Riding Mountain National ParkRiding Mountain National Park is a national park in Manitoba, Canada, established in 1933 and centred on a raised, forested highland surrounded by prairie. The park is noted for its mosaic of forest, lakes and grasslands and contains a staffed visitor centre and resort community on Clear Lake.
Clear Lake and the Wasagaming village are the most visited parts of the park, offering beaches, boat launches and campgrounds; trails radiate from the lakeshore into the surrounding highland. The park covers a large area that protects both upland forest and adjoining prairie, making it important for regional biodiversity and outdoor recreation.
The park was created by the Canadian government in 1933 to protect the riding mountainous highland and its lakes; visitor facilities and road access were developed through the 20th century to support camping, boating and hiking. It has since been recognised for its ecological value and forms part of a larger biosphere designation.
Riding Mountain sits in west-central Manitoba; the park’s central facilities are at Clear Lake, located inland from Manitoba’s western plains and reachable by road from regional towns such as Dauphin.
- Visitor hub: Park headquarters, visitor facilities and most accommodation are concentrated at the Wasagaming resort on Clear Lake.
- Conservation status: Designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, the park protects a mix of forested highlands and prairie grasslands across several thousand square kilometres.
What to See#
- Wasagaming: The park’s main lakeside centre and visitor services are based at Wasagaming, a resort village on Clear Lake that contains campgrounds, shops and the park’s visitor information.
- Clear Lake: Clear Lake is the park’s largest lake and the focal point for boating, swimming and shoreline recreation during summer months.
Best Time to Visit Riding Mountain National Park#
Best visited in summer (June-August) for warm weather, full park access and lake activities; winter offers snow recreation for prepared visitors.
Weather & Climate near Riding Mountain National Park#
Riding Mountain National Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -26°C to 24°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -26° - -14° | -28° | 20 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -22° - -9° | -23° | 16 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -16° - -2° | -15° | 28 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -6° - 7° | -4° | 26 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 2° - 15° | 6° | 57 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 8° - 21° | 14° | 81 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 11° - 24° | 18° | 71 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 10° - 23° | 17° | 61 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 5° - 17° | 11° | 52 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -1° - 9° | 0° | 37 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -11° - -2° | -12° | 24 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -21° - -10° | -23° | 21 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Riding Mountain National Park#
Riding Mountain National Park is accessed by road via Manitoba Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 10, which passes the park and the main park town of Wasagaming (Clear Lake). The park has vehicle access and parking at Wasagaming and other trailheads; local services are centred on Wasagaming. From Winnipeg and other Manitoba centres drivers use the provincial highway network (PTH 10) - check driving distances and road conditions before travel.
Tips for Visiting Riding Mountain National Park#
- Use Wasagaming (Clear Lake) as your main entry point-this village hosts the park visitor centre, services and the scenic drive that gives quick access to main viewpoints.
- Go early in the morning to spot wildlife (moose and deer) along the park roads and to enjoy calm waters at Clear Lake before boat activity increases.
- Include Lake Audy (bison enclosure) on your route-many visitors drive through the park without stopping at the maintained enclosure and viewing area where bison are reliably seen.