A Guide to Brandon's Natural Escapes 🌿

Known as Wheat City, Brandon sits at the gateway to some of Manitoba's most spectacular natural landscapes. From the Assiniboine River winding through its heart to sweeping sand dunes and bison-filled mountain parks just an hour away, nature lovers will find no shortage of adventure in every direction.

🌊 Assiniboine Riverbank Trail – Brandon's Scenic Corridor

The 17 km Assiniboine Riverbank Trail is Brandon's beloved natural artery, weaving through wetlands, prairie grasses, native trees, and river-bottom forest along the winding Assiniboine River. Starting at the Riverbank Discovery Centre — home to a Purple Martin sanctuary, self-guided pond tours, and trail maps — the route connects to the Red Willow Pedestrian Bridge and offers outstanding birdwatching and wildlife spotting in every season.

• 17 km River Trail
• Purple Martin Sanctuary
• Birdwatching
• Cycling & Walking

Source: Brandon Riverbank

🏜️ Spirit Sands – Spruce Woods Provincial Park

Just 45 minutes east of Brandon, Spirit Sands in Spruce Woods Provincial Park is one of Manitoba's most extraordinary landscapes — a field of active sand dunes rising out of the boreal forest with cacti, lizards, and a stunning blue-green oasis called the Devil's Punch Bowl. The 10 km trail winds through shifting dunes, open prairie, and lush forest in a single dramatic hike that feels like nowhere else on the Prairies.

• Active Sand Dunes
• Devil's Punch Bowl
• Prairie Cacti
• 10 km Loop Trail

Source: Manitoba Hiking

🦌 Brandon Hills Wildlife Management Area – Forest & Ridge Trails

Just south of the city, the Brandon Hills Wildlife Management Area offers some of the most scenic elevated trails in southwestern Manitoba. Single-track paths wind through dense mixed forest and climb ridgelines offering sweeping views of the surrounding prairie. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, and numerous bird species make frequent appearances, while the trail network suits everyone from family walkers to serious trail runners.

• Elevated Ridge Trails
• Prairie Panoramas
• Wildlife Spotting
• Year-Round Access

Source: Manitoba Trails

🐢 Turtle Mountain Provincial Park – Lakes & Forest Loops

About 100 km south of Brandon near Boissevain, Turtle Mountain Provincial Park rises 245 metres above the surrounding prairie and is home to over 200 lakes, lush hardwood forests, and abundant wildlife including its namesake Western Painted Turtles. The Adam Lake trail network offers loops from 4 to 15 km through forest, past lakes, and over rolling terrain, plus the adjacent International Peace Garden makes for a spectacular day out.

• 200+ Lakes
• Painted Turtles
• 4–15 km Trail Loops
• International Peace Garden

Source: Manitoba Parks

🏔️ Riding Mountain National Park – Manitoba's Mountain Wilderness

About an hour north of Brandon, Riding Mountain National Park is a 3,000 km² wilderness rising dramatically from the Manitoba plain. Its 400+ km of trails pass through three distinct ecological zones — boreal forest, eastern deciduous forest, and fescue grassland — with moose, wolves, elk, and black bears calling it home. The stunning Clear Lake offers sandy beaches and paddling, while the historic Grey Owl Trail leads to the cabin of Canada's first naturalist.

• 400+ km of Trails
• Three Ecosystems
• Clear Lake Beach
• Bison & Wildlife

Source: Travel Manitoba

Discover why Brandon is the perfect basecamp for southwestern Manitoba's great outdoors!