Vacation rentals in Falcon Lake

For followers of paranormal tales, Falcon Lake may be best known for a legendary reported UFO sighting in 1967, but for lovers of the outdoors, the Falcon Lake region in eastern Manitoba is a place to adventure in the woods and along the clear lake waters. The Falcon Lake townsite, with a small beach, places to eat, and other services, is a gateway to a number of provincial parks in the region, particularly the vast Whiteshell Provincial Park, as well as Birch Point Provincial Park on Lake of the Woods and Moose Lake Provincial Park. The area also has Manitoba’s deepest lake – West Hawk Lake – and in winter, a small, old-school ski hill, Falcon Ridge, operates above the lake; in summer, you can hike the Top of the World trail from the ski area. Near the Ontario provincial border and two hours from Winnipeg, the Falcon Lakes area makes a good destination for an outdoor weekend, or you can spend days hiking, paddling, or snowshoeing through the lakes and forests.

Summer and fall are peak seasons in Eastern Manitoba and around Falcon Lake. During the long, warm summer days, you can hike the trails and cool off in the lakes, and as autumn approaches, you can enjoy the vibrant foliage. Another unique reason to visit in the fall is for the wild rice harvest — the area has long been a rice-growing region. As in other communities across Manitoba and Northern Ontario, black flies and mosquitoes can be bothersome, particularly in spring and summer. Bring repellent and protective clothing. During the snowy, freezing winters, you can bundle up for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or ice-fishing.

Whiteshell Provincial Park

The plains of the west give way to the forests when you reach Whiteshell Provincial Park, an expanse of 2,729 square kilometres (675,000 acres) and roughly 200 lakes north of Falcon Lake. The park has sandy lake beaches, canoe routes, and a wide range of hiking trails. Other spots worth visiting include the Indigenous petroforms at Bannock Point, a fish hatchery, and a small natural history museum. In summer, park staff run a variety of nature programs for visitors.

West Hawk Lake

You can swim, canoe, kayak, or paddleboard along clear West Hawk Lake, Manitoba’s deepest lake, which was formed by a meteorite millions of years ago — an event the region celebrates with an annual summer Meteor Fest. West Hawk Lake is also the starting point for the Hunt Lake Trail, a rugged but popular trek along the lakeshore, through the woods, and over the rocks.

Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary

If you’re curious about the formations of geese that fly across Canadian skies, visit the Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary northwest of Falcon Lake. The facility started privately in 1939, when Alf Hole encountered four orphaned goslings. Now run by the province of Manitoba, the facility has exhibits and educational programs, where you can learn about these Canadian birds.