Campgrounds see an increase in bookings as the summer weather approaches
The demand is high just two days into this year’s camping season.
“There won’t be enough campsites this year for people wanting to camp in Ontario,” says Camping in Muskoka owner Paul Cook.
Many are eager to get outdoors after two years of pandemic restrictions.
Camping in Muskoka, previously known as KOA Gravenhurst, opened its campground last week, and it hasn’t taken long for slots to start booking up.
“Every long weekend for the summer is already reserved. We have no sites left for every long weekend,” says Cook.
Cook says there are no restrictions this year, which means the campsite can run at full capacity and extra facilities like the pool can open for the first time in years. However, he says staffing is still an issue.
“We’re at half the staff that we would have during the summer when we get going, and I haven’t had many people apply for jobs,” adds Cook.
It’s a similar scene over at KOA Holiday Barrie.
“I think we could have a record year for sure. Based on the reservations we have already, it looks like it’s trending that way,” says Manager Josh Kuiack.
The campground is already half full with the warm weather the past few days.
Campers and staff feel that this summer will be a return to normalcy.
“We have a lot of campers that come every year, so it’s nice to see the ones that were kinda nervous with COVID. It’s nice to see them back and getting the big crowds up again,” says Kuiack.
KOA is fully booked out for the May long weekend and has limited spots left for the rest of the summer.
So if you’re thinking of booking, campsite officials say it’s best to do so as soon as possible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.