# Sand, sagas and sea air – by camper through the Interlake to Gimli and Hecla Island

> On Lake Winnipeg between Icelandic history, fishing villages and sandy beaches: Manitoba's inland sea lies less than two hours north of the capital.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-129-interlake-hecla-gimli/

**At a glance:** 5-day round trip of about 368 km (229 mi) with 9 stops, starting and ending in Winnipeg. About 4 h 05 min of driving in total. On Lake Winnipeg between Icelandic history, fishing villages and sandy beaches: Manitoba's inland sea lies less than two hours north of the capital.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 368 km (229 mi) |
| Driving | 4 h 05 min |
| Suggested days | 5 |
| Stops | 9 |
| Route | Winnipeg → Winnipeg |
| Provinces | MB |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

*On Lake Winnipeg between Icelandic history, fishing villages and sandy beaches: Manitoba's inland sea lies less than two hours north of the capital.*

## The spirit of the route

Lake Winnipeg is so big that you could take it for a sea: the horizon is flat, the waves roll onto sand, and gulls screech above the fishing boats' jetties. In the Interlake, the land between the great lakes, Icelandic, Ukrainian and Polish settlers founded villages, and in Gimli a stone Viking stands on the harbour wall looking out over the marina. Further north lies Hecla Island, linked to the mainland by a causeway, with pines, hiking trails and a lake where sailors tack in the evening light. In the east Grand Beach stretches along the shore as a long sandy beach with dunes and a lagoon. Here it smells of seaweed, sun cream and chips from the beach kiosk, and the sun sinks red into the water. The route is easy to drive, flat and friendly: a camper weekend on the beach with history in your luggage.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Winnipeg to Gimli (approx. 90 km)

- **The drive:** From Winnipeg take Highway 9 north via Selkirk and Winnipeg Beach, then provincial roads along the lake to Gimli. Flat, two lanes, speed 90–100 km/h, 50 km/h in towns. Driving time about 1.5 hours; on summer weekends traffic backs up on the return. Filling stations and supermarkets in Selkirk and Gimli.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Selkirk: Marine Museum of Manitoba on the Red River with historic ships and the “Chuck the Channel Cat” sculpture; check times in advance.
  - Winnipeg Beach: beach, promenade and harbour at the south end of the lake; lively in summer.
  - Gimli: harbour, Viking statue and the New Iceland Heritage Museum with the history of the Icelandic settlers. The town also commemorates the “Gimli Glider”, the emergency landing of an airliner in 1983; information in town.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In and near Gimli there are municipal and private campsites, including sites at the harbour or on the beach; check availability, electricity and dump station in advance. Alternatively, Hnausa Beach Provincial Park north of Gimli (Manitoba Parks) with a campground on Lake Winnipeg; check operation and facilities in advance at manitobaparks.com.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Prohibited in towns and parks. Outside, on Crown land in Manitoba, possible in principle, but hardly realistic in the densely settled lake region; respect private land.
- **Insider tip for campers:** During the Icelandic Festival (Íslendingadagurinn, early August) Gimli is usually fully booked; if you come then, reserve long in advance. Avoid summer weekends or arrive early.

### Stage 2: Gimli to Hecla Island (Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park) (approx. 90 km)

- **The drive:** Take Highway 8 north through fishing communities such as Hnausa and Riverton, then the provincial road to the causeway to Hecla Island. Level landscape, speed 90–100 km/h, rural with little traffic; driving time about 1.5 hours. Access to Hecla is over a causeway, so no ferry is needed. Filling stations in Gimli and Riverton; on the island very few.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Hecla Village: heritage village of the Icelandic settlers with buildings and museum offerings; check opening times in advance.
  - Gull Harbour: harbour and resort area with a view over Lake Winnipeg; walks along the shore and boat offerings.
  - Hiking and cycling trails in the park: pine forest, wetlands and shoreline, good for birdwatching and wildlife watching early in the morning.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Gull Harbour Campground in Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park (Manitoba Parks): campground at the harbour on Hecla Island; check facilities, electricity, dump station and vehicle length at manitobaparks.com before booking. Park vehicle permit required; reserve through the provincial system.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Prohibited in the park. If you want to stay overnight, use the campground.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Hecla Island has only limited shops; fill up with fuel, shop and fill water in Gimli or Riverton. Mosquitoes and black flies are frequent in early summer and ease off in late summer.

### Stage 3: Hecla Island to Gimli (loop via Riverton and Hnausa) (approx. 100 km)

- **The drive:** Back south on Highway 8, with stops in Riverton and Hnausa. Same route as on the way out, but with time for beaches and fishing harbours. Driving time about 1.5 hours plus breaks.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Hnausa Beach Provincial Park: long sandy beach on Lake Winnipeg with a campground; check facilities and operating times with Manitoba Parks before the trip.
  - Riverton and fishing: the town on the Icelandic River recalls the settlement history; crafts and local shops.
  - Narcisse Snake Dens nearby: in spring, usually from late April to May, thousands of garter snakes gather in limestone sinkholes; check dates and access on site with Manitoba Parks; in high summer hardly any animals are to be seen.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Back in Gimli or at Hnausa Beach Provincial Park: campground by the lake; check status and facilities in advance. Alternatively further south at Winnipeg Beach or Grand Beach; reserve early.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Prohibited in parks and towns; on Crown land outside, camping is possible in principle, but hardly realistic in this region.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Sunset over the lake is around 9–10 pm in summer; a beach walk before dinner is worth it. Wind and waves can change at short notice; when swimming, heed warning flags and notices.

### Stage 4: Gimli to Grand Beach Provincial Park (approx. 120 km)

- **The drive:** From Gimli via Winnipeg Beach and Selkirk back to the Red River, across the river and north on Highway 59, then on Highway 12 to Grand Beach Provincial Park on the east side of the lake. Flat, well built, speed 90–100 km/h; driving time about 2 hours. In summer the access to the park is full on weekends.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Grand Beach: long sandy beach with dunes, lagoon and promenade; very busy in summer, quieter early in the day.
  - Lagoon and dunes: trails and boardwalks lead through the dune landscape; do not disturb birds and plants in the nature reserve area.
  - Sunset on the beach: the light turns sand and water golden; photographers should come early.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Grand Beach Campground in Grand Beach Provincial Park (Manitoba Parks): campground with pitches, some with electricity; check facilities, dump station and vehicle length at manitobaparks.com before booking. Park vehicle permit; reserve through the provincial system, early on summer weekends.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Prohibited in the park and on the beaches. On Crown land outside, hardly realistic in this region.
- **Insider tip for campers:** In the park, curfews and rules apply for beach and fire; read the notices. Blue-green algae can occur on Lake Winnipeg in late summer; heed warnings and do not drink the water.

### Stage 5: Grand Beach to Winnipeg (approx. 90 km)

- **The drive:** Take Highway 12 back to Highway 59 and south to Winnipeg. Straight, level route, speed 90–100 km/h; driving time about 1.5 hours. On the way back on a Sunday evening in summer, traffic jams are possible.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Lockport: St. Andrews Lock and Dam on the Red River with anglers and walking paths; check times and access on site.
  - Red River Valley: fields and farms; last photo stops in the evening light.
  - Winnipeg: The Forks, museums and markets; a final evening in the city.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** For the last night near Winnipeg, private and municipal sites are an option; check availability, electricity and dump station in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** No legal wild camping in Winnipeg; overnighting in vehicles on streets and car parks is mostly prohibited.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Dispose of waste, fill the tanks and drop off rubbish before you drive into the city; clarify the return conditions for rental motorhomes beforehand.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- In Manitoba camping on Crown land outside provincial parks and private land is possible in principle, with conditions (duration, fire, distance from water). On Lake Winnipeg and in the densely settled Interlake this is hardly realistic; check the rules with the province in advance.
- In provincial parks (Hecla/Grindstone, Grand Beach, Hnausa Beach) camping is only allowed on designated sites. Beaches are mostly not suitable for overnight stays.
- Fire bans and closures: bans apply in dry periods; check the status with Manitoba Parks and the province.
- Wildlife: black bears (rare), deer, beavers, birds and snakes; garter snakes in spring at Narcisse. Store food safely, feed nothing.
- Mosquitoes and black flies: strong in early summer; plan for insect repellent and long clothing.
- Blue-green algae: Lake Winnipeg is affected in warm summers; heed warning notices and do not drink water from the lake.
- Apps and sites: iOverlander, Campendium, Park4Night, plus manitobaparks.com and 511 Manitoba for road conditions.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations are found in some provincial parks and towns; check park websites and Sanidumps directories.
- Drinking water: at serviced campgrounds; bring jerrycans. Always filter or boil lake water.
- Do not release grey water; empty chemical toilets only at dump stations.
- Propane in Winnipeg, Selkirk, Gimli and Riverton at filling stations and dealers; European bottles need adapters.
- Fuel: Winnipeg, Selkirk, Gimli, Riverton. On Hecla Island there is very little; fill up beforehand.
- Shopping: supermarkets in Winnipeg, Selkirk and Gimli; in Hecla and Hnausa smaller shops.
- Electricity: some campgrounds offer 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; watch for wildlife crossings at dusk.
- Vehicle height: legal height around 4.15 m (13 ft 6 in); heed signs at underpasses.
- Fees: vehicle permit for Manitoba provincial parks and camping fees; check current amounts at manitobaparks.com.
- Reservations: Manitoba Parks uses its own system; book popular times (July, August, weekends, Icelandic Festival) early.
- Beach rules: alcohol, fires, dogs and glass are restricted on many beaches; heed notices on site.
- 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 mostly available in the region, but patchy on Hecla Island. Do not swim in strong wind and waves on the lake.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Insect repellent and head net: mosquitoes and black flies are strong at the lake and in the forest in early summer.
- Sun protection, hat and beach gear: sand, wind and sun at the lake are intense; a windbreak helps on the beach.
- Binoculars for white pelicans, gulls and waterbirds on Lake Winnipeg.
- Bicycles or folding bikes: Hecla Island and Grand Beach are easy to explore on cycle paths.
- Warm layers and a rain jacket: wind off the lake can turn cool in the evening.
- Paper map and offline navigation: mobile signal on Hecla Island is patchy.

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

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Winnipeg** (MB)
2. **Selkirk** (MB)
3. **Winnipeg Beach** (MB)
4. **Gimli** (MB)
5. **Hnausa** (MB)
6. **Riverton** (MB)
7. **Hecla Island** (MB)
8. **Grand Beach** (MB)
9. **Winnipeg** (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 Sand, sagas and sea air – by camper through the Interlake to Gimli and Hecla Island?**
5-day round trip of about 368 km (229 mi) with 9 stops, starting and ending in Winnipeg. About 4 h 05 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Sand, sagas and sea air – by camper through the Interlake to Gimli and Hecla Island?**
We suggest 5 days: about 4 h 05 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Sand, sagas and sea air – by camper through the Interlake to Gimli and Hecla Island start and end?**
It is a round trip that starts and ends in Winnipeg.

**Which provinces does Sand, sagas and sea air – by camper through the Interlake to Gimli and Hecla Island pass through?**
Manitoba.

**When is the best time for Sand, sagas and sea air – by camper through the Interlake to Gimli and Hecla Island?**
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)