Join Parks Canada and Friends of Riding Mountain for a Canada Day celebration complete with live music, activities, and speakers to celebrate Canada’s birthday and the endless experiences available in Riding Mountain National Park. Visitors are invited to bring their lawn chairs to the stage near the Main Beach for live music from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friends of Riding Mountain will be offering all-ages activities.
Admission is free on Canada Day at all national parks and national historic sites.
Music on the Beach program:
- 12:00 p.m. Opening by Elder Warren Bone from Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation
- 1:00 p.m. Just 4 Kicks
- 2:00 p.m. Matt Cory
- 3:00 p.m. Yaadies
- 4:15 p.m. Zirka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
- 5:30 p.m. Musica Singers
New “Bear in Mind” campfire program
Everyone is welcome to the new bear safety campfire program held every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 7:00 p.m. in the Wasagaming Campground Campfire Circle. Hot chocolate and tea are provided during this 45-minute interactive program. Attendees are kindly asked to bring their own reusable cups or mugs.
Visitors can reserve campsites in the Wasagaming campground online ahead of time to ensure availability. They can also choose to self-register at one of the outlying first-come, first-serve campgrounds such as Moon Lake, Whirlpool Lake, and the newly reopened campground at Lake Audy.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Program
For the 2024 season, personal watercraft are temporarily not permitted in Clear Lake. Visitors can still enjoy swimming along with inflatable beach toys.
Non-motorized or human-powered watercraft (kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards) are permitted to enter park waters other than Clear Lake, after receiving a Parks Canada AIS inspection permit at the Boat Cove in Wasagaming, and a decontamination if necessary. Temporary permits are available for the 2024 season and can be issued for up to seven days.
Keep wildlife out of the picture – safety before selfies
Keeping wildlife wild is a shared responsibility. Park visitors are reminded to slow down, and to stay in their vehicle while observing roadside wildlife. Visitors are expected to behave in a manner that follows traffic and wildlife regulations and in which they do not place others at risk. Obstructing traffic to view wildlife is hazardous and a traffic offense.
Bears that become comfortable around people and facilities are at a greater risk of being struck by vehicles or finding food and garbage by negligent park users. Please do your part by viewing wildlife responsibly.
Tips for visitors this long weekend:
- Respect trail restrictions, warnings, and closures found in Important bulletins
- Learn about the AIS Prevention Program for human-powered watercraft in outlying lakes
- Make your reservation in advance if you plan on an overnight stay in the park
- Plan your hike and read trail descriptions and updated trail conditions
- You are in bear country. Never feed any wildlife. Keep your picnic site and campsite clean, and never leave food unattended, even for a minute. More information on bear safety can be found in Bear Smart in the park
- For general information on how to stay safe when enjoying the outdoors visit: AdventureSmart.ca
