North of Brandon, South of Dauphin
Riding Mountain National Park, established in 1929, is located 265 km northwest of Winnipeg, perched almost 500 m above the prairie on the Manitoba Escarpment. The park is the "core protected area" of Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve. Riding Mountain, covering 2973 square kilometers (1145 sq. miles) of rolling hills and valleys, stretches eastward from a dramatic rise of land known as Manitoba Escarpment. This park includes expanses of boreal (northern) forest, a strip of eastern deciduous forest along the foot of the escarpment, huge meadows of rough fescue grasslands in its west end, and significant tracts of marsh and river-bottom wetland. This area of wilderness surrounded by agriculture is home to cougars, lynx, wolves, coyotes, moose, elk, and black bear, hundreds of bird species, countless insects and a captive bison herd.
The Second World War interrupted both the recreational development of Riding Mountain National Park and any of its goals to eliminate resource extraction activities within its boundaries. Out of respect for the men fighting overseas and with federal financing directed to the war effort, recreational development was curtailed. A fuel shortage brought on by the requirements of war left many Canadians dependent on cordwood, shifting the importance of Riding Mountain once again to its wood resources. Prior to the establishment of the Park in 1933, Riding Mountain was a Forest Reserve supplying lumber and fuel wood to surrounding farms and communities.
With more than 400 km (250 miles) of trails, Riding Mountain offers a variety of walking and hiking opportunities. Choose from a short walk on one of the self-guided trails, a longer day hike into Grey Owl's cabin or around Moon Lake, or take a multi-day trip into the backcountry. The best way to experience the park is by spending a night or two camping out under the stars. The park's habitat varies from the rugged gorges of the east side of the park to the tall evergreens of the Central portion to the meadows of the western portion.
Let your visit to RMNP be an opportunity for unique learning experiences. During the summer season, the park presents a variety of programs - everything from car caravans and guided hikes to campfire programs and evening programs. Please see the services section for more information. The park also offers special programming for schools. Other organizations offer programming as well as Friends of Riding Mountain National Park. Finally, the Riding Mountain Historical Society maintains the Pinewood Museum at 154 Wasagaming Drive.
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