Camping in Sask. parks to cost more in 2017

Much of Saskatchewan might be in a deep freeze, but it’s time to think ahead to camping season.

People will be able to book their campsites starting in April.

But they will have to dig deeper into their pockets.

The province has unveiled price increases to nightly camping, seasonal camping, group camping, reservation, change and cancellation fees, and vehicle entry permits for 2017.

The province said this will help combat rising costs of operation and to provide a high level of service to an increasing number of visitors.

Price adjustments:

• $2-$4 for nightly camping
• $2-$10 for entry permits
• $8-$16 for group camping
• $113-$125 for season camping
• $2-$5 for reservation fees.
• The cost of swimming lessons and organized youth group camping trips will not change.

Booking parks can all be done online. Like last year, the province is staggering the launch of the parks over ten days and will use a queuing system to help manage the high volume of visitors on the web. 

The schedule for reservation launch is as follows:

• Tuesday, April 4: Blackstrap, Pike Lake
• Wednesday, April 5: Buffalo Pound, Danielson, Douglas
• Thursday, April 6: Echo Valley, Rowan’s Ravine
• Friday, April 7: Duck Mountain, Good Spirit Lake, Greenwater Lake
• Saturday, April 8: Crooked Lake, Moose Mountain
• Sunday, April 9: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
• Monday, April 10: The Battlefords, Saskatchewan Landing
• Tuesday, April 11: Meadow Lake
• Wednesday, April 12: Bronson Forest Recreation Site, Chitek Lake Recreation Site, Lac La Ronge, Makwa Lake
• Thursday, April 13: Candle Lake, Great Blue Heron, Narrow Hills

Registration will begin at 7 a.m. each day, with the queuing system starting at 6:40 a.m. Those in the queue before 7 a.m. will receive a random number. Those who try to get on to the site after 7 a.m. will be placed at the end of the line.

Applications for seasonal camping are now available.