Turtle Mountain Provincial Park

Turtle Mountain Provincial Park is a year round recreation destination located south of the community of Boissevain, Manitoba, Canada. The parkland is a protected wildlife area rich in history and populated with many lakes and protected wetlands.

The parkland trails and backcountry gravel roads were once the travel routes used by the First Nation people while hunting the plains buffalo and, in later years, the same trails and roads were used by bootleggers transporting illegal alcohol, back and forth, across the border between Canada and the USA.

Today the park is a protected WMA (Wildlife Management Area). The protected parkland is home to many species of wildlife including deer, moose and elk. The forest of trees and the network of lakes and wetlands attract birds to the region like the rufous-sided towhees, thrashers, swans, ducks and grouse.

The best way to view the landscape and wildlife is by exploring the recreation trails in the Turtle Mountain Provincial Park. The trails range from short 2 kilometre treks to long haul 17 kilometre routes exploring large tracts of land visiting with lakes, wetlands and groves of aspen, elm, birch, balsam, ash and maple trees.

Some of the more popular activities enjoyed on the trails in the summer months include mountain biking, hiking, birdwatching and horseback riding. And in the winter months the backcountry trails in the Turtle Mountains are popular for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Located on the recreation trails are viewing towers, warming shelters and a cabin. The tower near Williams Lake provides views of the Turtle Mountains and farmland below.

The warming shelters are popular resting spots for snowmobiling and cross country skiing the trails in the region. Some snowmobile routes are short while others measure up to 50 kilometres long. The James Lake Cabin can be booked for long haul overnight adventures.

With so many lakes there are many opportunities in the Turtle Mountain Provincial Park for water sports during the summer months like canoeing, boating, swimming and fishing.

Exposure to high winds makes William Lake a popular destination for windsurfing. There are campgrounds and sandy beaches on William, Adam and Max Lakes for extended stays in the park. Adam and Max Lakes include services like picnic shelters, sani -dump, washrooms, playground and boat launch. Williams Lake also includes showers and power.

Turtle Mountain Provincial Park, Boissevain, Manitoba, Canada, Western Region