Welcome! However you choose to spend your time with us, we're excited to share FortWhyte Alive with you.
Hours
Every day: 9 am – 5 pm
*Gates are locked 30 mins before close.
In the spirit of reconciliation, FortWhyte Alive offers complimentary admission for Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Red River Métis).
| Admission Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Members | Free |
| Adult 18–64 | $12 |
| Older Adult 65+ | $11 |
| Student with ID | $10 |
| Child 3–17 | $10 |
| Child 0–2 | Free |
| First Nations, Inuit and Métis | Free |
FortWhyte Alive is located at 1961 McCreary Road in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Walking or cycling to commute to FortWhyte is a healthy, climate-friendly way to visit. It’s also your ticket to free admission!
*Our South Trail entrance has moved so we can prepare for Buffalo Crossing! You can now enter 150m west of the current entrance on McGillivray Rd (across from Brady Rd).
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 on a first-come-first-served basis, and weather permitting.
Check out our additional rental options like fat bikes through Kendrick's Outdoor Adventures >>
| Gear | General Pricing (+tax) | Member Pricing (+tax) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nordic Walking Poles | $3 | Free | All year |
| Binoculars | $3 | Free | All year |
| Fire Pit | $30/2 hours | $30/2 hours | All year (must reserve at least 2 business days in advance by emailing [email protected]) |
| Fishing Gear | $10 (tackle box + rod) $5/extra rod |
$8 (tackle box + rod) $4/extra rod |
May–Oct Jan–Mar |
| Snowshoes | $5 per pair | Free | December-March |
| 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 |
| 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, and to reduce risk to the animals on our farm, we do not allow pets on site.
There is always time for an adventure at FortWhyte, whether you have 30 minutes or a whole day. 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.
There’s a number of grab and go or plated options available at the Buffalo Stone Café.
You are also welcome to bring food from home for your day at FortWhyte Alive.
There is no ATM on site but we accept credit and debit everywhere payment is taken.
FortWhyte Farms is a working farm and is not staffed for walk up programs but you are welcome to take a self-guided tour and view some of the animals and fields. During the summer month’s you can also visit the weekly market from July – September.
You can also find meat and honey products from FortWhyte Farms in The Nature Shop.
FortWhyte Alive is home to an abundance of wildlife, including many waterfowl, whitetail deer, and turtles. Fall brings thousands of migrating birds, Canada geese, and ducks making this natural spectacle a must-see destination for birding enthusiasts.
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.’
FortWhyte Alive is thrilled to be expanding it’s educational and event space with the brand new Buffalo Crossing building off of McGillivray Blvd. This building will be the home of expanded programming space, rooms for weddings and special events, and a second entrance and retail space to FortWhyte.
Have more questions about Buffalo Crossing? Visit our dedicated Buffalo Crossing FAQ page to learn more.
To prevent invasive species contaminating our lakes, we do not allow anyone paddlers to use their own watercraft (of any kind including canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddle boards, etc.) or personal life jackets at FortWhyte Alive.
If you chose to rent a watercraft while on site a life jacket will be provided.
No. We are not have the facilities or training to help with any injured or abandoned wildlife.
Please visit Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre‘s site to learn more about how you can help wildlife that may need assistance.