Minnedosa
Minnedosa is town of 2,400 people (2016) in the Prairie Mountain region of Manitoba.
Understand
Minnedosa is in the southwestern part Manitoba, 50 km (31 mi) north of Brandon on the Little Saskatchewan River. The town's name means "flowing water" in the Dakota language. In 1907 a dam was approved in December and was built on the Little Saskatchewan River near the town. After several delays, completed in 1912 and creating Minnedosa Lake. Today it is a popular recreation site, for both boating and swimming. The lake is considered one of the best sites for competitive rowing in Canada and was the venue for the 1999 Pan American Games rowing events.
Climate
Winters are extremely cold with a January mean of below −17 °C (1 °F). In the relatively short summers, Minnedosa experiences warm and sometimes hot temperatures due to warmer continental air masses. It is prone to cold nights year-round, with every single month having recorded air frost.
Get in
Map of Minnedosa
Minnedosa is 2½ hours northwest of Winnipeg on the Provincial Trunk Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) and 40 minutes north Brandon on Highway 10.
Get around
See
- 1 Minnedosa Bison Park (PR 262 (Beach Road) between downtown Minnedosa and Minnedosa Lake). Bison Park allows visitors to view plains bison from all sides of the fenced compound along the walking trail. Newborn bison calves arrive every spring.
- 2 Minnedosa Fish Ladder (directly below the Minnedosa Spillway). Longest in Manitoba (over 600 feet). 22 pool and riffle structures. Allows various species of fish to travel from Little Saskatchewan River into Minnedosa Lake and further up the chain of lakes. Most action in early spring during spawning season. Fish species include walleye, northern pike and white sucker.
- 3 Minnedosa District Museum and Heritage Village (4 blocks east of Main Street on 3rd Ave NE), ☏ +1 204-867-3542, minnedosamuseum@gmail.com. Daily 11AM-4PM (July 1 - Labour Day). Pioneer village featuring 9 restored heritage buildings which are furnished with period artifacts from days gone by, water wheel, trout pond and windmill. Adult-$8, Youth-$3, Family-$20.
- 4 Flag Walk. Take a stroll beside the lake along the flag walk with flags from many provinces and countries. The short trail spans the distance between the Heritage Village and the spillway. Enjoy the views of Lake Minnedosa, fish ladder, spillway, walking trails, bison park & a marsh filled with activity.
- 5 Ishii Japanese Garden, 45 1st Ave SE, ☏ +1 204-867-2727. Tu 9:30AM-8PM, W-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM. This Japanese Garden has been developed to promote friendship and mutual understanding of the culture of Minnedosa's sister city — Ishii, Japan. Located behind the Minnedosa Regional Library, the garden is open during the same hours as the library.
Do
- 1 Minnedosa Lake & Beach (east on PR 262, approximately 1.5 km from downtown Minnedosa).
- 2 Minnedosa Golf & Country Club, 61 6th Ave SW, ☏ +1 204-867-3151, toll-free: +1-888-867-3151, minngolf@mts.net. 18 hole links style course located in the Little Saskatchewan River valley. The course offers elevation changes of over 120 feet. Clubhouse incorporates a pro shop, licensed lounge and snack shop. CPGA Professional is on hand for your golfing needs and available to advise you on your golf game.
- Stone House Tour. Walking tour of stone buildings in Minnedosa. Includes 10 buildings – houses, churches, & commercial. Pick up a brochure highlighting locations, a detailed history & GPS coordinates.
Buy
- 1 Minnedosa & District Farmers' Market, 101 4th Ave SW (Minnedosa Evangelical Covenant Church parking lot), ☏ +1 204-868-5171, minnedosafarmersmarket@gmail.com. F 5-7PM (June-Sept). Variety of products including fresh produce & herbs, prairie fruits, homemade baked goods & preserves, plants, flowers & locally made crafts.
Eat and drink
- 1 Corner Stone Grill, 53 Main Street South, ☏ +1 204-705-4549. W-Su 3-9PM. Pub meals, pizzas, pasta, steaks.
- 2 Farmhouse 50, 50 Main Street N, ☏ +1 204-867-2292. Tu-Th 9AM-4PM, F 9AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-8PM. Coffee, tea, flatbreads, wraps.
- 3 Sun Sun Chinese Restaurant, 13 Main Street N, ☏ +1 204-867-1913. Tu-Th 8AM-7PM, F-Su 8AM-8PM. Chinese and Canadian buffet or a-la-carte.
- 4 Boho Soul Market, 66 Main Street South, ☏ +1 204-868-5747, magen.swift@outlook.com. M-W 10AM-4PM, Th 10AM-6PM. Kombucha maker. Smoothies, coffee, tea and other beverages.
Sleep
Bed & breakfasts
- 1 Fairmount Bed and Breakfast (Fairmount 1914 Farmhouse B&B) (Road 90 6 km west of HWY #10), ☏ +1 204-874-2165, sproven@mts.net. 1914 farmhouse sitting on the edge of a prairie waterway. $110.
- 2 The Gulls Rest Bed and Breakfast, 5 Bison Drive, ☏ +1 204-380-4432. Private suite across from Minnedosa Beach Park. Spacious accommodations with seating area, mini fridge, microwave, WiFi, HD TV, Netflix and room for 4 guests.
Motels
- 3 Gateway Motel, 240 Main St N, ☏ +1 204-867-2729, fax: +1 204-867-5613, gatmotel@mymts.net. From $77.
- 4 Valley Motor Lodge, 28 Main St N, ☏ +1 204-867-5858, fax: +1 204-867-5832, valleymotorlodge@gmail.com. Includes free hot breakfast.
Camping
- 5 Minnedosa Campground, Beach Road (PR 262), ☏ +1 204-867-3450, mdsacamp@mts.net. 170-lot campground with lakeside campsites, 15 and 30 amp service, clean restrooms, hot showers (coin operated – $1.00), camp office, firewood and ice, RV dump site, playground, boat launch, beach pavilion and concession.
Connect
Go next
- Riding Mountain National Park: approximately 52 km (32 mi) north of Minnedosa.
| Routes through Minnedosa |
| Yorkton ← Russell ← | W   E |
→ Neepawa → Winnipeg |
| Dauphin ← Riding Mountain N.P. ← | N  S |
→ Brandon → Churchs Ferry |