The word "resort" means something a bit different in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, than in other parts of the world. Toss that word in a sentence about Hawaii or the Caribbean and thoughts go to high-end resorts with bars serving tropical drinks topped with umbrellas. In Portage la Prairie, however, you'll find the definition leans more toward camping and enjoying the prairie lifestyle. The small town dates back to 1880, and the surrounding prairie grasslands and lakes makes it a prime area for campers.
Miller’s Camping Resort is roughly 3 miles east of Portage La Prairie, off of the Trans-Canada Highway. This is very much a western-style resort, down to the ranch-style entry gates and the statue of a black bear on a tree guarding the general store. The resort can handle RVs of all sizes, has a large seasonally heated pool, playground, basketball hoops, volleyball court, horseshoes and a large ball field. This family-friendly resort allows well-behaved leashed pets without an additional fee. Spend your vacation relaxing on-site or venture into downtown Portage la Prairie for some more western-style culture. Opening dates are governed by the weather, but are usually from early May through September.
At 23 miles northwest of Portage La Prairie, the Shady Oak RV Resort and Campground in Sydney is the next-closest option. In addition to accommodating tents and RVs of all sizes, the property also has cabin rentals. All are one-bedroom units with open kitchen/dining and living areas. Washrooms and showers are close by. The resort has an oversize, seasonally heated pool, basketball courts and nature trails running around the outside of the campground. This is a woodland setting, so chances of seeing deer or other wild creatures are good. A large pavilion is available for group or family functions. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the park. This seasonal campground is open from the beginning of May through the end of September, weather permitting. Non-aggressive pets are welcome and must be leashed.
Even just the name Rubber Ducky Resort and Campground makes you smile. This site is about 50 miles northeast of Portage La Prairie, in the town of Woodlands. The property has tent and RV campsites, cabins and motel rooms available. The camping section is open from mid-April through mid-October, while the motel rooms are available year-round. This place is all about outdoor fun, with a heated swimming pool, a splash pool with water toys and a slide, hot tubs, an outdoor movie theater and a fishing pond stocked with trout. Fishing licenses are available on-site for those 12 and older. Kids fish free. On weekends, the Ducky Express train runs around the campground offering free rides. Seasonal campers are welcome to rent garden plots and grow their own veggies during their stay. Enjoy miniature golf at the 9-hole Ducky Golf Course, or play volleyball, badminton and maybe a bit of baseball. For those who must stay connected, wireless Internet access is free.
Whispering Woods Cabins, 58 miles southwest of Portage La Prairie, invites you and your horse to spend some time at a cabin in the woods. Each guest cabin has its own corral. Water and electricity are available for your horse trailer, but you must supply your own feed. Having your mount nearby makes it easy to saddle up and take to the trails at nearby Spruce Woods Provincial Park. In winter, those trails welcome snowmobiles, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The two cabins, available year-round, have fully equipped kitchens, two furnished bedrooms and a full bathroom. Located in a largely unpopulated area, this is a resort for the horsey set that wants to leave the city sidewalks behind and get back to nature. The closest shops and services are in Treheme, about 15 miles away.
