NatureNorth's - Narcisse Snake Dens, Snake Log 2010

Spring Viewing Season 2010

Thinking of a trip to see the world famous red-sided garter snakes of Narcisse? Stay up to date with the action at the snake dens by checking here regularly. The spring viewing season is over for 2010, but stay in touch for the fall return of the snakes. Check the updates on the right.

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.

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 autum. Snake numbers can be quite impressive on warm sunny days until the end of September.

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Update: June 9, 2010

That's all folks, show's over for this year. But there's always next year!

And don't forget that the snakes come back in the fall!

Check back here for updates.

Check out our new snake video!

Small Snake

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

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.

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

(Thanks to Dave Roberts, Manitoba Conservation for the update information.)

Are you into reptiles and amphibians? Then check out the Manitoba Herps Atlas Project.
Do some citizen science and help conserve Manitoba's natural heritage!

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.

Snakes Alive Video!

See what you're missing if you don't vist the Narcisse Snake Dens. Watch the video:

Here's how things have been going this year:

May 31, 2010

The snakes are dispersing from the Narcisse Snake Dens and as a result the viewing season will likely be finished by this week.

May 27, 2010

Things are winding down at the Narcisse Snake Dens for the 2010 spring emergence. There will be a few snakes around, but the best viewing is over for this year.

May 21, 2010

The snake emergence at the Narcisse Snake Dens is still going strong, but don't wait much longer if you want to see snakes. This warm weather will bring the snakes out fast.

May 14, 2010

The snake emergence at the Narcisse Snake Dens is in full swing! It is anticipated that good viewing will continue through the May long weekend.

May 11, 2010

There ougt to be great snake viewing later this week and through the weekend if the current forecast holds! Sunny and 20C+ temps will bring the snakes out.

May 6, 2010

The snake emergence has commenced at the Narcisse Snake Dens, however the present cool temperatures are keeping the numbers quite low. It is anticipated that the snake emergence will gain momentum once we return to more seasonal temperature.

May 2, 2010

Snake activity has not commenced at the Narcisse Snake Dens. The recent rains should help get the snakes going, once the temperatures improve again.

April 23, 2010

Only a handful of snakes have emerged thus far. It is anticipated that snake activity will start to pick up by next weekend.

April 22, 2010

Snakes are just beginning to emerge in other dens further south in the Interlake, so it will be a while yet before there is good viewing at the Narcisse Dens. Early May should be a good time for a visit.

April 21, 2010

Despite the early spring, the snakes have not yet started emerging from their winter dens. (Though the snow has been gone a while now, it still takes a long time for the temperatures below ground to reach "snake-operating" temperature.)

April 13, 2010

Despite the early return of spring, the snakes have not yet started to emerge from their winter dens. It is anticipated that the snake emergence may commence by the weekend of April 17th and 18th if the weather remains temperate.

April 8, 2010

Manitoba Conservation reports that no snakes have been seen yet at the dens. It's likely that emergence will begin soon, though.

April 3, 2010

It's been warm earlier this week, now it's cool again. Things should get going soon though, especially on sunny days, but we're a ways from prime emergence yet.

March 24, 2010

Have you looked outside today? Of course there's no snake action yet. It's white again! After what seemed like a very early spring, things have gone back to a more normal pace. But the forecast for next week is for warm weather again, so it may not be long before the snakes start to poke above ground.

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Here's how events unfolded last year:

September 16, 2009

There are lots of snakes to see at the dens right now. Viewing is best at Den #2 and Den #3. Activity should continue until at least the end of September. Warmer, sunny days are best for snake viewing in the fall.

September 10, 2009

The red-sided garter snakes have started returning to the Narcisse Snake Dens. The best viewing location is at Den 2. Warmer, sunny days are best for snake viewing in the fall.

May 26, 2009

The spring viewing season has come to an end at the Narcisse Snake Dens. The snakes will be returning to the denning area from their summer feeding grounds in late August and early September. We encourage you to make the trip to the Dens this coming autumn. Snake numbers can be quite impressive on warm sunny days until the end of September.

May 22, 2009

Snake activity at the Narcisse Snake Dens is declining quickly, with only a few hundred snakes on site now. It is anticipated that the spring snake viewing season will be completely finished after the weekend of the 23rd & 24th.

May 19, 2009

The level of snake activity at the Narcisse Snake Dens is starting to decline, however, it is anticipated that some snakes will be on site until at least the weekend of May 23rd and 24th. Visitors are reminded that warm sunny days are better for snake viewing.

May 13, 2009

There's still great snake viewing this week, if you go on a sunny day. The coming long weekend should be good for snake action if the forecast holds and we get sunny weather.

May 7, 2009

Snake emergence and mating activity is high with about 20,000 snakes doing their thing among the four active dens. It is anticipated that the emergence will continue to increase over the next week, with the peak around May 13th to 15th.

May 4, 2009

This will be a great snake-viewing week! Warm temperatures will have the dens hopping on sunny days. The coming weekend could be prime time!

April 28, 2009

Despite the cool temperatures, the snake emergence at the Narcisse Snake Dens is well underway, with about 5,000 – 8,000 snakes active among the 4 dens on site. The site is now dry enough to tour without the need for rubber boots.

April 25, 2009

Activity is increasing at the Narcisse Snake Dens with approximately 800 – 1000 snakes dispersed among the three most southerly dens. The area is drying up nicely, but rubber boots are still advised for those wishing to visit the site this weekend.

April 20, 2009

Manitoba Conservation reports that things are finally getting going at the Narcisse Snake Dens. A handful of snakes were seen at Den 1. The area is extremely wet; rubber boots will likely be required to tour the area for at least a week or more depending on the weather.

April 14, 2009

Well, the snow is FINALLY melting, but it's going to take while before the ground thaws enough for the snakes to start coming out. Be patient!

April 7, 2009

It's going to be another late spring! Still lots of snow on the ground and temperatures not heading for double digits until the weekend. Should be another couple of weeks at least before any real snake action.

March 24, 2009

It's still March! Of course there's no snake action yet! But it won't be long until all that amazing slithering is going on again. What would be even more amazing is if we here at NatureNorth.com can get off our butts and get the rest of our new snake den section up online! Sorry for the delay. Be sure to check back for more stuff later and to keep track of what's going on at the snake dens for 2009.

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

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