N.W.T. and Yukon campgrounds open for the season
Most Yukon campgrounds and campgrounds in southern N.W.T. are now open for the season.
Yukon campgrounds are open this year from May 16 to Sept. 8. In N.W.T., all parks except those in the Inuvik region opened May 15.
Eric Schroff, Parks branch manager for Environment Yukon, says more people are using its campgrounds. He says, last year, there was an increase in the number of people using each campsite. He says that indicates more families are camping and they're staying longer.
Schroff also says campgrounds are being used longer in the season.
"This long weekend basically through Labour Day weekend, that is the high season, if you will. But what we are also seeing is an increase in the number of visitors to our campgrounds in what we call the shoulder seasons from early May to the long weekend and from Labour Day through into October, if we have a good fall."
Schroff says all campgrounds are being serviced but at some locations campers are being asked to use wood carefully.
Schroff says heavy snow and high winds damaged trees in a few campgrounds.
The only Yukon campgrounds that are not open yet are at Quiet Lake on the South Canol and the Tombstone backcountry campgrounds.
In N.W.T., campgrounds in the Beaufort Delta region open June 1.
