Campsite bookings double at provincial parks

Looking to book a summer camping trip at an Ontario provincial park? In some cases, it may already be too late.

Ontario Parks has seen an almost 100-per-cent increase in reservations in 2021 as people search for solace from the pandemic in the great outdoors.

According to the Ontario Parks website, campers have made 58,475 reservations already for July and August, up from 29,504 for the same period in 2020.

Private campgrounds are also seeing a surge of interest.

“We have never seen this before, ever,” said Alexandra Anderson, executive director of Camping in Ontario. Its members are privately and publicly owned small campground businesses.

“December was quiet, but as soon as January hit it was extremely busy once again,” Anderson said.

Ontario Parks has recommended that campers try a different park if their first choice isn't available. The most popular provincial parks are Algonquin, Killbear, Pinery, Sandbanks, and Bon Echo. Attempting to book at a smaller provincial park improves the odds of getting a spot.

“I think these bookings have increased because it's an extremely safe way to have a vacation during COVID. If you're in an RV, you're using your own washroom; most sites have at least a six-foot barrier in between them. You can walk around your campsite without having to worry about wearing a mask. It's a very safe option for people,” Anderson said.

“Some campgrounds haven't released summer inventory yet, so there's more to come. The provincial parks open up a new section every month. There's still availability. Look to go between Monday and Friday to secure a spot.”

The parks reservation system opens daily at 7 a.m., and booking five months in advance of the first day of your trip is recommended.

Many people won't get their first choice, but cancellations sometimes occur, “many at the last minute,” says the website, so it's worth checking back.

As well, spring and fall are sometimes the most beautiful seasons, while top-quality cabins and campsites sometimes sit empty during the week.

For more information on provincial parks, visit ontarioparks.com/ parksblog/ontario-parks-reservation-tips.

For other campgrounds, visit campinginontario.ca.