Winter trail guide
Riding Mountain National Park
Home to a staggering diversity of living things and unique histories, Riding Mountain’s trails are the best way to connect with it all! Summer and fall you can stroll, run, pedal or trot nearly 370 km’s of trails in all areas of the Park, each with their own flavour. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing or fat biking along one of the nearly 130 km of winter trails is the best way that you can embrace Riding Mountain National Park in the winter season too. This magical time of the year won’t let you down and will warm your heart.
Trail difficulty rating
Easy
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- Suitable for all visitors including those with no trail experience
- Little or no elevation gain or loss
Moderate
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- Suitable for most visitors who have some basic trail experience and basic experience in their chosen activity and are generally prepared
- May experience moderate elevation gain with some short steep sections
Difficult
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- Suitable for visitors who have trail experience and experience in their chosen activity and are prepared
- May experience major elevation gain with long steep sections and a variety of terrain including wet areas and loose soil
Check out the Trail conditions | More maps
Wasagaming / Clear Lake
Wasagaming and Clear Lake trail conditions
Arrowhead
Trail difficulty: 
Whether you plan to visit the rolling terrain of Arrowhead trail during a bright summer’s day, or on snowshoes in the middle of winter, the trail is ideal in any season. See the diverse flora and fauna that adapted to this landscape carved out by glaciers on the family friendly trail. Keep an eye out for the beaver in the pond and try and spot its lodge!
Brûlé
Trail difficulty:
Within the boreal forest lies Brûlé Trail! A short drive from Wasagaming, the trail is shaped like a figure 8, forming a short loop and a long loop. Journeying on the long loop, see aging trees and a variety of flowers before arriving at Lake Kinosao. When the snow falls, strap on your snowshoes to experience a winter wonderland in the park!
Compound Ski Trail - short loop
Trail difficulty:
Accessed best from the Lake Katherine Day Use area, this trail is a must ski for more advanced Nordic skiers. Ups and downs with tight turns take you through the forests between Clear Lake and Lake Katherine.
Compound Ski Trail - long loop
Trail difficulty:
Accessed best from the Lake Katherine Day Use area, this trail is a must ski for more advanced Nordic skiers. Ups and downs with tight turns take you through the forests between Clear Lake and Lake Katherine.
Grey Owl
Trail difficulty:
Take a day out of your visit to Riding Mountain National Park to explore the wilderness that Archie Belaney (commonly known as Grey Owl) called home during his six-month stay at Beaver Lodge Lake. The cabin at the end of the trail is named after the first naturalist hired to inspire Canadians to support the creation and protection of National Parks. When winter settles in, ski your way through the Boreal forest to the warming hut for a warm drink. Just like Grey Owl, settle in and explore the outdoors.
Kinosao Multi-use
Trail difficulty:
This rolling trail runs parallel to Brulé trail on its way to Kinosao Lake, where it then heads Northwest and connects with Grey Owl Trail.
Lake Katherine Ski
Trail difficulty:
Lake Katherine Multi-use
Trail difficulty: 
Ominnik Marsh
Trail difficulty:
From bulrushes to beavers, Ominnik Marsh has it all!
South Lake Multi-use
Trail difficulty:
Experience the harmony between the water of Clear Lake and the forest beside it on the South Lake Trail!
Wasagaming Campground Long Loop
Trail difficulty:
This winter trail network in the townsite gives skiers on a winter tour of the terrain in the Wasagaming Campground. Bring a headlamp and enjoy a night ski option. Much of the network is lit for the long winter nights. Warm up with a fire and a favourite beverage at the oTENTIk winter kitchen.
Wasagaming Campground Medium Loop
Trail difficulty:
This winter trail network in the townsite gives skiers on a winter tour of the terrain in the Wasagaming Campground. Bring a headlamp and enjoy a night ski option. Much of the network is lit for the long winter nights. Warm up with a fire and a favourite beverage at the oTENTIk winter kitchen.
Wasagaming Campground Short Loop
Trail difficulty:
This winter trail network in the townsite gives skiers on a winter tour of the terrain in the Wasagaming Campground. Bring a headlamp and enjoy a night ski option. Much of the network is lit for the long winter nights. Warm up with a fire and a favourite beverage at the oTENTIk winter kitchen.
East Escarpment
East Escarpment trail conditions
Lower Bald Hill Ski Trail
East Gate Link & Finns
Oak Ridge
Trail difficulty:
Take a morning ski along either the short or long loops of the Oak Ridge trail. Let the sounds of the forest guide you to views overlooking Scott Creek and through groves of Oak trees and hazel. Pack a lunch and stop in at the Agassiz Day Use area further up the road to snack and relax creekside after the ski.
Lake Audy/ West
Deep Lake
Trail difficulty:
Groomed and maintained for winter use by volunteers, this winter trail follows the access road into Deep Lake Campground to a warmup shelter. If volunteers can find the time it is also groomed for freestyle and classic skiing most winters.
Flat Lake Trail
Trail difficulty:
Multi-use – ski, fat bike, snowshoe, walk. Maintained for winter use by volunteers
Moose Lake
Trail difficulty:
Groomed and maintained for winter use by volunteers, this winter ski trail takes you through the hills and meadows of the Moose Lake boreal forest.
Riding Mountain Parkway
Bead Lakes
Trail difficulty:
Nestled between two treed ridges, lies the string of Bead Lakes. Rolling through mature spruce and birch, this loop trail leads hikers and snowshoers to the water’s edge and back.
Broadleaf Ski
Trail difficulty:
Found in a lowland area between two hills this ski trail meanders through an aspen forest and skirts a wetland that when frozen allows you to cross to access Beach Ridges trail to extend your adventure.
Edwards Creek
Trail difficulty:
This trail rolls along the ridge overlooking Edwards creek. It is a 6.1 km loop trail groomed for cross country skiing. The East side of the loop crosses adjoining wetlands in several places, which is why it is designated a winter trail once the wetlands freeze up. The West side of the loop remains dry most of the year and is a great 3.0 km connector between the Crawford Creek Trailhead and the Northgate Trail system adjacent to the park.
Hilton
Trail difficulty:
Hilton is a challenging in and out ski trail. Downhill most of the way as it winds its way deeper into the park and climbing on the return.
Moon Lake
Trail difficulty:
Add your tracks to those of the many animals that use this trail. Stands of large spruce and fir line the trail as it hugs the Moon Lake shore. Expect a number of wet crossings where small creeks flow to refresh the waters of the lake.
Kippan's Mill
Trail difficulty:
This short trail lets you step back in time and explore the last sawmill site in the park. Being located in the park highcountry makes it a perfect deep snow winter place to test your snowshoes.
Crawford Creek
Trail difficulty:
Mountain bikers and hikers will feel the burn! Built upon an old logging road this trail climbs steadily up the escarpment and will challenge your endurance.
Beach Ridges
Trail difficulty:
The beaches disappeared thousands of years ago, but the ridges remain covered by oak and hazel. Spend an afternoon exploring the ancient shore of Glacial Lake Agassiz.
Maps and guides
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