Magical, Mystical Manitoba Moments Quiz

Answer: Spruce Woods

The sand in Spruce Woods Provincial Park was deposited as a river delta draining glacial Lake Agassiz in what is now the southern part of the province of Manitoba. The Park protects the remaining sand dunes, as well as wildlife like the western hognose snake, the northern prairie skink, and the pincushion cactus.

The Devils Punch Bowl is a small blue-green spring-fed pool in the sandy area creating an oasis of spruce trees. Kiche Manitou Lake, an oxbow lake, is used for swimming and canoeing and is a creation of the meandering Assiniboine River.

The original human inhabitants revered the area as a place close to the Great Spirit, also known as Kiche Manitou.

Answer: Duck Mountain

Duck Mountain Provincial Park spans the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border and is geologically a result of the last ice age. The many small but cold lakes, marshes, and bogs provide canoe routes, as well as fishing, swimming, boating, and interesting hiking. One of the park's viewing towers is located on the highest point in Manitoba, Baldy Mountain, at 831 metres above sea level.

Historically, "the Ducks" created a barrier to be skirted by explorers and fur-traders, though the Cree, Assiniboine, Anishinabe and Ojibwe were able to navigate the park.

Answer: Manipogo

With documented sightings since the early 1900's, Lake Manitoba's monster resembles other "lake monsters". The most famous lake monster is, of course, Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. North American lake monsters include Ogopogo in British Columbia's Okanagan Lake and Champ in Lake Champlain in the Quebec-New York-Vermont area.

As with other lake monsters, lacking conclusive evidence, the legend of the Manipogo monster prevails. Manipogo Provincial Park contains a campground, boat launch, and beach, as well as places to witness garter snake migrations.

Answer: Grand Beach

In addition to its impressive beach, Grand Beach Provincial Park contains active sand dunes, a jack pine forest, a spruce bog, marshland, as well as opportunities for campers, cottagers, and hikers. Historical attractions from its earlier glory days included a boardwalk, dance hall, hotel, bath house, a carousel, refreshment stands, and the Grand Beach Train Station, which was, for many years, the only way to access the area.

Answer: Whiteshell

"Whiteshell" was named for the sacred white megis shells that, to the Anishinabe people, symbolize Creation and the path of life. Today, some Aboriginal people leave offerings amongst the boulder snakes, turtles and other figures that are found at Bannock Point, where it is still believed that the spirits will teach those are willing to learn. Archaeological evidence in the park shows that groups would gather to harvest the area's resources and to conduct religious ceremonies. "The Whiteshell" now contains cottages, resorts, campgrounds, beaches, trails, and lakes for fishing, boating, and fishing. West Hawk Lake, Manitoba's deepest at about 360 feet, was formed by a meteorite impact and is just one of 200 lakes in Whiteshell Provincial Park.

Answer: Bakers Narrows

Concealed in a boreal and mixed forest, Bakers Narrows Provincial Park, by Lake Athapapuskow, is renowned for some of the best fishing in Manitoba. It also has a scenic tower, a campground, playground, and swimming for anglers and their families.

Answer: Turtle Mountain

Turtle Mountain Provincial Park is located along the border of North Dakota and was the first dry land to appear after the glaciers and their melt-waters receded about 10,000 years ago. A canoe route winds its way through the many shallow lakes and marshes, while fishing, swimming, and camping are widely available in the Turtle Mountain area.

In the winter, the hiking and fitness tails are transformed into a maze of cross-country ski trails which converge near the groomed toboggan hill, skating pond, and hockey ice.

Answer: Birds Hill

Birds Hill Provincial Park is located just north of Winnipeg and is home to the Winnipeg Folk Festival which attracts about 45,000 people for one weekend every July. The Pine Ridge Bicycle Trail is a 4.5 mile paved trail which meanders through the forest and around the lake. The 30 kilometres of horseback riding trails also provide opportunities for hikers and cross-country skiers.

Answer: Hecla/Grindstone

From private campsites to resort accommodations, Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park provides opportunities for vacationers of all interests with a variety of birds and wildlife, a lighthouse, museum, golf course, beaches, boating, hiking/snowshoe/cross-country ski trails, and a skating pond. Hecla was named for one of Iceland's most prominent landmarks, the volcanic Mount Hekla.

Answer: Nopiming

In Anishinabe (Saulteaux and Ojibwe), the name "Nopiming" suits this true "entrance to the wilderness". In Nopiming Provincial Park, abandoned mine shafts and equipment still remain from Manitoba's 1930s gold rush, remnants of old trappers' cabins still stand, and wildlife, including fish and birds, are plentiful, as the dark boreal forest varies from rocky cliffs with rapids and waterfalls to quiet bogs and sandy beaches.