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Nestled in the heart of Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba is a charming little resort town called Wasagaming that sits on the shore of Clear Lake. When we first arrive in Clear Lake Country, I feel like I’m being wrapped up in a warm hug. The kind-hearted friendliness of the people, the liveliness of the town, and the breathtaking scenery are second to none. This is our spot.
When you are cattle farmers, it is difficult to plan a vacation in the summer. If we do manage to get away, it’s usually not very far and very last minute. Clear Lake is a short road trip from our farm and the perfect setting for the two of us to unwind and reconnect.
Where to Stay
There are many places to stay right inside the park from campsites and cabins to resorts and boutique hotels. There are also many Airbnb options just outside the National Park that are minutes from downtown Wasagaming. This past visit we were lucky to secure two nights at the Arrowhead Family Resort which is a sister property to one of our favourite spots, Lakehouse.
The Arrowhead is a 33-room resort with a heated pool and beautifully manicured property. It sits right in the heart of Wasagaming so it’s only steps away from the shops, restaurants, and the beach. They have recently undergone a renovation with upgrades to the beds and bathrooms. Given it was a last-minute reservation, our options were limited so we ended up booking a Studio Room with 2 Doubles and Kitchenette. It was a nice sized room and the double bed was closer to a queen so we were able to sleep comfortably.
We tend to opt for hotel-style accommodations when visiting Clear Lake because our stay there is usually short. If we ever plan to stay for an extended period of time (and manage to plan ahead) we would likely look into booking one of the many cabins available or try out an Otentik.
Just outside the park is the Elkhorn Resort & Spa. We have stayed here a few times as well and have especially enjoyed spending a day relaxing in the spa and getting treatments. It’s only a 5-minute drive to downtown Wasagaming from Elkhorn but there is plenty to do right at the resort too.
Where to Eat
We have a couple of favourite places to eat when we visit Clear Lake. If you have been following me for a while you know that our favourite pastime on vacation is finding good restaurants. I’m amazed (but not really) that I usually have more pictures of the food we ate and the wine we drank than the beautiful scenery. Shameful! But hey, you’ll be thankful for these suggestions when you grow tired of eating barbecued hot dogs at the campsite.
Breakfast is usually at the Whitehouse Bakery and Restaurant. This place is definitely a Clear Lake icon. They are known for their delicious cinnamon buns but they also serve an awesome breakfast and mimosas! My husband has sampled a few cinnamon buns over the years and can confirm that they are scrumptious. You can dine in or takeout at the Whitehouse. Their takeout counter serves specialty coffees, baking and lunch items. The constant flow of people in and out of this place is a true testament to the quality of food they are serving up. Be prepared to wait for a table.
Just outside the park, about 5 minutes down the road is the Fox Tail. We had never been to this restaurant so we decided to give it a try during this trip. We drove out there for lunch and had their wood fire pizzas. My gluten-free margarita pizza was delicious and the service was great! The screened-in patio is a neat spot with a cool vibe. I love the smell of the wood fire stove.
Happy hour usually starts around 4:00 p.m. for us and we have found the Lakehouse Patio to be a great spot to sit outside, sip wine, and enjoy their amazing charcuterie board or vegetable platter. This is a charming little spot with rustic décor and fun vibe. The Lakehouse has a beautiful wood-burning fireplace inside the lounge which we found was the perfect place to cozy up to with a nice glass of red when we stayed there last October.
One of our favourite places to eat ANYWHERE is TR McKoys which is located right in the heart of Wasagaming. We got engaged in this restaurant in 2012 and it has remained a special place for us ever since. Thankfully, the service and food quality have only gotten better over the years making us dream of returning to this spot every year.
TR McKoys is Italian style dining in a fun and casual bistro-style setting. It is always bustling with families and friends happy to be at the lake. We exercise extreme gluttony when we visit here and our last visit was no exception.
From the amazing bruschetta, pasta, pizzas and meat dishes, you will have difficulty deciding what to order because they all sound so delicious.
Their wine list is great and the dessert menu decadent. We tried the smores dessert this last time and it was crazy good! We adore this restaurant and appreciate the exceptional service we always receive from Teen, Trevor and the staff.
Of course, you can’t leave Clear Lake before trying a Beavertail or getting ice cream from The Boardwalk.
Things to Do
There is plenty to see and do in Clear Lake. There are several hiking trails, tennis courts, mini-golf, and a movie theatre. You can rent watercraft at the Marina or take a cruise on The Martese.
We like to rent bikes in the morning and head out exploring. We typically end up at the Wishing Well which is next to the Clear Lake Golf Course. This is a beautiful spot with well-manicured gardens and a bridge over a rippling creek. It’s a gorgeous backdrop for pictures and a serene place to sit and take a break during a long bike ride.
There are many shops in downtown Wasagaming that are fun to explore if you want to get out of the heat of the day for a bit. My husband likes to make a stop at the Sugar Shop for some retro candy and we both like to poke into the many clothing stores looking for deals.
I enjoy soaking up the sun while reading a good book when on vacation and the beach is a perfect spot for that. It is so beautiful with the boreal forest in the distance and the crystal-clear water.
It’s also nice to take a walk down to the end of the pier to watch the boats out on the lake or take in a breathtaking sunset in the evening.
Our visit to Clear Lake this summer was far too short but I am grateful for the time we were able to spend there. I am crossing my fingers that harvest goes well this year and that we might be able to head back one more time before most businesses close down after Thanksgiving. Clear Lake is absolutely gorgeous in the Fall and Winter though. If you love winter sports, this is the perfect place for a winter getaway. There are a few resorts that are open all year round.
My heart belongs in Clear Lake Country!
