Explore our home province this summer

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/06/2020 (2166 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Did you know that Manitoba has 92 designated provincial parks?

I did not. In fact, I’d never realized just how abundant the parks system here really is until I started researching for new and interesting places to go within our province — and there are plenty.

Precambrian Shield is the setting of Paint Lake Provincial Park’s rugged shorelines, lush forests, and sparkling lakes dotted with tiny islands. At nearby Pisew Falls, the Grass River drops 13 metres into a gushing gorge that can be safely viewed from observation platforms.

Seeing Kwasitchewan Falls, Manitoba’s highest waterfall, requires a 22-kilometre return backcountry trip along the Upper Track Trail. It skirts along a 1700s trading route that led fur-traders to the Saskatchewan River and from there to all of Western Canada’s interior. And the rest is history.

In the southeast corner, in the Lowlands region of the province, is Moose Lake Provincial Park. It’s known for its magnificent stand of white pine trees, which, although common in Ontario, are rare to Manitoba. It’s also known for wildlife sightings including the park’s namesake, as well as eagle spotting and the nocturnal noises of great grey owls. Seven kilometres south, Birch Point Park is also home to white pine, and I’d assume maybe some birch on a point. It’s said that sometimes in August, you can see monarch butterflies do a fly-by here on their migration to Mexico. Maybe they are drawn to catching glimpses of walleye, perch, and northern pike that cluster in the region, or the massive muskie lurking in the depths of Buffalo Bay.  

Duck Mountain Provincial Park in the Western Uplands region features deep, blue spring-fed lakes — remnants of ancient glacial times. Rolling terrain of lush meadows, wetlands and woodlands is home to a lengthy list of wildlife, most of which I’d hope never to encounter, the soothing sounds of songbirds, the haunting calls of loons, and the quacking of ducks.

A trip up Baldy Mountain Viewing Tower will provide an amazing view of the Manitoba escarpment, upon which the park exists, and an easy, self-guided hiking trail traverses the bedrock peninsula rising up 30 metres higher than the lake below.

St. Ambroise Beach Provincial Park lies on the southern shores of Lake Manitoba, with shallow waters, sandy inlets, and silky beaches strewn with pebbles and beach treasures stretching off in both directions. The boardwalk trail beckons into surrounding wetlands, known among birdwatchers as the stopover destination of choice for migrating geese, warblers, pelicans, and other birds of a feather who stick together. The beaches are also popular places for families to flock to — while keeping in mind the new normal of staying apart.

Manitoba is encouraging people to get out and travel within the province this summer, and asking park visitors to be vigilant in practising social distancing on beaches, trails, campgrounds, playgrounds, within park buildings, and all greenspaces.

They recommend bringing your own personal hygiene products, such as toilet paper, soap, and hand sanitizer wherever you go, staying two metres away from others and limiting social gatherings to small groups of immediate family only.

We will all be birds of a feather, re-learning how to flock together.

RoseAnna Schick is an avid traveller and music lover who seeks inspiration wherever she goes. Email her at rascreative@yahoo.ca