. Portage trails link lakes and can be rough and muddy.
When is the best time to visit Pimachiowin Aki?
June to September. June has the longest days but peak blackflies and mosquitoes; July and August are warmest and busiest; September brings fewer bugs and cool nights. Outside that window the lakes freeze or break up and there is no practical access.
Can I drive to Pimachiowin Aki?
No. There is no direct road into Atikaki; the common water route starts at Wallace Lake, about 250 km from Winnipeg. Woodland Caribou Provincial Park has no road to the park either, but there are backcountry road access points near Red Lake, Ontario.
Do I need a guide or a permit?
You need an Ontario Parks interior camping permit for Woodland Caribou, and a Manitoba or Ontario fishing licence if you fish. A guide is not required, but first-timers should go with an outfitter or lodge, because routes are long and there is no phone signal.
Where do I sleep?
In Woodland Caribou there are about 1,500 primitive canoe-in campsites, first-come first-served and not bookable. Atikaki has no designated campsites but does have a few backcountry lodges. The nearest towns with motels are Red Lake, Ontario and, for the Manitoba side, Winnipeg as a staging city.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go