Campgrounds at Saskatchewan’s provincial parks are now open with many expected, despite the cool weather, to spend some time enjoying the great outdoors over the long weekend.
With campsites now available, the government is reminding you of some restrictions.
Those restrictions include a ban on alcohol and cannabis to ensure parks are a place that everyone can enjoy. Cottages, rental cabins and any business facilities serving liquor in licensed establishments in parks are not affected.
A number of parks also have fire restrictions due to dry conditions. Approved self-contained portable gas devices will be permitted for heating and cooking purposes. An up-to-date list of all affected parks can be found at https://saskparks.com.
Camping is proving to be popular with people as the province says over 43 and a half thousand nightly, group and seasonal reservations were made during the reservation launch ,which was an increase of 110 per cent compared to the 2020 bookings (*only 50 per cent of sites were available due to COVID restrictions) and an increase of 65 per cent compared to the 2019 bookings.
Campers are reminded if they have made a campsite reservation in advance and have received and displayed their entry permit, to proceed directly to their campsite and they will be automatically checked in. Park visitors coming out for just the day can purchase entry in advance online at https://saskparks.com.
Though most weekends during the summer months filled up quickly, there are still plenty of campsites available throughout the weekdays this summer, or in to September. Those who were unable to reserve their desired site are encouraged to check back to the reservation system often as changes and cancellations do happen and sites may become available. Also, new this year, a feature called ‘Camping this Weekend’ will help campers find a last minute spot.
With camping season here, the provincial government announced $90.5 million worth of construction work will be done at a number of campgrounds to improve roads, boat launches and other projects.
Visitors to Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park will notice work has already begun to repave the access road leading to the park, the Underwood campground loops, the boat launch and parking lot. Access roads leading to Good Spirit Lake and Danielson Provincial Park will also be repaved. Work is also happening at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park; Katepwa Provincial Park and Douglas Provincial Park.
These investments will improve boat launches, parking lots, park roads and pathways and campground areas. Work to pave the park loops at Douglas Provincial Park has already been completed.
