Manitoba’s parks reservation service continues to be a very popular method of booking individual campsites, Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie said, adding that by noon, there were 11,751 reservations compared with 11,371 at noon on opening day in 2010. He noted 96 per cent of reservations occurred online.
“This made-in-Manitoba system went into service four years ago and provides an efficient, web-based booking service to allow people to enjoy summers in our beautiful parks,” said Blaikie. “Campers will see significant improvements to provincial campgrounds this summer including exciting new and expanded campgrounds at Winnipeg Beach, Rivers and Wellman Lake.”
In 2006, the first year of the new system, 47,870 bookings were made in total. Last year, 62,745 bookings were made in total.
So far this season, 14,406 provincial park cabins, yurts, group-use sites and campsites have been booked. Cabin, yurt and group-use reservations have been available since the first Monday in February.
Most campgrounds open May 14 in Manitoba and again this year there will be no park entry fees and no park vehicle permits required, Blaikie said. The May long weekend, May 20 to 23, will be another liquor-free weekend. Due to weather-related delays, occupancy of campsites at Kiche Manitou Campground in Spruce Woods Provincial Park will be delayed until June 17, and until June 10 at St. Ambroise Provincial Park Campground.
For reservations, online go to www.manitobaparks.com. Reservations may also be made over the phone by calling toll-free 1-888-4U2-CAMP (1-888-482-2267) or in Winnipeg at 948-3333.
