Notice due to Covid-19
Please check back for updates.
Park Description
The park includes a campground, golf course and beach area. The mineral waters of Little Manitou Lake are unique for their chemical composition. The Village of Manitou Beach is located a few minutes away and offers the many visitors restful parks, spas, drive-in movies, mini golf and Danceland.
Driving Directions:
From Hwy 16 East (Manitoba or Eastern SK) - Turn south on Hwy 668 for 30 km, then right on Hwy 365 for 6 km.
From Hwy 16 West (Edmonton, Alberta, Saskatoon or Western Sask) - Turn south at Hwy 2 for 60km, turn left on Hwy 365 at Watrous for 8km.
From Hwy 1 East (Southern Sask, Regina) - Turn NW on Hwy 11 at Regina and travel 65 km, turn north on Hwy 2 until Watrous, turn right on Hwy 365 for 8 km.
From Hwy 1 West (Calgary, Swift Current or Southern Sask) - Turn north on Hwy 2 at Moose Jaw until Watrous, turn right on Hwy 365 for 8 km.
We do not recommend taking Highway 15, extremely bad conditions for pulling a trailer.
Local Services and Attractions
The Village of Manitou and the Town of Watrous supplies essential service to the park. The park has an outstanding golf course, campground and a beach area which provides free access to the lake. Wireless internet is available at the campground. This service is free, but access can be limited, especially at busy times. Ask at the office for the wifi password. The area offers many other recreational activities such as mini golf, weekly flea markets, weekly bingo and the world famous Manitou Springs Mineral Spa.
One of the last remaining drive in theaters in the province is adjacent to the campgrounds. It was updated in 2016. Danceland dance hall has a wooden floor cushioned with coils of horsehair. Danceland offers weekly dances and Toonie Tuesdays are very popular. Some new restrictions apply due to Covid, please check directly with them. Walking in the area will provide sightings of the many shore birds that inhabit the area, and the National Wildlife Area of Last Mountain Lake is only a half hour away where the family can partake in the only public access bird banding station in the province.
Park / Area History
Manitou and District Regional Park is located near the shores of the unique and famous Little Manitou Lake, which is highly saline and deeply set in an old glacial spillway. The Cree word manitou means "great spirit" and medicine men brought sick people to the lake to be healed. Patients were treated either by drinking the water or by using it in sweat lodges. Folklore tells that the waters healed even those who suffered from small pox. The homesteaders also respected the healing powers of the lake and would take mineral water to their homes in barrels. From 1910 into the 1940s, Manitou Beach thrived as a boomtown resort.
The Winnipeg based Manitou Mineral Water Company bottled and shipped its waters all over North America. Hotels, bathhouses, spas and pools sprung up, along with sanatoriums and health clinics. Dance halls were also popular, including the famous Danceland. In 1931, Manitou was known as Little Manitou Provincial Park; it became a regional park in 1962. Historical sites include the natural fieldstone chalet and buildings erected by the provincial government in the 1930s and originally used as a commercial tourist hotel. The chalet was changed to Camp Easter Seal in the 1950s.
Barrier Free Access
One totally accessible wheelchair washroom in the campground. This is shown on our map as W #4.
