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
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Closing arguments heard in trial for Sask. dad accused of abducting daughter
Closing arguments were heard Thursday morning in the case of Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter in 2021 to keep her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.