10 Best hikes and trails in Riding Mountain National Park

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Canada/
Manitoba/
Riding Mountain National Park

Best trails in Riding Mountain National Park

4.2(5,137 reviews)

Canada
:
#17 of 49 national parks

Want to find the best trails in Riding Mountain National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 73 great trails for hiking, birding, and backpacking and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 17 easy hiking trails in Riding Mountain National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 9 to 2,450 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Riding Mountain National Park.

Top trails

This is a short loop with an option for a turnoff to do a shorter 2 kilometre loop. Overall, the loop is an enjoyable easy trail for families with Kinasao Lake as a scenic destination. There is minimal undulation and the route is known to be drier than the nearby Arrowhead Trail. Prepare to spend a few hours enjoying the sights and sounds at a medium pace with young children. The trail is two loops leading through the peaceful forest to Kinosao Lake. The trail is fairly easy and flat,...

#2 - Bald Hill Lookout via Reeve's Ravine

This route begins at the East Gate parking lot. The trail features wooden bridges, stairs, and boardwalks that make it a little easier. The vista at the top of Bald Hill is one of the best in the park, and the views all throughout this hike are especially stunning from late September to early October, as the fall colours are present. There is poison ivy in the area and signage that marks areas where it is highly prevalent, but it is best to know how to identify it in order to avoid it....

#3 - Ominnik Marsh Trail

The Ominnik Marsh Trail in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, offers a scenic journey through diverse wetland ecosystems. This easy trail features a boardwalk that meanders through the marsh, providing opportunities to observe a variety of bird species and other wildlife. The area is known for its rich biodiversity, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and photographers. The trail is well-maintained and suitable for all ages.

#4 - Kinosao Lake Trail

This loop begins just off of Highway 19. There is a parking lot by the trailhead. This is a very well-maintained and wide path. The first section of the trail is along Grey Owl Trail and has bike traffic on it as well. Aspen and pine trees make up the majority of the forest, and there are lots of wildflowers in early July. Kinosao Lake is nice and has a large beaver dam on it. This trail joins up with the Boreal Boardwalk Trail at the lake. The lake has a small floating dock which would be...

#5 - Bead Lakes Trail

This route is a loop that passes three of the four Bead Lakes. The trail itself is quite scenic with the highlights being the third and fourth lakes. Bead Lakes trailhead is along Highway 10 in Riding Mountain with a large parking lot and is a gorgeous place for a hike. Be aware that there is a possibility for bears in this area. It leads through forest and passes by a couple of lakes with views through the trees. There are some side trails off the main one where you can walk down to the...

#6 - South Lake Trail

This trail is an easy and well-maintained trail that is accessed through the Ominnik Marsh Trailhead. It is a nice loop through the forest with opportunities to access the south shore of Clear Lake, and is great for families and good for dogs! During the winter months, it is frequently used for cross-country skiing.

The trailhead is a short drive from Wasagaming. The trail goes through a forest and passes by a lake close to the beginning, which you can catch some views of through the trees. It is a pretty hike with some gentle inclines and sloped sections along the way, fostering a nice, manageable challenge. The trail is well maintained, but be prepared for lots of mosquitoes in the summer.

There is a decent chance of seeing wildlife including Black Bears, Moose, Loons, Osprey, Eagles, Deer etc. The trail crosses 16 small streams which are all easily passable. There is a beautiful meadow in the northern part of the hike. Overall a moderately challenging hike due to the low-lying mud and the overall distance. Most of the trail involved hiking through low-lying wetlands and mossy areas. Wearing waterproof gear is recommended, and bug suits should be worn in spring and early...

#9 - Gorge Creek Trail

The Gorge Creek Trailhead is located along Burls and Bittersweet Road off of Highway 19 (Provincial Trunk Highway 19). From here follow the well-maintained trail along the Gorge Creek with multiple wooden boardwalk crossings. There are great views of the valley from above followed by an immersive walk through the wooded area. There is some elevation with this trail, but stairs make the ascents and descents easier. Poison ivy is present in the area, so be cautious on the edges of the trail.

#10 - Lake Katherine Winter Trail

Lake Katherine Winter Trail is a beautiful, scenic loop around Lake Katherine. This is a great option for beginners or visitors looking for a shorter option. Visitors have the opportunity to pair this trail with the Compound Winter Trail for a longer route. To access, drive past the yellow gate, head straight down to the lake and turn left to find the trailhead. It is labeled Loons Island.

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Trail reviews for Riding Mountain National Park

3,963 trailgoers Busiest in August

Kim Thomliston

Aug 4, 2024•Hiking

Easy to parkGreat conditionsGreat views

Lovely little “hike”. (Quite short and easy). Make sure to go to the Friends of Riding Mountain National Park building and rent a pond dipping kit! ($6) The kids (and adults!) loved it! Very fun way to spend part of the afternoon. Mosquitoes were not an issue for us.

Parking: Permit required, Free, Large lot

Ominnik Marsh Trail

Gid E

Jun 3, 2025•Hiking

Great conditionsGreat views

Great trail for a solo and first time hiker in Riding Mountain. It is generally safe. First half is flat and second half is combo of uphill and downhill. It was windy at the summit and the view was amazing. Highly recommended.

Bald Hill from 462 West

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Riding Mountain National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Riding Mountain National Park is Brûlé Trail, which has a 4.5 star rating from 661 reviews. This trail is 2.6 mi long with an elevation gain of 311 ft.

What is the longest trail in Riding Mountain National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Riding Mountain National Park is Whitewater Lake via Sugarloaf. This trail is estimated to be 27.7 mi long.

How many trails are in Riding Mountain National Park?

There are 73 trails in Riding Mountain National Park. These trails have an average 4.2-star rating from 5,137 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Riding Mountain National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Riding Mountain National Park has you covered. Ochre River Trail boasts the most elevation gain with 2,450 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Whitewater Lake via Sugarloaf, which will get you 2,437 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Riding Mountain National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 21 camping trails in Riding Mountain National Park and the most popular is Moon Lake Trail with an average 3.9 star rating from 273 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Riding Mountain National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 36 running trails in Riding Mountain National Park and the most popular is Brûlé Trail with an average 4.5 star rating from 661 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Riding Mountain National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 38 biking trails in Riding Mountain National Park and the most popular is Bald Hill Lookout via Reeve's Ravine with an average 4.7 star rating from 355 community reviews.