Cold Lake Provincial Park is one of three parks in a pilot program by the province to extend camping season into the end of this month.
The province says the program is being tested as demand for late-season camping has increased. Campgrounds in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park southeast of Medicine Hat and Saskatoon Island Provincial Park west of Grande Prairie are part of the test as well.
The program also saw Crimson Lake Provincial Park campground, northwest of Rocky Mountain House, open two weeks earlier on April 15th. The results will be evaluated once everything is wrapped up and decisions on extending the camping season in other parks next season will be made. This is the first time an extended season pilot program has been promoted in Alberta.
“Albertans love to camp, even when the summer season has officially come to an end. This is a way to extend the season on one of our favourite activities a little bit longer, and to enhance access to outdoor activities in some of the province’s most beautiful parks,” says Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks.
Camping is a booming industry in the province. Reservations on Reserve Alberta Parks are up by nearly 10 per cent to date with more than 155,000 bookings processed this past summer. This is the seventh year in a row where reservations have grown from the previous year.