Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt announced Wednesday that the Manitoba government is offering free provincial park entry for the entire month of February.
The province noted in a press release that the free park entry prompts Manitobans and visitors to explore the many winter activities available in provincial parks.
“February is a great time to enjoy Manitoba’s provincial parks,” says Schmidt. “We know affordability is top of mind for many families, so I am pleased to announce we are waiving the entry fee to all provincial parks for the month of February. We encourage all Manitobans to get outdoors and enjoy everything our beautiful provincial parks have to offer.”
Vehicle permits will not be required in any provincial park in February, but snowmobile Snopasses are still required for use on designated trails.
Entrance fees still apply in national parks such as Riding Mountain.
Manitoba’s provincial parks have many different trail systems scattered around the province, with groomed trails for various activities, including cross-country skiing, fat biking, snowshoeing and hiking.
Paint Lake, Spruce Woods and Turtle Mountain provincial parks offer outdoor skating areas, hockey rinks and toboggan hills.
Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park has ice-fishing shelters on Lake Winnipeg that are free to use.
People looking for downhill skiing and snowboarding experiences can visit the Asessippi Ski Resort in Asessippi Provincial Park or the Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes in Whiteshell Provincial Park.
According to the minister, park interpreters in Birds Hill, Spruce Woods, and Whiteshell provincial parks offer numerous guided programs that enrich visitor experiences and promote stewardship of Manitoba’s park resources.
Teachers can also book free guided field trips to Birds Hill, Spruce Woods, and Whiteshell provincial parks and virtual programs that bring park interpreters into classrooms.
Manitobans are encouraged to check trail conditions before visiting parks. Trail information and maps can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks.
For more information on winter activities in provincial parks, visit www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks