Manitoba Parks is promoting family-friendly activities across the province and planning the reopening of the fire-damaged Mantario Trail this summer.
The restoration of the trail is a key priority for provincial recreation as the region recovers from significant environmental damage. The Mantario Trail is a 63-kilometre hiking route [2] that serves as a major draw for outdoor enthusiasts in the province.
Kirsten Kruse, a spokesperson for Manitoba Parks, said there are various activities available to visitors throughout the summer season. The focus remains on providing accessible recreation for families across the provincial park system.
Efforts to reopen the Mantario Trail follow a devastating wildfire in 2025 [3]. That fire destroyed almost half of the trail [1], necessitating extensive repair and restoration work to make the path safe for hikers again.
There is some conflicting information regarding the exact timing of the reopening. Some reports indicate that Manitoba Parks now expects to reopen the trail sometime in 2026 [1]. However, other sources have suggested that officials remain unsure when or if the trail will actually open during the 2026 season [2].
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the full reopening, the province continues to encourage the use of other park facilities. The push for summer tourism is intended to maintain public engagement with the wilderness while restoration projects proceed in the affected areas.
“Manitoba Parks is promoting family-friendly activities across the province”
The conflicting reports on the Mantario Trail's reopening reflect the difficulty of restoring wilderness infrastructure after a major wildfire. While the province wants to signal a return to normalcy for the 2026 summer season, the scale of the 2025 damage suggests that full accessibility may depend on ongoing safety assessments and environmental recovery.
