Riding Mountain National Park

Riding Mountain National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Manitoba, Canada. The park covers an area of 1,146 square miles (2,969 sq km).

Much of the neighboring area is represented by prairie grasslands and farmlands.  Things change quite dramatically as you approach the protected area of the park.  The national park is comprised of three different habitats.

The three habitats of Riding Mountain National Park include eastern deciduous forests, grasslands, and upland boreal. The area is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve adding to the significance of the protected area.

The elevation of the park shoots up 1,499 feet (457 m) as you shift from the neighboring farmland.  Riding Mountain is the tallest spot in the park.

There are several lakes within the national park as well as streams and rivers.  Leveraging the waterways are some of the best ways to engage the area with boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.

The forests are comprised of alder, bur oak, fir, pine, poplar, spruce, and tamarack.  The poplar is one of the predominant species that create a habit that is rich with wildlife. There are 233 species of birds that nest or migrate through the park, of course, Canada geese and common loons are some of the favored sightings.

The park is renowned for its black bears featuring one of the largest populations across the entire North American continent.  Other popular species include beaver, bison, cougar, coyote, elk, lynx, moose, timber wolf, and white-tailed deer.

Photos

Riding Mountain National Park Photo Gallery

Highlights

The wildlife is one of the highlights of the park with sightings being quite favorable.  The lush grasslands combined with the cover of the neighboring forests make this an ecosystem rich with animals.

Black Bear

The black bear is a medium-sized bear and one of the most populous species across the globe.  The range and prevalence of the black bear are broader than its larger cousin the grizzly or brown bear.

Riding Mountain has one of the largest populations of black bears compared to any national park in Canada or the larger North America. Although no guarantees, this creates greater odds of having a black bear sighting during your exploration of the park.

Riding Mountain National Park Trails

Riding Mountain National Park has over 250 miles (400 km) of hiking trails traversing across and meandering about the wilderness of the national park. There is a variety of short hikes to longer backpacking adventures.