John Cletheroe's
USA and Canada Holiday Hints

Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba

Location

Southeastern Manitoba, due east of Winnipeg. The park therefore lies at the western edge of the Canadian Shield.

What to See and Do

The roads through the park are scenic and if you are travelling in this area then a diversion through the park is highly recommended. As well as Highways 44 and 307 which are the main roads through the park, it is well worth taking the Highway 309 spur road up to Big Whiteshell Lake. Highway 307 runs alongside several scenic lakes within the park. All the roads in the park run through extensive forested areas.

There are a number of cabin and campsite resorts in this large park - approximately sixteen or so of each. The park also has a number of other facilities and sights including restaurants, grocery stores, tennis courts, a museum which contains native artefacts found in the area, a mountain bike trail, a golf course, riding stables, a goose sanctuary (best times to visit to see geese are mid-May to July or late August to October), native petroforms (figures made from boulders), waterfalls, numerous picnic areas, long distance hiking trails and shorter walking trails.

This all too brief description, based on a visit made some years ago, sadly does not do this park justice as it has many other aspects which will appeal to visitors. It would be well worth considering staying within the park.

According to a park leaflet, the name "Whiteshell" is thought to have been derived from a small, white seashell known as the "megis", which is sacred to the natives of the area. Their belief holds that it was through this shell that the Creator breathed life into the first human. Megis shells are symbolic of both the Creation and the path of life. They are used in healing and initiation ceremonies and worn as a reminder of the origin and history of the Anishinabe people.

Some Ideas for Places to Stay

There are no recommended towns close to this park. In our opinion Kenora (in western Ontario) is unpleasant and not recommended.

External Links

Manitoba

State and Provincial Parks

Home | States/Provinces | Subjects

As with all the other pages on this personal web site, all the information on this page is solely the opinion of the author, who has no connection whatsoever with any of the companies and organisations mentioned other than as an actual or potential customer.
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Most recently modified 31-Aug-98