Ontario Parks: A Battle for Campsites

With construction delays, a new campground on hold, and unprecedented demand, Ontarians are increasingly frustrated with a campsite reservation system many deem unfair. As travel costs rise and the allure of domestic vacations grows, securing a spot in Ontario’s beloved provincial parks has become a competitive sport.

A riverside campsite at Bonnechere Provincial Park, a less busy option near Algonquin.

The Reservation Rush

Sandra McGrath, like many Ontarians, found herself awake before dawn, poised to snag a campsite at Bonnechere Provincial Park five months in advance. Despite her preparation, the sites vanished almost instantly. The surge in interest in Ontario Parks shows no signs of slowing down, with visitor numbers surpassing 13.7 million last year – a 38% increase from pre-pandemic levels. Reserved campsite nights have jumped 77% in the last decade, and popular parks like Sandbanks, Killarney, and Long Point were at or near capacity last summer.

Delayed Expansion and Ongoing Construction

Hopes for relief rested on the province’s first new campground in 40 years, Bigwind Lake Provincial Park. However, two years after its announcement, the park remains largely undeveloped, with only stakes marking future campsites. While Ontario is adding 300 sites and upgrading electrical services at 800 others – a $60 million investment touted as the “most significant expansion of camping opportunities in 50 years” – ongoing construction has temporarily closed 900 existing sites across several parks, including Algonquin, Bon Echo, and Sandbanks.

Systemic Issues and Workarounds

Ontario Parks acknowledges the challenges and states they are “continually reviewing policies” and improving reservation tools, including availability notifications. However, campers continue to criticize the 7 a.m. rush and cancellation policies that incentivize holding onto unwanted sites. This frustration has led to innovative solutions, such as the Facebook group Ontario Parks Cancellations, created by Phil Damecour, which connects those needing to cancel with those seeking a booking. “The system is broken,” Damecour asserts, “and until they fix it, my site will exist.”

The Search for Alternatives

Securing a prime campsite – waterfront, near amenities – has always been difficult, but the move to a fully reservable system in 2019 has exacerbated the problem. Popular parks like Bon Echo, Algonquin, Sandbanks, Killbear, and the Pinery account for over half of all reservations made by late March. Ontario Parks recommends considering less-visited destinations, but for many, like McGrath, distance is a barrier. “A lot of the ones that aren’t so popular are six hours from us,” she explains, “and I’m not driving six hours with a six-year-old.”

Cancellation Policies and Potential Solutions

Ontario Parks’ cancellation policies are among the strictest in North America, charging 10-50% of the fee depending on the timing of the cancellation. Damecour argues that the lack of incentive to release reservations early, coupled with the practice of booking unwanted weekdays to secure weekends, contributes to the problem. McGrath has even proposed a lottery system with refundable holding fees as a potential solution, garnering significant support online.

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges, Ontario Parks offers tips for navigating the reservation system, such as using updated browsers and clearing cache. For McGrath, the dream of a lakeside campfire remains alive, and she remains optimistic about finding a spot. However, the process, she admits, is “always so stressful.”

Source: The Star