Grand Beach – East

East Grand Beach is a one hour drive north from the City of Winnipeg, on Highway 59 to Highway 12. The beach is thought to be one of the best beaches in North America, and attracts thousands of visitors each year with fine, white sand stretching 3 km along Lake Winnipeg, a large freshwater lake. The beach is located within Grand Beach Provincial Park, requiring a 3 day or seasonal park pass which can be purchased at the park entrance. The park provides change rooms and washrooms along the beach front. East Grand Beach is adjacent to a large provincial campground, with over 350 basic and electrified sites. There are many activities for visitors in the area including fishing, boating, berry picking, bird watching, and hiking. The Piping Plover makes its home on beaches in the area, and volunteers monitor breeding pairs of this threatened bird species. Directly south of the beach is a lagoon, fed by a causeway dividing the eastern and western portions of the beach. This area is home to many wildlife species, and self-guided trails include informational signage on the area’s ecosystem. Historically, Grand Beach was a popular destination by train in the 1920s, with a carousel, dance hall pavilion and live music. The dance hall was destroyed by fire in 1950, but the community has remained a summer hot spot. Photo Credit: AdolfGalland / Flickr