The best camping near Clearwater Lake Provincial Park

Just north of The Pas is the year-round Clearwater Lake Provincial Park, which earned its name thanks to the strikingly crystalline lake water that lets you see 11 metres straight down to the bottom. In addition to the beaches, another draw is the network of deep crevice caves you can walk through and along on the park’s trails. Campers can choose between two campgrounds, both of which offer tent campsites and electrical service sites.

• Best for more space: Campers’ Cove Campground is the larger of the two campgrounds and also features yurts.
• Best for adventurers: Pioneer Bay Campground has walk-in campsites for tenting in addition to its electrical sites.

1. Reservations for both campgrounds open mid-April. You can book the yurts at Campers’ Cove a bit earlier, starting at the beginning of April. Book your spot online on the Manitoba Parks site, by phone, or in person at the Winnipeg office. You can book up to the day of your arrival.
2. A limited number of seasonal campsites are available in each campground—these allow campers to return to the site all season and are awarded via lottery. Apply by the February cutoff date if you want to throw your hat in the ring.

Both Campers’ Cove and Pioneer Bay operate from mid-May until Labour Day. Be prepared for chilly evenings, particularly at the start of the season and if you’re tent camping, by bringing some woolies. In winter you can snowmobile or cross-country ski, while summer brings opportunities for fishing, boasting trophy-sized trout, northern pike, and whitefish. The beach is nice and sandy and the water is suitable for swimming, staying cool, and refreshing in the summer sun.

• None of the campsites are considered barrier free, but there are accessible yurts available. The trail along the caves includes stairs.
• Manitoba Parks require a permit to enter. The permits are sold on an annual, casual (3 consecutive nights) or nightly basis. Buy your pass from Manitoba Licensing.