The Central Plains Region is located in the south central section of Manitoba, Canada. The region is home to smaller communities. The main tourism communities in the Central Plain Region include Gladstone, Holland, Portage La Prairie and St. Francois Xavier. The Central Plains Region is a diverse landscape consisting of tall grass prairies, aspen forests, sandy beaches, rolling hills, farm fields, lakes, river valleys, marshes, wetlands, sedge meadows and man-made dykes.
The region has a recorded history dating back to the late 1700s. The first inhabitants to live off the land were the Metis First Nation, soon followed by the Scottish, Ukrainian and Icelandic peoples. Throughout the region there are museums and historic sites telling the stories of the past. There are museums honoring agriculture, First Nation people, European settlers, oil industry, wildlife, softball and pioneer villages like the Fort La Reine Pioneer Village.
There are art centres, galleries, theatres and studios for culture and entertainment. There are restaurants ranging from fine dining to fast food. Accommodations range in price and quality. And near wilderness regions are tours & outfitters providing guided adventures, lessons and equipment.
During the summer months some of the adventures enjoyed in the Central Plains Region include golfing, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, horseback riding, swimming, water skiing, windsurfing, camping, canoeing, kayaking and picnicking. In the winter months, after the snow falls and the rivers and lakes freeze over, activities in the region include cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and snowmobiling.
The Central Plains Region is home to a varied selection of destinations for adventure. Some of the more popular destinations in the region include the Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Big Grass Marsh, St. Ambroise Beach Provincial Park, Delta Marsh, Island Park, Twin Lakes Beach, Bacon Ridge Ecological Reserve, Portia Marsh and Bluff Creek Trail.