Mantario Trail report recommends two campsites

A newly surfaced technical assessment of Manitoba’s Mantario Trail recommends two new backcountry campsites and a registration system as the province works to reopen the wildfire-damaged route in Whiteshell Provincial Park. The 446-page report, obtained by CBC News through a freedom of information request and published in coverage on May 18, was prepared after a May 2025 fire burned along more than half the trail’s length. Manitoba Parks has already said the trail remains closed, but aims to reopen it for hikers in summer 2026 after initial clearing work. The report adds detail to what officials have said publicly in recent weeks about safety risks, damaged infrastructure and heavy use on the province’s best-known wilderness distance hike. ### Why are officials talking about new campsites now? Aaron Webb, the author of the assessment cited by CBC, recommended adding one campsite along Big Whiteshell Lake and another at the north end of Marion Lake. CBC reported Webb said the new sites would ease congestion at popular stops and provide alternatives on longer stretches between existing campsites. The same report also called for a registration system to improve safety for trail users and reduce overcrowding. (cbc.ca) The Mantario Trail runs about 62 to 63 kilometres through eastern Manitoba’s Whiteshell Provincial Park. Nature Manitoba describes it as a long-distance wilderness route between a south trailhead near Provincial Road 312 and a north trailhead on Big Whiteshell Lake. Manitoba Parks and CBC both describe it as one of the province’s most popular backpacking and trail-running routes. (cbc.ca) ### How badly was the trail damaged by the 2025 fire? Manitoba Parks said in its April 17 restoration plan that the 2025 wildfire burned about 27.6 kilometres of the 62-kilometre trail, or roughly 45% of the route. The province said five of the 11 backcountry campsites were damaged — at Marion, Peggy, Alice, Olive and Mantario lakes. CBC separately reported the fire forced the trail’s closure and burned more than half its length. (naturemanitoba.ca) The province’s trail advisory page, updated May 11, still lists the Mantario Trail as closed because of wildfire damage. That advisory says a restoration plan has been prepared, with spring 2026 clearing intended to support a summer reopening, followed by more extensive cleanup and enhancements. ### What else does the report recommend besides campsites? (gov.mb.ca) CBC reported Webb also proposed new navigational signs, Indigenous land acknowledgements at both trailheads, rerouting around chronic wet spots, helipads for emergencies, more lookouts and more development on the lesser-used northern section. One suggested addition is a spur trail to a viewpoint at Castle Rock on Big Whiteshell Lake. (manitoba.ca) The report’s recommendations line up with parts of Manitoba Parks’ phased restoration plan. The province has already said later phases will include new wayfinding, kilometre markers and campsite furniture such as picnic tables, fire pits and throne toilets. A new bridge across the Whiteshell River at the south end of the trail is also substantially complete, according to the April 17 plan. (cbc.ca) ### Will hikers have to register before using the trail? CBC reported the Manitoba government is open to a voluntary registration system, but does not plan mandatory measures at this stage. That leaves open how any registration process would work, whether it would cap use, or whether it would function mainly as a safety tool for trip tracking and emergency response. (gov.mb.ca) Mike Moyes, Manitoba’s environment and climate change minister, told CBC in April that the closure had shown the province does not have enough long wilderness trails to meet demand from backpackers and trail runners. CBC’s May 18 report said the new recommendations were aimed at both safety and crowding as the province plans the trail’s future configuration. (cbc.ca) ### What happens next on the Mantario Trail? Manitoba Parks said initial clearing is intended to make the trail passable and safe enough to reopen in summer 2026. The province said more extensive cleanup and hazardous tree removal is expected to begin in fall 2026 through a tendered contract, and later enhancement work is likely to continue into 2027. Updated trail maps are to be shared publicly later this summer, according to the province’s restoration plan. (cbc.ca) (gov.mb.ca)