La Salle, Manitoba: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
La Salle is a growing river community in Manitoba’s Central Manitoba region, within the Rural Municipality of Macdonald. It sits on the La Salle River south of Winnipeg, with a French parish history, recreation facilities, golf, river-country housing growth and an easy drive from the capital region.
A first visit should stay practical: walk the community core, use the recreation grounds, check the golf course, and understand the river and rail history that shaped the settlement before recent growth made La Salle a larger bedroom community.
How La Salle Started
The RM of Macdonald’s community history explains that La Salle’s recorded settlement story began with CPR track construction through the area in 1882. The Roman Catholic Church purchased land on the north shore of the La Salle River, and the parish of St.-Hyacinthe of La Salle became a defining institution.
French families from Quebec arrived in the early 1890s. The same history notes that the St.-Hyacinthe School District was formed in 1891, the Maison Chapelle followed, and by the early 1900s the community had a post office, store and grain elevator.
Farming shaped early life. The La Salle area had fertile soil, and settlers raised livestock, broke land with oxen and horses, and later adopted steam power and mechanized equipment as farm technology changed.
What La Salle Is Like Today
La Salle is the largest urban centre in the RM of Macdonald. The RM’s community page says La Salle has a population of 3,406 based on the 2021 Census and identifies the community as an active, growing place with businesses and recreation facilities.
For travellers, La Salle’s appeal is local and convenient. It is close to Winnipeg, but the river, recreation grounds, community hall, rink, curling rink, sports fields and golf course make it feel like a separate rural-municipal centre rather than an outer city neighbourhood.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Start with the recreation area. The RM of Macdonald lists a community hall, curling rink, hockey rink, soccer fields, football field and baseball diamonds among La Salle’s facilities. Local events and sports schedules can make the community much busier than its size suggests.
Golf is the clearest visitor activity. Kingswood Golf and Country Club is an 18-hole course in La Salle with grass greens, a clubhouse and event services. Confirm tee times and seasonal conditions before planning around it.
The La Salle River is the community’s physical anchor. It gives the town its setting and helps explain the parish, school and farming development along the north shore. Use public roads and recreation areas for river views, and respect private residential lots along the water.
Quick Facts
- Province: Manitoba
- Region: Central Manitoba
- Municipality type: Community in the Rural Municipality of Macdonald
- 2021 population: 3,406 according to RM of Macdonald community data
- Official website: https://www.rmofmacdonald.com/
- Main travel areas: La Salle recreation grounds, Kingswood Golf and Country Club, La Salle River, community hall and sports facilities
- Key routes: PR 247, PR 330 and local roads south of Winnipeg
Travel Notes
La Salle is easiest by car from Winnipeg or the Perimeter Highway. Recreation facilities and golf operations depend on bookings, seasons and events. Riverbank areas include private property, so stick to public access points and community facilities unless invited onto private land.