5 Fantastic Resorts in Manitoba | Lakes, Pools, Forests and Footpaths

Located just outside of Flin Flon, a two-and-a-half hour flight from Winnipeg, Bakers Narrows Lodge is a fisher’s dream. The year-round property offers the best of northern Manitoba trophy fishing, with guided tours in search of lake trout, northern pike, walleye, rainbow trout, brook trout, and smallmouth bass. Fishing takes place on the Hudson Bay drainage basin lakes, whether you choose the car-accessible Lake Athapapuskow or more remote, fly-in fishing holes. Bring your own tackle or use the equipment supplied by the lodge.

After a day of angling, consider roaming the 26-acre property to take in the fragrant Boreal forest and the abundant wildlife it hosts. Parents can look forward to relaxing on the property’s dock while kids hit the resort’s playground, use the kayaks and canoes, or slip down the water slide.

When it comes to bedding down, you can choose from 15 modern log cottages in several configurations, such as four single beds, two double beds, or beds and bunks. Guests can fry up their fish in private kitchenettes or at the outdoor barbecues, or take advantage of the local, camp-inspired meal plan at the main lodge. At each cottage you’ll find a three-piece bathroom, a covered front porch for kicking back with a crisp Molson, and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows and hosting singalongs. For a real back-to-nature experience, book one of the eight lakefront micro-cottages. You’ll be able to sip your coffee on the porch within a stone’s throw of the misty morning lake. Not to worry when nature calls, either; you’ll find running water and bathrooms in a separate facility 50–100 feet from your cottage.

The main wooden lodge acts as the property’s social space. Come in to play pool or ping-pong and swap fishing stories about “the one that got away”. Come mealtime, you’ll find goodies served in a log-lined dining room with a vaulted ceiling and a massive field-stone fireplace. Favourite fare includes fresh, pan-fried fish, slow-baked ribs, and pancake breakfasts with eggs and bacon. Just add maple syrup!

The Elkhorn Resort, Spa & Conference Centre has it all—winter or summer—whether you’re seeking high-energy activities or a place to zen out. This family-friendly resort is within the 12,000 square-kilometre UNSECO Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve, just a three-hour drive northwest of Winnipeg. Visit in the summer to wander the hiking trails or explore the Boreal forest by bike. Tread softly and you’re likely to see deer, moose, lynx, or elk.

In the winter, grab a sled from the front desk and fly down the on-site tobogganing hills, or skate on Elkhorn’s guests-only rink. For some homegrown Canadian adventure, ask the resort to book you a dogsledding tour with an authentic musher and his team. If what you really crave is some warmth, a friendly staff member can build an outdoor fire for you while you sip hot chocolate and gaze at the stars. You might even get lucky and catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights!

When you’re ready to relax, head to the Solstice Spa for steam rooms, Swiss showers, complimentary robes, slippers, towels, snacks, and teas. Try an alkalizing seasonal detoxification treatment or a Thai hot stem massage. For relaxation with a twist, try a soak in the Equinox Pool—it recreates seawater from 40 million years ago using natural crystals from below the Canadian Prairies.

If you’re visiting with a crowd, consider booking a charming wooden chalet. You’ll have a full kitchen for your crew to cook in, a wood-burning fireplace to keep you toasty, and plenty of sleeping options. Or, choose the main lodge to be closer to the action but still cozy in a room with a fireplace. For that little bit extra, we recommend requesting a private patio overlooking the lake or the horse stable. Come dinnertime, Buffalo Bar and 10 Restaurant will make you a veteran of local Manitoba cuisine with close-to-home bites like bison schnitzel or golden-brown prairie fried chicken.

For real luxury at an urban resort, head to Inn at the Forks at the meeting place of Winnipeg’s two great rivers, the Assiniboine and the Red. This downtown property in Manitoba’s capital city is known for its superior rooms, high-end spa, and its proximity to historic and cultural sites such as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Ensconce yourself in a sophisticated yet comfortable room at the inn, custom-designed with signature blown-glass vanities in the bathrooms and locally made soaps and lotions from the Riverstone Spa. Go ahead and open the louvred windows to get a breath of fresh prairie air, and stay charged at all times with thoughtful bedside USB ports. If you’re coming with family in tow, consider a Gold or Platinum Junior Suite for extra sleeping space via comfortable pull-out couches.

When the temperature dips below zero, the Riverstone Spa will keep you warm and occupied for an afternoon without having to head out in the snow. Breath in the perfumed air in the steam room or sauna, or try the Riverstone Indigenous Hot Stone Massage. If you do plan to head out on the town or just want to surprise your family with a new look, you’ll find fun services like a signature makeup application with NuFACE facial toning.

Foodies staying at the inn won’t even have to go outside to hit up one of the city’s best restaurants—a major plus during Winnipeg winters. Smith Restaurant is rustic and warm, with iconic Hudson’s Bay blankets upholstering its booths and cabinesque wooden finishes. Learn about local and seasonal prairie cuisines by trying dishes like the Manitoba rabbit ravioli or the Smith burger, a towering eight ounces of Canadian beef topped with maple bacon. If nightlife is more what you’re after, come for the live entertainment and try homemade creations like a Manitoba Fashioned or an on-tap Saturday Night Lumberjack Double IPA.

For a taste of Icelandic culture, head to the Lakeview Gimli Resort in Gimli, just an hour north of Winnipeg on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. It’s home to the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, the New Iceland Heritage Museum, and even a 15-foot-tall Viking sculpture. Here you’ll get a taste of Manitoba lake culture any time of year, be it a sandy beach in summer or frozen waters in winter.

Feeling brave? Take part in a bracing Polar Bear Dip in Lake Winnipeg: the 400-kilometre-long body of water stays “fresh” (that’s Canadian code for “really cold”) until well into the summer. If temperature-controlled pools are more your style, you’re in luck. The Lakeview has an outdoor pool by the beach and an indoor one, both ready to warm you up whether or not you opted for a polar plunge. The pool complex’s large windows and bright atmosphere will make you feel like you’re outside even when you’re not, and the hot tub will warm up even the chilliest of ice fishers. To really warm the bones, slip into the hotel’s sauna—another nod to the area’s Icelandic roots.

Large, picture windows and private balconies make guest rooms at the Lakeview bright and cheerful, whether you’re overlooking the lake, the pools, or the town of Gimli. If you’re travelling with Rover, ask for a pet-friendly room. And if you’re bringing the whole family and/or golf clubs, fishing rods, and skates, consider booking a Luxury Vacation Suite for extra space and storage.

The resort’s Seagulls Restaurant and Lounge is the place to go for relaxed waterfront dining in Gimli. For something fresh and local, try the signature beer-battered Pickerel fillets served with house-made tartar sauce. Your kids’ mouths will water at the fun fare offered on the kids’ menu, from fish and chips to chicken dinosaurs. After dinner, hit up the Pier Lounge just steps from Seagulls’ main dining area for a relaxed pub night.

Have you ever wanted to feel like you own your own little piece of Eden? If so, the Four Season Getaway could be the place to spend your next holiday. Come for a quiet weekend or bring your family, friends, and pets to this cozy, two-storey white clapboard cottage that sleeps up to six. On-site laundry facilities add to the long list of creature comforts, and you’ll find a well-equipped kitchen for scrounging up some family-sized portions of poutine—just make sure the cheese curds squeak! For dessert, your options are plentiful: in town, the Chocolate Fox specializes in gelato, and the seasonal Sugar Shop is a fun blast from the past with its collection of retro chocolate bars.

After a day of hiking in the Riding Mountain National Park, three hours northwest of Winnipeg, come “home” for a barbecue or an evening of board games and books. The next day, borrow the property’s two bikes and take off on the Trans-Canada Trail to discover the town of Wasagaming less than five minutes away, or the 400 kilometres of trails further afield in the park. If you’re in luck, you could come across deer, elk, coyotes, eagles, or owls. No need to buy a park pass—it’s included!

You’ll be well equipped for outdoor games on the spacious property, and the local tennis courts and beach are a short walk away. If the waves are calling to you, walk down to Clear Lake Marina to rent a boat or sign up for a sunset cruise. Winter fun includes cross-country skiing and hikes in the snow-blanketed Boreal forest. When you return to your cottage rosy-cheeked and boots heavy with snow, you and your family can curl up on the comfy couches in the living room and sip hot chocolate or warm apple cider. Is there a musician among you? Feel free to borrow the property’s guitar to lull the little ones to sleep.