2 days canoeing through Manitoba's wilderness – Whiteshell Provincial Park, Canada

Crystal-clear lakes, boreal forests, secluded islands, and campfires by the water in the evenings: Whiteshell Provincial Park in Manitoba is a fantastic outdoor region in Canada. On this 2-day canoe trip, you'll paddle across three lakes, sleep on a small island in the heart of the wilderness, and experience Canada at its most tranquil.

Here is all the information including the GPS track for the tour.

Canada's wilderness just two hours from Winnipeg

Whiteshell Provincial Park is located on the border with Ontario and is surprisingly quick to reach from Winnipeg.

While the approach is rather uninspiring, leading through a flat agricultural landscape, the scenery changes abruptly as soon as you leave Highway One:

Dense boreal forests, sparkling lakes and endless nature.

The park is home to black bears, moose, wolves, lynx, river otters, beavers, and foxes . It also boasts countless hiking trails and canoe routes . This is precisely why Whiteshell Provincial Park is one of Manitoba's most popular outdoor destinations.

Key Facts for 2 days canoeing through Whiteshell Provincial Park

♡-Factor: ♡♡♡♡♡

Difficulty: Relaxed in good weather.

Length: 17 km

Duration: 2 days

Highlight: Backcountry camping with a campfire by the lake

In the evenings you sit around the campfire, listen to the water lapping against the shore, and with a lot of luck you might even see the Northern Lights above the trees.

👉 You can find the GPS track for the entire canoe tour here via Outdooractive.

This relaxed backcountry tour offers a particularly good combination of three lakes:

• Brereton Lake

• Mud Turtle Lake

• Vandal Lake

The route is perfect for a two-day trip. You'll paddle through quiet bays, past small islands and dense forests.

Particularly convenient: For the entire tour, the equipment only needs to be carried once during a short portage across land.

Camping takes place on a small island in the middle of the lake.

Click on the first image to start the photo gallery:

From Brereton Lake, the journey continues to the secluded island world of Whiteshell Provincial Park.

The food was delicious - the equipment was heavy.

The boat is the lightest piece of luggage during the portage.

If you're already in Whiteshell Provincial Park, you should definitely stay a little longer.

Among the most famous sights is West Hawk Lake , the deepest lake in Manitoba. It was formed millions of years ago by a meteorite impact. The park also features historic petrol models at Bannock Point and numerous hiking trails.

I highly recommend the hike to Hunt Lake. I'll tell you more about it in my next blog post.

Guided canoe tour or on your own?

Those who do not own their own equipment can easily rent a canoe or book a guided tour.

I myself went with the Wild Loon Adventure Company and practically didn't need to bring anything except warm clothing. All the equipment was provided.

Especially for those who want to do a backcountry canoe trip for the first time, this is a relaxed option.

Information & tips for Whiteshell Provincial Park

General information

General information about destinations , activities , attractions and accommodation options can be found on the Travel Manitoba website and on the Whiteshell Provincial Park website.

Here more Canada tips

Arrival in Manitoba

Flights with a layover from Frankfurt to Winnipeg are available, for example, with Condor or Air Canada . An electronic travel document (eTA) is required for entry into Canada .

You can easily book a rental car at Winnipeg airport. The roads towards Whiteshell Provincial Park are very well maintained – a regular car is perfectly adequate.

Overnight stay at West Hawk Lake

I stayed in a cottage at the West Hawk Lake Resort .

I found the fireplace in the evening particularly cozy.

At the beginning of September, it can get quite cold at night in Manitoba.

Alternatively, there are numerous campsites in Whiteshell Provincial Park .

Restaurants at West Hawk Lake

The " Hi- Point Restaurant and Lounge " is the only restaurant in town that is open seven days a week, all year round. It boasts a delicious menu and a terrace.

Another option for eating right on the beach is Meteor Mike's . They serve burgers, onion rings, milkshakes, and ice cream cones, among other things.

Other popular spots include the Crescent Beach Cottages. (for ice cream) and the Nite Hawk Cafe , which is known for its burgers and sandwiches.