Along the way, explore vibrant communities and historic landmarks. Don’t miss the chance to detour into Riding Mountain National Park, where a perfect mix of outdoor adventure and laid-back lakeside vibes await.

Part 1: Ontario to Portage la Prairie

For your road trip from the Ontario border to the junction of highway 1 and 16, refer to Parts 1-3 (up to Portage la Prairie) from this itinerary.

Part 2: Portage la Prairie to Neepawa

Head west out of Portage la Prairie until you reach the turn off to highway 16, also known as the Yellowhead Highway.

Gladstone

Happy Rock — a smiling, top hat-wearing boulder — has become an iconic roadside attraction along highway 16. While in town, explore the Gladstone District Museum to discover the area's prairie roots, including a detailed replica of early Gladstone crafted by a local artisan, or tee off at the scenic nine-hole Gladstone Golf & Country Club. Be sure to check out other historic landmarks too, like the Galloway Bros. Department Store. Built in 1902, it stands as one of Manitoba’s earliest department stores outside a major city.

Gladstone also features a campground with both full-service and riverside sites, perfect for a relaxed stay in nature.

Big Grass Marsh and Langruth

Bird enthusiasts will want to head just north to Big Grass Marsh. Recognized as an important birding area in Canada and home to Ducks Unlimited’s first preserved wetland, the marsh is a haven for waterfowl like mallards, snow geese and Canada geese.

The area is also home to Hollywood Beach, featuring a large natural sand beach as well as a campground in nearby Langruth.

Arden

Take a short turnoff to the (unofficial) Prairie Crocus Capital of Canada, marked accordingly with the world's largest crocus monument. Arden celebrates Manitoba's official floral emblem each and every year with an annual photography contest.

Part 3: Neepawa

Just 25 minutes west of Gladstone, Neepawa — meaning “plenty” in Cree — offers a rich blend of history, culture and outdoor adventure.

Keep your eyes peeled as you enter from the east side of town and you might just spot the World's Tallest Purple Martin Colony.

Visit the childhood home of famed author Margaret Laurence, now a museum and cultural centre. Then head to Riverside Cemetery to see the stone angel statue from her novel and her final resting place. For more local history, explore the Beautiful Plains Museum, housed in a 1902 rail station or catch a show at the heritage Roxy Theatre.

For time spent outdoors, tee off at the scenic Neepawa Golf & Country Club or hit the HyLife Back 40 Trail Park for exciting mountain and multi-use cycling tracks. Stretch your legs on the Langford Trails -- over 10 km of trails that will lead you by landmarks such as the Stony Creek School No. 133, the Canada 150 commemorative loop and Neepawa's downtown. The trail is also part of the TransCanada trail.

Meanwhile, the Lily Nook boasts over 1,500 lily varieties, with peak blooms in mid-July. Hillcrest Park is the place to go for tennis and pickleball courts, a basketball court, beach volleyball and picnics.

Experience Neepawa’s Filipino community at Rotor’s Bakery n’ Pizzeria or Lola’s Bakery for treats like pianono and pancit. Brews Brothers is another local favourite for pizza, soup and coffee.

Don't leave town without grabbing a beer flight at Farmery Estate Brewery — Canada’s first estate brewery — and enjoy a tour and hearty eats from the onsite food truck. Speaking of food - take a stroll on Thursdays through the ArtsForward Farmers' Market for a collection of local fare and products.

Where to Stay in Neepawa: Neepawa offers a campground next to the town's outdoor pool, as well as accommodations such as Bay Hill Inn & Suites, Best Western Plus and the Garden Path Guest House.

Part 4: Minnedosa

Connected by Highway 5 — also known as the scenic Parks Route — Minnedosa lies just 20 minutes west of Neepawa along the Yellowhead (highway 16).

Minnedosa Lake offers a sandy beach, boat launch, and kayak rentals, plus a lakeside campground with full-service and lakeview sites. It’s also home to a floating water park: Splish Splash Water Park, where you can bounce between slides, trampolines and climbing structures.

Soak in valley views with a picnic and a round of disc golf at River’s Edge Recreation Park. The park also features "Central Bark" - an enclosed area to let your dog go off leash and play around dog structures. The Minnedosa Golf and Country Club features 18 holes, set into the rolling landscape.

Take a walk along the scenic Flag Walk, which connects the beach to the Minnedosa Heritage Village. This open-air museum showcases nine restored buildings, including a rare octagonal agricultural hall, a church, schoolhouse and the original power plant. From here, access the Oxbow Nature Trail — a riverside path featuring a lookout tower, swinging bridge and views of a bison compound.

Discover Minnedosa’s rich architectural history on a self-guided Stone House Tour. Explore ten heritage buildings, including the former post office, rail station and quaint homes — some of which now operate as charming bed and breakfasts.

For another activity idea during June and July, visit Basswood Berries for a strawberry u-pick experience.

There are plenty of restaurants, bakeries and cafes in town including Farmhouse 50, Minnedosa Main Street Cafe, RD’s On Main, Dari Isle Drive In (smashburgers are a must-try), Corner Stone Grill and more. Established in 1988, Minnedosa is also home to one of the oldest Farmers' Markets in Manitoba which runs every Friday starting on June 27, 2025.

Minnedosa’s annual summer music festival, Rockin’ The Fields of Minnedosa, takes place from August 1 to 3, 2025 and features acts like Loverboy and Headstones.

As you exit town, stop into the rest area at the junction of highway 10 and 16 to find restroom facilities, picnic areas tourism information and a 16 foot replica of a canvasback duck, a nod to the area's excellent breeding habitat for waterfowl.

Where to Stay in Minnedosa: Fairmount Bed & Breakfast, Farmhouse 50 Loft, Kruk Castle Bed & Breakfast and Minnedosa Beach Campground.

Then, explore the town’s shops. The Chocolate Fox, Clear Lake Trading Post and Friends of Riding Mountain offer great Clear Lake-themed gear. Don’t miss Poor Michael’s Emporium in nearby Onanole—packed with books, records, art and lattes.Cap off the day with a classic Clear Lake tradition: ice cream. Choose from The Boardwalk, Lakehouse, The Velvet Dip or The Chocolate Fox for gelato.

Just outside of town, book in a body-and-mind-melting thermal experience at Klar So Spa.

Swim at the main beach in town of head to Deep Bay, a favourite summer hangout. At the main beach, find the Marina where you can rent a variety of watercraft like kayaks and paddleboats.

Clear Lake Golf Course offers top-tier fairways, elevation changes, and Manitoba’s most exciting tee shot—blind into a valley near the boat launch. For more casual fun, try one of the three mini-golf courses nearby, including Adventure Mini Golf, Big Putts Mini-Golf and the classic course at Sporty’s.

For an epic full day hike, tackle the challenging 22 km Bald Hill and Gorge Creek trail. Or for easier-going hikes, consider options like Kinosao trail, Bead Lakes trail or South Lake Trail.

Head out on a uniquely Manitoban safari at dawn or dusk to spot the herd of 40 bison roaming the plains at Lake Audy. This conservation success story lets you witness these majestic animals in their natural element—just remember to stay in your vehicle and bring your camera.

For guided tours, keep an eye on Parks Canada's website for upcoming workshops and tours or visit Turtle Village for Indigenous storytelling experiences.

Where to Stay in Riding Mountain National Park: Campgrounds (including glamping structures like oTENTiks and yurts), Arbutus Cabins, Arrowhead Family Resort, Aspen Ridge Resort, Black Pine Lodge, Cottages at Clear Lake, Crooked Mountain Cabins, Elkhorn Resort, Fiddlehead Cabin, Geiler Corner All Season Resort, Honeycomb Bed & Breakfast, Idylwylde Cabins, Lakehouse, Manigaming Resort, Mooswa Resort, Riding Mountain House, Smokey Hollow, The Stowaway Inn, Thunderbird Bungalows, Turtle Village

Part 5: Onward to the Saskatchewan Border

Sandy Lake

Just off highway 45 before you link back up to highway 16, the quiet town of Sandy Lake is home to the gem that is Sandy Lake Beach & Pier. It’s a long-loved spot for swimming, boating and catching sunsets on the water. The lake is well-stocked for fishing and the wide sandy beach is perfect for families. Here, you can also tee off at the Sandy Lake Golf Course and stay overnight at the on-site RV park.

Shoal Lake

Stop into this small community to find two hidden gem museums. Just east of town, first stop into the Prairie Mountain Regional Museum, open Monday to Sunday in limited hours. The museum holds the Rollie Clegg collection, which features approximately 90 antique horse-drawn carriages and is the second largest of its kind in Canada. The site also includes several historic buildings, such as the McNarry and Elliot pioneer houses, along with the former schoolhouses of Olha School No. 1243 and Seech School No. 1454.

Next, head to the Shoal Lake Mounted Police Museum is a replica of the original North West Mounted Police barracks and operates from Wednesday to Sunday in July and August.

Binscarth

The Binscarth Park & Pool is a great spot for a pitstop to rest and recharge. Visit the Cook Shack for a bite to eat or cool off in the pool. Kids will love the waterslides, playground and mini-golf. There’s also a horseshoe pit and beach volleyball on site.

Russell

Russell has more than just its famous eight-foot bull statue, Arthur. Sip a latte from Bin 22 or TinHouse Designs & Coffee Co. while browsing Prairie Collective Co., then grab a burger and ice cream at Connie’s Drive In. Take a self-guided tour to discover local landmarks or head to nearby 9 Finger Ranch for scenic horseback rides through the hills near Riding Mountain National Park. To stretch your legs, take the 10.5 km out-and-back trail from Russell and explore through forested areas and country roads. The trail began in 1891, with sections just recently restored for recreational use.