Clearwater Lake Provincial Park — The Pas to Clearwater Lake Backcountry Road
Crystal-clear karst lake at the edge of the boreal.
Provincial Road 287 north out of The Pas delivers you to Clearwater Lake Provincial Park across a mix of boreal lowland and limestone karst terrain that’s genuinely unusual for the Canadian prairies. The lake itself sits in a depression scoured by glacial action into Devonian limestone bedrock — visibility in the water runs to 35 feet, which is surreal this far north. The backcountry spurs off PR-287 probe the east and west shores through mixed spruce and tamarack, with muddy two-track sections that deteriorate quickly in wet weather near the Whitefish Lake junction. Watch for moose on the road at dawn and dusk; they’re thick in this corridor.
The main road is passable by any high-clearance 2WD in dry summer conditions, but the side spurs to the lake’s primitive campsites demand 4WD when wet — particularly the north-end limestone shelf road that can be deceptively slick. No permit required for backcountry camping outside designated sites. Fuel up in The Pas; it’s the last services before the park. Best season is July through mid-September. The fishing for lake trout and walleye is legitimate, and the lack of crowds compared to southern Manitoba parks is the real selling point here.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 44 mi / 70.8 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1050 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD (4WD recommended for spurs) |
| Nearest town | The Pas, Manitoba |
| Land manager | Manitoba Parks — Clearwater Lake Provincial Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock F-150 or RAV4 handle this route, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 2WD truck or SUV handles the main corridor fine in dry conditions. If you're poking down side spurs or it's been raining, 4WD is worth having — soft gravel and muddy cutoffs can catch low-clearance vehicles off guard.
When does this road typically open and close for the season?
July through September is the reliable window. Spring breakup leaves the gravel soft and rutted well into June, and early snow can return by October. Don't plan shoulder-season runs without checking Manitoba Roads (511) first.
Do I need a permit to drive this route or camp in Clearwater Lake Provincial Park?
No permit is required to drive the road itself. Camping within Clearwater Lake Provincial Park requires a Manitoba Parks camping fee — book or pay through the Manitoba Parks reservation system. Dispersed camping outside park boundaries follows standard Crown land rules: no fee, no reservation.
What's the hardest part of this route and what should I actually expect?
There's no genuinely hard section — this is an easy gravel and dirt corridor with minimal elevation change. The main challenge is soft shoulders after rain and a few washboarded stretches. Don't let 'easy' make you sloppy; the remoteness means a flat tire or mechanical issue is your problem to solve.
How far is the nearest gas station, and should I fuel up before leaving The Pas?
Fuel up in The Pas before you leave — there are no gas stations along the 70 km route or at the lake itself. The Pas has full services; once you head north, you're on your own for the day.
Trail track
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