5-Day Road Trip to Northern Manitoba

IIntroduction

You’ve probably heard the claim that Manitoba is boring and not worth visiting. Trust us, we’ve heard it too since we moved to Manitoba. But fortunately, we didn’t let that statement stop us from exploring what this fascinating province in the heart of Canada truly has to offer.

What if we told you that Manitoba has places that will remind you of Greece, the Caribbean, Iceland, or the Canary Islands? Would you believe it? Well, keep reading because by the end of this guide, you’ll understand why Manitoba is a destination worth visiting, with spots that will transport you to places around the world!

Best Canada Road Trip Itineraries

Northern Manitoba is full of untouched wilderness, crystal-clear lakes, and epic outdoor adventures. Whether you're into hiking, camping, or spotting wildlife, this itinerary will take you to some of the most breathtaking and underrated spots in the province.

This travel guide is packed with essential travel tips (please refer to the Travel Tips section), must-see locations, hidden gems, and key details on where to stay. From some of the bluest and crystal-clear lakes in Canada that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the Caribbean to landscapes you’d have never thought existed in Manitoba, every stop on this 5-Day Northern Manitoba road trip will leave you in awe!

Northern Manitoba Road Trip

This epic road trip from Winnipeg to Northern Manitoba will take you through a stunning variety of landscapes, including waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and unique natural phenomena like the turquoise waters of Little Limestone Lake and the breathtaking caves. The journey offers a perfect blend of nature and adventure, ideal for solo travelers, couples, and families with kids. To fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Northern Manitoba, we recommend setting aside at least 12 days for this trip.

Northern Manitoba Road trip Budget

The beauty of this road trip is that it can be tailored to fit any budget. You can opt for a more affordable experience or indulge in comfort—it's entirely up to you. Here are the costs to consider for a road trip to Northern Manitoba:

• Campgrounds (Yurts & traditional tent campsites)

• Food (groceries + eating out)

• Hotels/Lodges/Unique Stays

• Annual Manitoba Park Vehicle Permit Fee: $44.50 (2024 rate). Note: in 2025 Park Entry is FREE. No Park entry permit is required, so you don't have to worry about this expense in 2025.

• Activities If you love nature, most of your activities—like hiking and beach visits—will be outdoors, so your activity costs should remain low.

• Gas

For a 12-day itinerary, we spent a total of CAD $1,851.26 for 2 people.

If you're traveling in a group, the cost per person can be significantly reduced as accommodations and gas costs can be shared. To save even more, consider traveling during the camping season and staying exclusively at Manitoba Parks-designated campgrounds instead of hotels and lodges. For reference, the 2024 nightly rate for a comfortable Yurt was CAD $56, and a traditional tent campsite costed just CAD $13.65 per night.