A spokesperson for Manitoba Parks says this will probably be the best long weekend of the summer to try getting a campsite. 

Elisabeth Ostrop is Manager of Recreation and Education Services. She says the May long weekend is the unofficial start of summer within provincial parks. 

Ostrop says the normal camping season officially begins today for all campgrounds in the province. Having said that, there are two campgrounds in northern Manitoba that are temporarily closed due to wildfires nearby. Campgrounds in Bakers Narrows and Grass River provincial parks are closed until at least May 27th.

Ostrop says the number of campsite bookings for this long weekend is comparable to recent years. She notes camping is weather-dependent, particularly at this time of year, which could be the reason why there is still availability.

"There are still campsites available pretty much everywhere, even at Falcon and West Hawk or St. Malo," notes Ostrop. "But it can be difficult to find cabins, yurts, or campsites with higher levels of service for the long weekend."

However, Ostrop notes campers do change their minds and encourages people to check their website for last-minute cancellations in case there is a full-service site they have been eyeing. 

According to Ostrop, camping numbers have started to level off. She notes that during the pandemic, campgrounds "were the only game in town," as there was very little else that Manitobans were allowed to do. As a result, campgrounds and provincial parks suddenly became very busy. This trend continued for a few years. Ostrop says numbers are now starting to go down.

"There has been a drop in reservations that get made on opening days or even overall throughout the camping season," says Ostrop. "I would say they're still on the higher side, but they are approaching normal, so they are coming down from those pandemic years."

As mentioned, wildfires have placed restrictions on provincial parks and campgrounds in other parts of the province. Ostrop says the situation in southeastern Manitoba is quite different from what it has been in recent years and what they had been fearing. Unlike some other years in recent memory, the province has not closed trails or placed burning restrictions in the Whiteshell Provincial Park, due to dry conditions. Ostrop says the situation is much different from what they were anticipating in winter.

Meanwhile, for those visiting a provincial park this weekend, Ostrop reminds visitors that it is tick season and to inspect themselves, their children and their pets after spending time outdoors. She asks people to be responsible around water and to wear a life jacket when boating. Ostrop reminds people to only build a campfire in an approved fire pit and to never leave it unattended. And finally, she tells people to enjoy the outdoors.

"It's a great time of year to get outdoors and start creating new memories with family and friends," she says. "If the place you like to go to is full, try someplace different."