Campers interested in reserving a provincial park campsite can start making bookings at 7:30 a.m., Monday, April 2, as Manitoba’s Parks Reservation Service opens for the season. This announcement was made by Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh.
“Whether it’s yurts, cabins or just a campsite, we have some of the lowest rates in Canada and that, along with the beauty of Manitoba’s provincial parks and campgrounds, is a great combination,” said Mackintosh. “As well we are offering liquor-free camping this season in select camping bays at Grand Beach and Birds Hill provincial parks to create more opportunities for a quieter camping experience.”
New and recent capital improvements to Manitoba parks include:
• the recently opened new campground at Winnipeg Beach,
• a lake improvement project at Birds Hill and a boardwalk expansion at Grand Beach,
• design of a campground expansion for Paint Lake,
• construction of new yurts at Childs Lake,
• construction set to begin on a new park centre building with an observation tower at Duff Roblin,
• improved water and waste-water facilities in several parks,
• new washroom and shower facilities in a number of parks, and
• improvements to trails in several parks.
A number of provincial parks, including Spruce Woods Provincial Park, were affected by flooding last year. Complete damage assessments of the parks are expected in coming months.
“We are working to make sure the restoration of these parks will make them better than ever,” said Mackintosh. “Campsites will be available this season in Spruce Woods’ upper campground. We have also opened trail access to the Spirit Sands and Epinette Creek areas. Access to the campground off of PTH 5 will be restored. And the pedestrian bridge, beach area, Pine Fort and interpretive centre will all be available there later this summer. When we are done, it will be a premier camping destination.”
The Parks Reservation Service is the most popular way to book campsites in Manitoba’s provincial parks, said Mackintosh. In 2011, a record 64,268 reservations were booked and over 70 per cent of total reservations were made online.
During the first two weeks of the booking period, a number of campgrounds offer select sites that require a seven-night minimum reservation including a Sunday to Sunday stay. The campgrounds that offer these sites are Birds Hill, Camp Morton, Grand Beach, Stephenfield, Big Whiteshell, Brereton, Falcon Beach, Falcon Lakeshore, Hecla/Gull Harbour, Nutimik, Otter Falls, Opapiskaw, St. Malo, West Hawk, Bakers Narrows, Campers Cove, Paint Lake Asessippi and Childs Lake.
Campsite reservations can be made at www.manitobaparks.com or by calling 1-888-482-2267 (toll free) or 204 948-3333. Customers are encouraged to confirm online user names and passwords a few days prior to making reservations. For customers who require in-person reservation assistance, the call centre is located on the third floor, 421 Mulvey Ave., just off Osborne Street in Winnipeg.
General information or assistance with forgotten passwords is also available through the call centre at 1-888-482-2267.
