When to go: Warm lake water buttresses Grand Beach's 1.8 mile sandy strip swelling with crowds in the summer months. In July and August visit Patricia Beach to picnic in front of the sand dunes and walk out into the warm lake water on the sand bars. Victoria Beach is a private resort hamlet operated by cottage owners so renting here comes with the added perk of a more relaxed pace and locals only vibe. One of North America's oldest continuous ethnic festivals the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba (held since 1890) takes place in Gimli early August.The annual celebration draws 50,000 visitors seeking to embrace their inner Viking. Family focused events including a folk music festival and fireworks center on a circa A.D. 800 living history village where a hundred re enactors don authentic Viking grab. Wind sports are best in early spring and late fall although dry suits are recommended for the chill. In winter add the increasingly popular sport of snowkiting on the lake to the list of activities by land snowmobiling and Nordic skiing are popular on the shore.
How to get around: Pick up rental car in Winnipeg as there is no public transportation. Patricia Beach on the lake's southern edge is closest to Winnipeg about a 40 minute drive. It's about an hour from Winnipeg to Gimil on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg and Grand Beach on the southeastern shore. Mid June to early September cars aren't allowed in Victoria Beach's central network of gravel and dirt lanes. If you're renting a cottage or visiting for the day it's easy to park your car in the big lot at the edge of town and walk. Kiteboarders on Gimil Grand Beach and Victoria. Kayaking hiking and cycling are popular farther north on the western shore around Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park and where the winds tend to be tamer. Outfitters like Jason Hamilton Outdoors and Blackwater Cats can help with ice fishing in water.
Where to stay: Just outside of Grand Beach Provincial Park Inn Among the Oaks is a woodwd B&B with four guest rooms an outdoor pool and an indoor hot tub. Gimli's Lakeview Hotel has rooms and suites overlooking the lake. Both Grand Beach and Gimli have seasonal campgrounds. Pet friendly Lakeview Hecla Resort site on 360 acres inside Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park and has an 18 hole golf course. Trophy anglers battle perch walleye and northern pick at fly in lodges east along the Winnipeg River such as Eagles Nest and Pine Island Lodge.