A List of Unmissable Encounters and Best Spots for Winnipeg Wildlife Watching!
People go into wildlife watching for various reasons. I, for one, simply enjoy the thrill of wildlife encounters—like it’s in my DNA.
Think about it this way: some people travel to see great architecture or art, while others like me are out to observe wildlife and interact with nature.
With that said, at a time when technology has spurred most of us to spend less time outside, wildlife enthusiasts are taking it as a call to go further.
The advent of better cameras, GPS, and telecommunication devices has only encouraged me to connect more with nature. That includes going back to some of my favorite destinations.
In the north, I’ve always enjoyed wildlife watching in Winnipeg. It’s where I’ve had some of my best close-up interactions with nature.
Here, the opportunities come all year round. Likewise, the thrill of seeing something for the first time.
If that’s something that also excites you, this guide will help make your next trip to Winnipeg a fulfilling wildlife adventure.
Best Time for Wildlife Watching in Winnipeg
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The best time for wildlife watching in Winnipeg is during dawn or dusk, especially during spring or fall when most animals are out on the fields or on the move for migration.
Where to Watch Wildlife in Winnipeg
FortWhyte Alive
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Website: https://www.fortwhyte.org
Address: 1961 McCreary Rd, MB R3P 2K9
Contact details: (204) 989 8355
Admission hours: Mon to Thur (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.), Fridays to Sundays or Holidays (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Price range: $$
Gear rentals: Yes
FortWhyte Alive is a sanctuary I highly recommend to families with kids.
The guided tours offer a great way to get young people into nature and wildlife watching, while the nature trails around the park present excellent opportunities for families to bond and explore meaningful wildlife encounters at their own pace.
Also, if you’re all new to the activity, you can simply rent your gear on-site and watch bison herds, migrating birds and other animals interact with nature from a comfortable distance and with great clarity.
Meanwhile, aside from outdoor attractions and activities, FortWhyte holds a multitude of nature and historical exhibits in its state-of-the-art Interpretive Centre.
Families can also enjoy paddling and fishing in the lakes during summer, and try cross-country skiing, skating, and ice-wishing in the cold months.
Assiniboine Park and Zoo
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Website: https://www.assiniboinepark.ca/
Address: 55 Pavilion Crescent, MB R3P 2N6
Contact details: (204) 927 6000
Admission hours: The public greenspace and some gardens are open 24 hours while other facilities follow a limited schedule.
Price range: $$
Gear rentals: Yes
Assiniboine Park and Zoo is a pillar for wildlife conservation in Winnipeg.
It hosts activities all year round, which makes it another ideal destination for families and friends who are looking to immerse themselves in wildlife watching.
For families with kids, the Nature Playground is a great place to start as it offers plenty of open space, various playground fixtures as well as themed gardens.
Once they are acquainted with the place, the next stop can be The Leaf, an indoor horticultural attraction with four distinct biomes to explore. Outside of the facility, there are also 30-acre themed gardens that families can further explore together.
When it comes to wildlife, Assiniboine Park is home to red foxes, deer, squirrels, and other animals that typically bring in coyotes.
These animals can be observed from a distance or through a vehicle, but are strictly prohibited from being fed or made contact with.
But the highlight of the conservation complex is arguably the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre.
In this facility, you can observe polar bear cubs, along with other arctic species, before they make the transition to the award-winning Journey to Churchill exhibit.
Oak Hammock Marsh
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Website: https://www.oakhammockmarsh.ca
Address: 1 Snow Goose Bay, Stonewall, MB R0C 2Z0
Contact details: (204) 467 3300
Admission hours: Open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Price range: $$
Gear rentals: Yes
Oak Hammock Marsh is a UNESCO-designated Ramsar Site, a wetland of international importance for wildlife and the community. But most importantly, it’s the premier destination for birdwatching in Winnipeg.
While the 300 species of birds seen in these wetlands is an impressive feat on its own, visitors can look forward to over 25 species of mammals, various amphibians, reptiles, and fish among its diverse ecosystem.
Also, aside from birding, the Wetland Discovery Centre offers workshops and special events all year round. There are also options and facilities for guided tours, canoe and bicycle rentals, hiking trails, and wildlife surveys.
Bois-des-Esprits
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Website: https://winnipegtrails.ca/trails-maps/bois-des-esprit/
Address: 50 Shorehill Dr, Winnipeg, MB
Contact details: N/A
Admission hours: Open daily
Price range: $
Gear rentals: No
Unlike the previous locations we have listed, Bois-des-Esprits is one of the best walking trails in Winnipeg that you can explore on your own time.
If you’re wondering how the name translates in English, it’s “Woods Where the Spirits Dwell”, which is as cool as any cryptic trail name you’ll find anywhere in the world.
This enigmatic forest and hiking trail is home to an incredible variety of plants as well as beavers, blue herons, and snapping turtles.
However, this is suspected to be lesser these days when compared to the 180+ different plants that were named in previous studies.
Fortunately, the forest is recovering from the impact of housing developments and with the help of Save our Seine River Environment Inc., a non-profit.
Another cool thing to look out for within the Bois-des-Esprits trails is the wood carvings out of dead trees. These wonderful installations are made by a local carver with the approval of the city council.
Given its free-flowing setting, Bois-des-Esprits is one of the most cost-effective places where you can prepare and pursue your Winnipeg wildlife-watching journey.
Pro tip:
A trail like Bois-des-Esprits or Bunn’s Creek Centennial Park are affordable options for beginners. You can use these locations to test your equipment or prepare for your next trip.
What wild animals can you spot in Winnipeg?
Bison
— Media credit: fortwhytealive
FortWhyte Alive is where you’ll find the world’s largest urban bison herd.
The herd is around throughout the year, although the best time to see them is during summer or spring when they take their calves in the fields.
Notably, the bison in FortWhyte are considered wild, so they receive very minimal interference from caretakers.
Coyote
— Media credit: wpotrebka_photography
Coyotes are timid when it comes to interactions with humans. However, Winnipeg has seen an increase in their activity around urban areas, so encountering them in the wild is highly probable.
Coyotes are found more reliably in Assiniboine Park and Zoo where many of their natural prey also reside.
Moose
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One of the best spots to observe moose in Manitoba is at Riding Mountain National Park. Otherwise, they don’t often venture into Winnipeg aside from occasional sightings near highways and forests.
Great Gray Owl
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Great gray owls, Manitoba’s provincial bird, are often sighted on the eastern side of Winnipeg.
The woods in Pinawa are one of the areas I used to visit for great gray owl sightings. Other notable spots would be Maple Creek Road and Hecla Provincial Park.
Deer
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Deers are common in national parks and various trails in Winnipeg.
One of those trails is Bois-des-Esprits where you can observe and photograph white-tailed deer in great detail.
Winnipeg’s favorite urban forest, Assiniboine Forest, also hosts a fairly large deer population that you can observe all year round.
Polar Bear
— Media credit: assiniboineparkzoo
Polar bears can only be seen in Winnipeg via the Journey to Churchill exhibit at Assiniboine Park and Zoo.
The 10-acre site dedicated to polar bears is inspired by their natural habitat, where you can also observe an Arctic fox, muskox, and snowy owls.
Most of the polar bears are moved to Churchill once they mature.
Essential Wildlife Viewing Tips
Keep your distance and be patient.
Finding a good spot is just half of the first step, the rest is about being prepared to wait.
It might sound boring to anyone uninitiated—and honestly, it can test even those who are experienced—but staying still and quiet is essential to finding success and fulfillment in nature viewing.
Observing wildlife is rarely about chasing, and you’ll soon learn that sitting idly for a while and waiting for an animal or nature itself to make a move is exactly how you get to witness or capture many unforgettable moments.
Invest in your equipment
While the equipment you need will vary depending on where you are heading, it’s always better if you can find a competent camera and binoculars at the very start of your journey.
Some of your equipment will greatly increase your ability to spot hints and movements while staying at a safe or favorable distance.
Additionally, don’t sell yourself short on protective gear and clothing, and always pack and dress appropriately for the climate. Lastly, don’t forget to bring a map and a compass or GPS device, including a spare if you can.
Gather local knowledge.
Some trips may require a local guide or insight before you can venture on your own.
Spend time researching local blogs to see how animals behave in the area. Look for the seasonal and daily timings so that you can have a better chance at fulfilling your goals.
Record your observations.
Document your experiences using a camera, a notebook, or even a sketchpad.
Aside from having a record of events, the log will help you keep track of ideal spots, time of the day, and other notable things that led to successful sightings.
Having a list of these actionable items and references can help you grow faster as a wildlife observer.
Use Your Senses
Animals will use all their senses when they are in the wild, so you’re immediately at a disadvantage if you’re only looking and never listening to your surroundings.
Even when observing, you must be aware of where to look and what to look for. Learning the behavior of wild animals is often a good first step to help you become more aware of what’s going on around you.
Then, later, you can start paying more attention to the wind, the sun, and the motion of trees or the flow of the river. It all seems so daunting, but these are things you just learn and improve as you gain more experience.