Saskatchewan and Manitoba

[junmy3]

We are once again working on our big trip for 2017. Besides a few places in the US we are planning on visiting Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Our plan is to visit as many National Parks and Historic sites as we have time for. The plan is to be in Canada for the month of August and maybe the first week of September. We know we want to camp in Riding Mountain and Prince Albert National Parks and several provincial parks in both provinces.

We really don't want to make reservations far in advance, but we also want to ensure that we have a campsite especially at the national parks. So my question is will reservations be required or can you usually get a spot at the last moment? If reservations are required how far in advance and does it just apply to weekends. I know we can almost always get in our state parks during the week, but may need reservations for the weekend.

[garyhaupt]

For those that don't know about the FREE Canada Park Passes...you don't need to go on-line...just drive up to the window....they are passing them out like candy.

Gary Haupt

[NightTraveler]

We passed through Turtle Mountain Provicial Park one time randomly in our way home to Ontario. We just wanted a place to stop before we hit the border. We instantly fell in love. We got there after hours and picked a spot, paid in the morning. There were many sites available in fact the Place was pretty empty. (Middle of the week in August) It has nice trails and lakes to explore, lots of wildlife to see. It sits right on the border between Manitoba and North Dakota. When we go wet again, that's where we'll go north.

[junmy3]

Thanks for all the great info and ideas. It looks like one summer is not enough time. We will just have to plan a return trip. We do have reservations at the three national parks we are planning to visit, Riding Mountain, Prince Albert, and Grasslands. We also have a good many National Historic Sites we want to visit as well. Glad we already have our free park entrance pass.

[MudChucker]

we are booked into Riding Mountain the first weekend in June 🙂

[thecdnmole]

If you're flexible in needing full service site or basic as well as time, you should have a decent chance of getting a site at RMNP, check the links mudchucker posted. A couple of provincial campgrounds we like is St. Malo which is about 45 miles south of Winnipeg or Bird's Hill which is about 10 miles north. If you want to spend a day or two in Winnipeg, then Bird's Hill is a good place. There is a Folk Festival at Bird's Hill from July 6-9 and Folklorama runs in Wpg for two weeks from August 6-19. Have fun in our provinces!

[MudChucker]

Provincial online bookings:
http://prspub.gov.mb.ca/

Federal online bookings:
Hope this link works!

[MudChucker]

I just looked at the online reservation system for Wasagaming... booking up quite quickly now.

[prairie_camper]

We have been to Riding Mountain National Park several times. The main full service campground Wasagaming is at Clear Lake. This summer (2017) with free passes for entrance to all National Parks for everyone I expect it will quite busy in July and August. Having said that if you are unsuccessful in getting reservations prior to arriving there is a private campground just south of the park entrance in Onanole, approx 10 minutes from Wasagaming. There are also no service (basic) campgrounds in the park, Lake Audy being one where one might see Bison roaming wild. Further north of the park in the town of Dauphin approx 40 minutes there is also a full service campground.
Another Manitoba site that deserves mention is Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park at Winnipeg Beach. It has a large full service campground with 50 amp service, here you will see the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world. On a clear day you might be able to see the other shore across the lake. Safe travels. 🙂

[Harvey51]

If the south is too crowded, head on a little further north. We had a great two week holiday camping in Meadow Lake Provincial Park (lots of lakes and birds) and meandering on to Prince Albert and up to La Ronge Provincial Park with its rocky lakes and big river. The canoe was a real asset. We actually abandoned the highway and took a wilderness route from Candle Lake north and had an adventure away from it all.

[Pipeman]

There is Buffalo Pound Provincial Park just north of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. If you go, don't get gloomy when you arrive at the gate. We wondered why my cousin would make reservations for us at such a desolate looking place. We were pleasantly surprised when we left the gate and went to our site. Beautiful place.

[trailerbikecamp]

Don't forget to Moose Jaw. This is the official home to the Snowbird Air Force Demonstration team. They are usually busy tarvelling yhe country performing. It may be worth checking if they will be around.

[romore]

There is lots to see and do. Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is a fascinating place and a welcome break from the flat lands. Batoche National Historic Site and Fort Walsh provide an interesting glimpse into western Canadian history and don't forget the RCMP museum in Regina.

[MACHZER]

QIUCK BOOK IN WHITESHELL REGION!
This is a great area with multiple lakes and campsites. This is a rocky region with crystal lakes, lots of trails ect.
I am highly recommending it if you are going this far. About 1.5 hrs out of Winnipeg East. Might as well go to Kenora also for a few days, Short drive. Must do on your list!
Falcon Lake and West Hawk lake ate more of a commercial locations. If you stay there make sure you tour the other ring of lakes, They are far better in my opinion. wont matter which one.

Take a On-line Tour , search Google

[almcc]

Not sure about August but we have camped in Riding Mountain earlier (June), we tried to get on-line reservations for July at mid day on the first day the reservation window opened (forgot the exact date, but it was in the spring) and most/all the sites were gone. I suggest reservations are needed and you need to get on line first thing to get them. Same may apply for the other NPs.