Main image

USGS/NASA Landsat Program; found and cropped by Szczureq CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

West Hawk Lake

Lake

In Manitoba's Whiteshell Provincial Park, West Hawk Lake fills an impact crater; visitors rent cabins, boat, fish and dive over clear deep water framed by granite shorelines.

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West Hawk Lake essentials

Address: West Hawk Lake, Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba, Canada
Website: gov.mb.ca
Admission: No park admission; facilities may charge for camping or cabins (fees vary)

West Hawk Lake is a deep lake within Whiteshell Provincial Park in eastern Manitoba that occupies an impact crater. The lake is notable for its depth and clear water relative to surrounding lakes, and it is a recognized local destination for boating and scuba diving.

The shoreline supports cottages, campgrounds and recreational facilities serving summer visitors, and the lake is used year-round for a range of water-based activities where seasonal conditions permit. The depth and underwater topography make it of interest to divers and lake researchers studying impact features.

West Hawk Lake lies in eastern Manitoba inside Whiteshell Provincial Park, part of the Canadian Shield lake district east of Winnipeg; access is by road through the park and via local park facilities.

  • Impact crater lake: Occupies a deep, bowl-shaped lake basin formed by a meteorite impact and is a well-known local site for boating and scuba diving within Whiteshell Provincial Park.
  • Recreation: Located within Whiteshell Provincial Park, the lake is surrounded by cottage developments, campgrounds and accesses for water-based recreation.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit West Hawk Lake#

Best visited late spring through early autumn for boating, diving, and lakeside recreation.

Summer
June-August · 15-25°C
Warm water for boating and swimming; lakefront cottages busy on weekends.
Late spring/early autumn
May, September · 5-15°C
Quieter shoreline, good conditions for hiking and diving; water cooler.

Weather & Climate near West Hawk Lake#

Climate

West Hawk Lake'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 -25°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (628 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 24 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
25°
Warmest Month
-25°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -25° - -13° -27° 26 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
February - -21° - -8° -21° 17 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
March - -13° - 0° -12° 23 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
April - -4° - 9° -1° 27 mm - - 3.8 m/s - -
May - 4° - 17° 10° 73 mm - - 3.9 m/s - -
June - 10° - 22° 16° 102 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
July - 13° - 25° 19° 93 mm - - 3.3 m/s - -
August - 12° - 24° 18° 80 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
September - 7° - 17° 12° 71 mm - - 3.7 m/s - -
October - 1° - 10° 2° 53 mm - - 4.0 m/s - -
November - -8° - 0° -10° 36 mm - - 3.9 m/s - -
December - -20° - -9° -21° 27 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
Getting There & Around

How to Get to West Hawk Lake#

West Hawk Lake is located within Whiteshell Provincial Park, about 140 km east of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Drive east on Trans-Canada Highway (MB-1) then take local roads (MB-44 and park access roads) into Whiteshell; signs direct to West Hawk Lake. The nearest town with services is Falcon Lake, about 15-20 minutes’ drive.

Tips for Visiting West Hawk Lake#

  • If launching a small boat, use the provincial parks' boat ramps and check current water levels - levels can vary seasonally.
  • West Hawk Lake is formed in a meteorite impact structure; a dive with a certified local operator will reveal steep drop-offs and unusual underwater topography.
  • Stay in Whiteshell Provincial Park accommodation for easy access to shoreline trails and park facilities.