If you drive an hour North East on Highway 59 you will find a summer retreat of fun and sun for the whole family. Grand Beach Provincial Park welcomes tourists free of charge to enjoy its active sand dunes, Jack Pine forest, vast lagoon and 3 kilometres of world-class white sand beach on Lake Winnipeg.

The Canadian Northern Railway established Grand Beach in 1916, running a train from downtown Winnipeg and building a resort, bathhouse, dance hall, and carousel. In the wake of a destructive fire on the boardwalk, tourism declined and in 1961 the beach was made a Provincial Park and nature reserve.

Since then the Park has protected the sanctity of Manitoba’s “little slice of heaven,” assisting the repopulation of the Piping Plover an endangered bird indigenous to the area.

“These days people want big hotels and mini malls, but if you like wildlife, green trees and fresh air then come to Grand Beach,” said president of Destination Grand Marais, Ron Joyce.

As long as the weather permits, you can spend a day at the beach in an assortment of ways. You can frolic in the shallow sandy surf, enter a sand castle competition, join a volleyball game, or just do nothing at all and soak up the sun.

“There is no where better than Grand Beach for 100 miles,” said Joyce. “You forget all the worries in the world when your feet hit the sand.”

The park facilitates an assortment of activities for all walks of life. The East Beach houses a large full-service campground at $24.15 a night, neighboring fishing spots, swimming holes, and hiking trails. The West Beach is home to concession stands, clothing and jewelry shops, and the Surf Club Bar and Grill (Surf Club).

“You couldn’t possibly do everything in one day,” said Joe Potenza, owner of the Surf Club. “My favorite is the people watching-- there are so many characters around here.”

The Surf Club is located directly beside the beach. Live bands on the patio can be heard miles away as they belt out summer jams. The club has a full lunch and dinner menu, specializing in wraps, $6, and salads, $5, but also offering bar staples like nachos, $8, or chicken wings, $6. At the main bar, you can treat yourself to a pint of ice-cold draught beer, $4, or a frozen cocktail, $6 and on the patio bar have a single, $4, or make it a double, $6. With live music and cheap liquor, you can be sure that people are going to be dancing.

“We are known for our dance parties, young and old come to get down, they hear the music from the beach and just can’t resist,” said Potenza.

Due to previous noise complaints the Surf Club must close every night at 11p.m., but if you have been drinking in the sun all day consider the early night a blessing. After all, you have to wake up early to get a good spot on the beach.