Riding Mountain National Park in the southwest corner of Manitoba is the protected core of the UNESCO designated Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve. It’s an area focused on conservation and sustainable resource. The Riding Mountain National Park includes the rustic charm of the town of Wasagaming, lakes, trails, and nature. Outside the park but within the biosphere are cultivated areas, farms, livestock. The goal is to protect the biodiversity of the biosphere, and to use the resources wisely to promote the long term health of the region plants and animals.

I’m on one of the tours offered by Earth Rhythms. Even calling them tours is a bit of a misnomer. The focus is on experiential travel -- meeting the people, seeing their skills, feeling their passions, and above all, experiencing the land. I want people to learn how things are done here, says Celes Davar of Earth Rhythms, to see into that it’s like to be part of Riding Mountain.

In the National Park – Wildlife, Water, and Nature Trails

Experiencing the land and the environment means a complex of activities. Walking adventures are combined with driving tours and both are paused for something informative or unusual – a “pothole” lake formed by retreating glaciers, a mineral lick surrounded by animals prints, even a pile of scat in the middle of the road. One evening on the way back to the hotel we stopped to watch a mother and coyote pup. When Celes spots something of interest along the road – we instantly pull over for a closer look. His enthusiasm is contagious and we’re soon peering into poop trying to decide what the animal was and what it ate for its most recent meal.

Scheduled activities include early morning walks looking for wildlife. By 6:30AM we are already poised amid the trees ringing the meadow, learning ways to mimic elk bugle calls, and doing a bit of howling on our own, as we wait for the elk to appear. One thing about searching the wild for wildlife is that they don’t always appear on cue. After a while, we move on, walking along a trail in an aspen forest we savor a high bush cranberry (really tart, but surprisingly tasty), we search for beaked hazel nuts, and stare at wild strawberry plants – a veritable feast for wildlife.

Although the elk don’t deign to put in an appearance, a bit further down the road we are charmed to come across the herd of bison that live in a protected area around Lake Audy. The best times to view the herd is in early morning or late afternoon. We were in luck spotting a huge group of the apparently placid animals. Instantly, the doors of the vans open slightly (ready to close if the bison find us a threat), windows roll down and the cameras come out. We sit there quietly watching the bison go about their business – males courting the females, mommas with their babies. Who needs a flash of elk when we have seen a herd of bison.

Food, and where meals are eaten are other important aspects of experiencing Riding Mountain. Celes delights in creating beautiful gourmet dining in the prosaic picnic shelters provided for the public along the lake shorelines. Much of the ingredients are locally grown and organic arising from a sense that we are part of the land and must live lightly upon it. Breakfast and dinner al fresco are superb eaten on clothed tables with silver and flowers with the sounds of the lapping waves providing soothing background.

Geocaching is a fairly new activity but one that combines exploring the land with a sense of a treasure hunt. With GPS (Global Positioning System) unit in hand programmed with a series of coordinates we set out, following the onscreen arrows and map to located hidden caches. It’s a bit like very high tech hide-and-seek and the thrill is the success. This is becoming a very popular activity. Visitors can learn more and download cache information at CachingRidingMountain.ca

With more than 250 miles of trails, encompassing everything from easy strolls to climbs for hardy experienced mountain hikers there is something for everyone. Waterside to mountain overlook, forests, marshes, short to overnight and longer. Birders will love watching for the 250 species sheltered within the park. Explore by foot, mountain bike, horse, or even horse-drawn wagon.

Rustic Design Architecture

There are lovely historic rustic touches through the park. Summer lawn bowling, the Visitor Centre of the park located in Wasagaming, and many of the buildings within the town itself. Don’t miss the original East Gate National Historic Site, a perfect example of the Rustic Design tradition of the 1930s used in Canada's National Parks. It was constructed of indigenous materials by skilled local craftsmen hired through the Federal Government's Depression Relief Program.

Other highlight within the national park is the rustic delight of Wasagaming (which means clear water). Shops, restaurants, and lodging in a charming town on beautiful Clear Lake.

Public Park Programs

The park runs a full program of interpretive and educational programs sure to appeal. Campfire programs are filled with legends, lore, signs and mugs of hot chocolate around the campfire. Wetland Hikes focus on interactions of plants and animals in the wetland. Car Caravans provide an overview of the intriguing features, plus short walks, climbs. There is certainly a buffet of delights – including the walk on Ominnik Marsh and hiking trails around the lakes within the park.

And More

Outside the Riding Mountain National Park (but within the biosphere) Earth Rhythms has partnered with the town of Dauphin to create group tours. Our visit to the Western Sky Apiaries honey farm was complete with tastes of honey in its varied stages, and a mead tasting – an ancient and delicious fermented honey drink.

Dauphin, named after the oldest son of the king of France, was founded in 1739 as a fur-trading post. The Fort Dauphin Museum depicts life in the pioneer time surrounded by a wooden palisade to give it more of a feel of the early fort years. There are also several places to explore the area’s strong Ukrainian heritage including the heritage village and farmsteads. There’s an annual - Ukrainian festival in August. In Kelwood, stop at the Harvest Sun Café and Bake Shop with the delicious menu based on organic and local ingredients.

If You Go
Lodging - Elkhorn Resort within Riding Mountain National Park is full service resort (complete with Solstice Spa) with a welcoming rustic flavor. Guest rooms in the main building, or in chalets scattered among the trees.

The town of Wasagaming offers a range of accommodations as well. For more information on Manitoba visit TravelManitoba.com Riding Mountain National Park is about three hours drive from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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