COVID-19 and your visit to Riding Mountain National Park

Openings and services differ across the country. Please check the Parks Canada national information portal dedicated to COVID-19 for regular updates.

 

Effective 12:01 a.m., Friday, September 18, 2020, the Prairie Mountain Health Region has been lowered to the COVID-19 Caution (yellow) level. Visitors to Riding Mountain National Park will be asked to follow this requirement.

  • Wear a mask in indoor settings where social distancing is not possible (An indoor public space is any space with walls and a roof that can be accessed by the members of the public).
  • Limit group sizes to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors. Larger group sizes will be allowed where participants can be separated into distinct groups that remain separate and where each distinct group remains under the limits above.
  • Keep a healthy space of 2 metres between you and others. We ask guests to practice frequent hand washing and to bring their own hand sanitizer and soap, if possible.

Important information about your visit to Riding Mountain National Park

July 15, 2020, Parks Canada is planning a phased approach to resume visitor services based on our capacity and the ability to maintain the health and safety of Canadians, visitors, and Parks Canada team members. Resumption of operations and services will take time and may be incremental in nature. Businesses in Wasagaming remain open and accessible to the public.

Visitors are responsible to follow the advice of public health authorities for physical distancing and hygiene. Parks Canada will implement measures to strengthen sanitization and hygiene of day use areas and of shared visitor facilities at trailheads and parking lots.

As of June 1, 2020, Riding Mountain National Park began a gradual restoration of visitor access and visitor services. Access and services within the park include use of trails, grounds, beaches and other outdoor settings. Visitors will be asked and expected to follow physical distancing and personal hygiene requirements.

For specific details about campground use at Riding Mountain National Park, including what sites and facilities are open for visitor use, please read the camping information below.

What’s open? (updated July 15, 2020)

The following services and facilities in the park are open:

  • Visitor information available in the oTENTik next to the Administration Building

  • Park Administration Building

  • oTENTiks in Wasagaming Campground

  • Entry Gates open for information and to purchase park passes and fishing licences

  • Trails – some trails are not accessible due to road closures or maintenance (see Trail Condition report)

  • Day use areas, including outlying campgrounds day use areas: picnic areas, kitchen shelters, beaches, and pit privies. Day use is permitted at: Moon Lake, Lake Audy, Whirlpool Lake, and Deep Lake.

  • Camping

  • Bison enclosure

  • Recreational boating is allowed on park waters with a Parks Canada issued permit:
    • To obtain a seasonal permit, you must complete the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Seasonal Permit Holder Course and undergo a mandatory watercraft inspection.
    • To obtain a temporary permit, you do not need to complete the AIS Seasonal Permit Holder Course, but you must undergo a mandatory watercraft inspection.
    For more detailed information on watercraft permits and inspections, visit:https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mb/riding/visit/moto-boat

  • Shore fishing and fishing from watercrafts is permitted with a valid fishing licence. Riding Mountain National Park fishing licences (differs from a provincial licence) are now available at park entry gates. For more information about where else you can buy a fishing licence, visit: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mb/riding/visit/pass#5 

  • Please note: Before watercrafts are permitted in park waters for fishing or other leisure activity, visitors must undergo a mandatory watercraft inspection. A seasonal permit can be obtained by attending the AIS Seasonal Permit Holder Course. Temporary permits are also available and do not require the orientation session. For more information on watercraft permits and inspections, visit: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mb/riding/visit/moto-boat

  • Townsite of Wasagaming open:
    • access to businesses remains open
    • green spaces
    • Main beach and pier
    • parking lots
    • washrooms
    • trails
    • kitchen shelters
    • The Clear Lake cabin area shower building and kitchen shelters, washrooms will gradually reopen
    • playground

What’s closed? (updated July 15, 2020)

  • The oTENTiks at Moon Lake and Lake Audy will remain closed for the season.
  • Visitor Centre due to planned construction for the 2020 season.
  • Lake Audy Campground remains closed for overnight use until further notice.
  • Ma-Ma-O-Pe is currently closed and will remain closed for the season.
  • All special events and interpretive activities are cancelled until further notice.
Camping during COVID-19 (updated July 15, 2020)

  • Camping in Riding Mountain National Park
  • Wasagaming Campground is open to visitors. New reservations for select areas of the campground reopened on June 27, 2020.
  • Backcountry camping resumed on June 22, 2020.
  • Self-registration camping has resumed at the following outlying campgrounds: Moon Lake, Deep Lake and Whirlpool Lake. Day use at Lake Audy remains open; overnight camping will remain closed until further notice.
  • Camp Kippichewin is open. Camp Ma-Ma-O-Pee will remain closed for the 2020 season.
  • Washroom and shower facilities located in open campgrounds will be available for use.

All oTENTiks in the Wasagaming Campground reopen as of July 15, 2020. The oTENTiks at Moon Lake and Lake Audy will remain closed for the season.

Your safety when visiting

  • Effective 12:01 a.m., Friday, September 18, 2020, the Prairie Mountain Health Region has been lowered to the COVID-19 Caution (yellow) level. Visitors to Riding Mountain National Park will be asked to follow this requirement.
  • Wear a mask in indoor settings where social distancing is not possible (An indoor public space is any space with walls and a roof that can be accessed by the members of the public).
  • Limit group sizes to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors. Larger group sizes will be allowed where participants can be separated into distinct groups that remain separate and where each distinct group remains under the limits above.
  • Keep a healthy space of 2 metres between you and others. We ask guests to practice frequent hand washing and to bring their own hand sanitizer and soap, if possible.
  • Be bear smart in the park
  • Beware of ticks
  • Be extra cautious when engaging in any activities to avoid injury and/or getting lost to help minimize the demands placed on emergency response, search and rescue teams, and on the health care system.
  • Leave no trace when you visit outdoor spaces. Please take all your garbage with you and help keep these places clean.
  • Abide by all travel advisories and area closures.


Frequently asked questions (FAQ) specific to Riding Mountain National Park

Stay informed

For the most up to date information, visit: