[3] The park protects areas representative of the Lake of the Woods Ecoregion within the Boreal Shield ecozone.

[4]: 198  The park's protection also specifically extends to the Tie Creek basin, an area of great spiritual significance to Indigenous peoples.

The name of the park is derived from the cowrie shells that were used in ceremonies by the Anishinaabe, including the Ojibway, and among them the Midewiwin practitioners.

For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples used the area for harvesting wild rice, hunting, fishing, trade, ceremonies, teaching, and dwelling.

There is also archaeological evidence of ancient copper trading, prehistoric quartz mining, and stone tool making in the area.

Many artifacts and prehistoric camps were discovered in Whiteshell Provincial Park and are protected under the Heritage Act of Manitoba.

Further roadwork continued, linking the reserve to Ontario in the east and campgrounds and picnic sites further north.

Visitors to the park who are not interested in camping can choose to rent a cottage or cabin or stay in a lodge or resort.

[14] The northern portion of the park may be accessed by road from the west via PR 307 at Seven Sisters Falls or Highway 44 at Rennie.

[6] The Whiteshell Natural History Museum, opened in 1960 and located in a log building, features mounted wildlife displays of local animals.

Other displays include the boreal forest, Canadian Indigenous peoples, petroforms, sturgeon and the Winnipeg River.

[17] The Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary and Interpretive Centre is located at PTH 44, slightly east of Rennie.

[18] Falcon Lake has two provincially operated campgrounds, a beach, golf course, ski resort, riding stables and many other tourist services.

Whiteshell Provincial Park is home to a variety of large mammals including black bear, moose, white-tailed deer, timber wolf and lynx.

The birds in the park include owls, bald eagles, ruby throated hummingbirds, chickadees, blue jays, grosbeaks, turkey vultures, redpolls, woodpeckers, osprey, loons, ruffed grouse, ducks and Canada geese.