Major city · Canada
Minnedosa
Give Minnedosa one night, or a half-day stop on the Yellowhead Highway: the lake, bison park and museum fill an afternoon, not a week.
Minnedosa is a town of about 2,400 people on the Little Saskatchewan River, 50 km north of Brandon and roughly 2.5 hours northwest of Winnipeg on Highway 16. A 1912 dam created Minnedosa Lake, now the town's recreation centre and a rowing venue. Sights cluster around the lake and a short Main Street: bison, a fish ladder, a pioneer museum village and a Japanese garden. It works as a single night or a half-day break between Brandon and Riding Mountain National Park.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (extreme cold), Jan mean below −17 °C (1 °F)avoid Dec–Feb (extreme cold), Jan mean below 1 °F (−17 °C)
- Airports
- YWG · YBR
- Nights
- 1
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Minnedosa911 ▾
- Police, fire and ambulance911
- Minnedosa RCMP (non-emergency)204-867-2711
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Minnedosa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyMinnedosa is a small prairie town and feels safe; the real risks are winter cold, wildlife on rural roads at dusk and long gaps between services.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire and ambulance · 204-867-2711 Minnedosa RCMP (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYWG Winnipeg Richardson International (About 2.5 h by car via Highway 16; no scheduled air service in Minnedosa.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: the lake, museum and bison park are 1.5–3 km (0.9–1.9 mi) from downtown and there is no town bus.A car is the practical choice: the lake, museum and bison park are 0.9–1.9 mi (1.5–3 km) from downtown and there is no town bus.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$2–5 (≈ US$2–4)
- Sit-down mealDiner main courseC$15–28 (≈ US$11–25)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a liquor storeC$7–9 (≈ US$6–7)C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$15–40 (≈ US$11–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum and Heritage Village entrycheckAdult C$10 (≈ US$8), youth C$3 (≈ US$3), family C$20 (≈ US$15)
- Budget bedLakeside campsite, a night, per roomC$25 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedMotel room, a night, per roomC$120 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedMotel room, a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$150 (≈ US$110) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YWG Winnipeg Richardson International (About 2.5 h by car via Highway 16; no scheduled air service in Minnedosa.) · YBR Brandon Municipal (About 40 min south via Highway 10; limited scheduled service, check.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
Feb
Avoid
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
Mar
not flagged
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Apr
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
not flagged
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Dec
Avoid
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−22°C (−8°F)−8°F (−22°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Minnedosa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
−22°C (−8°F)−8°F (−22°C)
7 rd
Feb
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C)
6 rd
Mar
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
7 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
Nov
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
7 rd
Dec
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: the lake, museum and bison park are 1.5–3 km from downtown and there is no town bus. Downtown is walkable in 10–15 minutes end to end. Highway 16 (Yellowhead) crosses east–west and Highway 10 runs north–south; both meet in town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Riding Mountain National Park
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive Highway 10 north, about 52 km (32 mi)Drive Highway 10 north, about 32 mi (52 km)
Wasagaming townsite, lake and trails; needs a Parks Canada pass.
Brandon
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Drive Highway 10 south, about 50 km (31 mi)Drive Highway 10 south, about 31 mi (50 km)
Bigger town for supplies, dining and the riverbank trail.
Neepawa
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive Highway 16 east, about 35 km (22 mi)Drive Highway 16 east, about 22 mi (35 km)
Small town; combine with a wider Yellowhead drive rather than a dedicated trip.
Winnipeg
skipDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Drive Highway 16 southeast, about 220 km (137 mi)Drive Highway 16 southeast, about 137 mi (220 km)
Too far for a day return; treat it as the start or end of the trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street motels
Gateway Motel and Valley Motor Lodge sit on Main St N, walkable to downtown shops and a short drive to the lake.
Beach Road / lakefront
Campground and a B&B across from Minnedosa Beach Park; best if the lake is the point of the trip.
Farm stays west of town
Fairmount 1914 farmhouse B&B, about 6 km (3.7 mi) west off Highway 10; you need a car.Fairmount 1914 farmhouse B&B, about 3.7 mi (6 km) west off Highway 10; you need a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$140–220 (≈ US$110–160) excl. bed
- High
- C$220 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room1 × 1 night × C$120 | C$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150 | C$300 |
| Museum and Heritage Village entry, adult2 × C$10 · check | C$20 |
| Campground hot shower, coin operated2 × C$1 · check | C$2 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20 | C$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$48 |
| Trip total≈ C$265 per person per day, bed included | C$530≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; fuel and long-distance travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2–5 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Diner main course | C$15–28 (≈ US$11–25) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a liquor store | C$7–9 (≈ US$6–7) / C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Museum and Heritage Village entrycheck | Adult C$10 (≈ US$8), youth C$3 (≈ US$3), family C$20 (≈ US$15) |
| Campsite, per nightcheck | C$25–60 (≈ US$19–45) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$15–40 (≈ US$11–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winters are severe: January means below −17 °C (1 °F) and every month has recorded frost, so pack for cold even in shoulder season.Winters are severe: January means below 1 °F (−17 °C) and every month has recorded frost, so pack for cold even in shoulder season.
- Many seasonal sights (museum, campground, farmers' market) run only roughly June to early September; confirm dates before you detour.
- Distances between prairie towns are long and cell coverage can drop on secondary roads: fuel up in Brandon or Neepawa.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 911
- Minnedosa RCMP (non-emergency)
- 204-867-2711
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MinnedosaMinnedosa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance911
- Minnedosa RCMP (non-emergency)204-867-2711
Embassy
No embassies in Minnedosa; the nearest consulates are in Winnipeg. US citizens: US Consulate General, Winnipeg (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fuel, Winnipeg → Minnedosa (about 220 km): about C$25–40 (≈ US$19–30) depending on the vehicle (check)
- Museum and Heritage Village entry: adult C$10 (≈ US$8), youth C$3 (≈ US$3), family C$20 (≈ US$15) (check)
- Campground hot shower: C$1 (≈ under US$1) coin (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you (—)
- Excuse me — Excuse me (—)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (—)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (—)
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet? (—)
English is the working language; a few French speakers.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Minnedosa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (extreme cold), Jan mean below −17 °C · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YWG: drive time, last fuel stop and a motel fallback if you land late.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main Street, the lake and spillway, the museum and heritage village.
- Place pages with verified seasonal cutoffs (museum, campground, farmers' market) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and shoulder-season fixtures so gates A–D can go green.