Visitors to Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba can expect changes to summer operations this year, including the return of motorized boats to Clear Lake and a new visitor savings program. As the park prepares for the 2026 season, Parks Canada has outlined updated rules for boaters and announced the return of the Canada Strong Pass.
The Canada Strong Pass offers free park admission and a 25% discount on camping and overnight stays from June 19 through September 7, 2026. These savings coincide with a summer season that sees the Visitor Centre, located at 133 Wasagaming Drive, operating daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm between May 15 and September 9, 2026.
After a two-year ban, motorized watercraft are permitted back on Clear Lake for the 2026 season. This change comes with strict requirements to protect local waterways from invasive species. All watercraft, fishing gear, wetsuits, and inflatables must undergo mandatory inspection by park staff and follow the Clean, Drain, Dry protocol. Operators who fail to comply with these rules face fines of up to $25,000.
Additional measures for watercraft include a mandatory tagging program, the expansion of no-wake zones, and established quiet periods at dawn and dusk for non-motorized use. Furthermore, there will be two non-motorized days per week on the lake. Parks Canada also intends to hold public consultations this summer regarding a proposed boat launch fee structure, which could be implemented in 2027 to help cover the costs of the new tagging system.
Park leadership has been working with the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation on a joint stewardship agreement for the lake. These updates follow a record-setting year, as 2025 marked the park’s busiest season since 2017, with 359,082 visitors.
