Riding Mountain National Park — Gunn Lake Fire Road to Whirlpool Lake Wilderness Circuit
Escarpment fire roads, bison, and no cell signal.
Riding Mountain sits on the Manitoba Escarpment like a fortress — the land drops away sharply on three sides and the plateau top is a maze of boreal forest, pothole lakes, and fire roads that Parks Canada doesn’t exactly advertise. The Gunn Lake Fire Road pushes north from the Highway 19 corridor into genuine backcountry, threading past Gunn Lake toward the Whirlpool Lake area where moose wade the shallows at dusk. The track is a mix of compacted gravel, muddy clay stretches that turn slick after rain, and low-water crossings on unnamed drainage channels. You’ll pass old warden cabin sites and the occasional bison trail cutting through the trees — the park’s free-roaming herd doesn’t care about your schedule.
This is moderate territory on a dry week, but after summer rains the clay sections near the escarpment edge earn their reputation. A high-clearance 4WD is the minimum — all-terrain tires are not optional. You need a Riding Mountain National Park backcountry permit before you go anywhere near this route; get it at the Wasagaming Visitor Centre. Cell service is nonexistent north of the highway. Best run mid-July through early September before the fall mud sets in. Fuel in Wasagaming or Dauphin.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2480 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Wasagaming, MB |
| Land manager | Parks Canada — Riding Mountain National Park |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | pc.gc.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner is sufficient. The fire roads are rough and rutted in places but nothing requires significant lift — just don't bring a crossover or a lightly built AWD rig.
When does the trail typically open and close for the season?
July through September is the reliable window. Spring snowmelt and rain turn the dirt sections into deep mud well into June, and early October can bring snow on the escarpment. Don't push shoulder seasons here without checking current conditions with Parks Canada directly.
Do I need a permit to drive this route, and is there a fee?
Yes — you need a valid Parks Canada entry permit for Riding Mountain National Park, which costs around CAD $10/day per person or is covered by a Discovery Pass. Backcountry camping on the circuit requires a separate backcountry permit; book through Parks Canada reservation system before you go.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what should I actually expect?
The roughest stretch is along the Gunn Lake fire road after wet weather — expect deep ruts, exposed roots, and soft shoulders that can pull a tire off camber. The water crossings are generally shallow (knee-deep or less in normal conditions) but can rise quickly after rain, so time your crossing accordingly.
There's zero cell service out here — how far is it to the nearest fuel and should I carry extra?
Wasagaming has a gas station and it's your last reliable fuel stop before the trailhead. The circuit is 38 miles of slow going, but factor in approach and exit mileage — carry a spare 5-gallon can if your rig drinks fuel at low speeds, especially if you're towing a trailer or running big tires.
Trail track
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