I've been doing a bit of research for my upcoming trip to WCPP which, this year, will involve an entry from the Manitoba side.  Specifically I'll be entering the park via Garner Lake (after a 10 mile river/lake paddle from Beresford Lake, MB).

Historically, Manitoba has had an entry fee for Provincial Parks.  However, for the third consecutive year, that fee is being waived for 2011.  Since I had a few other questions and items I wanted to confirm, I called the Manitoba Parks office today.  So here are a few tidbits you might want to know if you are headed into WCPP from Manitoba.

1.  There is no fee for parking in the park.  (I felt I needed to ask this question because I've found more and more US parks and wilderness areas are now charging a fee).

2.  There is no fee for backcountry camping.  Since I'd likely overnight on Garner Lake on my exit (at least), I wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to have to pay for the privilege (I think there is only one campsite on the Ontario side and it seems to be very popular with the Manitoba motor crowd).  If you desire to stay in a campground, there is a fee, but it looks like you can make a reservation up to 3:00 pm the day of arrival.

3.  Since Garner Lake is a "border" lake (actually over 95% of the lake is in Manitoba), you can legally fish there with either a Manitoba or an Ontario fishing licence (Manitoba limits apply in that part of the lake which lies in Manitoba).  There are a few other lakes (e.g., Artery) that also share this distinction, but I'd recommend you check the Manitoba Fishing Reg's before dipping a line in Manitoba waters.

The MB park official I talked to also recommended notifying RCMP of my plans (at trip time) just in case an emergency arose.  If you have other questions, you can call 1-800-214-6497 to talk to someone (you can dial "0" to bypass the welcome message, if you wish).  BTW:  They picked up on the first ring!  (That's a novel feeling ... I already had "speaker-phone" on.)

I guess it goes without saying that Ontario Parks doesn't have offices in Manitoba.  Consequently, you'll need to take care of getting a permit and paying camping fees by contacting the WCPP park office prior to your departure.

Hope you find this info helpful.

dd

nctry_Ben wrote on Apr 1^st, 2011 at 4:55pm:

Don't know about that, but the only reference I've found in Manitoba Park literature is this:

"Campfires are prohibited except in designated firepits and must be extinguished when the site is unoccupied."

This statement was associated with regulations for developed campgrounds.  It went on to say that you are not permitted to remove firewood from a campsite.

I find it highly unlikely that there would be a blanket ban on fires, except as might be governed by announced fire restrictions due to precipitation levels, etc.  In any case, if I get the campsite I'm hoping for I'll be in Ontario rather than Manitoba.

dd

Good... I'm a concrete guy, I'll just start hauling in bags of premix and start pouring rings. But really... I wonder what you do if your in an emergency where you need a fire and don't have the ring.

Yes, big brother is watching.

You think the red light cameras are bad? They're nothing compared to the eye in the sky......ever watching......looking for terrorists, illegal campfires and Russian Walleye snatchers.