Pinawa is a hamlet of about 1,300 residents (2016 census) in southeastern Manitoba, 110 kilometres north-east of Winnipeg.

It is one of the west-side entry points to Whiteshell Provincial Park.

Understand

The community of Pinawa was established in 1901 to support the operation of an early hydroelectric generating station but was abandoned in 1951 when the site was shut down.

Pinawa was re-established about 10 km from the original settlement in 1963 when Atomic Energy of Canada Limited built the Whiteshell Laboratories nuclear research facility in the area. Pinawa was developed as a planned community which preserved many of the natural features of the site and designated all riverfront property as public reserve.

Get in

Pinawa is about 1½ hour's drive east on Winnipeg on Highway 59 and 44, then on Provincial Road 211.

See

• The Eastern Manitoba Concert Association (EMCA) concerts are held in the community center's gymnasium in the secondary school building once a month between October and April.
• 1 Pinawa Art Gallery, 20-24 Aberdeen Avenue, Unit 6, ☏ +1 (204) 340-3404, pag211inpinawa@gmail.com. M, Th-Sat 10AM-3PM. (updated Jul 2022)
• 2 Pinawa’s Suspension Bridge. Off the Alice Chambers Trail, it is 54 metres long and 1 metre wide. It crosses the Pinawa Channel north of the Pinawa Cemetery, and is part of a loop for interpretive walks, fishing, and cross-country skiing. The Pinawa Channel Heritage Walk on the north side of the channel is accessed either by the suspension bridge or the diversion dam at the end of PR 211. (updated Jul 2022)
• 3 Pinawa Heritage Sundial (West of marina). A 5m tall sundial. (updated Jul 2022)

Do

• Pinawa is beside the Winnipeg River, which offers access to boating, kayaking, canoeing, and other water recreational activities.
• It has an 18-hole golf course, beach, outdoor pool, tennis courts, a curling rink, a hockey arena and many kilometres of cross-country ski trails.
• The Trans Canada Trail runs through the town of Pinawa along the Riverside.
• Pinawa is home to an abundance of wildlife, including deer, bears, owls, and other species.
• Pinawa Beach is at the northern end of Whiteshell Provincial Park along the Winnipeg River and is equipped with a play structure, picnic shelter, volleyball court, and diving dock. A lifeguard is on duty July 1-Aug 31, from 1-5PM.
• 1 Pinawa Dam Provincial Park, 8 km north of Pinawa on the way to Lac du Bonnet on Provincial Road 520. Concrete ruins of a former hydroelectric dam resemble an ancient Roman coliseum. After the site ceased generating power in 1951, the dam was used for artillery practice. (updated Jul 2022)

Buy

• 1 Karen’s Market and Quilt Shop, in the W. B. Lewis Business Centre, 24 Aberdeen Avenue, ☏ +1 204-753-8211. M-Th 10AM-5PM, F Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-2PM. Offers apparel, sportswear, gifts, and locally produced artworks. (updated Jan 2018)

Eat

• 1 Pinawa Golf & Country Club, 1 Willis Drive, ☏ +1 204-753-2294. Su-Tu 9AM-7PM, W Th 9AM-8PM, F Sa 9AM-9PM. (updated Jul 2022)
• Wilderness Edge buffet restaurant
• New Adventure Deli & Catering, S20 – 24 Aberdeen, ☏ +1 1-204-753-8211. (updated Jan 2018)
• 2 Burger Boat, Willis Drive at Vanier (On the west side of marina), ☏ +1 204-753-8249, pinawaburgerboat@gmail.com. Burgers, fries and ice cream. Only available in summer, judge for yourself whether it should be awarded a Michelin star. (updated Jul 2022)
• Daily Restaurant, inside of the Solo Market

Sleep

• 1 Pinawa Motel, 2 Vanier Avenue, ☏ +1 204-753-2357, toll-free: +1-866-858-3556, info@pinawamotel.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 10 rooms, one suite, all with Wireless Internet, 32" flatscreen TV, microwave, fridge, coffee pot. Room $117+. (updated Jul 2022)
• L'Eau Calme Resort, 2 Willis Dr, ☏ +1 204-806-5591, resort@leaucalme.com. Two bedrooms with Queen-sized beds, gas fireplace, air conditioning, 6-person hot tub. (updated Jan 2018)
• 2 Wilderness Edge Retreat and Conference Centre, 32 Burrows Road, ☏ +1 204-753-2535, info@wildernessedge.com. Check-in: 4-9PM, check-out: 10AM. 115 rooms. The Retreat Centre is an adaption of a staff house built in 1963 for Atomic Energy of Canada scientists. It maintains this distinctive and time-sensitive historical mood. Doubles from $120, suites $130-170, breakfast $7, lunch buffet $10, supper $15. (updated Jul 2022)