Welcome! However you choose to spend your time with us, we're excited to share FortWhyte Alive with you.
Our hours change with the seasons.
Summer Hours
Open daily from 9am–6pm
Gates are locked a half hour before closing time each day.
All proceeds from your visit support environmental education in our community.
Thank you!
Please note that at this time, we are not accepting cash.
Please note our Interpretive Centre is currently undergoing a deep energy retrofit and is closed to the public. More information here.
| Members | Free |
|---|---|
| Adult 18–64 | $10 |
| Older Adult 65+ | $9 |
| Student with ID | $8 |
| Child 3–17 | $8 |
| Child 0–2 | Free |
FortWhyte Alive is located at 1961 McCreary Road in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Zero Emission Means Free Admission!
Walking or cycling to reach us is a healthy, climate-friendly way to visit. It’s also your ticket to free admission!
Enhance your visit with our equipment rentals. From binoculars and fishing tackle to Nordic walking poles and cruiser bikes, we have the gear to make trying new activities easy and accessible.
Rentals are available daily, from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm (weather and availability permitting).
| Gear | General Pricing | Member Pricing | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nordic Walking Poles | $3 | Free | All year |
| Binoculars | $3 | Free | All year |
| Fire Pit | $15/2 hours | $15/2 hours | All year (must reserve 48 hours in advance) |
| Fishing Gear | $10 (tackle box + rod) $5/extra rod |
$8 (tackle box + rod) $4/extra rod |
May–Oct Jan–Mar |
| Children's Wagon | $5/hour $10/day |
$4/hour $8/day |
May–Oct |
| Wheelchair | Free | Free | All year (please call ahead) |
| Cruiser Bike (single) | $10/hour | $8/hour | May–Oct |
| Cruiser Bike (group 4+) | $5/hour per bike | $4/hour per bike | May–Oct |
| Canoe or Rowboat | $15/30mins $25/hour |
$10/30 mins $15/hour |
May–Aug |
| Tobogganing Sled | Free | Free | Dec–Mar |
We've listed the answers to the most frequently questions visitors ask us. If you have a question you don't see here, contact us.
Despite our urban location, should you decide to take a bus to visit us, you would have to walk approximately 30 minutes from the closest bus stop to the site. The closest bus stop is outside of Costco Wholesale (2365 McGillivray Boulevard, Winnipeg, MB R3Y 0A1.)
Due to the diverse range of wild animals that call our property home we do not allow pets on site.
There is always time for an adventure at FortWhyte, whether you have 30 minutes or a whole afternoon. If you are interested in wandering through the majority of the trails with time to savour the sights, we recommend reserving at least three hours out of your day. If you have the whole day to enjoy, we recommend starting your visit by exploring the Interpretive Centre and south trails. Follow that with relaxing in one of our many picnic areas or Café for lunch, then top off your undoubtedly lovely morning with a visit to see the bison along our north trail. Be sure to check out our calendar so that you can take into consideration any of the special activities going on during your visit.
What kind of adventure would you like to experience at FortWhyte Alive during your visit? Will you spend hours meandering along the trails? If so, you will likely want to bring a water bottle and a snack that you can enjoy at one of our scenic outlooks.
Will you bring children and enjoy watching them explore the forest? If so, you may want to wear some good walking shoes and insect repellent.
Take a look at the many equipment rentals we have to enhance your visit.
We are open no matter the weather, and we encourage you to experience every bit of natural wonder that Manitoba has to offer year-round. Here are some seasonal dressing suggestions:
Summer: Insect repellent, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, a hat, and shoes that are sturdy enough to enjoy your walk.
Autumn: Check the weather to see if you only need a thin jacket or will be requiring some layers.
Winter: Manitoba is very cold in the winter, so check the windchill and dress appropriately. Scarves, hats, mittens, winter coats, snow pants and thick winter boots will make your experience much more enjoyable. If you plan to rent snowshoes from us, avoid wearing delicate suede or leather boots.
Spring: Consider wearing rainboots if the ground is wet.
While we transition to a new vendor for The Buffalo Stone Cafe, the Cafe is temporarily closed. Until it reopens, you can find food trucks on site on select days — see the schedule.
There is no ATM on site. Right now FortWhyte Alive is only accepting debit and credit.
FortWhyte Farms is closed, but the Market is open.
Visit the Alloway Reception Centre every Sunday and Tuesday during the summer to buy fresh, naturally-grown, in-season produce for you and your family.
The last Market for 2020 is September 22.
FortWhyte Alive is home to an abundance of wildlife, including waterfowl, whitetail deer, and muskrats. Fall brings thousands of migrating birds, Canada geese, and ducks making this natural spectacle a must-see destination for birding enthusiasts.
Each experience at FortWhyte Alive is unique, including what wildlife you might encounter. We can guarantee that you will have a chance to see the animals that call the Interpretive Centre home, including burrowing owls and prairie dogs in the Prairie Partners Exhibit, the snakes basking in the Kiwanis Touch Museum and our underwater friends in the Manitoba Aquariums.
FortWhyte Alive has chosen not to sell food for, nor to allow the hand-feeding of animals on the property. We understand that many people visit us to experience a close encounter with nature. However, touching/feeding wild animals is contrary to keeping wildlife ‘wild.’
The health and safety of our guests, members, and staff are our highest priority. To ensure a healthy environment, we’ve done the following:
• Increased cleaning processes in all facilities
• Set up sanitation stations at building entrances
• Reduced contact with card-only system
• Implemented signage to promote physical distancing
• Limiting the number of people who can be indoors at a time
• Please note that water fountains are not available at this time
• We are offering rentals in a limited capacity. All gear will be sanitized before and after each use.
We will continue to follow all recommendations by the Manitoba Government. Read more on what we’re doing by visiting the blog.