Stay in the Woods or Full-Service Luxury in the Beaches of 59
B59 - Trail in Traverse Bay
by Lexi Verras
Just an hour's drive north of Winnipeg lies the stunning Beaches of 59! Whether you crave the rugged charm of forest camping or prefer the indulgence of a five-star luxury hotel complete with gourmet dining, hot tubs, saunas, and pools, Beaches of 59 has something for everyone. It's your ultimate getaway, where adventure meets luxury in the heart of nature!
Camping
If you are looking to be close to nature and escape into the quiet woods along the Beaches of 59, Grand Beach Provincial Park is the perfect spot to pitch a tent or set up a camper on one of their many campsites. All you need to do is reserve a spot online at https://manitoba.goingtocamp.com.
If you are looking to bring your camper and park it for an extended period there are many options to stay at one of the many RV parks in the area. Some of the popular ones in the area are:
Base Camp 59 is located on Highway 59 in Traverse Bay across from Grand Pines Golf Course and next to the Birchwood Motor Hotel. It has seasonal sites with a growing list of amenities, including a volleyball court, washrooms and showers, laundry, sauna, fire pits, walking trails, and more. Base Camp 59 believes in preserving the natural forest and is a great place to escape the city.
Grand Marais Community Central & RV Park is on Highway 12 in Grand Marais near Grand Beach Provincial Park. They have walking paths, picnic benches, an EV charger and a playground. There is also a fitness facility on-site that you can use all summer if you sign up to be a member.
Grand Palms RV Resort is located in Grand Marais just after the turn-off to East Beach, where there were once waterslides. Grand Palms has both seasonal and overnight sites! Grand Palms has a store, a tiki bar, a stage, an inground swimming pool, a basketball court, and a play structure. They allow ATVs and have many activities always going on inside the resort.
Motels and Hotels
If camping is not your cup of tea, then there are a variety of motels and hotels where you can stay instead including:
South Beach Casino and Resort is the largest hotel in the area with a long list of amenities. Located on Highway 59 in Scanterbury, 30 minutes from the perimeter and 10 minutes from Grand Beach. South Beach Casino and Resort has beautifully furnished rooms, a casino, restaurant and bar, weekend buffet meals, pool, hot tub, sauna, meeting facilities, banquet facilities, and gift shop. You may even want to explore their Stay and Play packages as well.
Sandbar Motor Inn is located right on Highway 12 in Grand Marais just a few minutes from Grand Beach Provincial Park. Sandbar has a furnished economical motel-style room, a bar, beer vendor, and a restaurant with an outdoor patio.
Spirit Rock is across the street from the Sandbar on Highway 12. It has a hippie, beach vibe with rooms located above their café and gift shop where you can enjoy a nice latte or pastry in the morning while looking at all their unique trinkets.
Birchwood Motor Hotel is located a little further North on Highway 59 in Traverse Bay Birchwood is close to Hillside Beach, Victoria Beach, Albert Beach, Grand Pines Golf Course and a number of free boat launches. With a bar and restaurant attached, you can enjoy a lovely meal there or all your meals. You won’t want to miss their famous Thursday Rib Nights with great live music.
Rentals
If you want to stay somewhere that will make you feel at home instantly, there are a lot of places where you can rent a cabin for a weekend or for longer stays. Whether you are looking for a lakefront view, a hot tub and sauna, kayaks and bikes or just a secluded rustic cabin in the woods there is plenty of options nearby all of the beautiful beaches. These rentals are a great way to settle in and have your own space to cook and relax.
Butternut Cottage Family Vacation Rental: located in Hillside Beach, Butternut Cottage is the perfect family vacation home with a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom cottage. The space has a private yard with a deck and is located down the street from Charlie Wall Park with a play structure and a basketball net. Nearby is the Hillside Beach Store and Eatery (don’t miss their popular homemade pizzas). Butternut Cottage is only minutes away from three boat launches and a short walking distance to the 2 km sandy Hillside Beach.
Grand Beach Cabin Rentals: Located in the heart of Grand Marais and a short 5-minute walk to the boardwalk and beach. When you stay here you can take in all that Grand Beach Provincial Park has to offer and visit the many local businesses and restaurants in the area. Grand Beach Cabin Rentals is known for year-round luxury with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and modern finishings. Sit out on the deck, balcony, or in the screened-in area where you are protected from the mosquitos or enjoy a soak in the hot tub.
ViBE Stay and Play: Multiple cottages to choose from in Victoria Beach! Victoria Beach is a peninsula at the end of Highway 59 with multiple beaches on each side and to the North is Elk Island Provincial Park with a full 20 km trail and majestic beaches. One can easily wade through the water from mainland to the island during summer months. Each rental is renovated and meticulously cared for and could be on the cover of a cottage magazine. Whether you are looking for a property to host a large group of friends or a week away with your family, ViBE Stay and Play has many options. The one rental even has an infinity pool, tiki bar, palm trees, beach side cabana, and fire pit, you will not even believe you are still in Manitoba.
Pebblesprings Bed & Breakfast: Lakefront home in the beautiful, forested area known as Belair. Pebblesprings B&B has three private guest rooms. Guests have use of the lakefront deck, outdoor hot tub, sauna, and outdoor shower. The breakfasts are out of this world and the host will accommodate other meals as well. A perfect retreat. You will get to meet other travellers when you relax indoors in front of the wood stove with a puzzle in the common living room. A cozy cabin with a big yard for lots of fun and countless memories.
