Winnipeg 
Overview
Credit: Ron Thiessen
In Northern Manitoba lies Little Limestone Lake – Manitoba’s colour-changing Lake.
Little Limestone Lake is the world’s largest example of a marl lake, which is a calcium carbonate-rich lake. When it’s warm out, the marl forms into calcite and separates from the water, which creates crystals and leads to the turquoise hue in the water (what you find in the Caribbean). As it cools off, though, the calcite dissolves, which decreases the marl level and turns the water crystal clear. Throughout the year, the lake will change colours, and hence the view depends on the time of the year.
There is nothing little about Little Limestone Lake as it is around 15 km long and approximately around 4 km in width.
Manitoba has its own Caribbean lake that changes colours.
The Little Limestone Lake is a Provincial Park, which means there are many things you can do.
Though there are no docks there, outboard motorboats are allowed, along with canoeing and kayaking.
Bring your fishing gear, as there are perch, pike, walleye, and whitefish in the waters. At certain times of the year, hunting in the area is permitted.
Throughout the whole year wildlife viewing and exploring is allowed and recommended. A diversity of wildlife inhabit the area — see songbirds, a variety of ducks, eagles, lynx, fox, muskrat, moose, and majestic and threatened woodland caribou.
Trip Planning to Little Limestone Lake
Are you thinking of visiting Little Limestone Lake Provincial Park? It’s worth a trip!
Where: Little Limestone Lake is in Little Limestone Lake Provincial Park, which is located in north-central Manitoba. The park is roughly 450 kilometres north of Winnipeg (roughly five hours) and 65 kilometres north of Grand Rapids. The park is right next to Provincial Trunk Highway 6.
Little Limestone Lake Provincial Park is a non-operational park so that you won’t be entering a typical Provincial Park. You won’t have to worry about day-use fees.
There are places to stay in Grand Rapids.
If you’re planning a trip to Little Limestone Lake Provincial Park, be respectful of the area, the water, and everything else around. Many efforts are being made to protect and preserve the land and waters. The Mosakahiken Cree Nation Reserve covers part of the land.
Camping: There aren’t many places to stay, other than non-invasive camping (tenting). For overnight camping, you’ll need permission from the Mosakahiken First Nations (Ph: 204-678-2113). You cannot have open fires, so you’ll want to bring a portable barbeque and simple lunches like sandwiches.
When should you visit this hidden gem? To get the most out of the colours of the lake, go in the summer months, like July and August. The warmer it is, the more the calcite separates to turn the water into that Caribbean blue.
Make sure only to leave footprints to keep this lake a natural phenomenon.
Finally made it today and it was quite warm out so the water was turquoise, but chilly. It’s all rocks and they were slippery.
I didn’t want to get out, but luckily their was a boat going in and they let me use their boat to walk out.
The road is very rough so take it slow.
No facilities or tables.
We drove in with an SUV. Road was very tough but worth it!! The lake is absolutely beautiful and the color of the water with whitecaps was breathtaking. A real gem to see and I would definitely go back again!
We were lucky when we visited. No litter. Maybe a previous thoughtful visitor cleaned up after less thoughtful visitors.
I agree that you could blink and miss it and the trail in requires slow driving. We just stopped for a swim. It was delightful.
True the lake is beautiful but be forewarned : sign indicating access is a small wooden one on the west side of the highway, blink and youll miss it. Road into the lake is more like a trail – 2 tire trails with water filled potholes and mud. Small open shoreline. Lots of biting flies. NO facilities – outhouses, picnic tables, marked campsites. And lots of litter !!! Actually quite disgraceful. Was very disappointed.