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Camp Morton Things to See and Do Historic Buildings Trails Accommodations Maps Information Camp Morton chapel façade Click to see larger image

Camp Morton, 8 km north of Gimli, is named after Monsignor Thomas W. Morton who developed the area in 1920 as a summer camp for Roman Catholic children.

Monsignor Morton arrived from England in 1919 to become rector of St. Mary's Cathedral in Winnipeg. He devoted much of his time, funds and energy to establish the children's camp with its ornate buildings and gardens. Many children spent a week of their summer holidays in camp-the boys in July and girls in August.

Daily mass and prayers were an important routine of the camp. The recreation hall was used for arts and crafts. Baseball, tennis, soccer and swimming were the favourite physical activities. Throughout the summer, visitors strolled through the flower-adorned garden and swam in the lake. The camp operated until the late 1960s when a decline in interest led to its closure. In 1974, Camp Morton and adjacent lands were designated a provincial recreation park.

Take a leisurely stroll to view the park's historic buildings, monuments and gardens, and read the series of outdoor interpretive signs. Texts and archival photographs provide information about the camp's unique stackwall buildings and other special places.

Pump house and water tower

Walk the woodland trails and discover the plants and animals of the Interlake's mixed boreal forest. White spruce are mixed with aspen, oak, ash, balsam poplar and Manitoba maple. Shrubs include saskatoon, high bush-cranberry, hazel and mountain maple. Hikers should beware of the three-leaved shrub, poison ivy.

Early spring-end of May to June-is the best time to hear frogs and songbirds. You can also walk along the shoreline and discover its varied wildlife. Near and on the water, terns, gulls and American white pelicans are commonly seen. Out over the water you may catch a glimpse of an osprey in action, fishing for a meal. Bald eagles pass by here as well during their spring and fall migrations. In winter, these trails can be explored on cross-country skis.

Mary Knoll and Avenue of Urns

Ten Family Vacation Cabin units-six singles and four duplexes-are available at the park. Each unit has its own parking space, picnic table and barbecue pit. Water is available from a centrally located pump in the complex and from taps at the shower building, near the beach. All cabins have cold running water, and flush toilets.

Other accommodation options in the park include a campground, recreation hall and group use areas. For information about reservations, rates and operating season please consult the phone list at the end of this publication.

Family Vacation Cabin

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Mailing Address:

Manitoba Conservation
Winnipeg Beach, Manitoba
R0C 3G0

Park Telephone Numbers:

Emergency Telephone Numbers:

Promotion and sponsorship by The Gimli Women's Institute