Rural Manitoba has lots of family-friendly things to do that are easy on the wallet — plus plenty of big skies, small towns, prairie oddities and roadside culture. Plan on hikes, swims and park activity, augmented with cultural festivals and outdoor concerts.

Make the most of your mini-getaway with one of these high-fun, low-cost itineraries. You’ll be surprised at what you might find in your own backyard.

Lake Winnipeg: Sandy prairie shores, sunsets and bison

Head northeast of Winnipeg to the 30 km of trails at Birds Hill Provincial Park, which is also great for swimming, paddling and (you guessed it) birding. The park is home to a small herd of bison that grazes the open fields.

Then, head north to discover the Icelandic heritage of Gimli, along with its beach and boardwalk, or head straight to your picnic blanket among the white sand dunes at Grand Beach. Lake Winnipeg is quite shallow, which makes it perfect for family fun. The low-key town of Pine Falls on the Winnipeg River is up next for a gander at the hydro dam or for some quality time in a kayak, available to rent.

Riding Mountain: National park energy, road-trip budget

Manitoba’s best “all-in-one” nature destination is one hour north of Brandon. The walkable resort town of Wasagaming on Clear Lake is your first stop in Riding Mountain National Park. Visitors can swim, paddle on a paddleboard, enjoy a scenic cruise or rent a boat. You can birdwatch among the marshland, comb the multi-use trails or taste-test the region’s famous cinnamon buns.

The park itself presents an enormous opportunity to forest bathe: hike, bike or drive through the scenic roads, keeping an eye out for wildlife, including bison in the Lake Audy region. The Lake Audy Bison Enclosure, located within Riding Mountain National Park, is home to a captive herd of approximately 40 plains bison. Swing south to Spruce Woods Provincial Park near Carberry to hike in the dunes of Spirit Sands, where visitors can discover a unique ecosystem that includes cacti, endangered reptiles and amphibians.

South-eastern Manitoba: Cottage-country fun minus the prices

The low-cost Mennonite Heritage Village is a living history museum near the town of Steinbach, south of Winnipeg, where CAA Members receive BOGO (Buy One, Get One) admission. It documents 19th-century life in the region, complete with interactive demonstrations such as bread-baking and blacksmithing.

The granite landscapes and clear lakes of Whiteshell Provincial Park await one-hour east of Steinbach, near the Manitoba-Ontario border, with West Hawk Lake or Falcon Lake providing ample opportunity for watersports. Take time to hike the trails of Hunt Lake or Bear Lake, or just hop in a canoe and let your mind drift.

Money-saving strategies on the road 

• Ensure your car is in tip-top working order before you leave home. A mechanically sound vehicle is more fuel efficient and less likely to break down mid-trip. 
• Try to stop at gas stations off the main drag for lower prices. Travel at less-busy times of the day, so you’re not idling in heavy traffic. 
• Load up a cooler or two with car-friendly foods like energy bars and fruit. Include your family’s favourite drinks and snacks. When supplies run low, stop at a grocery store instead of a burger joint. 

CAA has even more road-trip resources

Don’t forget that CAA Members can score additional savings with fuel discounts at participating Shell locations across Canada. Road-trippers also appreciate the savings and perks offered at partner restaurants. Just two more ways CAA helps you lighten the travel load.

Hit the road for less. Visit caamanitoba.com/rewards to discover savings on fuel, dining and more for your next adventure.