By Road

There are actually no roads that lead in to Churchill (and some may claim vice versa as well…). However, you can drive either to Thompson or Gillam, Manitoba and travel from there.

Starting from Winnipeg, you will follow the Number Six Highway north along the western side of Manitoba’s Interlake. The drive is about eight hours to Thompson with gas stations (progressively more expensive) located about every 150-200km.

The terrain from Winnipeg to Gypsumville is quite varying (for Manitoba) changing from marshland to grain fields to mixed boreal forest. Some of my favourite country in Manitoba can be found near Gypsumville. It is rough, one of the few places where farms (most abandoned now) still have clumps of trees and the original shelter belts. A lot of wildlife can be found on the backroads around here – also making it a prime destination for black bear hunters.

North of Gyp, the radio fades so bring your ipod or satellite radio. The land is also now primarily boreal forest and other than a few escarpments, your view is generally spruce and jack pine. That being said, there is an abundance of wildlife along this corridor; on this route, I have variably encountered black bears, moose, deer, porcupine, foxes, wolverine, wolf, coyotes and even a cougar. As well, keep your eye out for raptors, including bald eagles, red-tailed and rough-legged hawks, kestrels and great gray owls.

If you are looking for secure storage for a vehicle and the options to fly to Churchill, then Thompson is your only realistic destination. Gillam does not have daily flight service to Churchill.

Vehicle storage is available for a fee at McCreedy Campground or for free at the Thompson Municipal Building. I would recommend McCreedy as they also provide shuttle service.