National park · Canada
Riding Mountain National ParkParc national du Mont-Riding
Give the park one full day: drive to Lake Audy for the bison enclosure and walk the 2.2 km Loon's Island loop at Clear Lake; buy the Parks Canada pass at the gate, and go in July–September when Highway 10 is open and the trails are dry.Give the park one full day: drive to Lake Audy for the bison enclosure and walk the 1.4 mi Loon's Island loop at Clear Lake; buy the Parks Canada pass at the gate, and go in July–September when Highway 10 is open and the trails are dry.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,969 km²1,146 sq mi
approximate
Established
1929
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
Biosphere
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
- 2,969 km²1,146 sq mi
- Land area only; the surrounding Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve adds privately and publicly managed land outside the park (check).
- Established
- 1929
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Riding Mountain National Park sits on the Manitoba Escarpment, a forested upland of about 2,969 km² standing above the surrounding prairie farmland. It was set aside in 1929 because three ecosystems meet here — prairie grassland, upland boreal forest and eastern deciduous woods — and UNESCO added the wider Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve in 1986. Wasagaming, usually called Clear Lake, is the only town inside the park and holds the visitor centre, beach, campground and most services. Highway 10 bisects the eastern half, so almost every visit starts with a drive in from Brandon (about 100 km south) or Dauphin (about 30 km north). The draw is not one landmark but a spread of options: the fenced bison herd at Lake Audy, a flat lakeside loop at Clear Lake, and two-day backcountry routes on the western side that have not been maintained since 2011.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 1986Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve, part of the Man and the Biosphere Programme.
Size and age
2,969 km²1,146 sq mi · national park since 1929
Land area only; the surrounding Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve adds privately and publicly managed land outside the park (check).
Why go
- Three ecosystems meet here: prairie grassland, upland boreal forest and eastern deciduous woods, on the Manitoba Escarpment.
- The Lake Audy bison enclosure keeps a small herd of plains bison behind a fence, reached by road.
- Over 400 km of trails, from a flat 2.2 km lakeside loop to two-day backcountry routes.Over 249 mi of trails, from a flat 1.4 mi lakeside loop to two-day backcountry routes.
- Clear Lake is fed by underground springs, so it stays clear and cool enough for swimming in summer.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanMean about −19.7°C at Wasagaming; Highway 10 can close in bad weatherMean about −3°F at Wasagaming; Highway 10 can close in bad weather
- FebColdest stretch; ice fishing only
- MarStill winter; snowshoes or skis
- AprMud and leftover snow; many services shut
- MayVisitor centre opens mid-May; cool and quiet
- JunWettest month; trails can be muddy
- JulWarmest, about 16.5°C average; everything openWarmest, about 62°F average; everything open
- AugWarm and dry; busiest at Clear Lake
- SepFewer people, mild days, visitor centre open to early October
- OctCool and clear; some facilities closing
- NovBetween seasons; little open
- DecSnow; check road conditions before driving
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bearsApr–Oct · The park holds one of the largest black bear populations in North America; store food properly. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Plains bison at Lake AudyMay–Oct · About 40 animals behind the enclosure fence. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Elk, moose and white-tailed deerMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Common loons and Canada geese on Clear LakeMay–Sep · 233 bird species have been recorded in the park. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| WildflowersJun–Aug · 669 plant species, many not found elsewhere in the prairie provinces. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Winnipeg
Drive west on the Trans-Canada then north on Highway 10 to the Wasagaming gate.
3.5 h
From Brandon
Highway 10 north; the park gate is about 100 km from town.Highway 10 north; the park gate is about 62 mi from town.
1.5 h
From Dauphin
Highway 10 south to the gate; a taxi from Dauphin takes about 35 min.
30–40 min
From By bus
The nearest scheduled bus from Winnipeg stops in Dauphin; from there it is a taxi or a rental car into the park.
4–5 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Wasagaming (Clear Lake) | The only town inside the park: visitor centre, beach, campground, golf course and most services. | Open; entry permit needed to drive in. |
| Lake Audy | Bison enclosure and a small campground on the western side of the park. | Open by road in the snow-free months. |
| Eastern escarpment trails | Ochre River, South Escarpment and Tilson Lake backcountry routes. | Open; self-register and carry water. |
| Clear Lake | The main lake, with the deepest point around 34.7 m. | Boats restricted: no personal watercraft, and only four-stroke or direct-injection two-stroke motors. |
Sketch map
- 1Wasagaming visitor centre · Headquarters≈50.658, -99.971Map ↗
- 2Wasagaming Campground · Sleep≈50.661, -99.965Map ↗
- 3Clear Lake main beach · Beach≈50.660, -99.969Map ↗
- 4Loon's Island Trail · Trail≈50.661, -99.895Map ↗
- 5Lake Audy bison enclosure · Viewpoint≈50.750, -100.220Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Grey Owl's Cabin · Village≈50.690, -99.980Approximate.Map ↗
- 7Park gate on Highway 10 · Gate≈50.600, -99.950Approximate.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parks Canada entry, adult | CAD 11–12 | person per day | 2026 estimate; buy at the park gateway or online |
| Parks Canada entry, family or group | CAD 22–24 | group per day | 2026 estimate; covers up to seven people in one vehicle |
| Discovery Pass, annual | CAD 75–80 | person per year | 2026 estimate; pays off on a longer Canada trip |
| Wasagaming Campground, unserviced to full service | CAD 30.5–42.5 | site per night | 2024 rate; 2026 estimate |
| Frontcountry campgrounds (Moon Lake, Lake Audy, Whirlpool, Deep Lake) | CAD 17.5 | site per night | 2024 rate; 2026 estimate |
| oTENTik or yurt at Wasagaming Campground | CAD 133.25 | unit per night | 2024 rate; 2026 estimate |
| Wilderness roofed camping (minimum three people) | CAD 96.75 | night | 2024 rate; 2026 estimate |
| National park fishing licence | CAD 10–15 | person per day | 2026 estimate; required inside park boundaries |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Motor vehicle entry permit permit or guide
Backcountry camping reservation permit or guide
Cairn's Cabin (Ochre River Trail) permit or guide
Fishing licence permit or guide
Park rules
- Personal watercraft
- Banned throughout the park; only four-stroke or direct-injection two-stroke motors are allowed on Clear Lake.
- Food storage
- Keep food and scented items in a vehicle or storage bin; black bears are common.
- Fishing
- A national park fishing licence is required; ice fishing is allowed on Clear Lake in winter.
- Campfires
- Only in provided fire boxes and pits; check for fire bans before lighting one.
- Winter trails
- Cross-country ski trails are not patrolled daily; go prepared and tell someone your plan.
Where to stay
In the park
Wasagaming Campground
One of the largest campgrounds in Manitoba, next to the townsite and Clear Lake; unserviced to full-service sites.
In the park
oTENTik, yurt or microcube at Wasagaming
Roofed camping with beds; book well ahead for summer weekends.
In the park
Lake Audy, Moon Lake, Whirlpool and Deep Lake campgrounds
Smaller unserviced frontcountry sites, quieter than Wasagaming.
Near the park
Riding Mountain House, Onanole
Motel-style rooms just south of the park boundary.
In the park
Wasagaming townsite
Cabins and lodges inside the park; the shortest walk to the beach.
Safety
Black bears high
Winter cold high
Highway 10 closures medium
Swimmer's itch low
Poison ivy medium
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, Clear Lake beach and Wasagaming townsite are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- Loon's Island Trail has gentle grades but a flooded section that blocks wheeled access after heavy rain.
- Backcountry routes such as Tilson Lake and Ochre River are rough and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails; the park protects the meeting point of three ecosystems.
- Use the food storage bins and pack out all rubbish to keep bears wild.
- Follow the Clear Lake motor rules; they exist to keep the water clear.
- Support the biosphere reserve by buying supplies in Wasagaming and nearby Onanole.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Riding Mountain National Park?
A day pass is about CAD 11–12 per adult or CAD 22–24 per vehicle group (2026 estimate), bought at the Highway 10 gateway or online through Parks Canada. An annual Discovery Pass costs about CAD 75–80 and is worth it if you plan to visit other national parks on the same trip.
What are the best hikes in Riding Mountain National Park?
For a short walk, Loon's Island Trail near Clear Lake is 2.2 km with about 13 m of gain and takes under an hour. For a full day or an overnight, the Tilson Lake Loop on the western side takes about 11 hours and has two campsites. The Ochre River Trail is a forest route with river views and stream crossings. Both backcountry routes have not been maintained since 2011, so expect fallen trees and route-finding.
When is the best time to visit Riding Mountain National Park?
July to September. July averages about 16.5°C at Wasagaming and everything is open; August is warm and dry but busiest at Clear Lake; September is quieter with mild days. June is the wettest month. January averages about −19.7°C and Highway 10 can close in bad weather.
Do I need a permit to camp in the backcountry?
Yes. Backcountry campsites and Cairn's Cabin on the Ochre River Trail must be booked and paid for in advance through Parks Canada. Wilderness roofed camping costs about CAD 96.75 per night for a minimum of three people (2024 rate; 2026 estimate).
Can I bring my own boat to Clear Lake?
Only if it has a four-stroke or direct-injection two-stroke motor. Personal watercraft are banned throughout the park, and boats with other motor types are not allowed on Clear Lake. Canoes and kayaks are fine on Clear Lake and Lake Audy, and non-motorized boats only on Whirlpool, Deep, Lake Katherine and backcountry lakes.
Is there a town inside the park?
Yes. Wasagaming, often called Clear Lake, is the only community inside Riding Mountain National Park. It has the visitor centre, beach, campground, golf course and most services. The visitor centre is open mid-May to June and September to early October from 9:30 to 17:30, and July to August from 9:30 to 20:00.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go