Over 2,960 square kilometres (1,146 square miles) comprise Riding Mountain National Park, the first National Park in Manitoba, perched on the Manitoba escarpment. It is easily reached by Highway 10 which passes through the Park. Home to black bear, elk, moose, wolves, many insects and birds, it offers no end of photograph and wildlife viewing opportunities. A captive bison herd is located in an enclosure near Lake Audy.
The surrounding prairie grasslands form a distinct contrast to the forested parklands. Cross-country skiing, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, kayaking and canoeing, sailing are all popular family sports in the Park. Scuba diving is especially interesting in Clear Lake with its clear spring-fed water, giving excellent visibility. There are six professional tennis courts located within park boundaries; Clear Lake Golf course is one of the top-rated 18 hole golf courses in North America. ...More information below photos...
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The Park is easily accessed by car from either the north or south. An airport for small planes is located just south of the park. The east entrance to the park has been designated a National Historic Site in 1992. Built in 1933, the east entrance gate is a testament to the labour of local workers hired under the government's Depression Relief Program; the gate consists of two stone and log pavilions, one on each side of the road, topped by cupolas joined by a roofed sign that spans the width of the road.
Over 400 kilometres (250 miles) of hiking trails have been constructed in the park and trail surfaces vary from gravelled paths to grassy trails. Cycling is another popular activity in the Park and the cycling trails vary from the easy rolling hills to more rugged steep areas.
In 1986, Riding Mountain Park was given the designation of a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, as an area that demonstrates sustainable development, a balanced relationship between man and nature.