Longue Pointe de Winnipeg to Traverse Bay — Lake Winnipeg East Shore Gravel Road
Lake Winnipeg's forgotten east shore run.
The east shore of Lake Winnipeg is one of those places that doesn’t show up on most overlanding lists, and that’s exactly the point. This route traces Provincial Road 304 and its unsigned spurs from Longue Pointe south through Traverse Bay, crossing the Brokenhead River flats and threading past fisher camps that have been here longer than the province itself. The sand blowouts near Traverse Bay can catch unprepared rigs off guard — what looks like a gravel shoulder drops fast into beach sand that’ll swallow a tire to the axle if you’re not running the right pressure.
It’s not a technical trail in the rock-crawling sense, but the combination of soft sand approaches, seasonal mud after spring melt, and genuinely remote stretches with no cell service earns it a Moderate tag. A high-clearance 4WD with aired-down all-terrain tires handles it fine. Best run June through September before fall storms turn the lake approaches into mush. No permit required. Fuel up in Winnipeg Beach — there’s nothing reliable past that. You get big lake views, no crowds, and a real feel for boreal Manitoba at water level.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 47 mi / 75.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 810 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Winnipeg Beach, Manitoba |
| Land manager | Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this without any mods?
Yes — a stock high-clearance 4WD handles this fine under dry conditions. The sandy sections and rutted stretches near bay access points are where low-profile vehicles will struggle, so if you're running a crossover or street-tuned SUV, stay home.
When does this road become impassable and is it open in early spring?
Stick to June through September. Spring thaw turns the dirt and sandy sections into a muddy mess, and some low-lying areas near the water crossings stay saturated well into May. Early season access is a gamble not worth taking without local intel.
Do you need any permits to drive or camp along the east shore route?
No permits required to drive the route — it falls under Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure jurisdiction as a public road. Dispersed camping is available but check current Manitoba provincial regulations on fires and camping setbacks from the shoreline before you go.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it difficult?
The trickiest bits are the water crossings at the Métis river drainage points — depth varies with rainfall and season, and the approaches can be soft and rutted. Nothing technical enough to require lockers under normal conditions, but a soaked crossing with a loaded rig on soft ground will catch you off guard if you charge in blind.
How far is the nearest fuel stop and should I carry extra?
Top up in Winnipeg Beach before you head north — it's the last reliable fuel point before the route. At 47 miles one-way with no services along the corridor, carry at minimum an extra 5 gallons if your rig drinks more than average or you plan to run any side spurs to the lake.
Trail track
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