National park · Canada
Pisew Falls Provincial Park
Stop for 45–60 minutes: boardwalk to the falls, then the suspension bridge over the Grass River. Free entry, no office, no camping. Come before 10:00 in July–August to beat the Highway 6 coach groups.Stop for 45–60 minutes: boardwalk to the falls, then the suspension bridge over the Grass River. Free entry, no office, no camping. Come before 10:00 AM in July–August to beat the Highway 6 coach groups.
- 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
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
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
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- A small day-use park around the falls and the Grass River gorge; the exact gazetted boundary figure varies by source (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Pisew Falls is a small roadside park on Highway 6 in northern Manitoba, roughly midway between Wabowden and Thompson and about 700 km north of Winnipeg. The Grass River drops about 13 m into a rock gorge here, and because the water never stops, the spray-fed gorge floor keeps its own damp micro-climate — mosses, lichens and ferns that survive −45 °C winters. A boardwalk and stairs reach the viewing platforms; a 500 m boardwalk leads on to a suspension bridge. The park is also the trailhead for the rugged 22 km round trip to Kwasitchewan Falls, Manitoba's highest waterfall, which is for experienced backpackers only. There is no park office, no shop, no camping and no potable water.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1970
A small day-use park around the falls and the Grass River gorge; the exact gazetted boundary figure varies by source (check).
Why go
- A 13 m waterfall you can reach from a car park in a few minutes, on a highway with almost nothing else to stop for.
- The boardwalk and suspension bridge over the Grass River make a genuine 45–60 minute leg-stretch on the long drive to Thompson.
- The gorge keeps a wet, green micro-climate: mosses, lichens, ferns and fungi that survive the northern winter.
- It is the trailhead for Kwasitchewan Falls, Manitoba's highest waterfall, for backpackers who want a real 22 km (14 mi) wilderness day.It is the trailhead for Kwasitchewan Falls, Manitoba's highest waterfall, for backpackers who want a real 14 mi (22 km) wilderness day.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- Jan−30 °C (−22 °F) and below; road can close in storms−22 °F (−30 °C) and below; road can close in storms
- FebColdest; ice builds 3–5 m on the island below the falls
- MarStill deep winter; boardwalk icy
- AprThaw; slush, mud and slick boardwalk
- MayIce out; high water; mosquitoes start
- JunLong days, full flow, peak mosquitoes
- JulWarmest; busiest; go early
- AugWarm; berries; still buggy
- SepCooler, fewer people, good light
- OctFirst snow possible; short days
- NovFreeze-up; ice on paths
- DecVery cold; only for winter-equipped visits
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bears around the falls and on the Kwasitchewan trailMay–Oct · Store no food in tents; hang all food away from camp. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| River otters sliding on the winter ice build-up below the fallsDec–Mar · The ice on the small island below the falls can reach 3–5 m thick by late February. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Mosquitoes and blackfliesJun–Aug · Bring a high-DEET repellent; the park is wet year-round. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Wasps nesting beside the Kwasitchewan trailJul–Sep · Watch hands and feet on overgrown sections. | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Wolves, and cougars reported as far north as ThompsonAll year · Rare; keep food secured and make noise on trails. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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 Thompson
Drive south on Provincial Highway 6; the signed access road is about 0.5 km (0.3 mi) off the highway.Drive south on Provincial Highway 6; the signed access road is about 0.3 mi (0.5 km) off the highway.
45–60 min
From Wabowden
North on Highway 6 to the signed turn-off.
20–30 min
From Winnipeg
Highway 6 north through Ashern and Grand Rapids; the park is roughly 700 km (435 mi) up the road.Highway 6 north through Ashern and Grand Rapids; the park is roughly 435 mi (700 km) up the road.
8–9 h driving
Open the page →
From North of 53 planning
Where Pisew fits on a northern Manitoba route.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Falls viewing area | Boardwalk, stairs and platforms on the west side of the gorge, a short walk from the car park. | Open; free; no ticket. |
| Grass River and suspension bridge | Broad path downstream to the rapids and a suspension bridge across the river, about 500 m from the car park. | Open on foot. |
| Kwasitchewan trail corridor | Rugged backcountry route north to Phillips Lake and Manitoba's highest waterfall. | Open, unmaintained; experienced backpackers only. |
| Highway 6 access road and gravel storage area | The short access road, plus a provincial gravel stockpile area about 100 m north where an overgrown track leads toward the old Soab Lake Mine pump-house. | Roadside; no facilities. |
Sketch map
- 1Pisew Falls car park and trailhead · Gate≈55.198, -98.397Approximate; 0.5 km (0.3 mi) off Highway 6.Approximate; 0.3 mi (0.5 km) off Highway 6.Map ↗
- 2Pisew Falls viewing platforms · Viewpoint≈55.199, -98.398Approximate.Map ↗
- 3Suspension bridge over the Grass River · Trail≈55.197, -98.400Approximate; about 500 m from the car park.Map ↗
- 4Kwasitchewan Falls · Summit≈55.265, -98.290Approximate; end of the 22 km (14 mi) round-trip backcountry trail.Approximate; end of the 14 mi (22 km) round-trip backcountry trail.Map ↗
- 5Sasagiu Rapids campground · Sleep≈55.155, -98.405Approximate; about 10 km (6.2 mi) south on Highway 6.Approximate; about 6.2 mi (10 km) south on Highway 6.Map ↗
- 6Thompson · Town≈55.743, -97.856Approximate; nearest full-service town.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 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.
Approximate positions around the falls, the bridge and the Kwasitchewan trail, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (day use) | Free | person | No gate, no office and no entry fee; Manitoba provincial parks of this class are free to enter (check current provincial policy). |
| Vehicle permit | Free | vehicle | Not required at Pisew Falls; no permit is sold on site. |
| Camping | Free | night | Not offered — camping is not permitted in the park. Nearest serviced campground is about 10 km south at Sasagiu Rapids (fee set by the operator; check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day-use entry no permit
Backcountry camping on the Kwasitchewan trail permit or guide
Fishing permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Not permitted at Pisew Falls. The nearest campground is about 10 km (6.2 mi) south at Sasagiu Rapids; primitive sites exist near Kwasitchewan Falls for backcountry users.Not permitted at Pisew Falls. The nearest campground is about 6.2 mi (10 km) south at Sasagiu Rapids; primitive sites exist near Kwasitchewan Falls for backcountry users.
- Fires
- No fire facilities at the day-use area; check the provincial fire restriction before any backcountry stove or fire use.check
- Food storage
- Never store food in a tent; hang it in a tree away from camp. This is bear country.
- Water
- There is no potable water and no running water. Bring your own or a purification method.
- Facilities
- No park office, no shop, no vending machines, no showers and no electrical hook-ups. The only toilets are outhouses.
- Recreational vehicles
- The park is small and not intended for recreational vehicle use.
- Drones
- Check current Manitoba provincial park rules before flying; assume no unless confirmed.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Sasagiu Rapids campground
About 10 km (6.2 mi) south on Highway 6; the closest serviced camping to the falls.About 6.2 mi (10 km) south on Highway 6; the closest serviced camping to the falls.
Near the park
Thompson hotels and motels
The nearest full-service beds, roughly 45–60 minutes north on Highway 6.
In the park
Kwasitchewan Falls primitive sites
About a dozen rough sites above and beside the falls for backpackers; no services.
Safety
Ledges and current at the falls high
Bears high
Slippery boardwalk and rock medium
Cold exposure high
Getting lost on the Kwasitchewan trail high
Insects 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
- The falls viewing area is reached by a short walk from the car park, but the route includes stairs down to the platforms.
- The boardwalk to the suspension bridge is mostly level; the bridge itself is narrow and can move underfoot.
- There are no paved paths, handrails throughout, or accessible toilets; the only toilets are outhouses.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out everything — there are no bins or staff on site.
- Stay on the boardwalk and marked paths; the gorge plants are fragile and the rock is slippery.
- Do not feed or approach wildlife, and keep the otter ice-slide area below the falls undisturbed in winter.
- Buy fuel, food and any fishing licence in Thompson or Wabowden so the stop supports the northern communities.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pisew Falls Provincial Park?
Nothing. There is no gate, no park office and no entry fee for day use, and no vehicle permit is sold on site. You pay only for what you bring and for fuel to get there. Camping is not offered in the park, so there is no camping fee either; the nearest campground is about 10 km south at Sasagiu Rapids.
What are the best hikes in Pisew Falls Provincial Park?
For most visitors the walk is the point: a short path with stairs from the car park to the falls viewing platforms, then about 500 m of boardwalk and path to the suspension bridge over the Grass River, and a broad path on to the rapids. All of it is easy and takes 45–60 minutes. The serious hike is Kwasitchewan Falls: 22 km round trip on a rough, poorly maintained forest trail with steep grades and fallen trees, 5–6 hours in and about 4 hours out. It is for experienced backpackers only and needs a topographic map.
When is the best time to visit Pisew Falls Provincial Park?
June to August for full water flow, long daylight and warm weather — with heavy mosquitoes, so bring repellent. July and August are the busiest; arrive before 10:00 to have the boardwalk mostly to yourself. September brings cooler air, fewer people and good light. Winter is spectacular in a hard way: ice builds 3–5 m thick on the island below the falls by late February and otters sometimes slide on it, but temperatures reach −45 °C and the boardwalk turns to slick ice.
Can I camp at Pisew Falls?
No. Camping is not permitted in the park, and there are no showers, no electrical services and only outhouse toilets. The closest campground is about 10 km south at Sasagiu Rapids. Backcountry campers on the Kwasitchewan trail use the primitive sites scattered above and beside those falls — roughly a dozen, with no services.
Is Pisew Falls worth stopping for on the drive to Thompson?
Yes, if you are already on Highway 6. It is a genuine 45–60 minute break with a waterfall, a boardwalk and a suspension bridge, and there is very little else to stop for on that stretch. It is not a destination in itself unless you are hiking to Kwasitchewan Falls.
Are there bears at Pisew Falls?
Yes. Black bears live in the area, along with wolves and possibly cougars. Make noise on trails, carry bear spray where legal, never leave food in a tent and hang all food in a tree away from camp. There are also wasp nests beside the Kwasitchewan trail in late summer.
Do I need a park pass for Pisew Falls?
No. Pisew Falls is a Manitoba provincial park day-use area with no gate and no fee, so a Parks Canada Discovery Pass or a US America the Beautiful pass does nothing here. Those passes only cover the federal systems they were issued for.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go