Explore these 8 winter trails in Clear Lake Country with Hike Manitoba

Posted November 07, 2023 | Author Jaime Manness/Hike MB

It's not too late to cross one more thing off of your winter bucket list. We're talking winter hiking! Take a trip to Clear Lake Country and explore these 8 winter hiking trails. Whether it's your first time or your fifth time, explore somewhere new and stop in for food, favourites, and fun along the way.


When asked about visiting Clear Lake Country, folks regale with stories of lazy summer days at the cabin, exploring hiking trails throughout Riding Mountain, beach days, and clinking glasses with friends on one of Clear Lake Country's gorgeous patios in the height of summer.

Not so long ago, the little town of Wasagaming all but shuttered its doors for the winter months; closing mid-fall and reopening in May. The park remained accessible to adventurers and still served as a main route through the region, but had very limited services for visitors. Over the past several years, Parks Canada, Clear Lake Country, and several local businesses have been working to improve the visitor experience in the winter months. The roads, trailheads, and sidewalks through the park are exceptionally well-maintained; in town and beyond. While services within the park are limited, the essentials are available. Coffee, food, and accommodations. Gas and necessities can be secured just outside of RMNP in Onanole! Clear Lake Country has quickly become a destination for winter adventure.

Love For Lakehouse

Lakehouse, Wasagaming, Clear Lake Country

Lakehouse, Wasagaming, Clear Lake Country

Lakehouse, Wasagaming, Clear Lake Country

A favourite of Hike Manitoba, Lakehouse, underwent a change of ownership and a brilliant change in appearance. Lakehouse has quickly become Wasagaming’s darling year ‘round; especially in the winter months. Under one roof lives a boutique hotel, charming cafe, and the most dreamy and romantic little restaurant.

Arriving at Arbutus Cabins

Arbutus Cabins, Wasagaming, Clear Lake Country

Arbutus Cabins, Wasagaming, Clear Lake Country

Arbutus Cabins, Wasagaming, Clear Lake Country

With Lakehouse open throughout the year, other businesses have been emboldened to stay open. Arbutus Cabins - sister resort to Mooswa - was our host during our weekend stay. We were greeted by a freshly plowed parking pad and shoveled walkways (which is absolutely lovely when you’re arriving after dark on a Friday evening). We appreciated the care and tiniest of details that go into maintaining Arbutus. The cabins are spotless, comfortably decorated, and very well appointed.


During our stay in Riding Mountain National Park, we explored eight trails. We were delighted to find that Parks Canada staff have been speedy and diligent about clearing trailheads and parking lots for easy access.

with Hike Manitoba
8 Winter Hiking Trails in Riding Mountain National Park

1. Ominik Marsh Trail

Ominik Marsh Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Ominik Marsh Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Ominik Marsh Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

First up is Ominnik Marsh Trail in Wasagaming. The trail can be easily accessed on foot from town, or choose one of the three parking spots near the trailhead. During the melted months, the trail is paved, transitions to packed limestone pea gravel, and then turns into boardwalk. During the winter months, the trail is classified as a wilderness ungroomed multi-use trail for hiking, snowshoeing, and walking. The winter loop is an approximate 0.5km loop.

If you’d like to add on to your adventure, you can step off Ominnik Marsh trail and onto South Lake trail. This 3km loop trail is groomed - but not track set - for hiking, walking, snowshoeing, and fat biking. This is NOT a ski trail and foot travel is welcome.

2. South Lake Trail

South Lake Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

South Lake Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

South Lake Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

If you’d like to add on to your adventure, you can step off Ominnik Marsh trail and onto South Lake trail. This 3km loop trail is groomed - but not track set - for hiking, walking, snowshoeing, and fat biking. This is NOT a ski trail and foot travel is welcome.

Travel Tip:

Looking for a snowshoe trail? If you don’t have snowshoes you can rent them in town from Friends of Riding Mountain. The folks there are super friendly and can help get you ready for adventure!

3. Arrowhead Trail

Arrowhead Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Arrowhead Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Arrowhead Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Arrowhead is a quick jaunt from Wasagaming townsite. This 3.2km loop trail is an ungroomed wilderness trail and open to hiking, snowshoeing, and fat biking. This is a REALLY fun trail to snowshoe… and we were super lucky to be first on the trail after a fresh and fluffy snowfall!

Brule Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Travel Tip:

A visit to Riding Mountain simply isn’t complete until we hike our darling Brule and Kinosao trails. These two trails share a trailhead with Grey Owl trail, a gorgeous track-set trail for cross country skiing. Please remember to keep off this trail - and all track set trails - unless you’re traveling on skis!

Brule Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

4. Kinosao Trail

Kinosao Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Kinosao Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Kinosao Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

If you’re looking for wild and beautiful, start with Kinosao. During the winter months, this 3.8km trail (linear, out-and-back) is a wilderness, ungroomed trail. Hike it. Bike it. Snowshoe it. It’s tough not to fall hopelessly in love with this little darling of a trail during any season… but it’s particularly magical in the winter!

5. Brule Trail

Brule Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Brule Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Brule Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

We love Brule trail for its accessibility feature and gorgeous viewpoints. The trail is groomed for hiking, fat biking, and snowshoeing. With a short loop (2.2km) and a long loop (4.1km) it’s a great adventure for all abilities. This trail leads out to a beautiful bridge that skirts the edge of Kinosao Lake. Sunrise is THE time to visit.

6. Bead Lakes Trail

Bead Lake Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Bead Lake Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Bead Lake Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

And lastly is the oft-overlooked Bead Lakes trail. This little gem is tucked away, deep in the woods… most folks speed past on the way to more exciting adventures. While not overly challenging, this 3.9km loop trail is PERFECT for those who want a quiet adventure on the trails. Designated as a wilderness trail, this is an ungroomed trail.

7. Moon Lake Trail

Moon Lake Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Moon Lake Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Moon Lake Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

Have you ever explored Moon Lake trail in the winter? This 9.5km loop trail is designated as a wilderness ungroomed trail through the winter months. Lace up your boots, buckle up your snowshoes, or hop on your fat bike. This trail is WILD during the winter. This is a tough trail with limited cell service so be sure to let someone know where you’re going and when to expect you back!

Travel Tip:

Some of our favourite trails were not readily accessible, so we modified our plans. Part of being a responsible adventurer is knowing when something might be too challenging for a number of reasons - time constraints, trail conditions, etc. We were a considerable way up the trail when we turned back, realizing that we would be out on the trail long after dark at our speed of travel. The snow was deep and wildly fluffy and we were pretty slow-moving on snowshoes!

8. North Escarpment Trail

North Escarpment Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

North Escarpment Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

North Escarpment Trail, Riding Mountain National Park

We chose the North Escarpment trail as our last trail of the weekend. This 6+km trail is a slight but steady incline along the East Escarpment. The views along the trail during the melty months would be marshes, dense forest, and gorgeous ridge lines. During the winter, with the treeline a bit more open, we were able to appreciate the escarpment ridges and elevation changes in the area. The trail had not been traveled before us, so we snowshoed our way along the trail following along what looked like wolf tracks. It was wildly peaceful on the trail and while it’s not the most exciting trail, it’s certainly beautiful and challenging.

Choose adventure and be an outsider in Clear Lake Country!

Canada's Heart Is Calling... pick-up!


For more information on trails and winter adventures, visit the Riding Mountain National Park website here.

About The Author

Hi folks, I'm Jaime Manness! I'm a full-time nurse, part-time educator, and founder of Hike Manitoba. My passions are showcasing the beauty of our province while creating inclusive and accessible spaces for all Manitobans to find inspiration to adventure.

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