Group Hike at Grand Beach Provincial Park
Join us for the perfect Manitoba summer day trip. Explore the shady forests and hills of Grand Beach in a free group hike. Then cool off with a swim and an ice cream on the sandy beach.
Grand Beach Provincial Park is known across Manitoba for its stretching sandy beaches, but is also home to an incredible network of trails perfect for summer adventure and exploration.
Register for the 11am Group Hike
Register for the 1:30pm Group Hike
The sandy terrain is a distant reminder that this area was the shore of Lake Agassiz, more than 8,000 years ago. Even in areas where there’s dirt, the soft sand can always be found only a few inches below the surface.
Two viewpoints near the end of the loop offer incredible views of the forests spotted with boulders, and are ideal for spotting local wildlife.
The 2.1 km Ancient Beach Trail is part of a much larger and well marked trail system. We will be adding a loop or two to our group hike to explore the forest and extend our time together. Those who want to add a bit more distance to their hike can continue on one of the many other well marked loops.
Register for the 11am Group Hike
Register for the 1:30pm Group Hike
The Ancient Beach trailhead is located along the eastern edge of the Grand Beach Campground about an hour’s drive from Winnipeg’s north perimeter.
Visitors should be prepared for a 1.5 hour hike.
The trail is generally level but has some spikes in elevation, including a long downhill section on the return loop. It’s a great hike for families, though very short legs may get tired pretty quickly. Be sure to pack snacks and lots of water.
Don’t forget your provincial park pass!
How To Get There
Type ‘Ancient Beach Trail’’ into a smartphone map or GPS.
Or follow these directions:
From Winnipeg, head north on HWY #59 to the junction of Provincial Trunk Hwy 12, then turn west.
Turn north on Road 38E until you enter the Grand Beach Campground. The trailhead will be on the right, or east side, as you drive north.
Amenities:
Outhouses are located at the beginning of the trail.
The Grand Beach Campground Store is only a few minutes walk from the trailhead.
The ice cream and snack shop on Grand Beach is a short drive from the trailhead.
More amenities are available in the nearby town of Grand Marais.
What to Bring on Your Hike/Activity
- A park pass is required for all vehicles entering provincial parks. An annual pass (which can be used in two vehicles) is $44.50. Daily permits are $9.50.
- Bring at least two bottles of water: you can leave one in your vehicle on a short hike; you’ll want both on a long hike.
- Snacks are a great way to keep your energy up along the trail. Many trails don’t have restaurants or stores nearby so you may also want to pack a picnic lunch.
- Hand sanitizer (Most trails have outhouses, not modern toilets.)
- Any medication you may need (like antihistamines, your asthma inhaler, or an EpiPen)
- A safety whistle, pocket flashlight, and a basic first-aid kit (not required, but a good idea any time you’re in the wilderness)
Outdoor Fun: What to Expect on Your Group Hike/Activity
Sometimes we just want to have some fun and enjoy a friendly chat with a stranger.
Our group hikes and activities are an easy way to get outside and explore Manitoba’s beautiful parks with other people.
CPAWS staff will share their love of nature on a relaxing hike along our favourite trails.
There won’t be any lectures along the way: when we stop for water and snack breaks we’ll keep the conversation casual and light.
If you’ve got questions we’ll do our best to answer them. However, we are not formally trained park interpreters. We encourage people seeking learning opportunities to check out our outdoor learning programming or try an interpretive event offered by Manitoba Parks.
How can we help?
If you have any questions or require any additional accommodations to participate, please email us at [email protected].
About CPAWS Manitoba:
CPAWS Manitoba has been instrumental in establishing 22 new parks and protected areas in our province. That’s an area larger than Lake Winnipeg at nearly 26,000 square kilometres. Our goal is to protect half of Manitoba’s lands and waters.
About the CPAWS Manitoba Nature Club
CPAWS Manitoba’s Nature Club is designed to help Manitobans get outside, make new friends and learn about the wonders of nature.
We’ve developed a wide range of programming and activities to help Manitobans of all ages and abilities enjoy the health and wellness benefits of nature.
Find out more at our website – www.cpawsmb.org – and be sure to subscribe to our events newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so you don’t miss out on upcoming events.
Safety Protocols
CPAWS Manitoba takes the safety of all program participants seriously.
All CPAWS Manitoba staff members have cleared a criminal record and vulnerable sector background check with the Winnipeg Police Department.
All CPAWS Manitoba staff members voluntarily disclose that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We adhere to all public health recommendations and guidelines.
CPAWS policy requires that at least one person leading programming that may involve children must be certified in first aid. This applies to staff or to volunteers.
This program is possible thanks to the generous support of The Winnipeg Foundation.