3-Day Manitoba Road Trip
Summer is here and it’s officially Manitoba Road Trip season! Whether you’re looking for a quick trip for the day or to spend a few nights, this 3-Day Manitoba Road Trip is the perfect adventure that can be customized shorter or longer depending on what you’re after!
Even as someone who LOVES exploring Manitoba, I often find myself going to the same places again & again in the summer, so when I found the Water, Water, Everywhere trip idea on the Travel Manitoba 2022 Road Trip Guide, I knew I had to do it this summer!
Anything that involves water, I’m here for, and paired with the beautiful views along the Winnipeg River down Hwy 11, this was the perfect Manitoba Road Trip without driving too far!
DAY 1:
Drive to Pinawa
The first destination you’ll hit is Pinawa, just 110 km from the city! Old Pinawa (or Pinawa Dam) came to be in 1903 as the site of Manitoba’s first hydro-electric generating station. When the Pinawa Dam ceased operations in 1951, the town was no longer until new Pinawa was developed just a few km away to provide housing and a community for the employees of the Whiteshell Laboratories nuclear research facility built by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.
Aside from the town’s significant history, there is now a TON of fun stuff to see & do!
Float the Pinawa Channel
A must-do in Pinawa is float down the Pinawa Channel! Park your car for $10 (cash only!) at the Pinawa Suspension Bridge Parking Lot, then rent a tube, canoe, or SUP from Float & Paddle, then they’ll bus you up to the top of the channel where you’ll spend 2-3 floating down the channel with stunning views all around you. It’s one of the most fun & relaxing ways to spend your afternoon!
Pinawa Suspension Bridge
After your float, take a quick walk over to the Pinawa Suspension Bridge and walk across the 54 m long bridge suspended across the channel. The bridge is part of a loop for interpretive walks, so if you’re feeling up to it, turn your stop into a brisk hike and enjoy the views a little longer.
Play a Round at Pinawa Golf & Country Club
The Pinawa Golf Course is one of Manitoba’s best, and it’s playable for all skill levels! Set against the forest with views of the Winnipeg River and Pinawa Channel, it’s hosted Championship events for obvious reasons. Make sure to stop for dinner at the clubhouse restaurant — I recommend the Lobster Ravioli but everything on the menu looked incredible!
Check in to Wilderness Edge
Check in to Wilderness Edge Retreat & Conference Centre for a place to call home for the night. Known for hosting conferences & retreats, Wilderness Edge offers a host of different types of guest rooms & suites to suit your needs. We opted for the Bachelor Suite with a kitchenette and we’re very impressed with how clean and spacious the suite was for the rate!
DAY 2:
Pinawa Dam Provincial Heritage Park
Start the morning early with a trip over to Pinawa Dam! The Provincial Heritage Park is home to the original hydro-electric generating station from the 1900’s and still much of the dam is visible today to explore! Plan a couple hours to explore the self-guided tour, learn about it’s history, and enjoy a moment (or an hour) sitting on the rocks and taking in the rapids surrounding you.
Lunch at On the Water Eats or The Burger Boat
Head over to Pinawa Beach for lunch at the On the Water Eats food truck. The poutine was one of the best I’ve had in a while! Or, head over to The Burger Boat, which is anchored right in the water for a unique walk-up experience.
Hoopla Island
If you’ve ever seen Wipeout on TV, you’ll be excited to learn that Pinawa is home to Hoopla Island, inflatable, on-the-water obstacle course for both kids and adults! For a 1-hour session or even 4-hours, you can swim up to the floating waterpark and jump, climb, bounce and fall on the inflatable obstacle course anchored in the water. If it sounds wild, it definitely is and it’s a ton of fun for all ages whether you’re 6, 26 like us, or 46 like some of the parents! It’s definitely a must-try at least once in your life!
Lac du Bonnet
Time to head over just 20 minutes to Lac du Bonnet! Stop for dinner at K’s Kitchen in Casey’s Inn for a delicious mix of India meets Canadian cuisine. We recommend the Chana Masala or one of their delicious pizzas!
After dinner, grab ice cream at the Ice Cream Baller, within Santa Lucia Lac du Bonnet.
DAY 3
Morning Coffee & Pier Walk
Take a quick stop at I Heart Coffee, LDB’s new coffee shop and drive-thru for a latte (or any other beverage of choice) and a breakfast sandwich, then head down to the Town Dock & Beach to walk along the pier for some riverside relaxation.
Hit the Highway (11)
After your morning walk, it’s time to hit the highway, Highway 11 to be exact, for a spectacular drive along the Winnipeg River.
Stop in Saint-Georges
After a short drive, you’ll land in Saint-Georges, a small, French community with a stunning landscape. The most incredible view, however, is a short detour from the highway at the Winnipeg River Museum. Rebuilt just a few years ago after a disaster in 2014, walking up to the museum you will see a view like none other that will have you thinking you’re somewhere like France. Stroll the museum and gift shop filled with local goodies by yourself, or sign up for a tour to discover more of the town’s history. Either way, you’ll be glad you made this pit stop.
Beaches of 59
Drive just a little further and you’ll hit the Beaches of 59; over a dozen beautiful MB beaches along Lake Winnipeg. Depending on the vibe you’re after, there’s definitely a beach for you! From more quiet, secluded bays like Hillside to the bustling Grand Beach, the options are abundant! Our choice was Albert Beach for some wavy waters and a delicious lunch stoat Le Goûter for an amazing crepe!
That’s it for a fun Manitoba Road Trip! Whether you do it in 3 days, or split it up and take some day trips over the next couple months, this is one road trip you must add to the summer bucket list!
Looking for more Manitoba Road Trip ideas? Check out Travel Manitoba 2022 Road Trip Guide, or these fun itineraries for Morden-Winkler, Whiteshell, Gimli, or Clear Lake!
This trip was done in partnership with Travel Manitoba, but all experiences and opinions are my own.