After a year of being cooped up, and told to minimize travel, the prospects of spending some time at the lake might seem pretty good right about now. If you want to book a campsite, get ready, because the Ministry of Parks, Culture and sport is launching its new website for Saskatchewan provincial parks. Campers at those parks are now able to browse the new reservation website and create an account in preparation for the 2021 campsite reservation launch which opened on April 12.
“After many months of preparation, we are pleased to be able to release our new campsite reservation system to the public,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said in a release. “This reservation system offers new amenities to customers, and is quite different than past years. This is a great opportunity for campers to become familiar with the new system making their reservation process a smooth one in the coming weeks.”
The new reservation website can be accessed at www.parks.saskatchewan.canow. Customers who prefer to make a reservation via the call centre will still be able to do so by calling 1-833-775-7275.
Reservations begin at 7 a.m. each day - there is no longer a need to log on to the system 20 minutes early in order to be placed in the queue, the ministry said. The complete reservation schedule is as follows:
Reservations began on April 12 for all parks offering seasonal camping.
For nightly camping, and for group, equestrian and rec hall reservations, the dates are as follows:
• April 14 - Pike Lake, The Battlefords, Narrow Hills, Blackstrap
• April 16 - Bronson Forest, Meadow Lake, Makwa Lake, Lac La Ronge
• April 19 - Saskatchewan Landing, Douglas, Danielson
• April 20 - Buffalo Pound, Rowan's Ravine, Echo Valley, Crooked Lake
• April 21 - Cypress Hills
• April 22 - Duck Mountain, Good Spirit Lake, Greenwater Lake
• April 23 - Candle Lake, Great Blue Heron, Moose Mountain
Prior to reservations, campers can create a new account and review changes to the 2021 camping season. Campers can find tutorials and an overview of what will be offered this camping season at www.parks.saskatchewan.ca.
New this year, all vehicle entry permits are available for purchase online and through the call centre. Campers will see vehicle entry permits automatically added to their carts when they make their camping reservation.
Campers that purchase daily or weekly entry permits can now print permits from home and annual permits can be picked up in-park. By purchasing entry in advance, campers will be able to proceed directly to their campsite once they arrive in the park with Sask Parks' auto check-in function. This improvement will keep traffic moving through the entry gates on busy weekends, according to the ministry.
Signage is in place throughout the parks to remind visitors of the safety protocols and public health guidelines. Parks staff will be implementing enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures and minimizing in-park contact where possible.
