Heading into the May long weekend, the vast majority of Lakeland campsites have been scooped up and fully booked across the region, including municipal and provincial sites as weekend temperatures are forecasted to hit highs of 18 to 20 Celsius.
Campsites in the St. Paul area are 96 per cent booked for the Victoria Day long weekend, with availability shifting slightly as some reservations are cancelled and quickly rebooked, said Tim Mahdiuk, the director of Community Services for the County of St. Paul.
Currently, Floating Stone Lake has that municipality’s most available spots … with just four sites left unspoken for.
Across the densely forested region, known for its natural tourism attractions, municipal and provincial officials appreciate the demand for their outdoor amenities.
“We don’t want to deter people from booking as people’s plans change and there are always cancellations popping up,” said Diane Jenkinson, the marketing and communications manager with the Municipal District of Bonnyville, adding a little hint for those looking for a possible last-minute opening. “People's best bet is to continue checking campsite reservations online to find up-to-date information on municipally-run facilities across the Lakeland area.”
Long line for long weekends
The May Long Weekend isn’t the only extended calendar date generating interest. With many Albertans remaining in the province this summer due to COVID-19 pandemic measures and travel bans, most dates that fall on long weekends have already been reserved for the majority of the camping season at most popular municipal campsites, says Jenkinson — again offering a helpful tip to those looking to experience the Lakeland area.
“We are trying to encourage people to consider midweek camping, so that they still have the chance to enjoy the outdoors at our facilities,” she said.
In the Bonnyville area, the only available campsites available as of Thursday afternoon are located at Wolf Lake, Muriel Lake and Chicken Hill Lake.
Typically Wolf Lake would be fully booked for a long weekend, but due to prolonged fishing restrictions that are in effect until June 1 at this location, sites still remain available. Jenkinson said fishing tourism remains a big reason for people to visit the region that is known for its hundreds of lakes.
“People go where the fish are,” she adds, but explains that other natural attractions draw visitors to the area as well.
Wolf Lake is great for backcountry camping, says Jenkinson. It gives you an intimate boreal experience as the forest begins to wake up and as migrating birds find their summer homes.
Lakeland Provincial Campgrounds full
Reservable campsites in the Lakeland region’s provincial parks are fully booked for the Victoria Day long weekend, said Luc Nowicki, the regional director for Alberta Environment and Parks.
However, first-come first-serve sites may still have available spaces for campers who can get out early and claim a spot at Touchwood Lake, Ironwood Lake and Seibert Lake, he adds.
Individual provincial campsites can only be reserved 90 days in advance.
May long local enforcement
This weekend there will be an increased presence of RCMP in the Lakeland region. Many local RCMP detachments in the area will be focused on impaired driving, motorcycle safety and traffic enforcement through rolling check stops
Lac La Biche’s RCMP detachment will be patrolling with the County Peace Officer program supporting the National Traffic Initiative for May Long Weekend.
The Lac La Biche detachment will also be monitoring the “Old Conklin Road” as it is a popular spot for Crown land camping.
Camping with Public Health Measures
As most campsites across Lakeland have been scooped by outdoor enthusiast, municipal and provincial officials are reminding weekenders that Alberta Public Health Orders are in still affect, and that not everything will be camping as usual.
All group campsites have been closed at provincial and municipal campgrounds, as well as public shower facilities and onsite gazeboes that will remain closed as long as provincial Public Health Orders prohibit outdoor gatherings that consist of more than five people and a maximum of two household cohorts.
As travelers head into the St. Paul region for their weekend getaway Mahdiuk says, “Every site at each park allows for campers to be spaced out and should provide adequate social distancing requirements.”
“Our caretakers will be provided with the contact number to Public Heath if there are any complaints from users at our facilities,” Mahdiuk adds.
Meanwhile, provincial campgrounds will be monitored by Conservation Officers who will be making sure park users are adhering all guidelines provincial park guidelines, including those related to current public health restrictions.
Alberta Environment and Parks personnel are asking recreational users to bring a facemasks with them for times when social distancing is not possible, and to remember to wash or sanitize hands after using high-touch shared amenities such as boat launches, bear bins, water fills and dumping stations.
