About
Trail Development
The Three Creeks Trail System is an active transportation trail that welcomes all non-motorized transport, twelve months of the year, to explore the natural beauty and history of the area. Features include an Interpretive Centre, washrooms (outhouses) in several locations on the property, firepits and picnic tables for day-use, overlook platforms along the creek, benches and quiet places to rest and reflect, and way-finding and interpretive signage as you go. Development is on-going and visitors will see construction and new things being built as the seasons progress.
The Three Creeks Trail System (Phase 1) is being developed on NE 18-11-11 in the Municipality of North Norfolk (49.930657, -98.961304). From the Trans Canada Highway at Austin travel 2.4 kms (1 ½ miles) south on Highway 34 to Rd 63N, then .8 km (half mile) west to the Trailhead and Interpretive Centre.
An exciting development is the “Adventure Trail” which we intend to make all-accessible for wheelchair users and all things with wheels (strollers, scooters, walkers, and all mobility aids). The Adventure Trail will be under construction in 2026, hopefully open to all in 2027.
Outdoor Education is a priority at Three Creeks. School groups and tours are welcome! Kids enjoy the freedom of the bush trails, the colors of the seasons, studying the creek and its patterns different times of the year, bird watching, finding animal tracks, studying native plants and vegetation, and sitting by a fire roasting hotdogs…all in the name of education! Learning about the history of settlement of this area and the prairies is a bonus!
Three Creeks History
The Three Creeks Trails System is located on land originally homesteaded in the 1870’s by John McKinnon. His homestead was along the Fort Ellice Trail which was one of the major routes for travelers (indigenous peoples, homesteaders, hunters, traders, freighters) heading west. He opened his home and it became a Stopping House where travelers could pause to rest & feed themselves and their animals, and purchase supplies. As more settlers arrived a Post Office was established and the area became known as Three Creeks. McKinnon also erected a large bridge to ease the crossing over Squirrel Creek and charged a toll to all who crossed.
The community of Three Creeks had a short life span however, as the coming of the railroad to the north and the establishment of the town of Austin in 1881 diverted all travelers. Before the turn of the century the bridge was dismantled and the lumber used elsewhere. The historic sites of the Three Creeks Stopping House, McKinnon’s bridge, and visible portions of the Fort Ellice Trail are noted with interpretive signs along the walking trails.
Our Neighbours
The Three Creeks Trails System includes the Austin Cemetery which has been designated a Manitoba Historic Site. A Pioneer Memorial has been erected in the cemetery to honour the travelers of the Fort Ellice Trail and all those buried in unmarked graves along the trail.
The Three Creeks Trail System is located on land adjacent (across Highway 34) to the Manitoba Agricultural Museum which is dedicated to preserving the history of homesteaders and the original settlers of the area. The museum is located on the farm of another homesteader family, the Carrothers, and the Fort Ellice Trail is memorialized where it passed through there.