Parks Canada oTENTik Experience at Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba

Parks Canada oTENTik at Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada.

I always wanted to stay at Parks Canada oTENTik and never had any chance due to the high demand they have and I always planned my visits to Riding Mountain National Park last minute. This winter I wanted to visit the park mainly because winter is a fantastic time to observe and photograph Lynx. Finally, I planned a weekend trip and left in the evening on Friday after work. There are several winterized oTENTiks available to book via Parks Canada and I was lucky enough to get a spot. Friday night temperatures dropped to -20 c and Saturday night dropped down to – 22 c.

oTENTik came with an electric heater but for colder temperatures like this it’s not enough and I was advised by the park office before I checked-in to burn wood on the wood stove. Check-in is self-serviced and Parks Canada sends instructions and a pin to the keypad of the lock via email.

This is a great facility provided by Parks Canada for campers. oTENTiks save you from all the extra work you have to do to set up tents, this framed cabin comes with cozy beds and furniture and has raised floors. I stayed at a winterized version and came with a Small Wood Stove and an electric heater as I was at the ones near Wasagaming campground at Lily St. off of Ta-Wa-Pit Drive.

The Following amenities were provided to me by the Winterized Wasagaming oTENTiks.

• Inside the tent:

• 1 table
• 4 chairs
• 1 bench
• 1 sleeping area that accommodates up to 6 people
• Lights and power outlets with a USB Port for charging.
• broom and 1 dustpan
• solar-powered light
• Small Wood Stove
• Electric heater
• Fire extinguisher
• carbon monoxide/smoke detector

• Outside the tent:

• front deck
• Firepit
• Picnic table
• Propane barbecue (propane and accessories included)
• Parking for a maximum of 2 vehicles

The following facilities were near my tent and Washrooms were super clean and had heated water. During winter months firewood was provided and it’s included with what you pay, however, Firewood was of medium quality and I was instructed to bring long-burning fire logs.

• A shared kitchen shelter
• Washroom with showers
• Water taps
• Medium quality firewood

Bedsheet, pillow, and comforters (In winter) are a must when you stay at oTENTiks, Mattresses were very comfy and clean.  I came with my sleeping bags just in case and always bring matches or lighter, a Flashlight, lantern or headlamp, and some fire starters.

Almost nothing is open during winter in Wasagaming except for Lakehouse and They offered fantastic buffet brunch. Always make sure you have enough food and water with you in winter when you stay there. You probably have to drive to a nearby gas station at Onanole or Erickson to get supplies.

oTENTik at Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada.

oTENTiks are located in many National parks and the following are the locations as of March 2020. I drove to Lake Audy, RMPN, and Moon Lake, RMNP, and saw the oTENTiks located there. Those two locations were not fully serviced sites like the ones at Wasagaming.

Source: Parks Canada

References

https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/hebergement-accommodation/otentik