A local treasure: Riding Mountain National Park beloved by Manitoba and beyond

The Visitor Centre at Riding Mountain National Park. (Source: Lisa Stewart -Friends of RMNP)

It’s not very common to find a place where you can hike a scenic trail, shop for local goodies and dine on delicious flavours, but that’s part of the magic of Riding Mountain National Park.

Located atop the Manitoba Escarpment, the park is made up of nearly 3,000 square kilometres of outdoor beauty, open meadows, scenic forestry, and a resort townsite called Wasagaming.

The park features a host of attractions throughout the year, including shops, restaurants, a beach area, and tours. It’s also home to an array of wildlife, including moose, black bears, bison, lynx, and elk.

For nearly 100 years, Riding Mountain National Park has been a treasured destination for Manitobans and people across the globe.

A rich history

Riding Mountain was officially established as a national park in 1933, though its history dates back many years prior.

The area was declared a forest reserve in 1895. At that time, it was a site for sawmills and cattle grazing.

Cabins were built in the park in the early 1900s, as people were drawn to the area and Clear Lake for its vast beauty. Then in the late 1920s, when there was a push to protect the area, as well as a movement to create a national park in Manitoba, the site was finally designated as such.

George Hartlen, the CAO of the non-profit Friends of Riding Mountain National Park, noted that the park has a long history in the area, including buildings that have been there close to a century.

“The building that the [Friends of Riding Mountain National Park] is in was actually built in 1927, so it was a forestry reserve branch office prior to the park becoming a national park,” he said.

“So, our building is a federally recognized heritage building and it will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2027.”

Hartlen added there are also some complicated parts of its history, including a prisoner of war camp and interactions with its Indigenous partners.

However, he said it’s “always been a destination here for people to enjoy the lake and to enjoy the wildlife, the trails, and just to get a place to relax and enjoy here in Manitoba.”

A great place to visit and live

Hartlen said that many people describe the park as a “mini-Banff” that hasn’t been overrun by chain stores and restaurants.

He added Riding Mountain is largely made up of mom-and-pop shops and unique, local businesses.

“We have lots of amenities, lots of hotels in the summer season, lots of great eateries and unique types of shopping situations, shopping stores and such, but it’s not overdeveloped,” he said.

“You’re not going to find a lot of fast-food chain stores or businesses inside the park here.”

Leslie Barnett, a realtor in the Clear Lake and surrounding areas, said the park is one of the most beautiful places to be. She added it also offers the benefits of small-town living, where everyone is always willing to help each other.

“We rank quite high for entertainment and wildlife and trails,” she said.

“And all of the nature enthusiasts that come are quite excited about everything the area has to offer.”

Barnett said that coming to the area feels like you’re taking a step back in time.

“Maybe it was when you came here as a child or your grandparents took you,” she said.

“Or there was something that brings you to the area, the nature, the raw beauty of it all.”

The impact of zebra mussels

CTV News Winnipeg has previously reported that juvenile zebra mussels were discovered in Clear Lake over the last few years, with Parks Canada confirming eradication is not feasible.

Despite this discovery, Barnett said the real estate market in the area has remained strong.

“Perhaps there were some people that created pause with that, and that would fit a certain group, but there was another group that didn’t necessarily have that as their deciding factor and carried (on).

“So maybe there were some people that it impacted, but for the general marketplace, it had not.”

Hartlen said the park is still as busy as ever, adding that the only thing that’s changed is how people use the park.

He said the zebra mussels have caused some people to switch from boating to other activities.

“We definitely have seen people having to switch how they experienced Riding Mountain National Park,” he said.

“But we also saw last year a lot of people enjoying the quietness of the lake and seeing the wildlife and the waterfowl that were using lakes without the big boats and everything on there.”

A year-round attraction

For those who think Riding Mountain National Park is only a summer destination, there’s lots to do throughout the year.

Hartlen noted the park is open 12 months of the year, and offers accommodations and activities for every season, including ski and snowshoe trails, ice fishing, camping, and spa experiences.

“Just don’t think about Riding Mountain National Park as a summer destination,” he said. “It is a 12-month destination.”