Top 20 Lakes in Manitoba

Clearwater Lake Provincial Park offers a watery escape in the heart of Manitoba’s northern boreal forest. Known for its legendary water clarity, where you can see the bottom at depths of over 10 meters, the lake is a premier destination for trophy lake trout fishing and quiet shoreline strolls along long white sand beaches and rugged cliffside caves. Historically, the area was known to the Cree as "Atikameg", meaning whitefish, and the discovery of Native artifacts around the shore speaks to a long history of Indigenous land use by the Opaskwayak Cree Nation and other First Nations people.

Riding Mountain National Park spans an expansive 2,969 square kilometres of forest, lakes, and rolling hills at the edge of the prairie. The park protects a mix of boreal, aspen, and grassland ecosystems that support a wide variety of wildlife, including elk, black bears, moose, and wolves. With over 400 kilometres of trails, sandy beaches at Clear Lake, and secluded spots for year-round recreation, it offers the perfect mix of nature, adventure, and beautiful prairie-parkland scenery.

Turtle Mountain Provincial Park spans nearly 186 square kilometres of lush aspen and oak forested upland, surrounding numerous small lakes and wetlands. The park is known for its rolling terrain, clear kettle lakes, and opportunities for hiking, paddling, camping, and wildlife viewing, especially for moose, deer, and a wide range of birds. Its trail network, including routes like Turtle’s Back and Oskar Lake, offers picturesque vantage points and a quiet, backcountry feel that’s truly unique in comparison to the surrounding prairie landscape.

This is a great, large sandy beach that sits along the shore of Birds Hill Lake and is known for its clear, shallow water, which is ideal for swimming. There are grassy picnic areas, change facilities, and easy access to nearby trails. It’s a popular spot on warm days, so you’ll see plenty of families, sunbathers, and paddlers enjoying the park’s picturesque lakeside setting while you’re here.

Birds Hill Provincial Park is a beautiful year-round recreation area that includes a mix of prairie, forest, and wetlands, and is home to plenty of wildlife, including deer, waterfowl, and over 200 bird species. Kingfisher Lake is at the park’s centre, surrounded by a 7.2-kilometre paved loop trail that’s a popular route for walking and cycling. While you’re here, you can explore nearly 30 kilometres of hiking trails, including the Chickadee Trail to Griffiths Hill, the highest point in the park. There is a day-use picnic area, campground, and plenty of other amenities, making this the perfect place to spend the day or a weekend enjoying the outdoors.

Riding Mountain National Park spans an expansive 2,969 square kilometres of forest, lakes, and rolling hills at the edge of the prairie. The park protects a mix of boreal, aspen, and grassland ecosystems that support a wide variety of wildlife, including elk, black bears, moose, and wolves. With over 400 kilometres of trails, sandy beaches at Clear Lake, and secluded spots for year-round recreation, it offers the perfect mix of nature, adventure, and beautiful prairie-parkland scenery.

Whiteshell Provincial Park stretches across more than 2,700 square kilometres, protecting boreal forests, granite ridges, and over 200 lakes on the Canadian Shield. It's celebrated for its beautiful canoe routes, particularly the Caddy Lake tunnels, as well as its crystal-clear swimming lakes. Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities throughout the year, including hiking, paddling, skiing, and snowmobiling. The park is also home to a rich array of wildlife, including black bears, moose, beavers, and an impressive variety of bird species such as loons, bald eagles, and pileated woodpeckers.

Whiteshell Provincial Park spans over 2,700 square kilometres, protecting boreal forest, granite ridges, and more than 200 lakes across the Canadian Shield. It’s known for its iconic canoe routes, such as the Caddy Lake tunnels, clear swimming lakes, and year-round recreation, including hiking, paddling, skiing, and snowmobiling. There is an abundance of wildlife that call this area home, including black bears, moose, beavers, and many bird species such as loons, bald eagles, and pileated woodpeckers.