We (a threesome - senior couple, with daughter - our travelling accomplice, and driver), did a 'mini-trip' (of 3+ days/3 nights), to Manning Provincial Park, and the Manning Park Resort in July, 2010. This trip/stay was similar to the one we did at almost the same time last year, but this trip had a 'bonus', we were able to extend this year's stay a night longer - yeah!! Like last year's July stay, and the two previous early-September stays as well, we had a wonderful time, and thoroughly-enjoyed everything - just wished it could have been longer!!

In past years, we stayed 'in' the Lodge - in a backside, top-floor room, that caught the afternoon sun. A rather nice room and amenities -- two double-beds, bureau, writing desk, nightstand, small fridge, microwave oven, and coffee-maker. This year, we opted for a cabin (we chose one of the smaller, standard cabins) - it had two bedrooms (one with a single, queen-size bed, the other, with two double bunk beds, both with bureaus and closet space), a fully-equipped kitchen (complete with quality electric range and oven, full-size fridge, microwave oven, toaster, and all the amenities (pots, pans, dishes, flatware, glasses, and etc) to go with it, including a dining table that could seat eight, a bathroom with tub and shower, and a living-room area, with two arm chairs and sofa (that could double as a bed), coffee table, lamp table, and tv. We were very comfy, enjoyed what we had, made good-use of it all, and loved it!!

The cabin had a nice setting, with mountain views to the front, and trees to the rear. We sat out back and front often, taking in and loving the natural sights and sounds. The trees at back offered shade to sit and read, talk, and/or just rest and relax.

Our cabin was a short walk from the Lodge, and other amenities of the resort (the building housing swimming pool, two jacuzzi tubs, and saunas (dry 'and' steam rooms). The resort's small store, coffee-shop, restaurant, and bar are just a short walk from there, from the front entrance of the Lodge.

For this stay, we brought "everything" we would need for food and drink during our stay - knowing we would have the cabin, and the amenities to do all our cooking this time. On previous trips, when we stayed in a hotel room, we brought drink, lunch makings, and 'munchies', and fixed and enjoyed these in our room, then enjoyed some good draught ale, shot darts, and had dinners in the pub (located down some stairs, under the restaurant). The pub had several tv's 'going' (carrying sports coverages, when we were there), plus, there were sets of various games available, for one to play/enjoy (cribbage, backgammon, etc.). We fully-enjoyed doing our "own thing" this time - cooking in, and outside at times, at one of the bbq pits near our cabin.

But our main reason for going to Manning Park is always to get out and about in the fresh and clean mountain air, walk various forest trails, and enjoy what we can of the natural sights and sounds. During each of our stays, we devote as much as possible of every day to such pursuits - especially the early-mid-morning and early-evening periods.

What great views to see and experience -- the rivers, mountains, and lakes, and all the flora and fauna to see with each. And for "two of us" (long-removed from being "spring-chickens"!!), many of these sights and sounds can be rather-easily accessed via not very difficult to navigate trails. We walked to several from the resort, but for others, drove to sites where we could park, and then walk in. We have always seen many deer (adults only this time - it was still 'rutting' season (the bucks were given 'wide-berth', they were quite aggressive and did not take kindly to visitors! - but adults and young during our later in the year stays), many species of birds, including several loon "treats" (at the lakes, with their haunting vocals in the early-morning mist), and for the first time ever, this year we saw a female black bear with two cubs (and got a great look at them from the car, as they walked across the road in front of us, and down into the forest on the other side). Plus, many beautiful damsel and dragon flies, and so, so many varieties of flowers, other plants, and trees -- and all viewed in the peace and quiet of the forest, lake, and river settings. What a nice treat from the concrete jungle and noise of the city!!

The mountains and other sights of Manning Park and beyond were "sparkling" in blue sky and almost totally-cloudless sunshine for our entire trip this time, there and back - almost surreal at times - and so beautiful!!

Now when can we get back there?!!
Cheers, and happy travelling everyone!!

What magnificient-sounding peace & tranquility! A reminder that I have MUCH yet to explore in BC.

Best wishes, Daniel

Thanks Daniel ... and yes, it really was "peace & tranquility" this time, and even more so this stay than some of our previous ones -- I guess mostly because of our rather late-arriving summer this year, which kept many from travelling. We did good and lucked out, our stay hit the first 'real' week of summer weather, and we ended up having so much to ourselves.

Thanks for posting!

So right - one of my favourite places in the whole country.

We have never stayed there in the winter months - it's a very popular destination for skiers, snow-shoe'ers,and etc. We have stayed there a couple of times in September - before the white flakes - when the mornings and evenings are crisp & cool, and the first signs of frost cover one's car, etc.
Loved the early-morning trail walks during those stays. The times at the lakes were almost "magical" - the mists on the water, the frosts on the vegetation, etc. And wonderful times to see and hear loons ... very Canada, eh!!
Wish we were heading there this September, but a "roadblock" in the way for such a trip/stay this year. Maybe a spring, summer, and fall trip next year? Hope so!
Cheers!!!

Oh dear, another place on my target list. Thank you for the report!