Grand Beach

[jinxiepie]

This is a nice place to camp, we liked the well treed lot, however we went on August long weekend last year. As soon as the sun went down the parties started. We had neighbours who were setting of fire-crackers at 3am and the park police did nothing when I called them.

The campground is nice with lots to do, and water taps were nearby. Long weekends are rowdy as this beach seems to attract a younger party minded crowd. people were walking up and down the road all hours talking loudly. we had a site next to the bathrooms (should have known better). which I wouldnt care about before midnight, but after midnight we couldnt sleep. family friendly though with areas to play and shallow beach. NOT dog friendly.

the beach is a far hike from the campground and dogs are not allowed on the white sandy areas, so DH had to stay behind with the dog when DD and I went for a swim. It was a very far hike uphill with the beach blanket, cooler and a kid in tow. 3 yr old DD could not keep up or walk in the deep silty white sand, so I had to carry her. Coolers with wheels also don't move thru sand, so when going to the beach, travel light.

 

[jinxiepie]

Just came back from another trip to Grand Beach. It was not a long weekend and we saw way more families this time. Campground is very nice, again my only complaint is there are no playgrounds in the campground, only on the beach. The West beach has the boardwalk and seems to attract the beach-only-goers and younger bikini bod party crowd. I found the water to be very silty and dirty. Lots of seagulls on this beach, and the poop and feathers that go with it. I think it's cause the beach has more litter which attracts them. The east beach is much better. Much cleaner, the water was nicer, and seems to be more of the campground and family crowd. My daughter did better this year with the uphill walk in the sand, and I remembered to travel light with just a pool noodle, beach bag and small lunch cooler for snacks and water. Last year there were nature demonstrations with the park rangers (critter dipping, activity books) but I didnt see that this weekend. Wasps are bad right now. When we arrived at our site, I went to move the picnic table, and was attacked by wasps. they had built a nest under the picnic table, right beside where I had my hand! We drove over to the campground office to tell them, and they promptly sent out staff to deal with the nest and angry occupants! By the time we got back to the campsite, the campground staff were already on site and had fumigated and killed the nest and were removing it. We weren't to delayed setting up which was nice. The retention ponds and other areas looked like they had algae blooms, so there was nowhere to let the dog go swimming. Others have told me that other beaches along Lake Winnipeg have swimmers itch and algae blooms going on, but we went swimming on the west and east beaches with no issues.

 

[jinxiepie]

The shower facilities and bathrooms are really looking very poorly maintained this year. Very gross with the level of dead mayflies everywhere and the smell and chipping paint. They are overdue for a reno, which I hear they are doing next year.

 

[Dubbya]

Get your loonies ready! Pay showers here we come!

I'd recommend Winnipeg Beach. It's a brand new CG and it's much more family oriented than Grand Beach plus the CG staff keep a close eye on troublemakers.

It doesn't have any real privacy because the sites are only two years old but it's definitely much quieter.

Check it out! We stay there every September long weekend.


1996 Viking 2060ST / 1997 F150

 

[jnbarrett]

Be sure to check the water quality before dipping in. Dangerous / gross algae blooms occur in the lake often here. Grand Beach used to be one of the top beaches in North America, but has since been overrun with too many people and poor water quality.

The sand is fantastic, and the shallow waters great for families, but there are just too many people and not enough enforcement here.