The route from Rennie to Big Whiteshell Lake was originally constructed in the thirties, when workers from the Manitoba Home for Boys at Portage Le.

Prairie attempted to cut a road through the Whiteshell Forest Reserve from Rennie to Green Lake.

The provincial government offered a 118 acres (48 ha) tract of land at the southern end of Big Whiteshell Lake, and Camp Alloway was established.

[2] The lake is a popular local tourist destination for fishing, hiking, and other summer activities.

Manitoba entertainer Larry Clark, better known under his pseudonym Uncle Smokey, composed several novelty campfire songs while working in a fire lookout tower on Big Whiteshell Lake.