7+ Things to Do in Riding Mountain National Park We Loved
We visited Riding Mountain National Park during a fall Manitoba road trip with our two boys, and it quickly became one of the biggest surprises of our trip.
Unlike many of the national parks we’ve visited across Canada, Riding Mountain felt like a family lake getaway and national park visit rolled into one. We explored the charming town of Wasagaming, skipped rocks along Clear Lake, learned about bison, enjoyed some really good food (Manitoba has a great food scene!), and finished our days at Elkhorn Resort, where the boys would have happily spent hours at the pool.
In this guide, I’m sharing our favourite things to do in Riding Mountain National Park with kids, where we ate, where we stayed, and what I’d recommend for your own family trip.
Disclaimer: Just a heads up, this fall getaway was done in partnership with Travel Manitoba. We are truly grateful for this opportunity, but all opinions are mine and honest. Plus, this free article may contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost. Your support helps me continue to provide helpful and free content for you.
In a Rush? Here’s My Quick Guide to Riding Mountain
🚗 Coming From Winnipeg? Riding Mountain National Park is about 3.5 hour from Winnipeg, where you can rent a car.
🛏️ Where to Stay: Elkhorn Resort – Our pick with kids. We loved the spacious chalet, pool + waterslide, play area and games room. Plus, there’s a Nordic spa for the parents.
🍴 Where to Eat: Whitehouse Bakery for the famous cinnamon buns, Lakehouse for lunch, TR McKoys for dinner (make a reservation!), The Boardwalk for an afternoon treat (50+ ice cream flavours)
What NOT to Miss:
🌅 Best easy walk: Ominik Marsh Trail – Go around sunset
🦬 Best wildlife experience: Lake Audy Bison Enclosure – Just know sightings up close aren’t guaranteed
🪶 Best cultural experience: Oji-Cree Showcase & Market – Check for workshops + special events
🏛️ Best with kids: Clear Lake – A lake vacation within a national park
Where Is Riding Mountain National Park?
Riding Mountain National Park is located in southwestern Manitoba, about a 3.5-hour drive northwest of Winnipeg. The townsite of Wasagaming sits inside the park on the shores of Clear Lake. It’s also in Wasagaming that you’ll find many of the restaurants, shops and services.
We started our Manitoba trip with one night in Winnipeg before driving to Riding Mountain National Park and staying at Elkhorn Resort, just outside the park. It was an easy combination for a short Manitoba road trip and gave us a completely different experience from our time in the city.
👉 If you’re starting your trip in Winnipeg, you can read our guide to Winnipeg with kids before heading to Riding Mountain.
What Makes Riding Mountain National Park Unique?
Riding Mountain National Park is pretty different from many of the other national parks we’ve visited across Canada. At the heart of the park is Wasagaming, a small cottage-style town right along Clear Lake. You can park the car and walk to restaurants, cafés and little shops, visit the Parks Canada Visitor Centre, grab an ice cream and then walk along the lake.
It gave our visit a completely different pace. Instead of spending the entire day driving between trailheads and viewpoints, we hiked, looked for wildlife and explored the park, but we also slowed down and enjoyed the lake-town atmosphere.
I think that combination is what makes Riding Mountain so special for families.
BEST Things to Do in Riding Mountain National Parks
1. Explore Wasagaming
One of the best things to do in Riding Mountain National Park is simply spend some time exploring Wasagaming. This small townsite sits along Clear Lake and has restaurants, cafés, ice cream shops and little stores, all within walking distance. It’s the Banff of Manitoba.
We spent quite a bit of time wandering around Wasagaming during our visit:
- walk along Clear Lake,
- stop at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre,
- grab something to eat (we ate SO MUCH! 🤣) and
- browse a few shops without getting back in the car between every activity.
It also gives Riding Mountain a completely different feel from many other national parks we’ve visited. You’re still surrounded by nature, trails and wildlife, but you have this little cottage town right in the middle of it all.
2. Spend Some Time at Clear Lake
Clear Lake is at the heart of Riding Mountain National Park and one of the places you’ll probably spend a lot of time while exploring Wasagaming (especially if you’re visiting on a hot summer day).
Since we visited in the fall and had a pretty busy itinerary, we didn’t rent kayaks or paddleboards or get out on the water. Instead, we walked along the lake and the boardwalk, stopped for the obligatory photo in the Parks Canada red chairs, and let the boys play along the shore.
The boys probably didn’t mind that we skipped the water activities. They found SO many good skipping rocks and were perfectly content to just skip rocks.
If we returned to Riding Mountain in the summer, getting out on Clear Lake is one thing I’d definitely add to our itinerary.
3. Visit the Parks Canada Visitor Centre
The Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Wasagaming is worth a stop, especially if you’re visiting Riding Mountain National Park with kids. In addition to picking up maps and getting information about the park, there are interactive exhibits about the wildlife, ecology, Indigenous history and Anishinaabe culture of the area.
We always ask for the Parks Canada Xplorers booklet when visiting a national park because the boys love completing the activities. Unfortunately, when we visited, Riding Mountain was in the process of updating and reprinting its booklets, so they weren’t available.
But the exhibits more than made up for it. The boys’ favourite was a hands-on bison anatomy display where they could rebuild a bison layer by layer, adding its organs, muscles, bones and skin. They each went through the entire thing.
You’ll also find a pair of the famous red Parks Canada Adirondack chairs in front of the Visitor Centre, so don’t forget to stop for a photo. I’d allow at least 30 minutes for the Visitor Centre, and a little longer if your kids enjoy interactive exhibits.
4. Visit the Oji-Cree Showcase & Market
One of the most unique experiences we had in Riding Mountain was visiting the Oji-Cree Showcase & Market in Wasagaming. The market features handcrafted Indigenous products made by local artisans, along with workshops, demonstrations and other cultural experiences.
We visited on a day when Edna, the owner, had organized an Indigenous fashion show, which made our visit even more special. The boys also got to make their own keychains using fur and beads. It was a fun hands-on activity and a great way for them to connect with what they were seeing around the market.
Depending on when you visit, the experiences offered can vary, so I’d check what’s happening during your stay rather than expecting the exact same activities we had.
5. Visit the Lake Audy Bison Enclosure
Riding Mountain National Park is home to a small herd of plains bison, and you can try to see them at the Lake Audy Bison Enclosure. The enclosure is about a 30 to 45-minute drive from Wasagaming, including a winding gravel road, so this is one activity you’ll want to allow a bit more time for.
I was really hoping we’d get one of those incredible moments where the bison were right beside the road. Sadly, that wasn’t our experience. The herd was much farther out in the grasslands when we visited, so we could see them in the distance from the lookout, but they never came close to us.
That’s part of visiting wildlife in their natural environment, though. You never really know what you’re going to see. At least we saw them from far, and had the chance to see bison closer during our visit to Waterton Lakes National Park a few years ago.
The drive also takes you into a completely different part of Riding Mountain National Park than Wasagaming and Clear Lake, so it was interesting to see another side of the park.
6. Walk the Ominik Marsh Trail at Sunset
If you’re looking for an easy family hiking trail in Riding Mountain National Park, the Ominik Marsh Trail is a great one to add to your itinerary. The short trail starts near Wasagaming and combines a forested path with wooden boardwalks through the marsh.
We walked the Ominik Marsh Trail around sunset, after eating way too much good food at Elkhorn Resort, and it was the perfect way to end our day and digest a bit. The trail is short and easy, so it didn’t feel like we were convincing the boys to do another big hike at the end of an already busy day.
But the timing made it extra special. As the sun started going down, the light over the marsh was beautiful and the boardwalk gave us an open view of the sunset.
You can absolutely walk the Ominik Marsh Trail at any time of day, but based on our experience, I’d save it for the evening.
7. Try One of the 50+ Ice Cream Flavours at The Boardwalk
No family trip to Wasagaming is complete without an ice cream stop, and The Boardwalk makes choosing a flavour surprisingly difficult. They have more than 50 flavours to pick from, so of course we all ended up ordering something different.
I went with the Maple Sugar ice cream, which, funny enough, comes all the way from Québec. As a Québec girl now living in Alberta, I obviously had to try it.
The Boardwalk is right in Wasagaming, so it’s an easy stop while you’re exploring the town or walking around Clear Lake. Grab a cone and take it down toward the lake for a simple afternoon treat.
Where to Eat in Riding Mountain National Park
We ate really well during our time in Riding Mountain National Park. Wasagaming has several restaurants within walking distance, which is another thing we loved about staying near the park. These were our two main restaurant stops, plus one place we really wanted to try.
Lunch at Lakehouse
We stopped at Lakehouse for lunch while exploring Wasagaming. It’s a hotel, café and shop located close to Clear Lake, and I loved the relaxed atmosphere inside.
I ordered the Summer Burrata Salad, which was delicious and refreshing. One of the boys ordered a Caesar salad, while the other chose the quesadilla, which turned out to be HUGE. Definitely keep the portion sizes in mind when ordering for kids because we could have easily shared more of our food.
There’s also a coffee counter and a little gift shop with some really beautiful items. We managed to leave without buying anything, but I was definitely tempted.
Dinner at TR McKoys
TR McKoys was probably our favourite meal in Wasagaming. We had an early reservation at 5:30 p.m., and the restaurant was already packed when we arrived. And this was during our fall visit, so I can only imagine how busy it gets during the peak summer months.
I shared a bowl of shrimp pasta, and it ended up being the perfect amount of food. The full portion was enormous, which seems to have been a recurring theme with our meals in Wasagaming!
Breakfast at Whitehouse Bakery
We had also planned to have breakfast at Whitehouse Bakery, but sadly, the lineup was too long when we stopped by and we didn’t have enough time to wait.
Apparently, their cinnamon buns are worth the wait, though, so this is one place I’d try again on a future visit.
The Buffalo Bar at Elkhorn Resort
If you’re staying at Elkhorn Resort, The Buffalo Bar makes it really easy to have a good meal without driving back into Wasagaming. We ended up eating here a few times during our stay, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast was probably my favourite. I ordered the banana bread French toast with fresh fruit, and it was SOOO good. Definitely something I’d order again.
There were also plenty of options for lunch and dinner. I tried a salmon salad for one meal and one of their bowls another time, and both were really good.
Riding Mountain National Park Accommodations
There are different options when deciding where to stay in Riding Mountain National Park. You can stay right in the Wasagaming townsite, camp inside the national park, or choose one of the accommodations just outside the park.
We chose to stay at Elkhorn Resort, just outside the park entrance.
We stayed at Elkhorn Resort
We stayed at Elkhorn Resort, located just outside Riding Mountain National Park, and it was such a great home base for our family trip.
We had a spacious two-bedroom chalet with a full kitchen (always a bonus when travelling with kids) and patio with a BBQ. We could make some of our own meals, have more space to spread out and still have an on-site restaurant for the nights when we didn’t feel like cooking.
If I’m being honest though, we didn’t use the kitchen on this trip. 😱 We ate at the on-site restaurant and in Wasagaming.
But for the boys, the highlight was definitely the activity centre.
There’s an indoor pool with a waterslide, a jungle play area and a games room. We ended up spending HOURS there, and honestly, the hardest part was convincing the boys that we should probably leave the resort and actually explore the national park!
And there’s something for the parents too: Elkhorn Resort has its own Nordic spa. It’s apparently the only resort in Manitoba with an on-site nordic spa. It made for a pretty great combination of family adventure during the day and some actual relaxation during our stay.
If you’re visiting Riding Mountain National Park with kids, especially if you want a mix of outdoor adventures and resort amenities, I’d absolutely consider staying at Elkhorn Resort.
How Many Days Do You Need in Riding Mountain National Park?
I’d recommend spending at least two full days in Riding Mountain National Park, especially if you’re visiting with kids. We spent 2 nights at Elkhorn Resort to visit the park and we barely touched the surface. There are plenty of things to do at Riding Mountain National Park and we didn’t have time to do them all.
You can see Wasagaming, Clear Lake and a few of the main attractions in one day, but the Lake Audy Bison Enclosure also takes more time than you might expect. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Wasagaming each way, so you’ll want to account for that when planning your day.
How I’d Plan 2 Days in Riding Mountain National Park
Day 1:Explore Wasagaming → Parks Canada Visitor Centre → Oji-Cree Showcase & Market → Lunch at Lakehouse → Clear Lake → Ice cream at The Boardwalk → Dinner at TR McKoys → Ominik Marsh Trail at sunset
Day 2: Lake Audy Bison Enclosure → More time in Wasagaming or Clear Lake → Pool, waterslide and activities at Elkhorn Resort
💡 Have a third day? Add more hiking or spend a few hours kayaking or paddleboarding on Clear Lake.
Is Riding Mountain National Park Worth Visiting?
Yes, Riding Mountain National Park is worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for a national park that offers more than hiking and scenic drives. It’s also Manitoba’s only easily accessible national park (the other national park in Manitoba is in Churchill).
Riding Mountain was one of the biggest surprises of our Manitoba road trip. I expected our visit to be mostly about trails and wildlife, but instead, it was like a family lake getaway and national park adventure rolled into one.
We walked around Wasagaming, spent time along Clear Lake, looked for bison, learned about the park at the Visitor Centre, ate really good food and finished the day with an easy sunset walk. And when we returned to Elkhorn Resort, the boys still had the pool, waterslide and play area to look forward to.
I also loved how different it is from the national parks we visit most often in the Canadian Rockies. Riding Mountain had a slower, cottage-country feel.
Riding Mountain National Park FAQ
How far is Riding Mountain National Park from Winnipeg?
Riding Mountain National Park is about 270 km northwest of Winnipeg. I’d allow a good three hours for the drive, depending on traffic and where you’re staying. We spent one night in Winnipeg before driving to Riding Mountain.
What town is in Riding Mountain National Park?
Wasagaming is the main townsite inside Riding Mountain National Park. It sits along Clear Lake and is where you’ll find restaurants, cafés, shops, the Parks Canada Visitor Centre and access to several activities.
Why is it called Riding Mountain National Park?
The name “Riding Mountain” dates back to before the area became a national park and is connected to the region’s long history as a place travelled through on horseback. Horseback riding is still part of the park today, with horses permitted on many of its backcountry trails.
Is Riding Mountain National Park good for kids?
Yes. We found Riding Mountain particularly easy to explore with kids because we could mix outdoor activities with shorter stops around Wasagaming. Our boys could walk an easy trail, skip rocks at Clear Lake, learn about bison at the Visitor Centre, get ice cream and still have energy for the pool at Elkhorn Resort.
When is the best time to visit Riding Mountain National Park?
Summer would be my choice if you want to take full advantage of Clear Lake, hiking and the activities around Wasagaming. We visited in the fall and really enjoyed having fewer crowds and the beautiful fall atmosphere, but we didn’t get to experience the park’s water activities. We’ve also heard that there is a nice ice skating path in the winter.
Can you see bison in Riding Mountain National Park?
Yes. Riding Mountain National Park has a plains bison herd at the Lake Audy Bison Enclosure. There are approximately 40 bison in the herd. Just remember that seeing them up close isn’t guaranteed. When we visited, the herd was far out in the grasslands, so we could only see the bison from a distance.
Do you need a Parks Canada pass for Riding Mountain National Park?
Yes. Riding Mountain is a Canadian national park, so you’ll need a valid Parks Canada admission pass to visit. You can purchase daily admission or use a Parks Canada Discovery Pass if you’ll be visiting several national parks during your trip.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Riding Mountain National Park
Riding Mountain National Park was one of the highlights of our Manitoba road trip and definitely a place I’d return to. Between the lake-town atmosphere of Wasagaming, Clear Lake, wildlife and easy family activities, it offered a completely different national park experience than we’re used to in the Canadian Rockies.
Next time, I’d love to visit in summer, spend more time on Clear Lake and slow down even more. If you’re planning a Manitoba road trip with kids, I’d give Riding Mountain at least two full days and make it a destination rather than just a quick stop.
