Camping at Grand Beach Provincial Park in Canada

Family Friendly Campground Close to Winnipeg, Manitoba

Jul 14, 2009 Caroline Post

Grand Beach Provincial Park offers a campground with a family-friendly atmosphere and lots of varying activities throughout and near the park, to keep all ages busy.

Camping at Grand Beach Provincial Park offers campers a campground with modern conveniences and a family friendly atmosphere. Being in Grand Beach Provincial Park offers many choices of things to do. Two beaches, hiking trails, sand dunes, a lagoon, and interpretive programs are some of the things offered. The Park is located approximately 80 – 90 km north of Winnipeg, approximately a one-hour drive.

The East Beach at Grand Beach Provincial Park

It is a bit of a trek in thick sand from the parking lot to the beach, but there is a quieter family atmosphere and for campers at Grand Beach, this beach is closer to the campground. Situated on Lake Winnipeg, the water is good for playing around and the sand is great. There are sand dunes to climb, quite picturesque to walk through. There are no food services, so remember to carry snacks.

The West Beach at Grand Beach Provincial Park

The West Beach is where usually everyone goes. It is a convenient walk and offers food and retail services. During the day the beach is busy. The sand and water are great to play in. Sometimes sand sculptures can be seen left by people practicing for the annual sand castle competition in August.

Camping at Grand Beach Provincial Park

The Grand Beach campground is located near the East Beach and offer bays with private camping sites, modern washrooms, and water taps. There is a campground store, across from which are the showers and a laundry mat. To book a site look up "Manitoba Provincial Parks" on the internet, click on "camping reservations" and check "Grand Beach" to see what is available.

Hiking Trails at Grand Beach Provincial Park

There are sand dunes to explore, beaches and a boardwalk to walk along, self-guided trails to hike, and backcountry hiking if desired. The self-guided hiking trail information is available at the campground office. There are different hikes to choose depending on abilities, but the Wild Wings trail is in the Marsh, which seems to be easy walking with interesting sights. Check first; it might be closed if water levels are high.

The Piping Plover at Grand Beach

Walking from the East to West Beach is usually possible, except when the connection between the beaches is not accessible. This is if the endangered bird, the Piping Plover, has nested in the area and it is closed of for feeding. Signs as well as interpretive guides are at this place to offer information and help with the possible spotting of the bird.

Other Things to Do at Grand Beach Provincial Park

Lagoon offers calmer water appropriate for a number of water sports
Fishing near the causeway bridge
Play structure located just west of the boardwalk
Sand volleyball nets are set up by the boardwalk at West Beach
Tennis and basketball courts just south of the West Beach off the parking lots
Interpretive programs are offered. Check notice boards or with the park office for topics and times

Near Grand Beach Provincial Park

Grand Marais takes only a few minutes to drive to and offers miniature golf, an arcade, indoor and outdoor restaurants, shopping, a bakery and a chance to break up the day if the weather is uncooperative
Located just near the Grand Beach East Gate entrance are the Thunder Mountain Waterslides

Located in Grand Beach Provincial Park is the Grand Beach Campground. This family-friendly campground close to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada offers modern conveniences, which is especially nice if camping with kids. Being in this Provincial Park offers opportunities for numerous activities like hiking, water sports, playing in the sand, swimming, and spotting the Piping Plover. With many things to do and see both within and near the park, Grand Beach is definitely a place worth checking out.

The copyright of the article Camping at Grand Beach Provincial Park in Canada in Family Travel is owned by Caroline Post. Permission to republish Camping at Grand Beach Provincial Park in Canada in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.