6 Best Lakeside Towns in the Prairies
The Prairie Provinces are home to thousands of lakes, with neighboring communities that have walkable centers and waterfronts. Here, we're starting with Regina Beach, which is a memorable vacation destination at all times of year, from a vibrant Winter Festival to a Beach Recreation Site featuring volleyball. Sylvan Lake is large enough to have its own iconic lighthouse and even hosts an inflatable waterpark with 130 features at The Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash. Whether it be the Icelandic heritage honored in Lake Winnipeg or the sandcastle competitions in northern Alberta, the six towns on this list deliver on summer lakeside experiences, while also rewarding visitors who show up in the off-season.
Regina Beach
At 93 km long and just three km wide, Last Mountain Lake cuts through the southern Saskatchewan prairie in a long, narrow ribbon of water. According to Plains Cree legend, the Great Spirit shovelled the earth from the valley to form the hills on either side. Regina Beach sits on its southwestern shore, with a view over the lake that has no obvious end in sight.
About 40 minutes from Regina, Regina Beach is close enough for a day trip but worth at least a weekend. Despite its reputation as a summer destination, the town has a year-round population of about 1,300 and takes its tagline seriously: "A Place For All Seasons!" In winter, volunteers set up an outdoor rink, and the Regina Beach Winter Festival brings everyone together for an array of winter-themed activities. For the most memorable winter experience, book a stay with Hooked Up Angling in their heated Ice Castle, stationed right on the frozen lake with a fishing hole built into the floor.
Come summer, the biggest draw here is, of course, the beach. Regina Beach Recreation Site offers volleyball courts, a picnic area and playground, a marina and boat launch, and a fish filleting building. On Sunday, visit Sara's On Centre Bakery & Cafe for breakfast and a specialty latte before heading back to the city.
Cold Lake, AB
The Town of Cold Lake sits near the Saskatchewan border on one of the largest, deepest lakes in Alberta. Whether you are looking to plan a weekend getaway or contemplating a move here, Cold Lake offers plenty to keep you busy. Home to about 17,800 people, the town is about 300 km southeast of Edmonton; far enough to feel like a true escape, but close enough for a weekend trip.
Beat the crowds and avoid the peak afternoon heat by heading to Kinosoo Beach early. Named after a giant fish said to haunt the lake’s depths in Cree and Dene legend, the beach was ranked among Canada’s Top 25 Beaches by Canadian Geographic. The wide, sandy shoreline certainly delivers, and beyond the beach itself, there is a promenade, a zipline that runs out over the water, volleyball and basketball courts, a splash park, and floating docks.
If fishing or boating are more your speed, launch your boat from Cold Lake Marina or Cold Lake Provincial Park. The waters here are renowned for their lake trout fishery, along with pike, walleye, perch, and whitefish. The park also offers nine km of trails that wind through bird-rich habitat that attracts songbirds, waterfowl, and shorebirds. Lastly, for a dose of classic Western culture, visit the Agricultural Society on the south end of town, which hosts rodeos and bullaramas throughout the year.
Gimli, MB
The commanding five-meter Viking Statue that guards the shore of Lake Winnipeg is often the first clue that Gimli is not your typical beach town. Founded by Icelandic settlers, Gimli proudly celebrates its Nordic heritage through museums like the New Icelandic Heritage Museum, annual festivals, and public art displays. Home to about 6,500 people, it sits an hour north of Winnipeg, making it a favorite day trip among Winnipeggers.
Start your morning at Flatland Coffee Roasters, where beans are roasted in-store, then stop at Sugar Me Cookie Boutique Bakery for Vínarterta, a traditional Icelandic layered cookie cake filled with prune or apricot puree.
Next, head to the waterfront and walk along the breakwater to discover the seawall gallery, where more than 70 small murals depict local history and landmarks from across Manitoba. While by the water, relax at Gimli Beach, sign up for sailing lessons, or rent a kayak or Sea-Doo.
In July, the beach transforms into an open-air cinema during the Gimli International Film Festival, and shortly after, Íslendingadagurinn takes over with Viking battles, live music, and unusual traditions like eating dried fish to earn the title of honorary Icelander. In March, there are additional festivals, such as the Gimli Ice Festival, which features frozen fish tosses, ice races, and snowy team challenges.
Slave Lake, AB
In Slave Lake, everything seems to orbit the water. The town sits along the massive, road-accessible Lesser Slave Lake, often referred to as the province’s fishing capital. Walleye and northern pike grow big here, and the annual Angler’s Cup draws crowds chasing bragging rights. But the town of 7,300 is more than a tournament hub; its long beaches, boreal trails, and big‑lake views give it a summer energy that surprises first‑time visitors.
The town and lake trace their name back to “Slavey,” a Cree exonym for the Dene people, which early European explorers ended up adopting. The Cree word, which translates to “strangers”, eventually appeared on fur‑trade maps as “Slave.” The name endures as a reminder of the region’s long Indigenous history and the layered relationships between the Cree, Dene, and early settlers.
Not far from town is Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, which stretches along the eastern shore and is home to Devonshire Beach, one of Alberta’s longest natural sand beaches and backed by dunes and clear shallows that feel almost coastal. In summer, friendly rivalry is encouraged at the beach’s popular sandcastle competition. Just above the beach, Marten Mountain has one of the region’s best viewpoints. Locals recommend hiking from there to Lily Lake for even better views framed by the quiet forest.
Sylvan Lake, AB
As the saying goes on the town's bright and colorful downtown mural, "Life is Better at the Lake," and in Sylvan Lake, that's hard to argue with. Sitting about 25 minutes from Red Deer and roughly halfway between Calgary and Edmonton, about an hour and a half from each, this is one of the most accessible lakeside towns for Alberta's major city centers.
Here, the Sylvan Lake Beachfront is a main event. Stretching far enough that walking end to end takes a full hour, it packs in a boardwalk, picnic areas, a marina, and a boat launch. Along Lakeshore Drive, across from the beach, you will find a stretch of shops and patios, a great spot to linger over a drink and watch the sun go down over the water in the evenings. While you wander near the water, look out for the Sylvan Lake Lighthouse, one of the only inland lighthouses between the Pacific Coast and Lake Winnipeg, originally modeled after the iconic Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia.
Travelling with kids? The Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash, a massive inflatable waterpark with 130 features, will keep them occupied for hours. And when you are ready to get into nature, you have lots of options: Jarvis Bay Provincial Park, just five minutes from town, offers a full-service campground and wooded trails with glimpses of the lake from the cliffs, while Burns Nature Park on the east side of town winds through wetlands and forest.
Winnipeg Beach, MB
In its heyday, Winnipeg Beach was a summer escape for tens of thousands of partygoers who packed onto the "Moonlight Special" trains every Saturday night, drawn by one of the country's biggest wooden roller coasters and the largest dance floor in Western Canada. The amusement park closed in 1964, and the dance hall came down not long after. What remains is a quieter, laid-back summer town that is still well worth exploring.
Referred to as Manitoba's Historic Playground, the town sits on Lake Winnipeg, just 15 minutes from Gimli, providing a great opportunity to visit both towns in one weekend. Start your visit at The Breakwater Ice Cream & Coffee Bar for an iced latte and light bite, or, if you are feeling something extra sweet, enjoy an ice cream flight. From there, pick up a free walking tour map at the Caboose Information Centre and set out on the Historic Walking Tour, a seven km route through the town's resort-era past with over 30 stops. When the tour is done, the beach, located within Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park, is right there waiting. The sandy shoreline is calm and shallow, ideal for a leisurely swim or just an afternoon of sunbathing on the sand.
Come evening, the Bandstand Performance Series brings live music to the waterfront on summer weekends. If your visit falls in late July, Boardwalk Days fills the town with a midway, street markets, a parade, and fireworks over the lake.
Any one of these towns is worth a long weekend, though stringing two or three together is a great way to get more out of the drive. Gimli and Winnipeg Beach are just 25 minutes apart, close enough to fit Viking battles and a historic walking tour into the same getaway. In Alberta, Lac La Biche and Cold Lake make for a natural loop if you are departing from Edmonton, and Slave Lake is worth the detour for the dunes alone. Regina Beach is worth a visit all on its own, but it also acts as a solid base, with plenty of other towns along Last Mountain Lake worth exploring while you are in the area. Many of these towns have seen steady growth over the years, which suggests that a weekend visit has a way of planting ideas. Now is the time to just pick a direction and drive.
