7 Best Things To Do in Dauphin Manitoba in 2024

If you have exhausted all the things to do in Riding Mountain National Park and have time to spare, consider a trip to the nearby city of Dauphin.

Dauphin is located in the Parkland region of Manitoba and is roughly 68km northwest of Riding Mountain.

Depending on the time of the year when you visit, Dauphin offers a variety of street festivals, fishing, historic sites, water sports, camping, and lots of other outdoor adventures.

Here are some of the best attractions and activities in Dauphin, Manitoba.

1. Rainbow Beach Provincial Park

Located on the south shore of Lake Dauphin, the Rainbow Beach Provincial Park is great for swimming, sunbathing, RV camping, hiking, boating, kayaking, and more.

Rainbow Beach Provincial Park Dauphin

The beach area is very shallow and is excellent for kids. There are also several playground structures and a concession stand.

At the time of our visit, people traffic was pretty scant, so it was easy to enjoy some quiet. You need to purchase a permit to use the park at the beach. A day parking pass cost us roughly $10.

Rainbow Beach

2. Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Ressurection

The Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection was built between 1936 and 1939. It is a provincial heritage site and a national historic site.

It is located at 1106 – Ist Street SW, Dauphin. For appointments to view the interior, call 204-638-6746.

Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Ressurection
Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Ressurection

Related: Best Things to do in Whiteshell Provincial Park

3. Fort Dauphin Museum

Fort Dauphin Museum is a recreation of a trading post used by fur traders and reminiscent of early settlements in the area.

Fort Dauphin Museum
Fort Dauphin Museum

You will find a trapper’s cabin, log house, schoolhouse, church, blacksmith’s shop, and thousands of artifacts at the Parkland Archaeological Laboratory, including fossils.

The museum was closed for the season when we visited. Admission fees are $4 for adults and $3 for youth – younger kids enter free when accompanied by an adult.

You can reach them at 204-638-6630 or visit the website here. It is located at 140 Jackson Street, Dauphin.

Fort Dauphin Museum, Dauphin
Fort Dauphin Museum, Dauphin

4. Amisk The Beaver Monument

This 16 feet tall beaver monument is located just off Highway 5A/10A. It was built by Ross Owen in 1967 as a Canadian Centennial project.

“Amisk” is the Cree word for beaver, an animal that is plentiful in the area.

Amisk The Beaver Monument in Dauphin, Manitoba
Amisk The Beaver Monument in Dauphin, Manitoba

5. Dauphin Rail Museum

Visit the Dauphin Rail Museum located at the Canadian Northern Railway (CNR) Station. The CNR building was designated as a historic site in 1998.

The museum features the history of rail service in the region with several miniature replicas.

Dauphin Rail Museum
Dauphin Rail Museum

6. Vermillion River Park and Trail

The Vermillion River Park campground is within the city limits and offers basic amenities, including picnic areas, firepit rentals, and playgrounds.

You can also venture out on the 2.4km loop Vermillion Park Trail.

7. Watson Arts Centre

The Watson Arts Centre was built in 1905 and is located right across from the Canadian Northern Railway building.

Find out if there are live music or theatre production events in play there.

Watson Arts Centre
Watson Arts Centre, Dauphin

While in Dauphin, you can also check out the Trembowla Cross of Freedom.

If you are looking for a place to stay, the town has its own Super 8 by Wyndham and Best Western Plus hotels.

Related: Guide to a Road Trip From Winnipeg to Vancouver

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Enoch Omololu

Enoch Omololu is a traveller, culinary tourist, and money expert. He is the co-founder of Only Earthlings and established the popular Savvy New Canadians platform. Enoch has been featured in Business Insider, Forbes, Best Life Online, GOBankingRates, Penny Hoarder, Globe and Mail, Yahoo, and CBC News.

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