What you'll do
If you're short on time, consider shortening your road trip by choosing this alternative 9-Day itinerary:
Day 1:
Winnipeg → Little Limestone Lake (quick stop)
Little Limestone Lake → Paint Lake Provincial Park
Overnight stay in Paint Lake Provincial Park
Day 2:
Paint Lake Provincial Park → Pisew Falls
Pisew Falls → Wekusko Falls (Snow Lake)
Wekusko Falls → Herb Lake Landing
Overnight stay in Wekusko Falls Lodge
Day 3:
Wekusko Falls → Bakers Narrows Provincial Park
Bakers Narrows Provincial Park → Flin Flon
2-night stay in Flin Flon (explore Flin Flon on Days 3 & 4)
Day 5:
Flin Flon → Clearwater Lake
2-night stay in Clearwater Lake (explore Clearwater Lake on Days 5 & 6)
Day 7:
Clearwater Lake → East Blue Lake
2-night stay in East Blue Lake (explore East Blue Lake on Days 7 & 8)
Day 9:
East Blue Lake → Winnipeg (with quick stop to Steep Rock on the way)
Day 1
Introduction
You’ve probably heard the claim that Manitoba is boring and not worth visiting. Trust us, we’ve heard it too since we moved to Manitoba. But fortunately, we didn’t let that statement stop us from exploring what this fascinating province in the heart of Canada truly has to offer.
What if we told you that Manitoba has places that will remind you of Greece, the Caribbean, Iceland, or the Canary Islands? Would you believe it? Well, keep reading because by the end of this guide, you’ll understand why Manitoba is a destination worth visiting, with spots that will transport you to places around the world!
Best Canada Road Trip Itineraries
Northern Manitoba is full of untouched wilderness, crystal-clear lakes, and epic outdoor adventures. Whether you're into hiking, camping, or spotting wildlife, this itinerary will take you to some of the most breathtaking and underrated spots in the province.
This travel guide is packed with essential travel tips (please refer to the Travel Tips section), must-see locations, hidden gems, and key details on where to stay. From some of the bluest and crystal-clear lakes in Canada that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the Caribbean to landscapes you’d have never thought existed in Manitoba, every stop on this 9-Day Northern Manitoba road trip will leave you in awe!
Northern Manitoba Road Trip
This epic road trip from Winnipeg to Northern Manitoba will take you through a stunning variety of landscapes, including waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and unique natural phenomena like the turquoise waters of Little Limestone Lake and the breathtaking caves. The journey offers a perfect blend of nature and adventure, ideal for solo travelers, couples, and families with kids. To fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Northern Manitoba, we recommend setting aside at least 9 days for this trip.
Northern Manitoba Road trip Budget
The beauty of this road trip is that it can be tailored to fit any budget. You can opt for a more affordable experience or indulge in comfort—it's entirely up to you. Here are the costs to consider for a road trip to Northern Manitoba:
Campgrounds (Yurts & traditional tent campsites)
Food (groceries + eating out)
Hotels/Lodges/Unique Stays:
Annual Manitoba Park Vehicle Permit Fee: $44.50 (2024 rate). Note: in 2025 Park Entry is FREE. No Park entry permit is required, so you don't have to worry about this expense in 2025.
Activities If you love nature, most of your activities—like hiking and beach visits—will be outdoors, so your activity costs should remain low.
Gas
For a 12-day itinerary, we spent a total of CAD $1,851.26 for 2 people.
If you're traveling in a group, the cost per person can be significantly reduced as accommodations and gas costs can be shared. To save even more, consider traveling during the camping season and staying exclusively at Manitoba Parks-designated campgrounds instead of hotels and lodges. For reference, the 2024 nightly rate for a comfortable Yurt was CAD $56, and a traditional tent campsite costed just CAD $13.65 per night.
When to Take This Road Trip
Based on our experience, the best times to take this Manitoba road trip are in the Spring (late May to early June) or late Summer (late August to early September). You can also venture out during the height of summer (mid June-mid August), but be prepared to face swarms of mosquitoes and black flies, which can make it harder to fully enjoy the experience. This road trip can also be taken in the winter to admire the beauty of these spots in a winter wonderland setup, but of course, you won’t be able to do much beside starring at them in a freezing cold weather. Throughout this incredible road trip, you’ll mostly be traveling through Treaty 5 and Treaty 2 lands, which we acknowledge and ask you to show respect for these lands.
Winnipeg Richardson International Airport
Sightseeing
Winnipeg Airport
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, also known as Winnipeg International Airport, is the primary airport in Winnipeg, and where you will land when flying into Winnipeg.
You can also rent a car at this airport if needed! Our go-to app for car rentals is Uber, where we've found great deals as low as CAD $19 per day!
Winnipeg
Sightseeing
Capital city of Manitoba
Winnipeg, the capital and largest city of Manitoba, is a vibrant and diverse city located at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. It's known for its extreme seasonal weather, multicultural festivals, and sports teams like the Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bombers.
Since we're based in Winnipeg, our road trip will start and end here. If you're not based in Winnipeg, don’t worry! Simply use Google Maps to adjust your itinerary, setting your location as both the starting and ending points. From there, you can create your own personalized route!
Blue Lake in Northern Manitoba
Sightseeing
Magical colour-changing lake in Manitoba
This Blue Lake in Manitoba is a cool spot where the water changes color like magic! When the weather is warm and the sun is shining, it turns a stunning turquoise thanks to some fancy science stuff with calcium carbonate. But when the weather cools down, the water goes crystal clear. It's like having your own little slice of the Caribbean right here in Canada. Plus, you can paddle around, and spot all sorts of wildlife. Just remember to leave only footprints behind and respect the land.
Getting There
From Winnipeg, take Highway 6 north and continue straight until you see the sign on the left that reads “Welcome to Little Limestone Mosakahiken Cree Nation 312 Treaty 5 Territory.” Turn left here to access the lake. While the lake is located within Little Limestone Lake Provincial Park, it is managed by the Mosakahiken Cree Nation, not Manitoba Parks. This means you won’t find it listed in the Manitoba Parks reservation system, and camping reservations must be made directly through the Mosakahiken Cree Nation (details below). Since it’s a non-operational provincial park, there are currently no day-use fees for now.
What Makes Little Limestone Lake Special?
Little Limestone Lake is the world’s largest marl lake. Marl lakes change color based on temperature due to their clay and calcium carbonate-rich sediments. When it’s hot, the lake transforms into a stunning opaque turquoise or milky blue, while colder temperatures turn it crystal clear.
For more details on how to prepare your visit, check out our Ultimate Guide to Little Limestone Lake available in our link in bio on Instagram.
Best Things to Do at Little Limestone Lake
Swimming
Unlike glacier-fed lakes like Lake Louise or Moraine Lake, Little Limestone Lake isn’t freezing cold, making it a great spot for a refreshing swim. The pebble beach near the parking lot provides easy access, and the gentle depth makes it family-friendly.
Pro tip: Wear water shoes—the lakebed is rocky.
Paddleboarding
Exploring the lake by paddleboard is a must! We love using our inflatable paddleboard from Canadian Board Co. because it’s lightweight and easy to pack for road trips. If you’re interested, use our code REAL_DIARI_ADVENTURES for 10% off your purchase (If you buy something with our discount code, we’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We haven’t been paid by any retailers; these are simply our genuine recommendations) . However, keep in mind that the lake is often windy, and conditions can change quickly, so don’t paddle too far from shore.
Canoeing
On our first visit, we went canoeing, but strong winds pushed us off course, forcing us to carry our canoe along the shore to return. If you choose to canoe, do so responsibly and be prepared for unpredictable weather. We rented our canoe from Winnipeg Canoe Rental before heading to the lake, as there are no rental shops nearby. You may be able to rent water equipment from cabins and campgrounds (Hobbs resort, Moak Lodge & Camping, Cook's Campground and Cabins) located in Grand Rapids, 40 mins from Little Limestone Lake.
Boating & Fishing
Some visitors bring their own boats for fishing. If you plan to fish, you’ll need a valid Manitoba fishing license and possibly, a special permit for Little Limestone Lake. Contact Manitoba Conservation for more information.
Where to Stay
Camping
Camping at Little Limestone Lake requires permission from the Mosakahiken Cree Nation at (204) 678-2113. Keep in mind that there are NO amenities like potable water, washrooms, or designated campsites, and mosquitoes are relentless in the summer. The available space in front of Little Limestone Lake is not that big, so to preserve this natural gem, we recommend non-invasive camping, like tent camping or camping in a little boler, or choosing a nearby campground instead.
Nearby Campgrounds
Here are 3 campgrounds in Grand Rapids, just a 40-minute drive from Little Limestone Lake:
Hobbs Resort
Moak Lodge & Camping
Cook’s Campground & Cabins
Where to Eat
The nearest town, Grand Rapids (40 minutes away from Little Limestone Lake), has a few eateries, but options are limited, so plan accordingly.
You can also pack food from home and bring garbage bags to carry out your waste.
Important Reminder
To help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, always clean, drain, and dry watercraft and related equipment.
Setting Lake
Sightseeing
Lake in Northern Manitoba
Setting Lake is a beautiful and remote lake located in northern Manitoba, Canada. Situated approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Thompson, this scenic lake is known for its clear waters and peaceful surroundings. It’s a popular spot for fishing and boating. The lake is surrounded by boreal forest, offering plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing and makes for a great stop to stretch your legs on the way to Paint Lake Provincial Park and Thompson.
Paint Lake Lodge
hotel
Lodge in Paint Lake Provincial Park
Paint Lake Lodge is located within Paint Lake Provincial Park and offers cozy cabins, an on-site restaurant, and a convenience store. They also provide guided fishing services and have the largest marina in Manitoba, Paint Lake Marina. Paint Lake Lodge is a home base option for exploring the beauty of Paint Lake Provincial Park.
Sasagiu Rapids Lodge 2013 Ltd
hotel
Lodge and restaurant near Pisew Falls Provincial Park
Sasagiu Rapids Lodge is a cozy lodge and restaurant, just a 7-minute drive from Pisew Falls Provincial Park. It offers comfortable rooms, free parking, and an onsite restaurant where you can enjoy a meal. Sasagiu Rapids Lodge was the perfect place for us to crash after hiking the challenging Kwasitchewan Falls trail.