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Narcisse Snake Dens ~ A Hidden Manitoba Experience

Narcisse-Snake-Dens

I’ve lived in Manitoba my whole life, yet I’d never visited The Narcisse Snake Dens which are about 6 kms north of Narcisse, Manitoba.

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These snake pits are the winter home of tens of thousands of Red-sided Garter Snakes – it’s actually the largest concentration of Red-sided garter snakes in the world. This past weekend we decided to take a trip out to see this hidden experience. My father-in-law came along, it had been 30 years since he took my husband (who was then 6) to see the dens.

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Visiting Narcisse Snake Dens is absolutely free and people come from all over the world to see the snakes. There are interpretive signs, washrooms, a picnic area and a 3 km walking trail which winds through native grassland and aspen forest.

nature-manitoba

Spring: The latter part of April and first three weeks in May is generally the best time to visit the Narcisse Snake Dens. During this period snakes are preoccupied with mating and are easily viewed by visitors. The greatest activity tends to coincide with the Mother’s Day weekend.

Fall: Garter snakes return to their dens in early September. Once there, they remain active and visible to visitors until cool, wet autumn weather forces them underground. Fall viewing of snakes is best during warm sunny days.

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This year, according to the government website, they expect the Snake activity will peak around May 14th.

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I have to admit that I am NOT a snake person. Yet when I say that, I try very hard to give my daughters opportunities to experience things that I may not enjoy – so they can make up their own mind whether or not they like it themselves.

child-holding-snake

Apparently my girls DO like snakes – a lot. It made me smile to see how much fun my girls had with the snakes in their natural habitat.

We met quite a few people while we were walking the trails, two of which were from other provinces.  Narcisse Snake Dens really are a hidden experience here in Manitoba. If you have not been out to visit the dens, you should make an afternoon of it.

There are so many cool places to explore right here in Manitoba. Last week we visited the Canadian Mint with our family.

What are some of your favorite places to experience in Manitoba?

Do you think you would ever plan a visit to the Narcisse Snake Dens?

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Tammi L

Thursday 29th of May 2014

We lived in Teulon for three years and always meant to take our son there but never made it. We now live in BC and wish we had as it is something that we'll never go back for.

Jody @ Mommy Moment

Thursday 29th of May 2014

It's too bad you did not make it there, but I am sure you have many amazing places in BC to go to now :)

Wendy Arnott

Tuesday 27th of May 2014

Yeah, no thanks. We get the odd snake around here but I'm good with not dealing with them. Lived with salamanders and frogs growing up as well. Being raised in the country I'll stay a country girl, and let the city raised kids explore that one.

Kirsten

Tuesday 27th of May 2014

I am not a huge fan of snakes. however, I am huge fan of playing tourist in your town/province, etc. It's great to show the kids all the neat things about where you live.

Donnas

Monday 26th of May 2014

I think if I ever visited Manitoba, I'd forgo a trip to the snake dens, I'm not a snake person myself.

Laurie P

Monday 26th of May 2014

I'd like to think I would do ok at this place, but I guess I wouldn't know til I got there lol.