Welcome To Falcon West Hawk Chamber of Commerce
About the Area
The South Whiteshell is very
desirable not only for it's natural beauty but also
for the many other services offered for residents,
cottagers, campers and day use visitors. Some of
the other services offered are:
3 local churches: All Peoples
Church at Falcon Lake open year round, Roman
Catholic Church at Falcon Lake open from May to
September, West Hawk United church at West Hawk open
year round.
We have a new, modern school at
Falcon Lake, administrated through the Frontier
School Division, which ranges from
Nursery/Kindergarten to Grade 10 at which time the
students travel by bus to Steinbach for Grade 11 &
12.
We have a 3 member RCMP
detachment at Falcon Lake, which increases to 5 for
the busy summer months.
We also have a new medical centre
staffed by a doctor full time from May to September
and part time from October to April. To contact the
South East Whiteshell Medical Centre please call
349-2529.
There is a 24 hour ambulance
service with year round staff situated in Falcon
Lake and a 24 hour volunteer fire department located
at West Hawk Lake with a sub station at Falcon
Lake. To access these services please call "911".
We have a post office at West
Hawk Lake located at Black Bear Power Products and
one at Falcon Lake located at Lumber One Building
Supplies.
We have a 3 sheet curling rink
attached to the Whiteshell Community Club which
offers regular curling from November through to
April along with several popular bonspiels.
Attached to the community club is a gymnasium used
by the community and the school which includes a
well equipped work out room accessible 24 hours a
day with a community club membership and gym
membership.
There are 2 yacht clubs in the
area, one at Falcon Lake and one at West Hawk Lake.
West Hawk Lake is the only crater lake in Canada accessible by road. Unlike all the other lakes in the area (which were formed by glacier action) West Hawk Lake was created a hundred million years ago by the impact of a meteor that blasted a hole deep enough to bury the Manitoba Legislative Building at 110 meters (365 feet) deep. It is a favorite diving spot because of its ' depth and clear water. The townsite at West Hawk is a picturesque collection of log buildings housing restaurants, resorts, stores, and a Museum of Geological History at the campground. Falcon Lake is also known as one of the more renowned UFO sightings in the province. To read more about the Falcon Lake sighting please click on the link
At the northwest end of West Hawk Lake, on the Whiteshell River that links to Caddy Lake, can be found the Fish Hatchery, which is well worth a visit. It raises trout, pickerel and other species to stock Manitoba's lakes. The Whiteshell River here is a prime spot for fly-fishing.
The town of Falcon Lake has a stunning new boardwalk and pier by the main beach and picnic area. It is home to one of the best 18-hole golf courses in Canada, the Falcon Lake Golf Course. The visitor can also enjoy mini golf, tennis, lawn bowling or the rental of three-seater bicycles. An offshoot of the Trans-Canada trail starts beside the Community Club and gym with its brand new fitness centre. From here you can bike, walk or run all the way to the Ontario border or to Caddy Lake. Downtown Falcon boasts a large variety of stores and restaurants including a shopping centre. The lake itself is 7 miles long and a favorite of cottagers. A charming diversity of accommodation is available here, including hotels, log cabins, resorts and campgrounds.
The Falcon/West Hawk Chamber of Commerce was formed about 1995, and is the outgrowth of the former Business Association. Our constitutional objective is 'to promote and improve trade and commerce and the economic, civic, and social welfare of the district, while respecting the environment.' We are one of the first chambers to entrench environmental stability into our formal articles.
We are in a unique position as a Chamber of Commerce, being in a Provincial Park and not a municipality. This provides challenges as well as benefits. There are no town councils here. The Chamber consults with and works closely with the Parks Branch and also the Whiteshell Community Club. Some of our initiatives have been fulfilled - promoting the development of the new pier and boardwalk in Falcon, and building the Crator Lake information kiosk at West Hawk, for instance. Like the establishment of a cemetery in our area, we have been working on for years and finding continued unexpected difficulties.
We are concerned about maintaining the water quality of our lakes, while not stifling growth - we want as many Manitobans as possible to be able to enjoy our lakes and beaches.
The Falcon/West Hawk Chamber of Commerce (which also encompasses businesses on Caddy Lake) has established Falcon Fun Fest and Meteor Days summer festivals, and promoted summer ball tournaments and music festivals. Please do come and enjoy all we have to offer!
Most residents of the area are directly or indirectly employed in tourism, the primary economic activity. Falcon, West Hawk and Caddy Lakes have a myriad of services for visitor and resident:
Fish Hatchery
Interpretive Centre
Since it opened in 1942, Whiteshell Fish Hatchery had been raising trout to replenish the natural stocks of fish in the surrounding area and for Manitoba's stocked, sport-fishing waters.Both warm and cold water fish are raised at the hatchery. The Visitor Centre provides various exhibits including displays on life stages of fish, life of a trout, Manitoba Fish, Dinosaur Fish and the Art and Science of Fishing. A new interpretive centre developed by Fish Futures and Manitoba Conservation was opened in 2001. Outdoor pools and tanks provide plenty of opportunitiesto see fish.Drinking water and washrooms are on site.
Interpreter-led tours are available from June to September Long Weekend and the visitor centre is open daily from June to September Long Weekend. Regularly scheduled tours are available, and special tours may be booked by calling 349-8204. Located on PR 312, the Ingolf Road. Admission: free.
For information on days of operation and tours, contact the interpreters at (204) 349-8204.
Mailing address:
Manitoba Conservation,
Box 40
Falcon Lake MB
R0E 0N0
Hiking Trails at Falcon LakeMcGillivray Falls self guiding trail
On Highway 44 between the Lilly Pond and the Caddy Lake campground. This 4.6 km trail will lead you through a small drainage basin typical of the Precambrian Shield and found throughout the park. A shortcut reduces the length of the trail to 2.4 km before it reaches McGillivray Lake. This intermediate hike takes three hours.
Whiteshell River Self-guiding Trail
The trail is accessible from the Fish Hatchery on PR 312. Return distance 2.8 km. Allow 2 hours. Trail guide available at the trailhead, corresponds to marked stops. Along the way you'll discover ways to keep our planet healthy.
The South Whiteshell Trail
This hike, bike and ski trail is a part of the Trans Canada Trail. The 14 km section between West Hawk Lake and Falcon Lake is complete. It runs between the Nite Hawk Cafe parking lot in West Hawk to the field behind the school in Falcon.
Hunt Lake hiking trail
At the very end of Highway 44, just past West Hawk Lake. This 12.6 km trail leads north along the east shore of West Hawk Lake to Little Indian Bay. It returns on the same path. This intermediate hike takes three hours.
Falcon Creek self guiding trail
Off the Trans Canada Highway near the Falcon Lake Riding Stables. This 2.2 km trail reveals clues that glaciers once covered this land; rocks and boulders are scattered randomly from the the receding ice. One sees the effects of a forest fire, as well. This novice hike takes one hour.
Falcon Ridge Trails
All trails begin at the Falcon Ridge ski chalet at the end of Southshore Road, near Falcon Trails Resort.
Top of the World.
This 4 km hike leads to the highest elevation in the area and a spectacular lookout above Falcon Lake. It returns on the same path. This intermediate hike takes one hour.
Sunshine
This short 2 km hike takes you to the top of the south facing ski slopes and a beautiful view of Falcon Lake from a rock out-cropping. It returns on the same path. This novice hike takes 45 minutes.
High Lake
This 7.5 km winter ski trail takes you to High Lake and along its shoreline. This is a ski trail for experienced skiers.
There are numerous ski trails at Falcon Ridge ranging in length from 1.5 to 5 km and in difficulty from novice to expert. Check at the chalet for conditions.
Jessica Lake self guiding trails
On Highway 307, across from Jessica Lake Lodge. These trails consist of approximately 7 km of walking trails in three loops that meander along natural pathways of granite in the forest between Jessica and White Lakes. These intermediate hike, ski or snowshoe trails take about three hours. There are numerous other trails in the Whiteshell Park. Pick up a copy of the Whiteshell Wanderer from any of the Chamber members, or check out the Whiteshell Provincial Park hiking page, for a more complete listing of all the trails and activities available in the Park.
Since it opened in 1942, Whiteshell Fish Hatchery had been raising trout to replenish the natural stocks of fish in the surrounding area and for Manitoba's stocked, sport-fishing waters.Both warm and cold water fish are raised at the hatchery. The Visitor Centre provides various exhibits including displays on life stages of fish, life of a trout, Manitoba Fish, Dinosaur Fish and the Art and Science of Fishing. A new interpretive centre developed by Fish Futures and Manitoba Conservation was opened in 2001. Outdoor pools and tanks provide plenty of opportunitiesto see fish.Drinking water and washrooms are on site.
Interpreter-led tours are available from June to September Long Weekend and the visitor centre is open daily from June to September Long Weekend. Regularly scheduled tours are available, and special tours may be booked by calling 349-8204. Located on PR 312, the Ingolf Road. Admission: free.
For information on days of operation and tours, contact the interpreters at (204) 349-8204.
Mailing address:
Manitoba Conservation,
Box 40
Falcon Lake MB
R0E 0N0
Hiking Trails at Falcon LakeMcGillivray Falls self guiding trail
On Highway 44 between the Lilly Pond and the Caddy Lake campground. This 4.6 km trail will lead you through a small drainage basin typical of the Precambrian Shield and found throughout the park. A shortcut reduces the length of the trail to 2.4 km before it reaches McGillivray Lake. This intermediate hike takes three hours.
Whiteshell River Self-guiding Trail
The trail is accessible from the Fish Hatchery on PR 312. Return distance 2.8 km. Allow 2 hours. Trail guide available at the trailhead, corresponds to marked stops. Along the way you'll discover ways to keep our planet healthy.
The South Whiteshell Trail
This hike, bike and ski trail is a part of the Trans Canada Trail. The 14 km section between West Hawk Lake and Falcon Lake is complete. It runs between the Nite Hawk Cafe parking lot in West Hawk to the field behind the school in Falcon.
Hunt Lake hiking trail
At the very end of Highway 44, just past West Hawk Lake. This 12.6 km trail leads north along the east shore of West Hawk Lake to Little Indian Bay. It returns on the same path. This intermediate hike takes three hours.
Falcon Creek self guiding trail
Off the Trans Canada Highway near the Falcon Lake Riding Stables. This 2.2 km trail reveals clues that glaciers once covered this land; rocks and boulders are scattered randomly from the the receding ice. One sees the effects of a forest fire, as well. This novice hike takes one hour.
Falcon Ridge Trails
All trails begin at the Falcon Ridge ski chalet at the end of Southshore Road, near Falcon Trails Resort.
Top of the World.
This 4 km hike leads to the highest elevation in the area and a spectacular lookout above Falcon Lake. It returns on the same path. This intermediate hike takes one hour.
Sunshine
This short 2 km hike takes you to the top of the south facing ski slopes and a beautiful view of Falcon Lake from a rock out-cropping. It returns on the same path. This novice hike takes 45 minutes.
High Lake
This 7.5 km winter ski trail takes you to High Lake and along its shoreline. This is a ski trail for experienced skiers.
There are numerous ski trails at Falcon Ridge ranging in length from 1.5 to 5 km and in difficulty from novice to expert. Check at the chalet for conditions.
Jessica Lake self guiding trails
On Highway 307, across from Jessica Lake Lodge. These trails consist of approximately 7 km of walking trails in three loops that meander along natural pathways of granite in the forest between Jessica and White Lakes. These intermediate hike, ski or snowshoe trails take about three hours. There are numerous other trails in the Whiteshell Park. Pick up a copy of the Whiteshell Wanderer from any of the Chamber members, or check out the Whiteshell Provincial Park hiking page, for a more complete listing of all the trails and activities available in the Park.
Snowmobile Trails
Whiteshell
Provincial Park is a snowmobiler's heaven that showcases the
season's best-white snow sculpted into winter's finest designs
against a brilliant blue sky, and crisp, clean air filled with the
inviting scent of Jack pine.The legendary 250 kilometres of groomed trails in Whiteshell are consistently rated Platinum by SnoRiders readers as well as sledders from all over North America. Situated on more than 270,000 hectares of picturesque Precambrian Shield, the extensive trail network leads snowmobilers through boreal forest, across lakes and to spectacular, scenic overlooks.
Sledders will enjoy the park's warm-up shelters-cozy log structures that boast wood-burning stoves, lighting and gorgeous views through large windows.
The trails are groomed regularly and chances of getting lost in Whiteshell Provincial Park are slim, as it is reputed to have some of the best signed trails in North America.
