Turtle Mountain Provincial Park

Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Standort	Manitoba, Canada
Nearest town	Boissevain, Manitoba
Coordinates	49°3′0″N 100°15′1″W
Area	186 km2 (72 sq mi)
Established	1961
Governing body	Government of Manitoba
www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/park-maps-and-locations/western/turtle.html

Turtle Mountain Provincial Park is a provincial park located in the southwestern portion of the Canadian province of Manitoba. Within it are the Adam Lake and Max Lake campgrounds. The park is known for its bike trails, fishing, back country cabins and canoe routes. The park is very popular with families and outdoor enthusiasts.

The park is named after the numerous painted turtles found in the area. The turtles can be seen throughout the warmer months sun bathing near permanent ponds or lakes in the park. In late spring and early summer the females can be seen laying eggs in sandy soil throughout the park.

Turtle Mountain Provincial Park was designated a provincial park by the Government of Manitoba in 1961. The park is 186 square kilometres (72 sq mi) in size. The park is considered to be a Class II protected area under the IUCN protected area management categories.

It is adjacent to the international border between Canada and the United States. Its southeast corner is adjacent to the International Peace Garden which is located in both Manitoba and the U.S. state of North Dakota. To the east is the William Lake Provincial Park, home to the William Lake Campground, and the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration. To the north is the town of Boissevain, with the city of Brandon farther north. Most of the park is situated in the southwesternmost section of the Municipality of Boissevain – Morton, while the rest of it lies in the southeast corner of the Municipality of Deloraine – Winchester.

The park is nearly coterminous with the slightly larger Turtle Mountain Provincial Forest. The only difference is a small section of the forest lying east of Manitoba Highway 10 at the southeast corner of the forest (near the International Peace Garden), which is outside the park's territory.

Turtle Mountain

Riding Mountain

Duck Mountain

Porcupine Hills

Pembina Valley

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Manitoba Escarpment

History

Turtle Mountain Provincial Park is the oldest inhabited location in Manitoba because it was the first area to dry up following the ice age. Once coniferous forests grew and animals were attracted to the area, nomadic hunters soon followed. Stone tools have been found, confirming their presence. Métis from the Red River Colony travelled to Turtle Mountain Provincial Park for annual hunting trips between 1810 and 1870. After the buffalo hunt ended many Métis built homesteads within the park.

Use and Activities

Formerly, the park was predominantly used for agricultural purposes due to the presence of hardwoods. The area is no longer dependant on Turtle Mountain for timber, so it is now mainly used for recreation and ranching. There is a trail system used for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. There are also various beaches, playgrounds, and picnic areas for recreational use.

Geography

Turtle Mountain Provincial Park is situated on the Turtle Mountain (plateau), one of a number of significant geographic features located along the Manitoba Escarpment, the Canadian portion of the Pembina Escarpment. It is located in the Southwest Manitoba Uplands Ecoregion, within the Canadian Prairies. The park is situated at an elevation of 245 metres. This region is covered by glacial till and fluvioglacial deposits. The soils are mainly grey and black chernozems. There are grey luvisols at higher elevations. There are over 200 lakes and wetlands in this region. This park is home to the largest oak trees in Manitoba, which are the lone survivors of a fire that occurred in the early 20th century.

• Porcupine Hills
• Duck Mountain
• Riding Mountain
• Pembina Valley

Turtle Mountain Provincial Park, Manitoba
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     23     −9 −19     21     −5 −16     23     0 −9     30     10 −2     66     18 5     84     22 10     75     25 13     67     25 12     48     18 6     43     11 0     28     −1 −9     23     −8 −17 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: Environment Canada
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.9     16 −3     0.8     22 4     0.9     32 15     1.2     50 29     2.6     64 42     3.3     71 51     2.9     76 55     2.6     76 54     1.9     64 43     1.7     51 32     1.1     31 16     0.9     18 1 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Flora and Fauna

Turtle Mountain Provincial Park is located within the Temperate deciduous forest, and is predominantly covered by Populus tremuloides (trembling aspen). Other vegetation species include balsam poplar and Bur Oak. Turtle mountain is home to many wildlife species such as Moose, White-tailed deer, Beaver, Raccoons, and various types of birds.

Ecoregions of Manitoba

See also

• List of protected areas of Manitoba
• Painted turtle
• Turtle Mountain (plateau)

External links

• Turtle Mountain Provincial Park at the Manitoba Conservation Web site
• Map of Turtle Mountain Provincial Forest / Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
• Turtle Mountain Provincial Park Management Plan, Manitoba Natural Resources - Parks, 1985
• iNaturalist: Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
• eBird: Turtle Mountain Provincial Park