The Ojibway people and various other groups before them initially populated the area. The Ojibway, or Anishinaabe, first mapped some of the area on birch bark. The name of the park is derived from the cowrie shells that were used in ceremonies by the Ojibway, Anishinaabe, and Midewiwin. The historic Winnipeg River and the Whiteshell River are the main rivers that run through this remote park and wilderness area. For thousands of years aboriginal peoples used the area for harvesting wild rice, hunting, fishing, trade, and dwelling. In 1734, Louis-Joseph Gaultier de La Verendrye was the first European to explore the area during his quest for a route to the Western Sea. Natives, fur traders, and trappers used the Winnipeg River as the main travel route across Canada, along with the White shell River.
White shell Park has many pink granite ridges, cliffs, and flat granite areas used for petroformmaking by First Nation peoples. There is also archaeological evidence of ancient copper trading, prehistoric quartz mining, and stone tool making in the area. The copper trade, going east to Lake Superior, began approximately 6000 years ago. Many artefacts and prehistoric camps were discovered in the White shell Park and are protected under the Heritage Act of Manitoba.
Around 1920, the development of roads brought vacationers into the White shell area. The first summer cottages were close to the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Canadian National Railway. A decade later, the province of Manitoba established the White shell Forest Reserve. Further roadwork continued, linking the reserve to Ontario in the east and campgrounds and picnic sites further north. In 1961, White shell was given Provincial Park status and was set aside for future generations to enjoy. A Manitoba Historical Plaque was erected at the White shell Provincial Park by the province to commemorate Dawson Road's role in Manitoba's heritage
