Explore eastern Manitoba

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/06/2021 (1792 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Last month I shared some travel ideas for the region of northern Manitoba and the continuation of this series takes us east.

This area is the most populated of the cabin areas with Falcon Lake, West Hawk Lake and Whiteshell Provincial Park and if you have never camped or hiked in these areas, they are highly recommended, beautiful landscapes of raw nature.

I will attempt to focus on some areas that are a little less visited, beginning with Caddy Lake. Caddy is very close to the Ontario border and has easy access to the Mantario trail, a quite long (63 kilometre) and challenging trail for all ranges of hiking abilities.

Caddy is a long, shallow lake featuring a series of unique tunnels that connect a few different sections of the lake. Canoes and small boats are available for rent; the first tunnel is approximately a 30 to 45-minute paddle but obviously much quicker with a motor behind you.

If you decide to take a motor boat through these tunnels be sure to follow the signs for shallow rocks and tilt your motor out of the water and even use your paddles to get your boat through those areas. They are beautiful although they will damage the propeller on your motor if you decide to drive through the area.

The next area that I will highly recommend is Nopiming Provincial Park which is one of my favourite places in the province and home of several gorgeous lakes. Head past Bird River (which also has some beautiful cabins for rent) and continue up provincial road 314. If you are looking to camp or visit Tulabi Falls, drive east on the 315. Tulabi has lots of camping, some great spots for cliff jumping – be sure to not hesitate, jump off the rocks as far as you can, and tuck your body to hit the water. There are several spots starting at approximately 10 feet all the way up to 40 feet.

Some of my other favourite spots for camping and fishing in Nopiming are Flintstone Lake, Black Lake and Gem Lake. I have also had great fishing experiences at Tooth Lake and Springer Lake (one of the first lakes into Nopiming). These lakes are all easily accessible by foot or with an off-road vehicle.

If you continue driving all the way up the 314, you will reach Beresford Lake, where you can camp and fish in seclusion from this crazy world. This is one spot where I have seen the most amazing aurora borealis.

The road is mostly gravel through Nopiming and not great in spots, although if you take it slow you will be rewarded with some excellent scenery and great spots to spend some time, relax and reconnect with nature. Highway 314 turns into the 304 not far past Beresford, goes past Wallace Lake (great fishing lodge) through Bissett and loops back around, past Manigotagan River Provincial Park (also great fishing and camping) and brings you back South towards Pine Falls.

This loop of lakes and campgrounds could take you on a long journey of several days or maybe just a day trip to one of these spots.

Dan Sylvestre is a teacher at Collège Churchill High School and a community correspondent for Fort Rouge.