Bannock Point Petroform Road — Whiteshell Provincial Park Interior Circuit
Ancient granite and sacred stone on the Shield.
The Canadian Shield breaks the surface hard in Whiteshell Provincial Park, and nowhere is that more apparent than the Bannock Point corridor where 3.5-billion-year-old granite outcrops force every road to bend around them. This interior circuit departs Highway 44 east of Rennie, winds through pink and grey granite knobs past the Bannock Point petroforms — sacred Anishinaabe stone arrangements that have marked this landscape for thousands of years — and threads between a chain of backcountry lakes including White Lake and Big Whiteshell Lake. The rock ledge crossings near the Betula Lake junction are the route’s teeth: angled slabs that punish poor tire placement and are genuinely slippery when wet.
High clearance and 4WD are mandatory once you’re past the maintained gravel sections; lockers help on the wet granite ledges but aren’t required for a careful driver. This is Shield country, so sharp rocks are everywhere — run quality all-terrain or mud-terrain tires with sidewall protection and carry a plug kit. A Manitoba Parks vehicle permit is required. Best run mid-June through September; spring flooding isolates sections around Long Lake. Fuel in Rennie before heading in. The petroforms at Bannock Point are a genuine cultural landmark — treat them with the respect they’ve earned.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 55 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1020 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Rennie, Manitoba |
| Land manager | Manitoba Provincial Parks — Whiteshell Provincial Park |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | gov.mb.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Jeep Wrangler run this trail without modifications?
A stock 4WD with decent ground clearance handles it fine under normal conditions. The exposed Precambrian granite shelves and rutted interior sections are the main challenge — lifted rigs have more margin, but a stocker with a careful driver gets through.
When does the trail actually open, and is snow or mud a real problem in spring?
June through September is the reliable window. Spring snowmelt and heavy rain turn the dirt and gravel sections into axle-deep mud well into May — Manitoba Shield terrain drains slowly. Don't push it before late May at the earliest.
Do I need a permit to drive this trail, and is there a fee?
Yes — Whiteshell Provincial Park requires a valid Manitoba Parks vehicle permit. Day passes and seasonal passes are available through Manitoba Parks. The Bannock Point petroform site itself is culturally sensitive Anishinaabe land; stay on designated paths and don't touch or move stones.
What's the hardest section, and what should I actually expect?
The interior circuit across exposed granite slabs is the technical crux — the rock is uneven, angled, and offers zero traction when wet. Pick your line slowly, watch for hidden drop-offs at slab edges, and don't let the moderate rating fool you in wet conditions.
How serious are the water crossings, and where's the nearest gas before I head in?
Crossings are shallow to moderate depending on recent rainfall — most stock 4WDs clear them without drama in normal summer conditions, but check recent conditions after heavy rain. Fuel up in Rennie before you roll; there's nothing in the interior, and you've got a 34-mile loop plus your drive out.
Trail track
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