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A Guide to Beautiful Hecla Island, Manitoba

07/24/2017 by Kristin Addis 15 Comments

Greetings from warm Manitoba where summer is in full swing and I’m in between swims and forest walks.

This is that quintessential summer destination where driving by canola fields, endless prairies, and lakes makes me feel like I’ve been transported into that good wholesome time our grandparents used to talk about with a twinkle in their eyes.

I’m speaking of Hecla Island in Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park, nestled on Lake Winnipeg. Just a few hours north of the city of Winnipeg, this island has tons to do without the crowds. From boating to fishing, swimming, golfing, cycling, and wildlife viewing, it’s perfect for a long weekend escape.

hecla island guide

These are a few of my favorite things to do there:

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • On the way
  • The Wetlands Boardwalk
  • The Lighthouse Trail
  • Sunset Beach
  • Searching for wildlife
  • The Quarry
  • Boating the shores
  • Stay and dine
  • Look Up

On the way

My guess is you’ll be heading up the coast of Lake Winnipeg from the city of the same name. There are a fair amount of things to see on the way:

Matlock

This little ‘seaside’ village has a few cool-looking docks worth stopping off and taking a look at. I also popped by the Whyteworld Emporium and convenience store for some water and the owner gave it to me, ‘as a gift’ since he didn’t have small change. I was so touched! Kind people like that deserve lots of business so please stop in and say hello!

Gimli

hecla island guide
Gimli from above

For history buffs and especially those with Icelandic heritage, Gimli is the spot for Viking reminiscing. The area is known as ‘New Iceland’ and is home to the second largest Icelandic population outside of Iceland. You’ll find a viking statue, Icelandic sweets at Sugar Me Cookie Boutique, and a Viking museum if that strikes your fancy. There’s also a marina for the photo buffs out there like me.

Gimli also hosts an annual Icelandic festival in August if you really want to get into the spirit – and people do with costumes, shields and everything!

Highway 222

If you’re using a GPS or Google Maps it will probably lead you to highway 8, but if you put Camp Morton (below) into your GPS you’ll be led down highway 222 which hugs the lake. I saw a bunch of quirky old half-collapsed barns and old buses along the way and something about the way they are just left there as a relic of history delights me. You just don’t see that kind of thing everywhere.

Camp Morton Provincial Park

hecla island guide
hecla island guide

Speaking of old buildings, pop by Camp Morton, built in 1937, to see the old church and go for a swim. It’s open to explore and walk through and even picnic in.

The Wetlands Boardwalk

hecla island guide
So lovely from up there with the birds

This is a perfect spot for golden hour if I’ve ever seen one. The reeds growing up all around the marsh are a playground for birds, frogs, and people of course.

hecla island guide
And from down below

Regardless of whether you go for sunrise or sunset, you’ll see a nice reflection on the plants and the water. Plus, like the rest of the island, it’s possible to get it all to yourself.

After the boardwalk you’ll enter the park. Ask for a map so that you can find your way around, as Google Maps has yet to label most of the cool stuff that follows:

The Lighthouse Trail

hecla island guide
So peaceful and cute

The lighthouse trail is a quick one through a little forested area, departing from the Lakeview Hecla Resort and through the golf course. It took me about 15 minutes and opened up into a beautiful bay. It’s also right on the edge of one of the deepest parts of Lake Winnipeg, the tenth-largest lake in the world.

These old lighthouses were so quaint and cute, and perfect for some golden hour drone flying and photographing. I didn’t have to battle any crowds, either, as I was the only one there!

Sunset Beach

hecla island guide
This sunset was incredible!

I got this beach almost all to myself, at sunset of all times! I loved that I could see the pink sun perfectly as it set behind Little Punk Island, a quirky name that nobody seems to know the origin of.

The beach is great for swimming as well, so why not combine watching the sunset while taking a dip? You can also walk to or from the beach to the lookout tower, which takes about 15 minutes each way through a forest and along limestone cliffs.

From the resort, take a right and pass Gull Harbor. You’ll see signs for the beach a few kms down.

Searching for wildlife

hecla island guide
Dr. Hoo

Hecla Island is great for bird enthusiasts, and you might spot some fox, deer, moose, bears, and coyotes as well.

For a deeper appreciation of the area, the history, and the wildlife, I recommend a morning walking tour with Dr. Heather Hinam of Second Nature Discovery, AKA Dr. Hoo. She’s a PhD with a background specifically in owls and spent her life in and around the island, so she knows her stuff!

The Quarry

hecla island guide
Photo courtesy of Heather

Dr. Heather told me this is a perfect sunrise spot, and I believe it. The direction of the quarry, which is basically a few limestone cliffs and rocks that are fun to scramble on and wander through, would perfectly reflect the glow of the rising sun.

There are a couple of fossils which Dr. Heather can point out as well, given the whole area used to be under an ocean.

Boating the shores

hecla island guide
Another POV

For a sense of the island’s history and to get another point of view, take a late afternoon zodiac tour on the lake. This is a new offering and a fun way to check out some of the other nearby islands.

The tours are led by Captain Curtis Grimolfson, whose family has been on the island for generations. You’ll even notice when you drive in that the causeway is named after his father.

Book the tour via the office at Gull Harbor.

Stay and dine

hecla island guide
Loved that this was basically on the resort!

I stayed at the Lakeview Hecla Resort and we need to talk about how comfortable those beds are!

I also highly, highly recommend the Escape to Black Island massage at the Salka Spa. It was an hour of hot stone, steam towel cocoon, facial cleansing bliss that makes my top five massages. Seriously, and I’m a connoisseur. I didn’t expect that in such a small place! Ask for Adrian – she’s awesome.

The food at the restaurant is pretty good too. I recommend the ribs!

I took them back to my room and ate them while taking a nice hot bath, because I could, you know?

If the hotel is out of your budget or you just want to sleep under the stars, you can also camp on the island. You’ll see signs for the campgrounds to your right once you start driving through the park. You can’t miss it!

Look Up

From time to time it’s possible to see the northern lights on the island, and what a sight that would be reflecting on the water! Unfortunately the aurora activity was low while I was there, but check out the forecast and set your alarm, and you just might be dazzled by a lights display.

That would be the cherry on top of a fantastic trip, wouldn’t it?

hecla island guide
Escaping to Hecla Island

My trip to Hecla Island reminded me that there are still places in North America that are quiet, laid back, and not absolutely mobbed in the summer. Yet it had everything a perfect summer destination should: lots to do, swimming, hiking, good food, and friendly people.

Just a few hours north of Winnipeg, if you’re looking for a weekend escape or a reason to explore more of Manitoba, pop by Hecla Island. It’s a little slice of tranquil paradise.

*This post was brought to you in collaboration with Travel Manitoba, but all thoughts of this lovely little island are my own. 

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About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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Comments

  1. Ijana Loss says

    07/25/2017 at 12:25 pm

    How do you find all these awesome off the beaten path places?? This looks like a really cool spot, and I’ve already had my eye on Manitoba so I could easily combine the two into a cool little trip

    Reply
    • Ijana Loss says

      07/25/2017 at 12:26 pm

      I mean Winnipeg lol, not Manitoba! Though I imagine the whole state has cool stuff to offer!

      Reply
      • Ijana Loss says

        07/25/2017 at 12:27 pm

        Ugh I meant province xD Apparently my brain is elsewhere right now

        Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/25/2017 at 8:48 pm

      It’s pretty rural there so you don’t have to look too far to find these little gems 🙂 it’s basically what there is outside of Winnipeg!

      Reply
      • Tanis Grimolfson says

        07/27/2017 at 7:42 am

        Next time please stop in our Beautiful community Riverton ❤️

        Reply
  2. Pilot Mark says

    07/30/2017 at 3:40 pm

    Beautiful! As a pilot, theres nothing I like more than a birds-eye view of a place. It looks like you’ve really found a little slice of tranquility bursting with nature and wildlife. North America never fails to keep surprising us!

    Reply
  3. balayi villasi says

    08/02/2017 at 9:53 am

    The thing which makes me happy about your writing is walking way Wetland Board walk. I want to go and live that experience.Silence, birds and nature..very exciting

    Reply
  4. Steve says

    08/07/2017 at 8:31 am

    Lighthouse trail, Gimli, and Hecla Island are like paradise to me. You’ve got some pretty pictures above to lure me for another trip. Bravo!

    Reply
  5. Izy Berry says

    08/20/2017 at 9:43 am

    Would love to be there when the northern lights can be seen! Also, GREAT high-angle shots!

    Reply
  6. Isaac says

    09/25/2017 at 5:13 pm

    Thanks for the guide, Kristin. Now I know where to look first should I decide to visit Hecla Island. I am a bird lover and the island sounds just like something I would like.

    Reply
  7. Jch says

    06/07/2019 at 5:33 pm

    Enjoyed your article.
    Can you tell me how to get to The Wetlands Boardwalk. What road is it off?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      06/08/2019 at 12:01 pm

      It’s going to be right before the permit collection kiosk on the right 🙂

      Reply
  8. Karen says

    06/25/2019 at 2:36 pm

    Is there a way to see the information for the boat tour? We’re going to Hecla and would love to do a boat tour but I can’t find any info online anywhere!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      06/26/2019 at 12:54 pm

      They were a pretty small operation that didn’t have a website yet, so I’m not sure if they ever really got off the ground. I suggest contacting Travel Manitoba and referencing this post, since they set me up with it: https://www.travelmanitoba.com/

      Reply
  9. Kat says

    07/31/2022 at 2:53 pm

    I’m looking for a great spot to view Bald Eagles in Manitoba. Any ideas??

    Reply

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