Provincial Road 583 — Gypsumville to Waterhen River Marshlands Corridor
Interlake marshlands at the edge of nowhere.
Provincial Road 583 is the kind of Manitoba road that doesn’t get written about because the people who know it want to keep it that way. Starting off Highway 6 near Gypsumville — itself a small town built on the back of a gypsum mine — PR 583 pushes northwest through Interlake agricultural fringe before the land goes wet and wild. As you approach the Waterhen River corridor, the maintained gravel gives way to narrower two-track spurs dropping toward Lake Winnipegosis’s southern marshes, prime moose and pelican country that most Manitobans have never seen. The Waterhen Bridge crossing is the key waypoint — north of it, the road quality degrades fast depending on spring conditions.
This is an easy-to-moderate corridor run that rewards drivers willing to explore the unmarked spurs off the main route. A stock truck or SUV with decent ground clearance handles PR 583 itself, but the side tracks toward the river demand high clearance and ideally a locker after wet weather. No permits. Best season is mid-June through October — the Interlake stays soggy well into June and the side roads become impassable traps. Carry your own water and fuel up in Gypsumville. Cell service vanishes completely by the Waterhen crossing. This is flat, remote, and genuinely wild.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 48 mi / 77.2 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 880 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Gypsumville, Manitoba |
| Land manager | Manitoba Infrastructure / Manitoba Sustainable Development |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 2WD truck handle PR 583, or do I need 4WD?
A high-clearance 2WD is the listed minimum and will handle it fine in dry conditions — the surface is dirt and gravel with minimal technical terrain. After rain, the clay sections get slick and 4WD becomes a real advantage, not a luxury.
When does PR 583 typically open and close for the season?
Best window is June through October. Spring breakup (April–May) turns the clay-based sections into a mess and spring load restrictions are common on Manitoba provincial roads. Snow and freeze-up typically shut it down for practical travel by November.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on PR 583?
No permit required to drive the route. Dispersed camping is available and falls under Manitoba Sustainable Development rules — no fee, but follow provincial fire regulations and pack out everything you pack in.
What's the hardest part of this trail and what should I actually expect?
This is an easy route — no major obstacles, no technical sections. The toughest scenario is a prolonged rain event turning the dirt portions soft and greasy. The bigger challenge is isolation: 48 miles of low traffic with no cell service, so a mechanical issue means you're handling it yourself.
Is there any water available on route, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There is no reliable potable water on the route — bring everything you need. Gypsumville is your last fuel stop before heading north; don't count on anything until you're well past Waterhen. Top off the tank and carry extra if your rig drinks fuel.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.