NatureNorth's - Narcisse Snake Dens, Snake Log 2022

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Autumn Snake Viewing Season 2022

The 2022 autumn viewing season is over. Snakes have returned to their dens for their winter slumber. Check back here next spring.

This was a poor year for snake viewing. The harsh winter and spring floods may have prompted a die-off at the dens. This has happened in the past, but snake numbers will rebound in the future. We will post more information later.

You can help others have a better snake viewing experience! Send us an email of how the snake viewing was on your visit: My Snake Viewing Report. We'll update this site with your feedback. Thanks!

Can't go to the dens this year? Need a snake fix?

Take a Virtual Tour of the Snake Dens

Watch our Snake Den Videos

Follow this link for more on Manitoba's other snakes

Remember, for best snake viewing, weather matters! Check the weather for the Interlake region at this link: Weather for Gimli, Manitoba.

Snake Den Map and FAQ's - for a map to the den site and answers to some commonly asked questions about visiting the dens Click Here.

2022 Update - Media Information Package - Media outlets wishing to operate in the Narcisse Snake Dens should download the following:

Narcisse Snake Dens Media Info Package
(Provided by Manitoba Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development. In English, et version en français. 450 Kb PDF)

Thinking of a trip to see the world famous red-sided garter snakes of Narcisse? It's about a one hour drive north from Winnipeg to the Narcisse Snake Dens. Sunny days are always best for snake viewing. There's a large gravel parking lot and the trails throughout the site are well-packed crushed limestone.

Washrooms are available, but primitive (outhouses / privies). Bring your own food and drink, or you can stop in one of the towns along the way to eat. Water from the pumps on site is not potable, but suitable for washing or cooling off tired feet. Bring sunscreen as there isn't much shade along the trails. Take our Virtual Tour (below) to see conditions and facilities at the site, to help you prepare for your visit.

Are you REALLY into Reptiles and Amphibians? - Then have we got a project for you! Check out the Manitoba Herps Atlas.

There are restaurants in Teulon and Inwood, and general stores and gas stations in Teulon, Inwood, Narcisse and Poplarfield.

Wheel Chair Accessible Site Manitoba Conservation has done a great job of making this site wheel chair accessible! (See the Virtual Tour below.)

Fall Viewing

The snakes return to the denning area from their summer feeding grounds in late August and September. If you can't get out in the spring, try making the trip in autumn. Snake numbers can be quite impressive on warm sunny days until the end of September.

If you rely on us for information about the Snake Dens please consider a donation to help keep this site on-line. Thanks!

Update: October 20, 2022

The fall snake viewing season is over, check back in the spring of 2023. Have a great winter.

If you do visit the dens please send a report of the conditions, so we can let others know, thanks.

A new media information package is available (link on the left).

If you need a "snake fix" check out our videos:

Snake Den Videos

Previous 2022 updates can be viewed here.

To see how things unfolded in previous years follow this link: Previous Years at the Dens.

If you're after more snake den info (please check the FAQ's first) or want to share your experiences with Manitoba's garter snakes, drop us a line at:

Email NatureNorth

For Google Earth users, here's a KML file of the locations of the Narcisse Snake Dens. (Right click and "Save as". )

You can get more info directly from Manitoba Conservation at their website: The Snakes of Narcisse.

(Thanks to Pauline Bloom, Manitoba Sustainable Development for the update information.)

Help Support NatureNorth - This page has been viewed more than 300,000 times! We're helping lots of people in Manitoba, across North America, and around the world learn about our garter snakes; and plan trips to see them! You can help keep NatureNorth on-line: Click here to make a donation.

Want your ad to be seen 30,000 times each year?
Contact us at: Email NatureNorth.com.

For some great information on Manitoba's red-sided garter snakes and the Narcisse Snake Dens check out the U-Haul Super Graphics website.

Click the "Learn More" button at the U-Haul site.

And check out this National Geographic article: Amazing Video: Inside the World's Largest Gathering of Snakes

Take a Virtual Tour of the Snake Dens

If you can't make it to the Snake Dens or want to get ready for what you'll find when you do go, then take our Virtual Snake Den Tour. Just click the map to the right.

Before you head out, check the weather
for the Interlake region at this link:
Weather for Gimli, Manitoba.
Gimli is about 30 km east of the Narcisse Snake Dens.

Snake Den Videos

See what you're missing if you don't visit the Narcisse Snake Dens! We've added more snake videos. Watch our videos on our new dedicated Snake Videos Page.

Wildlife Haven
Rehabilitation Centre

Here's how things have been going this year:

October 10, 2022

The next week or so will likely be your last chance to see snakes this year. Warm sunny days might make the snakes active, but they will head down the dens for good pretty soon.

October 1, 2022

Folks are reporting seeing good numbers of snakes this last week. Sunny, warm days are best for viewing. Trails are reported to be dry now. It won't be long before the cold weather will send the snakes down into the dens for good though.

June 3, 2022

The recent rains have re-flooded the Narcisse Snake Dens. The viewing platforms and trails are covered in water once again. The water is slowly draining away but it is unknown whether there will be any snake viewing opportunities this coming weekend.

May 27, 2022

With the warmer weather this week, the snakes have been slowly increasing their activity and are continuing to emerge from their winter dens. All the dens are now fully accessible and the trails have dried out, with the exception of Den 2 which remains underwater and is inaccessible at this time. Warm, sunny days are best for viewing snakes. With the rain in the forecast, this weekend won’t be great for viewing snakes.

May 25, 2022

Note from a visitor to the dens on May 24: only 3 snakes seen! That's surprising and a little concerning, even given the horrible spring we've had. Hopefully the snakes are just really late getting going.

The snakes of Narcisse continue to be slow to emerge due to the cold weather. However, all the dens, except for Den 2, are now free of water. With the warmer weather forecast for the long weekend, the snakes should start to increase their activity and emerge from their winter dens. The trails are still soft and are covered in water in some places. Rubber boots are necessary! Warm, sunny days are best for viewing snakes.

May 19, 2022

May 13, 2022

Snake season is slowly starting. Den 3 is now clear of water and the snakes are starting to emerge. Dens 1, 2 and 4 remain under water and are not accessible at this time. The trails are still soft and are covered in water in some places. Rubber boots are necessary if you choose to visit!

May 10, 2022

The Narcisse Snake Dens are still in early spring condition. Snake activity has yet to start. The entire site is very wet. The trails are soft and not suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, or walkers. Watch for updates here, snake activity should commence soon.

May 4, 2022

The late spring and recent flooding have left the Narcisse Snake Dens in early spring condition. There are large snow drifts over many of the trails and the trail to Den 2 is covered in over a foot of water. The trails are soft and not suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, or walkers. The Mother’s Day weekend is approaching and the weather looks beautiful however, the snakes will not be out to enjoy it quite yet.

May 1, 2022

Next weekend includes Mother's Day, traditionally prime time for snake viewing. The current forecast of sunny, warm weather for the Mother's Day weekend should result in some snake activity, but the peak of emergence is likely to occur around the middle of May this year.

April 25, 2022

Wow, what a late spring we're having in Manitoba, fresh snow on the ground on April 25! The best snake viewing is likely to be well into the middle of May!

Mother's Day, May 8 this year, won't likely be the peak of viewing as it often is.

April 13, 2022

The cold weather and the April blizzard means the snakes will be sleeping a bit longer this spring. Hopefully they'll get stirring in May.

April 7, 2022

Spring is already late this year. Odds are it will be mid-May before there is good snake viewing. We'll keep you posted!

January 25, 2022

The snakes are still sleeping happily below ground. Check back here in late March for spring updates.

Check the updates above or check out our FAQs.

To see how things unfolded in previous years follow this link: Previous Years at the Dens.

Help out NatureNorth!

If you enjoyed this article, videos and our virtual tour of the snake dens, please consider making a donation to help us create more great articles. Thanks for your support!

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Are you into reptiles and amphibians? Then check out NatureNorth's Herps Atlas Project.

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