Summer in Westman is more than a season—it’s a lifestyle. Lake Life is the go-to annual publication for everything lakeside—packed with local tips, ideas and inspiration that readers return to all season long.
SPRING 2026
LESLIE BARNETT PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION www.ParklandRealEstate.biz realestate@mymts.net 204-848-0599 Local Agent Servicing Clear Lake and Surrounding Area
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Table of
Cover: Emerson Zilkey takes part in a paddleboard Yin yoga class on Clear Lake at Spruces in Riding Mountain National Park with fellow yoga enthusiasts. Above: Tracy Ramage paddleboards along the smooth-as-glass surface of Lake Clementi south of Brandon as fog rolls over the lake shortly after sunrise. (Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
04 FROM CAMPUS TO CLEAR LAKE — STUDENTS EMBRACE SUMMER ESCAPE 09 A GOOD CAMPING EXPERIENCE REQUIRES PROPER EQUIPMENT 15 MOTORBOATS ALLOWED BACK ON CLEAR LAKE
19 WETLAND NEIGHBOURS 21 RESPONSIBLE FISHING 22 RIVER CHILL
Westman resorts and campground listings can be found on the following pages: 3, 8, 12, 14, 18, 20 & 23 Details include description, location, website and contact information. RESORTS AND CAMPGROUNDS
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WESTMAN RESORTS AND CAMPGROUNDS ASPEN RIDGE RESORT Aspen Ridge Resort is located one block from the centre of the Wasagaming townsite, the resorts three acres of lawn and shady trees provide space for children to play and for adults to relax. It offers 25 one-, two- and three-bedroom cottages. THUNDERBIRD BUNGALOWS Affordable and family-friendly one-,
THE STOWAWAY INN In Wasagaming near Riding Mountain National Park, The Stowaway Inn offers updated accommodations in a historic building. Guests can book renovated spaces for a weekend getaway or a longer stay while exploring the park. • 119 Ta-Wa-Pit Dr., Wasagaming • Phone: 204-848-2004 • thestowawayinn.ca LAKE METIGOSHE CAMPGROUND There are public beaches, restaurants, play areas, groceries and vendors. • About 20 miles southeast of Deloraine, 74 miles southwest of Brandon, off Highway 3, down Road 450 • Phone (Donna): 204-512-2424 (Ken): 204-851-2424 • metigoshecamground@outlook.com • lakemetigoshecampground.com TURTLE MOUNTAIN RESORT Nestled in the Turtle Mountains adjacent to the shores of Lake Metigoshe is where you will find the Turtle Mountain Resort. Check out their trading post for your grocery, fuel, liquor, beer and firework needs while you are at the lake. The Velvet Antler Café has a tasty menu of breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert options, including ice cream! Stay in their one- or two-bedroom cabins for a night, a long weekend or a week. • 400 Stevens Cres., Lake Metigoshe • Phone: 204-747-3919 • tmresort.ca
EMERALD ISLE MOTEL & RESORT Beach nearby, camping May to September, air-conditioned, cable TV, wireless high-speed internet on beautiful Killarney Lake. Fridges, microwaves, coffee in rooms. Snacks, pizza, beverages in office, cold beer vendor.
two- and three-bedroom cabins with attached decks surrounded by mature trees. The cabins face a large central yard, playground and heated pool. Two pet-friendly cabins are available. Each unit has air conditioning, a full kitchen, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a barbecue and a fire pit. On-site guest laundry is available. Close to amenities. Off-season rates are available. • 1 Mooswa Dr., Wasagaming • Phone: 204-848-2521 • thunderbird@mts.net • thunderbirdbungalows.com FOREST HILLS CABINS/RV PARK AND MEETING CENTRE Thirteen kilometres south of Carberry on Highway 5, bordering Spruce Woods Provincial Park and adjacent to the Sand Hills Casino. Cabins include two queen-size beds, a sofa bed, full kitchen, dishes and cutlery for six, HD/ smart TV, free Wi-Fi, coffee, bedding and linen, towels, hot tub, propane barbecue and six patio chairs. The RV park includes 46 sites with water and electric hookups, with 30- or 50-amp service. A central washroom facility includes four showers and is wheelchair accessible. • Carberry, next to Sand Hills Casino • Cell: 204-841-4047
Each cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with tub and shower, TV, bedding, dishcloth and dishtowels. Amenities include lawn chairs, picnic tables, barbecues and a large heated swimming pool. • 2 Mooswa Dr., Wasagaming • Phone: 204-848-2511 • aspenridge2511@gmail.com • aspenridgeresort.com CROOKED MOUNTAIN CABINS Secluded cabins nestled into the rolling wilderness just south of Riding Mountain National Park. These cabins offer privacy in nature and are close to the Clear Lake townsite. Chosen by HuffPost as one of the top 10 coziest and coolest all-Canadian getaways, Crooked Mountain Cabins are suited to couples, families, birders, nature lovers and artists. • Clanwilliam, Wasagaming • Phone: 204-868-0328 • olivia@crookedmountaincabins.com • crookedmountaincabins.ca
• 103 Water Ave., Killarney • rakautz@emeraldisle.ca • Phone: 204-523-4215 KEESHKEEMAQUAH
CAMPGROUND & RV PARK Keeshkeemaquah Campground & RV Park is set over 23 acres of oak woodland and rolling prairie meadow grassland. Sites are spacious and shaded, with service options ranging from unserviced camping to full service with power. Words and pictures can only portray so much. To experience Keeshkeemaquah, come and stay awhile. • Trans-Canada Highway, Service Road 70 W, Sidney • Phone: 204-466-2777 • Toll-free: 1-866-466-2777 • keeshcampground.ca THE COTTAGES AT CLEAR LAKE One-, two- and three-bedroom cottages with full kitchens and gas barbecues. Large, heated pool. Friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Off-season rates available. Open May through October. • 109 Ta-Wa-Pit Dr., Wasagaming • Toll-free: 1-888-848-2524 • cottagesclearlake.ca
• Toll-free: 1-866-228-3132 • book@foresthillsresort.ca • slfnforesthills.com
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THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SPRING 2026
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From campus to Clear Lake — students embrace
BY ABIOLA ODUTOLA
F People walk back and forth or pause to take in the brilliant sunset from the Clear Lake pier at the main beach in Wasagaming on a smoky evening in 2025. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
or many post-secondary students in Westman, summer is not a long stretch of rest but a carefully managed season of work shifts, summer classes, financial planning and brief escapes. When schedules align, many say the region’s lakes — especially Clear Lake — offer a rare chance to slow down, reconnect and recharge. Brandon University student Sophia Dande-Ayasuk de- scribed her ideal summer weekend in simple terms: calm, outdoors and shared with friends.
“A perfect summer weekend for me would be some- thing simple and relaxing,” she said. “I’ve only been to Clear Lake once, but I really enjoyed the calm environ- ment, the water, and just being away from the city.” For her, lake life is less about frequent visits and more about meaningful moments when time and logistics allow. Those moments, she said, often come with plan- ning challenges. “As a student, work and classes usually come first, and sometimes that means I don’t get to go out much,” Dande-Ayasuk said. “Transportation and cost can limit how often I go, so I try to make the most of the few chances I get.”
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“I try to balance summer work and classes by ensuring I book the days I’m free.”
Bukunmi Bantale
Sophia Dande-Ayasuk, Brandon University student. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)
“I usually take time off ahead because I have financial responsibility,” he said. “I don’t take so much time off work, but I try to set aside one or two days to catch up with friends and relax.” Transportation, he said, remains the biggest barrier. “I don’t have a car, so getting to places like Clear Lake is quite difficult,” Muoghalu said. “Sometimes you have to book rides or rent a car, and that adds extra cost.” Still, he views lake life as an essential part of student well-being in Westman. “It helps me reduce stress and take my mind away from responsibilities for a while,” he said. “It also helps you catch up with friends, which is really healthy.” Assiniboine College student Eniola Martins shared a similar view of summer as a time for intentional escape. “A perfect summer weekend would be driving out of Brandon to somewhere quiet and relaxing,” she said. “Just away from responsibilities — watch a movie, take a walk, eat and repeat.”
That theme — limited access balanced with strong ap- preciation — runs through many student experiences. Bukunmi Bantale, another BU student, envisions summer weekends as lively road trips filled with music, friends and long afternoons by the water. “Probably with some friends, just set out early in the morning with loud music in the car, driving all the way to the lake,” he said. “Playing in the water, having a barbe- cue, watching sunsets. That’s a perfect summer weekend for me.” But behind the carefree imagery is careful co-ordination. “I try to balance summer work and classes by ensur- ing I book the days I’m free,” Bantale said. “We make plans ahead of time so everyone’s schedules fit. And also having savings is important because these trips are not cheap.” Like many students, he said financial preparation is just as important as social planning. “We try to make sure everything goes as planned,” Bantale said. “Because without that, it’s not easy to just go on spontaneous trips.” For Chima Muoghalu, another BU student, lake trips represent a deliberate break from responsi- bility rather than a spontaneous outing.
“I’ve been to Clear Lake several times with friends and church groups. It’s more than just fun, it’s a place to recharge and reflect.”
Oluwatoyosi Babalola
Brandon University student Bukunmi Bantale (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)
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But Martins said for students, relaxation does not come without planning. “Balancing work and summer life is not easy,” she said. “It takes intentionality. You cannot just wake up and decide to go to the lake. There has to be planning and financial capacity.” Her experience of lake life in Manitoba contrasts sharp- ly with what she knew back home in Nigeria. “Back in my country, everything is fast-paced, loud and very social,” she said. “Here, the lake is calm. It gives you time to slow down, relax and just be yourself.” That sense of calm is echoed across student experiences. Oluwatoyosi Babalola, another college student, said lake life in Manitoba serves both social and personal pur- poses, especially during high-stress academic periods. “I think lake life is an important part of the student ex- perience in Westman,” she said. “It helps us relax, recon- nect with others and take care of our mental health.” Babalola said Clear Lake has also become personally meaningful to her, including major life moments. “I’ve been to Clear Lake several times with friends and church groups,” she said. “It’s more than just fun, it’s a place to recharge and reflect.” However, she said there are persistent barriers. “The biggest challenge is transportation,” she said. “Without a car, it’s difficult to access these places. Even bus schedules can be limited, especially on weekends.”
Oluwatoyosi Babalola. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)
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THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SPRING 2026
She said that cost and group co-ordination also affect accessibility, particularly for students relying on shared planning. “You often have to depend on others or wait for orga- nized trips,” she said. “That makes it harder to go as often as you would like.” Despite these challenges, the students consistently return to one idea: lake life is worth the effort. Whether it is a rare afternoon picnic, a planned group road trip or a quiet walk along the shore, destinations like Clear Lake offer something students say they do not always get during the academic year — space. Space to breathe. Space to rest. Space to reconnect. As Muoghalu said, “It helps you take your mind away from responsibilities for a while before you get back to doing those things.” ✹
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THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SPRING 2026
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WESTMAN RESORTS AND CAMPGROUNDS
MOOSWA RESORT AND ARBUTUS CABINS The Mooswa Resort is a landmark fixture in Riding Mountain National Park. In operation for 56 years, this resort boasts a variety of rooms consisting of six chalets, eight suites, and two cottages, all poolside. Located adjacent to the Mooswa Resort are the Arbutus Cabins, a small enclave of six cabins. These are the largest rental cabins located in the national park. The newer, spacious, self-catering cabins are the ideal location for your family or group to gather. • 27 and 28 Mooswa Dr., corner of Mooswa Drive and Columbine, Wasagaming • Phone: 1-855-586-3575 • reservations@mooswaresort.com • mooswa.com RIVER CROSSING GUEST HOUSE The Guest House is by the river’s edge at the site of a historic river crossing on the Assiniboine River also known as the Treesbank Ferry or Clark’s Crossing. Open year round for people to enjoy all four seasons in the countryside. Make some tracks along their shady, well-groomed trails. • Road 45 North, Wawanesa • Phone: 204-724-9903 • rivercrossing@icloud.com • travelmanitoba.com/directory/ river-crossing-guest-house/ ROCK LAKE CAMPGROUND Rock Lake provides ample opportunity for camping, boating, fishing and swimming in summer and ice fishing in the winter. The Rock Lake Beach Store and coffee shop, open all year round, accommodates the needs of cabin owners and tourists offering
MINNEDOSA BEACH CAMPGROUND
quiet accommodations in a peaceful and relaxing environment with easy access to many dining and activity options. We offer many on site amenities including a swimming pool, conference center, wireless internet, cable TV and movie channels. • 350 Highway 10, Onanole • Phone: 204-848-2600 • smokeyhollow.ca SALT LAKE/THOMAS LAKE Camping, swimming and water skiing can be enjoyed at Carlton Beach, Salt Lake in the south end of the municipality. Campground has 32 power lots, a combination of both 15 and 30 amp. Sport fishing is available at Thomas Lake and many smaller fishing lakes towards the north end of the municipality to round out your summer recreation. • Strathclair • Phone: 204-365-2196 MAX LAKE CAMPGROUND A quiet, out-of-the-way campground near the largest lake in Turtle Mountain Provincial Park. Open from mid-May to mid-September. • In the RM of Boissevain-Morton, 80 kilometres south of the Trans- Canada Highway on Highway 10, west on Highway 3 for seven kilometres, 11 kilometres south to park entrance road. • Phone: 204-534-2028 The campground has many shaded tenting areas, a playground and is a very tranquil place to camp. • Austin • Phone: 204-637-2354 • mbagmuseum.ca/campgrounds ARGYLE CENTENNIAL PARK CAMPGROUND Spacious sites, playground, baseball diamonds. Across the street from the curling and skating rinks and Belgium Bowling sand alleys. • Located adjacent to the Regals Ball Diamond. Northeast edge of Baldur. • Phone: 204-535-2176 • rmofargyle.ca/parks-and-recreation THREE CREEKS CAMPGROUND
perch. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a round at Oak Island Golf, our 18-hole Championship Golf Course. • Provincial Road 254, Oak Lake • Phone: 204-855-2307 • oakislandmb.ca INTERNATIONAL PEACE GARDEN CAMPGROUND Adjacent to the International Peace Garden, 90 kilometres south of the Trans-Canada Highway along Highway 10, the area is characterized by undulating hills, marshland, deciduous forest and shallow lakes. Thirty-six campground sites as well as overflow camping for tent camping. • International Peace Garden challenging yet rewarding hike up the Turtle’s Back Trail provides you with a spectacular panoramic view of Southwest Manitoba. It passes through Turtle Mountain Community Pasture, which offers you a glimpse at where local livestock roam and graze. The park is well-liked by windsurfing enthusiasts because of its rounded shape, clear water and gas-motor restrictions. The lake is stocked with brown trout, making it a favourite for anglers. It also has a swimming and beach area. The amphitheatre provides weekend interpretive shows during the summer. For more information, contact Manitoba Conservation in Boissevain. • 84 kilometres south of Brandon on Highway 10, seven km east on PR 341, eight km south • Toll-free: 1-888-482-2267 SMOKEY HOLLOW MOTEL & RESORT Open year-round, Smokey Hollow is located in Onanole, just six minutes from Riding Mountain National Park and Clear Lake. You can expect clean, comfortable and • Phone: 1-204-534-2510 • Toll-free: 1-888-483-6733 • peacegarden.com/camping WILLIAM LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK Home of the Turtle’s Back Trail. Located to the east of Turtle Mountain Provincial Park. A
Site of the 1999 Pan-Am Games rowing, canoeing, and kayaking events, Minnedosa Lake has a beautiful sand beach, picnic areas, play structures, baseball diamonds and a soccer field. Their lakeside campground has 170 campsites, 15- and 30-amp service and playground. Located on PTH 262 on the northeast edge of town, they offer a great place to “get away from it all.” Call for reservations or visit their website for information and rates. • Beach Road, Minnedosa • Phone: 204-867-3450 • mdsacamp@mymts.net • minnedosa.com/p/minnedosa- campground PELICAN LAKE RIVIERA Pelican Lake is the largest navigable body of water in southwest Manitoba at approximately 22 kilometres long by 2.5 km wide. In addition to swimming and boating, Pelican Lake is popular for great bird watching and year-round fishing for northern pike (jack), walleye (pickerel) and perch. We offer one waterfront two-bedroom cabin, 20 full-service RV campground sites, and boat mooring. Five golf courses within 45 minutes. Near ATV and snowmobile trails. Laundromat. • Ninette • riviera@goinet.ca • Phone: 204-724-4456 OAK ISLAND RESORT & GOLF There is something for everyone at Oak Island Resort with 400 full- service campsites including 30-amp power, water and sewer connections, rental accommodations and a fully equipped campground office. The campground offers two pools, mini- golf, grocery store, ice cream shop with fast food take out, planned activities and on-site security. The full-service marina includes a gas station, fishing and boating gear, launch ramp, dock rentals and
fishing licences, seasonal lot rentals and full-service camping. • Located a few miles north off Highway 5. • Cartwright and Mather • Phone: 204-529-2365
great fishing for pickerel, jack and
THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SPRING 2026
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A good camping experience requires
BY WENDY KING
Ethan English and Clayton Heppner, owners at Stream N Wood in Brandon, say it’s a good idea for novice campers to seek advice before they pitch their tents. (Submitted)
T
ent camping is a great way to discov- er Manitoba’s lake country. For the
“The fly is the really important piece. Rain flies go over- top of the tent and give you protection from wind and, most importantly, rain. No one likes to wake up in a tent when it’s wet.” New campers often hesitate at the price of a quality tent, which can run in the $300 to $500 range, but com- pared to the cost of a hotel room versus the number of times you will use the tent, it’s a reasonable outlay. “When it comes down to the nitty-gritty, if things turn sideways, the tent needs to keep you safe and dry,” English says. A good sleeping bag means a good sleep. The basic types are mummy style with a hood that comes up around your head — designed for cooler temperatures and slight- ly more restrictive — and rectangular, which is roomier, or a barrel shape, which falls in between, combining some roominess with thermal efficiency. They are insulated with synthetic fill or down and are rated by warmth.
novice camper, good advice and quality equipment can set you up for success.
Ethan English is a seasoned family camp enthusiast. To- gether with Clayton Heppner, English owns and operates Stream N Wood (streamnwood.com), providing quality outdoor equipment in Brandon. He shared ideas about must-have gear. The first consideration is a tent to keep you warm and dry. English says people often make ease of setup their priority — but there might be more to it. “The more complex a tent is to put up, the better they hold up in the wind. When it’s really windy, and you’re in a not very nice tent, it can fold flat on top of you. With a tent, you want two to at least three poles,” he says.
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“Down sleeping bags are a little more expensive, but they’re packable and lightweight, giving you the best warmth-to-weight ratio,” says English. “I suggest getting a bag that’s rated colder than what you’re going to expect. You can always open your sleeping bag if you’re hot, but it’s really tricky if you get caught out and you need more warmth.” For the Manitoba camper, a -3 C to -7 C rating can keep you warm in cooler weather before moving up to a full-on winter bag. The ground is hard, uncomfortable and cold. You need another layer. “Self-inflating pads compact quite small and are easy to carry. They have foam inside and when you open the valve, the foam expands for extra padding. They’re quite nice,” English says. “We generally do a two-and-a-half- or three-inch pad, firm enough so you’re not going to feel the ground at all.” A pad is more reliable because even with a hole, they don’t deflate like a mattress. “With a cheap air mattress, if you have a hole in it, you might be on the ground by morning. I’ve certainly had that experience,” he says. Campers need a place to rest their heads. English rec- ommends an inflatable pillow. ‘We do a compact camping pillow, smaller than a com- puter mouse when packed. With my family, even though we car camp, we just chuck them in our camping box and we always have them,” he says. A stove is an absolute must for cooking, but most espe- cially for boiling water for drinking, even when provided at a campsite. A single burner is the bare minimum. “You can just cook on the fire pit, but if there’s inclem- ent weather where firewood won’t catch, you need a backup,” English says. “We do a single burner pocket stove that folds up about the size of a mouse. You just need an isobutane canister for fuel. “I’ve been camping where we didn’t have a stove and we relied on firewood, and it didn’t turn out great.” Cutlery, cups, plates and bowls, a pot and a frying pan should be in your kit. Collapsible pots, kettles and even a col- lapsible kitchen sink are useful. English recommends carrying at least one packet of freeze-dried food for emergencies.
If you plan to take a chair out to the camp site, make sure you take the time to try it out in the store before you buy it. (Submitted )
“The more complex a tent is to put up, the better they hold up in the wind.”
Ethan English
Affordable Living Welcoming Communities
Year-Round Recreation Business & Job Opportunities
“Move to Sifton – where you’re not just a resident, you’re family.”
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Night will fall and a reliable flashlight is a must-have. He says that a headlamp can double as a lantern to light up a larger area when shone through a clear or opaque bottle of water. Camp chairs are optional for car camping but if you’re backpacking, Mother Nature will generally provide a log or two, and campgrounds will generally have picnic tables. If you are buying a chair, take time to try it out in the store. A couple of good options are Kuma, which has a big round back, and Strong Back with built-in lumbar support. Some of what you pack will be familiar: the right cloth- ing, a hat, toileting supplies, wet wipes and/or sanitizing gel, bug spray, sun screen. Biodegradable camp soap is another must-have. “We have one called Camp Suds. A proper camp soap means you can actually wash your hands. And you can use it for dishes and even bathing,” he says. He says a 120-millilitre bottle will last years for most people as only a couple of drops at a time are needed. As you plan out your first adventure and gather infor- mation, do talk to someone local. A specialty retailer who is familiar with the region and the proper equipment can help you on your way. “Our goal is always to help someone have a good experi- ence,” says Ethan English. ✹
Relying only on firewood and the fire pit can be a bad idea when facing inclement weather. Stream N Wood recommends taking a single burner stove for cooking, and for boiling water for drinking. (Submitted )
WE’LL NAIL DOWN THE FINANCING!
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WESTMAN RESORTS AND CAMPGROUNDS
BIRTLE RIVERSIDE PARK & CAMPGROUND Something for everyone — at the west end of town. Summer days on the sloping sandy beach, cooling off in the chlorinated swimming area supervised by qualified lifeguards, playing tennis or golf or hiking the trails or kayaking the river — all available in the park. With mature trees, picnic area, 30 campsites with water and electricity, five full-service sites and four tenting sites, playgrounds and open spaces, barbecue pits, washrooms, showers, and free firewood. Also, Birtle’s Riverside Cabin available by calling 204-773-0096. • Birtle • Phone: 204-842-3830 • birtletouristbooth@gmail.com • myprairieview.ca/p/campgrounds BOISSEVAIN LIONS CAMPGROUND A 20-minute drive from the Canada-U.S. border, the Boissevain Lions Campground is beside the Boissevain-Morton Aquatic Centre, with water slides, a lazy river, a tot pool, beach entry, a four-lane lap pool and a diving board. Located one block west of Highway 10, the campground has 39 sites, including fully serviced sites (power, sewer and water), partially serviced sites (power and water) and tenting. Amenities include an accessible washroom and shower building, a sheltered group cookshack area and a dump station. • Boissevain • Phone: 204-534-6192 • boissevain.ca/recreation/ campground STRATHCONA PARK Situated in southern Manitoba on beautiful Pelican Lake. Beach, campgrounds, modern washrooms, playgrounds, store and boat launching facilities. • 3.2 kilometres west of Belmont on PTH 23 and 9.6 km south
GRAND VALLEY PARK AND CAMPGROUND Grand Valley is a nicely treed
• Just off Highway 21, nestled along the perimeter of the community of Deloraine • Phone: 204-747-3668 or 204-747-4048 • delowin.ca/p/accommodation WHITEWATER CENTENNIAL PARK & GOLF COURSE Sandy beach, fishing dock (trout in reservoir), modern restrooms, and a campground host. The park is generally well-suited for families and offers a quiet, nature-focused experience in the Grassland Municipality. Open April to the end of October, barbecue pits, 20-amp, group camping. • Elgin, 1.5 kilometres at junction of highways 22 and 23 • Phone: 204-769-2404 ELKHORN CAMPGROUND Includes campsites and tenting area. A trailer septic dump area is also located on site. Call for more information on campsite reservations and rates. • West of Highway 256 beside the agricultural grounds • Phone: 204-845-2161 • wallace-woodworth.com/m/ elkhorn/elkhorn-campground ERICKSON AND DISTRICT CAMPGROUND There are 38 fully serviced (30 amp, electrical, water, sewer); six sites with limited services. • Erickson • ecampground@gmail.com • ericksonmb.ca/campground WILLIAM’S RV PARK AND CAMPGROUND A well-kept secret! Offers 30- and 15-amp service (most are riverside) as well as a tenting area, outdoor kiddie and large pools, playground, ball diamonds, basketball court and horse stables. Reservations encouraged. Gladstone Skating Arena and Curling Club for winter enthusiasts. • Gladstone, at 88 Fifth St. in the northwest corner of town • Phone: 204-841-3213 • westlake-gladstone.ca/p/ campgrounds-1
for fishing, kayaking, swimming and tubing. Kayaks, canoes, river tubes and one-person inflatable boats are available for rent on site. • On Grand Valley Road off 18th Street • Phone/text: 204-720-5826 • turtlecross.com Heritage Park includes the Heritage Park Museums (as shown in picture), a campground and a playground. • Heritage Park is located on Broadway St. South, beside Waldie Field (ball diamonds) in Cartwright • Phone: 204-529-2363 • cartwrightroblin.com/p/heritage- park-campground-1 CRYSTAL CITY MUNICIPAL TRAILER PARK Beautiful, well-treed park with well-equipped playground. The site has barbecue pits, modern washrooms, sewage disposal and a nearby golf course. • Off Highway 3 near Crystal City, approximately 18 kilometres north of the U.S. border. • Phone: 204-873-2591 • tourismwestman.ca/camp/crystal- city-municipal-trailer-park HERITAGE PARK CAMPGROUND This resort is exclusively available to seasonal camping only with a few available campsites for friends and family of registered seasonals. But we also have two wonderful cabins for weekly rental, open to the public, with access to WiFi, pool and other amenities. • Onanole • Phone: 204-848-2398 • campingmanitoba.com DELORAINE WINCHESTER CAMPGROUND All the services you could need are within walking distance of the Deloraine Winchester Campground. Access the campground via North Railway Ave or via Finlay Ave through the Deloraine Ball Diamonds and Deloraine Agriculture Fair Grounds. ONANOLE RV PARK AND CAMPGROUND
campground set in the beautiful Assiniboine River valley and is home to the historic Stott Site. The park is host to a lookout tower and interpretive trail that explains the rich First Nations history of the land. • Eight kilometres west of Brandon and just off the Trans-Canada Highway • Phone: 204-402-0476 • grandvalleypark.com and svdngovernance.com MEADOWLARK CAMPGROUND With 66 sites, including back-in and pull-through sites, Meadowlark Campground and RV Park is the largest campground within Brandon city limits. Both 30-amp and 50-amp service is available. Clean facilities, friendly services and Wi-Fi are also available. The campground is conveniently located along the Trans- Canada Highway and features easy access. Big rigs welcome! • In Brandon, along the Trans- Canada Highway, between the First Street and 18th Street exits. • Toll-free: 1-800-363-6434 or 204-728-7205 • meadowlarkcampground.ca TURTLE CROSSING CAMPGROUND Turtle Crossing is on a 65-acre parcel bordered by the Assiniboine River to the south, Lake Percy to the north, and farmland to the east and west. It is a short drive from Brandon s city centre. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, coin laundry, a playground, five kilometres of hiking and biking trails, and fire pits at each site. The Assiniboine River offers opportunities
• Phone: 204-537-2583 • rmofprairielakes.ca/p/ parks--recreation
WESTMAN RESORTS AND CAMPGROUNDS
PARKS CANADA OTENTIK Parks Canada oTENTiks blend the best of camping with A-frame cabins to create a spacious spot for you to enjoy. All of our oTENTiks come standard with three comfy sleeping platforms with space for up to six happy campers, and a table with seating for six. Some oTENTiks also include woodstoves, perfect for those cooler nights. Every oTENTik campsite has an outdoor campfire spot and a picnic table to enjoy. • Riding Mountain National Park • Phone: 1-877-737-3783 • parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mb/ riding/activ/camping/activ2_ix SPIRIT SANDS LODGING RV PARK Year-round private cottage, full kitchen, picnic table, hiking trail, firewood. • Four kilometres north of Glenboro on Highway 5 • ktlewis@mts.net • Phone: 204-827-2607 HAMIOTA MUNICIPAL PARK AND CAMPGROUND Established in 1967 as part of Canada’s centennial celebrations, it is home to seven ball diamonds, an outdoor equestrian arena, horse and cattle barns, soccer pitch, beach volleyball, children’s playground, serviced campground, Hamiota Municipal Museum and the Hamiota Aquatic Centre. Conveniently located next to the Hamiota and District Sports Complex and the Hamiota Golf Course, the park is the host location of a variety of events on an annual basis. Has 45 full-service sites and 10 electrical-only sites. • Hamiota
• recreation@hamiota.com • Phone: 204-764-3050 • hamiota.com/hamiota- municipal-park-campground HARTNEY SWIMMING POOL & CAMPGROUND Hartney Swimming Pool and Campground invites you to enjoy our quiet camping facility, complete with outdoor swimming pool and playground for the family. Has 18 water and 30-amp service sites. • Hartney • Phone (pool office): 204-858-2167 (recreation office): 204-858-2536 • grasslandmunicipality.ca/ p/swimming-pool-and- campground KELWOOD CENTENNIAL PARK At Kelwood, off Highway 5, north of Neepawa, near Riding Mountain National Park. Showers available upon request. • Kelwood • Phone: 204-967-2208 KILLARNEY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY CAMPGROUND Scenic campground on Killarney Lake providing more than 100 sites. Open 24 hours a day. Daily, weekly and monthly rates. Manager on site. • 42 Water St., Killarney • Phone: 204-523-4699 • killarneyagriculturalsociety.ca/ campground KERRY PARK CAMPGROUND Boasts 100 plus sites and has a large playground for the kids. Close to dock and tennis courts. Manager on site. • 1001 South Railway St., Killarney • Phone: 204-523-6000 Serviced sites breakdown: two 50-amp; 18 30-amp; six 15-amp. Unserviced sites also available. Amenities include RV parking, picnic tables, boat launch to the Souris River, fire pits with wood supplies, and heated washrooms (no stairs). • Melita • Phone: 204-522-3587 • melitamb.ca/p/parks-camping • kerrypark.ca RIVER PARK RV CAMPGROUND
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THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SPRING 2026
15
allowed back on Clear Lake
BY CONNOR MCDOWELL, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Martese cruise ship sails into the pier at Clear Lake beach past a motorboat at the main beach in Wasagaming. (Colin Corneau/Brandon Sun)
P
»Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article was first published in the Brandon Sun on April 9, 2026.
arks Canada has announced that motorboats will be allowed back on Clear Lake this season — but they will be banned two days each week and during “quiet” periods at dawn and dusk. The agency announced the return of motorboats under a mandatory tagging program in a bulletin issued this past April. The reinstatement comes after Parks Canada banned motorboats completely for the 2025 season. The news drew positive reactions — as well as some caution — from the area’s Conservative member of Parlia- ment and advocacy group Fairness for Clear Lake. “We’re pleased, but we also want to see how it will be implemented,” Trevor Boquist, the group’s spokesperson, told the Sun. “I would say we want to be part of the con- versation of how this will be implemented.” Parks Canada also announced that launch fees may be introduced at Clear Lake as early as next year in order to
recover costs of lake management activities in the future. The policy plan for this year includes aquatic invasive species management measures such as mandatory boat tags, inspections by Parks Canada staff, and clean, drain and dry protocols for water equipment. It also includes an expanded no-wake zone to help protect shorelines. The priority of the plan, said Riding Mountain National Park superintendent Tom Sheldon, is to uphold the eco- logical integrity of the lake in a balanced way that respects the diversity of ways the public uses the park. “As much as possible, what we hope is that when folks look at this decision, that they can appreciate how others connect with and value Clear Lake in ways that may be different than they do,” Sheldon said. “People care about Riding Mountain National Park so deeply, and care about Clear Lake so deeply in their own unique ways.” Sheldon noted that the newly announced measures — the expanded no-wake zone and motorboat bans two days a week and at dusk and dawn — blend the need to protect ecological integrity with user experience.
THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SPRING 2026
16
Kayakers paddle through the cool water of Clear Lake while a boat passes behind them in Riding Mountain National Park. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
the park has improved in the past year since the appoint- ment of Sheldon as the new superintendent. “I think there’s a really good opportunity to move for- ward in a more positive fashion, versus the fortress that was created with the last administration.” Parks Canada said it plans to create a proposed fee schedule for boat launches and will host public consulta- tion this summer. The Martese tour boat will continue to operate during the two days each week when motorboats are banned, the Parks Canada bulletin said. Kelsey Connor, owner and operator of the Martese, told the Sun that the news is positive after a challenging two years. “We welcome Parks Canada’s recent announcement,” Connor said in an email. “While much work lies ahead, we look forward to continuing our services and contributing to the visitor experience and enjoyment of Clear Lake.” Connor added that the company acknowledges its ongoing commitment and responsibility to reconcilia- tion and environmental stewardship in Riding Mountain National Park. Boquist said Fairness for Clear Lake is currently working to form “a collective agreement” so that the Clear Lake Cabin Association, the Clear Lake Cottage Owners Asso-
He said that shoreline areas are commonly an impacted area in freshwater lakes, and dusk and dawn are periods of high ecological activity. No-wake zones and no-motorized-boat days provide a buffer for the many stakeholders who said they valued peaceful connections with the lake through activities such as paddling, he added. Under the new management rules, non-motorized wa- tercraft must be committed this year to either Clear Lake or to other waterbodies in Riding Mountain National Park through the park’s permit program. Complete program details were being finalized at the time of publication in April, Parks Canada said. Riding Mountain MP Dan Mazier told the Sun this spring that he supports the reintroduction of boats as a product of democracy. The advocacy and pushback that arose in response to the 2025 boat ban “absolutely” con- tributed to this year’s policy change, he said. “They listened to the community. I’ve been asking for this, and the community has been asking for this,” he said. “We’ve got boats back on Clear Lake, with some caveats that need to be discussed further.” While he is happy to hear the news, he said he will con- tinue to watch the policy roll out at the lake to avoid a pos- sible “slippery slope” of increased boating bans over time. “I’m going to be watching that, and I think the community
ciation and the Wasagaming Chamber of Commerce will be represented in future decisions at the park. “How do we put some- thing in place that brings accountability, so that we never have to form Fairness for Clear Lake again?” he said.
is going to be watching that, to make sure that the park, all of a sudden, doesn’t decide: ‘We’re go- ing to make it three days, or make it more hours,’ or anything like that.” Mazier added that the decision is “proof in the pudding” that leadership at
“People care about Riding Mountain National Park so deeply, and care about Clear Lake so deeply in their own unique ways.”
Riding Mountain National Park superintendent Tom Sheldon
“How do we make sure we don’t wind up back in the same situation?”
THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SPRING 2026
17
He said the advocacy group spent roughly two-thirds of the $115,000 that it fundraised to challenge Parks Canada’s boat ban in 2025. April’s bulletin also said Parks Canada will “accelerate the advancement of a joint stewardship or management agreement for Clear Lake with Chief (Dwayne Sonny) Blackbird and Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation (KOFN), a commitment that further formalizes and deep- ens this shared stewardship.” It said the federal agency will also support KOFN’s con- tinued participation in “a robust monitoring program for Clear Lake to support ecological integrity.” Clear Lake has been grappling with the presence of zebra mussels since their first confirmed detection in November 2023, when a cluster of 48 live mussels was discovered. In October 2024, eight juvenile zebra mussels were found. That same month, zebra mussels were also discovered attached to dock infrastructure along the lake’s north shore. During 2025 monitoring, one zebra mussel veliger — microscopic larvae— was detected for the first time. Parks Canada also found two adult zebra mussels and roughly 15 juveniles. “Zebra mussels are now reproducing in Clear Lake, which means future tests will always detect their eDNA,” Parks Canada said last year. ✹
A Parks Canada employee conducts visual inspections for signs of zebra mussels near the Clear Lake boat cove in Riding Mountain National Park. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
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THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SPRING 2026
18
WESTMAN RESORTS AND CAMPGROUNDS
SOURISFORD PARK (COULTER)
MINIOTA CAMPGROUND Adjacent to a nine-hole golf course. Free firewood. Golfing and camping week or weekend price packages. • One kilometre south and a half- kilometre east of Miniota
ASPEN GROVE CAMPGROUND Featuring full service large sites, RV parking and tenting, Aspen Grove is a great place to relax and enjoy summer activities. • On Trans-Canada Highway, 10-minute drive between Oak Lake and Virden • Phone: 204-855-2260 • aspengrovecampground.com HAPPYLAND CAMPGROUND Full serviced sites and unlimited sites without water and electricity. Great fishing and birdwatching, long sheltered lake ideal for all water sports. • Ninette, east of the city along Highway 23, and the northern shores of Pelican Lake • Phone: 204-523-0977 • rmofprairielakes.ca/p/happyland- campground
from Riding Mountain National Park and adjacent to Poplar Ridge Golf Course, Outpost offers seasonal RV and park model sites for those looking to enjoy Clear Lake and the amenities that surround it. Large, well-treed sites will provide you with the back-to-nature atmosphere you desire, in a location that is both
“Oldest park in Western Canada.” The park is home to the annual Pioneer Picnic. It is used for camping, picnics, birdwatching, hunting and fishing. Playground with washrooms. • Melita, 16 kilometres south of the community on Highway 83 • Phone: 204-522-3263 • tourismwestman.ca/camp/ sourisford-park-coulter L & F CAMPGROUND The campground has 15 serviced sites (30 – 50 amp) with full RV hookup. About 10 unserviced lots available. • Melita, 644 Government Rd. • Phone: 204-522-3183 • melitamb.ca/p/parks-camping
• Phone: 204-567-3183 NEEPAWA LIONS RIVERBEND PARK
private and convenient. • 480 MB-10, Onanole • Phone: 431-489-2540 • outpostclearlake.com PELICAN SHORES RV PARK
The campground is located right beside the outdoor swimming pool and offers an 18-hole golf course close by as well as walking trails and fishing. • riverbend@neepawa.ca • Phone: 204-476-7676 • neepawa.ca/campground OUTPOST CAMPGROUND & COMMUNITY Located just a fifteen-minute walk • Off Highway 16 near downtown Neepawa
A full-service RV Park located on beautiful Pelican Lake only 45 minutes from Brandon and 20 minutes from Killarney, Manitoba. • Ninette • Phone: 204-721-3226 or 431-306-8609 • pelicanshores.ca
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THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SPRING 2026
19
Wetland neighbours BELOW: Western Painted Turtles sunbathe on a log in a pond near Lake Clementi. RIGHT: A great blue heron fishes in the Souris River in Souris on a warm and sunny morning.
BOTTOM LEFT: A muskrat sits on a log eating while hunting and foraging for food at Lake Clementi south of Brandon. BOTTOM RIGHT: Two tiny black bear cubs forage along the side of Highway 10 in Riding Mountain National Park. (Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
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THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SPRING 2026
20
WESTMAN RESORTS AND CAMPGROUNDS
DELEAU-SIFTON CENTENNIAL PARK
RAPID CITY CENTENNIAL PARK Fishing, playground, canoeing, swimming. Adjacent to sandy beach on Little Saskatchewan River. Nearby museum. • 435 Third Ave., Rapid City • Phone: 204-826-2679 ELKHORN RESORT SPA AND CONFERENCE CENTRE Situated in Central Manitoba, The Elkhorn Resort, Spa and Conference Centre proposes nature adventures, complete relaxation and culinary bliss. With over 3,000 square
National Park, the Elkhorn offers over hundreds of kilometres of hiking and cross-country ski trails. Just a five-minute drive from the town of Wasagaming, make Elkhorn Resort your base camp to Clear Lake.
30-amp receptacles. A limited number of adapters are available for purchase at the Reston Club House. • Reston • Phone: 204-522-0084 • rmofpipestone.com/p/ reston-campground PIPESTONE RECREATIONAL CAMPGROUND Provides water, washroom facilities and electrical outlets. For bookings and more information please contact Raymond Revet. • Pipestone
The Deleau-Sifton Centennial Park, located 15 minutes West of Souris is a traveller’s paradise – with new washroom facilities, playground and 70 feet high evergreen trees surrounding the park. This park hosts ball tournaments, farmer’s markets, picnics, anniversaries and many other events throughout the year. • Oak Lake • Phone: 204-855-2423
• 3 Mooswa Dr. E, Onanole • Phone: 1-866-355-4676 • elkhornresort.mb.ca
RIVERS PROVINCIAL PARK (RIVERS CAMPGROUND) Made up of 38 hectares of mixed grass prairie, this park is situated by Lake Wahtopanah. The park is home to a popular beach and provides ample fishing for pike, walleye and perch. • Rivers • Phone: 1-800-214-6497 • gov.mb.ca/nrnd/parks/park-maps- and-locations/western/rivers.html
RESTON LAKE & CAMPGROUND
• Phone: 204-522-0084 • rmofpipestone.com/p/ accomodations
Located West side of Reston Manitoba, this beautiful little
kilometres of boreal forest at its doorstep and bordering the Riding Mountain
campground is full of activities for all ages to enjoy. The area includes 18 full-service sites, a spray park with a water slide, a nine-hole family friendly golf course and a swimming lake with beach area. The clubhouse offers snacks, meals and ice cream. The campground is equipped with
PIERSON CAMPGROUND Full-service sites and unlimited unserviced sites, donations accepted. • Pierson
• Phone: 204-634-2231 • twoborders.ca/pierson- campground-rates
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