# Bison, forests and a cool lake – by camper through Riding Mountain and Duck Mountain

> Manitoba's uplands between prairie and boreal: Clear Lake for breakfast, bison at Lake Audy and forests on the escarpment that only show their colour in the…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-127-riding-mountain-clear-lake/

**At a glance:** 6-day round trip of about 595 km (369 mi) with 9 stops, starting and ending in Brandon. About 6 h 36 min of driving in total. Manitoba's uplands between prairie and boreal: Clear Lake for breakfast, bison at Lake Audy and forests on the escarpment that only show their colour in the evening light.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 595 km (369 mi) |
| Driving | 6 h 36 min |
| Suggested days | 6 |
| Stops | 9 |
| Route | Brandon → Brandon |
| Provinces | MB |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

*Manitoba's uplands between prairie and boreal: Clear Lake for breakfast, bison at Lake Audy and forests on the escarpment that only show their colour in the evening light.*

## The spirit of the route

Drive north from Brandon and you notice it in your ears: the prairie rises slowly, and suddenly there is a slope, wooded and dark, as if someone had set a wall of aspen and spruce down on the plain. The Manitoba Escarpment is the stage for this route. In Riding Mountain National Park, Clear Lake lies like a mirror in a wreath of forest, moose stand in the wet meadows in the morning, and at Lake Audy bison snort in the tall grass. Further north in the Dauphin region the fields are yellow with canola and blue with flax, and in Duck Mountain Provincial Park it falls quiet, with lakes lying like eyes in the forest. The roads are quiet, the bends gentle, the evenings long. In the evening the coffee water steams, campfire smoke hangs over the site, and the sky turns from gold to violet before the first stars flash through the spruces.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Brandon to Wasagaming (Riding Mountain National Park) (approx. 100 km)

- **The drive:** From Brandon take Highway 10 north; the road climbs gradually onto the escarpment and leads via Minnedosa and Onanole to the park's south entrance. Two lanes, well built, speed 90–100 km/h, watch for wildlife crossings before the park. Driving time a good 1.5 hours. Filling stations and supermarkets in Brandon and Minnedosa; Wasagaming has shops, but no great choice.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Wasagaming Townsite on Clear Lake: promenade, beach, shops and places to eat, plus the Parks Canada visitor centre with maps and trail information.
  - Ominik Marsh Boardwalk and beach trails: short walks by the lake, good for birds and beavers; early in the morning it stays quiet.
  - Clear Lake: cold, clear lake with swimming and canoe and kayak rental; check conditions and water temperature on site.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Wasagaming Campground (Parks Canada) in the town: according to Parks Canada over 400 reservable sites with electricity, water and sewer in various configurations as well as accessible sites, dump station available, open from mid-May to mid-October. Fully reservable; check pitch length and facilities before booking. Other sites: Deep Lake (unserviced, dump station, self-registration), Moon Lake (unserviced, no dump station) and Whirlpool Lake (unserviced, tents only).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Wild camping is prohibited in the national park; backcountry camping only at designated spots with a permit. On Crown land outside the park, camping is possible in principle in Manitoba, but check the rules (duration, fire, distance from water) with the province in advance.
- **Insider tip for campers:** A park fee is due at the park entrance; for longer stays the Discovery Pass is worth it (check amounts on parks.canada.ca). Wasagaming is full in summer, so reserve early and come midweek.

### Stage 2: Wasagaming to Lake Audy and back (approx. 90 km)

- **The drive:** Round trip into the eastern part of the park: from Wasagaming to Lake Audy on park roads, partly gravel. Because of wildlife and gravel, Lake Audy Road should be driven at 50–70 km/h; driving time about 2–3 hours there and back, half a day with breaks. Ask Parks Canada about road conditions in advance; after rain the gravel stretch can be difficult for motorhomes.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Lake Audy Bison Enclosure: an enclosure in which bison live on the prairie, which can be watched by car or on foot; observe access, opening times and rules of behaviour (keep your distance from the animals).
  - Moose, black bears and wolves: sightings are possible at dusk and in rainy weather; leave your vehicle only at designated spots.
  - Lake Audy: a quiet lake in a less visited part of the park; camping in season from 28 June to mid-October, self-registration without reservation.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Lake Audy Campground (Parks Canada) in the eastern part: unserviced, self-registration without reservation (first come, first served), according to Parks Canada season from 28 June to mid-October, no dump station. For motorhomes that need services, Wasagaming or Deep Lake with a dump station is better.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Prohibited in the park. If you want to stay in a quiet corner, use Lake Audy Campground and take water and supplies with you.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Bison and moose are large and unpredictable; do not get out if they are close to the vehicle. Drive gravel stretches slowly and without a trailer, and check tyre pressure and the underbody.

### Stage 3: Wasagaming to Dauphin (approx. 110 km)

- **The drive:** Take Highway 10 north out of the park and down over the escarpment to Dauphin. Forest gives way to pastures, fields and wheat; driving time about 1.5 hours. Filling stations and supermarkets in Dauphin; there are only a few shops on the way.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Dauphin: town in the parkland region with the Fort Dauphin Museum and Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival, which takes place in summer; check dates and programme in advance.
  - Prairie and escarpment: canola fields in high summer, wheat in late summer; photo stops on quiet side roads.
  - Birdlife and wetlands: the area offers opportunities for birdwatching, especially in spring and autumn.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In and near Dauphin there are municipal and private campsites; check availability, electricity and dump station before the trip. For quieter nights, Duck Mountain Provincial Park is the obvious next stop.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the region, camping on Crown land outside parks and settlements is possible in principle; respect private land and gates, and observe fire bans.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Before Duck Mountain, fill up with fuel in Dauphin, top up water, dispose of waste and shop; shops are rare in the park.

### Stage 4: Dauphin to Duck Mountain Provincial Park (approx. 80 km)

- **The drive:** From Dauphin via provincial roads and highways into Duck Mountain Provincial Park (Manitoba Parks). The roads climb the escarpment again, partly narrow, with wildlife crossings; driving time about 1.5 hours. Access roads to some campgrounds are partly gravel; check condition and suitability for motorhomes with Manitoba Parks in advance.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Duck Mountain Provincial Park: lakes and mixed forest on the escarpment; hiking and cycling trails, boat rental on some lakes.
  - Baldy Mountain: the highest point in Manitoba, in the Duck Mountain area; check access and views on site.
  - Wellman Lake, Blue Lakes and Childs Lake: quiet lakes with campgrounds and hiking trails; check facilities with Manitoba Parks in advance.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Duck Mountain Provincial Park, Manitoba Parks runs several campgrounds on the lakes (Wellman Lake, Blue Lakes and Childs Lake, each with basic and electric sites); according to Manitoba Parks (as of 26 September 2026) all campgrounds are open, but access via PR 367 is restricted west of Childs Lake because of road damage (check Manitoba 511); electricity, water, dump station and vehicle length vary by site; clarify at manitobaparks.com before booking. A park vehicle permit is required.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Prohibited in the park. Outside the park, Crown land camping is possible in principle in Manitoba; check rules and duration in advance, and watch for closures in the park and forest area.
- **Insider tip for campers:** There are hardly any shops in the park: do your shopping, water and fuel in Dauphin or Roblin. Insect protection belongs in the forest; be bear-aware when cooking and storing food.

### Stage 5: Duck Mountain to Asessippi Provincial Park (Shellmouth) (approx. 150 km)

- **The drive:** From Duck Mountain towards Roblin and on to Asessippi Provincial Park on the Shellmouth Reservoir. Rural roads through parkland, little traffic, speed 80–100 km/h; driving time about 2 to 2.5 hours. Filling station and shops in Roblin.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Asessippi Provincial Park: reservoir with beach, hiking trails and a winter sports area (Asessippi Ski Area); views over the Assiniboine River valley.
  - Roblin and surroundings: rural markets and small shops; time for errands.
  - Shellmouth Dam and Reservoir: fishing, birdwatching and walks along the shore.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Asessippi Provincial Park (Manitoba Parks): campground on the reservoir; check facilities, electricity and vehicle length in advance at manitobaparks.com. Note the park vehicle permit.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Prohibited in the park. On Crown land outside, camping is possible in principle; near reservoirs additional rules often apply; clarify in advance.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Wind is frequent at the reservoir, so secure the awning and set-up accordingly. Blue-green algae can be an issue in late summer; read the notices on site.

### Stage 6: Asessippi to Brandon (approx. 200 km)

- **The drive:** From Asessippi via country roads and highways back to Brandon. Driving time about 2.5 to 3 hours, rural stretches with little traffic, partly narrow; the last section to Brandon runs on the Trans-Canada or the Yellowhead Highway.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Prairie in late light: wheat fields, grain silos and sky moods.
  - Brandon: cafés, shops and markets; buy supplies for the onward journey.
  - A last break at a rest area with a view of the Assiniboine valley.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Brandon there are municipal and private sites; check availability, electricity and dump station in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Not allowed in the city.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Empty the tanks and top up water before you drive into the city; ask the rental company in advance about the return conditions for rental motorhomes.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- In Manitoba camping on Crown land outside provincial parks, national parks and private land is possible in principle, with conditions (duration, fire, distance from water, take rubbish with you). Check details and exceptions with Manitoba Parks and the province in advance.
- In national parks (Riding Mountain) wild camping is prohibited; backcountry only with a permit. In provincial parks (Duck Mountain, Asessippi) only on designated sites.
- Fire bans and closures apply in dry periods; check the status with Parks Canada, Manitoba Parks and the province.
- Wildlife: black bears, wolves, moose, deer and bison; keep your distance, do not feed, store food bear-safe. Moose and bison are unpredictable.
- Mosquitoes and ticks: forests and wetlands are heavily affected in summer; plan for insect repellent, long clothing and tick checks.
- Apps and sites: iOverlander, Campendium, Park4Night, plus the Parks Canada Reservation Service, manitobaparks.com and 511 Manitoba for road conditions.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations are found at Wasagaming and Deep Lake (according to Parks Canada), in provincial parks and some towns; check Sanidumps directories and park websites. According to Parks Canada, Moon Lake, Whirlpool Lake and Lake Audy have no dump station.
- Drinking water: in Wasagaming and at serviced campgrounds; at basic sites bring jerrycans. Always filter or boil lake water.
- Do not release grey water; empty chemical toilets only at dump stations.
- Propane in Brandon, Minnedosa, Dauphin and Roblin at filling stations and dealers; European bottles need adapters.
- Fuel: Brandon, Minnedosa, Wasagaming, Dauphin, Roblin. On the side routes filling stations are far apart.
- Shopping: supermarkets in Brandon, Dauphin and Roblin; in Wasagaming shops with higher prices.
- Electricity: Wasagaming offers pitches with electricity; check amperage and plug in advance. Generators only during the permitted hours.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: on highways mostly 90–100 km/h, in towns 50 km/h, in parks often 50–70 km/h; watch for wildlife crossings at dusk.
- Vehicle height: legal height around 4.15 m (13 ft 6 in); heed signs at underpasses.
- Fees: national park admission or Discovery Pass for Riding Mountain, vehicle permit for provincial parks; check current amounts on the official websites.
- Reservations: Parks Canada and Manitoba Parks use their own systems; Wasagaming is reservable, while Deep Lake, Moon Lake, Whirlpool Lake and Lake Audy are self-registration without reservation. Book popular times (July, August, weekends) early.
- Gravel roads: Lake Audy Road and access roads in Duck Mountain are partly gravel; greasy in rain, turn back if in doubt.
- Traffic law: right turn on red only after stopping and where not prohibited; drink-driving is severely punished; open alcohol containers in the vehicle are prohibited. A German driving licence is enough for tourists for a limited time.
- Emergency: 911; mobile signal is patchy in parks and on the escarpment. Tell someone your route.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Insect repellent and head net: mosquitoes and black flies are very active in the forest and near wetlands in summer.
- Binoculars and a telephoto lens for bison, moose, beavers and birds at Lake Audy and Clear Lake.
- Levelling ramps and support plates: pitches in the forest and on gravel are often sloping or soft.
- Warm layers and a rain jacket: the uplands cool down noticeably at night even in summer.
- Bear-safe food containers and bear spray for hikes and overnight stays in the park.
- Paper map and offline navigation: mobile signal drops out on the escarpment.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Brandon** (MB)
2. **Wasagaming** (MB)
3. **Lake Audy** (MB)
4. **Wasagaming** (MB)
5. **Dauphin** (MB)
6. **Duck Mountain Provincial Park** (MB)
7. **Roblin** (MB)
8. **Asessippi Provincial Park** (MB)
9. **Brandon** (MB)

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. Cold, short days in November–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Bison, forests and a cool lake – by camper through Riding Mountain and Duck Mountain?**
6-day round trip of about 595 km (369 mi) with 9 stops, starting and ending in Brandon. About 6 h 36 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Bison, forests and a cool lake – by camper through Riding Mountain and Duck Mountain?**
We suggest 6 days: about 6 h 36 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Bison, forests and a cool lake – by camper through Riding Mountain and Duck Mountain start and end?**
It is a round trip that starts and ends in Brandon.

**Which provinces does Bison, forests and a cool lake – by camper through Riding Mountain and Duck Mountain pass through?**
Manitoba.

**When is the best time for Bison, forests and a cool lake – by camper through Riding Mountain and Duck Mountain?**
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)