Northern campgrounds expect busy summer
Northern campgrounds expect busy summer
Campgrounds in the northeast and around the province are looking forward to a summer camping season largely free of COVID restrictions.
Camping in Ontario’s executive director, Alexandra Anderson, said campground owners aren't expecting quite the same camping boom experienced last year, as campers aimed to break free of their COVID fatigue.
But the provincial association said having fewer public health measures to account for makes preparing for this season less stressful.
"The owners are ecstatic. The last two years, they haven't been able to, for example, run any of the events," said Anderson.
"All the events are back, so they're able to welcome their guests into their campground, as they did pre-pandemic."
Timmins-based Big Water Campground is putting some final touches on its site, in preparation for what owner Forrest Tremblay hopes will be a busy season.
He said the site will have new lots this year, which he hopes will help accommodate the extra demand he saw in 2021.
"We're just hoping that interest continues, but seemingly it is," said Tremblay.
"Fewer restrictions make things a little bit easier, a little more seamless at the gate. A little bit easier for people to have guests, a little bit easier for our regular campers. That's something I think everyone's happy about."
Anderson said seasonal campgrounds like Big Water could see a larger turnout than others, due to a possible desire to vacation in one spot, in response to rising gas prices.
She said other campgrounds will likely experience a more relaxed season, as COVID fatigue winds down.
"This year, they're actually going to be pleasantly surprised that they're able to go, maybe, to their favourite campground that they haven't been able to go to for the last two years," Anderson said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Person of interest identified in Chicago-area July 4 parade shooting that left 6 dead
Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen said Monday afternoon that police have identified 22-year-old Robert E. Crimo III as a person of interest and cautioned he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Former Sask. premier Brad Wall gave strategic advice to key convoy organizer
Former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall was in contact with a key organizer of the Freedom Convoy anti-mandate protest, providing strategic advice before and after the Ottawa occupation began, according to court records obtained by CTV News.
Daughter of Toronto Blue Jays coach killed in 'terrible accident' while tubing in U.S.
The 17-year-old daughter of the Toronto Blue Jays' first base coach died in a 'terrible accident' while tubing in the U.S. this weekend.
U.S. man to be charged with kidnapping, rape after Edmonton teen found: Oregon police
A 41-year-old man will be charged with kidnapping and rape after an Edmonton girl who was missing for more than a week was found, Oregon City Police said.
'It's the real deal': Doctors warn about future wave fuelled by Omicron variants
COVID-19 cases are rising again in Canada, with the two fast-spreading Omicron sub-variants known as BA.4 and BA.5 to blame. CTVNews.ca has a guide to what you need to know about the new variants.
NEW | Saanich, B.C. bank shooter was rejected by military, CAF says
One of the twin brothers who was killed in a shootout with police outside a bank in Saanich, B.C., last week had applied to join the Canadian Armed Forces but was rejected, a military spokesperson confirmed Monday.
Canada signs $20B compensation agreement on First Nations child welfare
The federal government says it has signed a $20-billion final settlement agreement to compensate First Nations children and families harmed by chronic underfunding of child welfare.
Canada Soccer makes new compensation offer to its national teams
Canada Soccer says it has made a new compensation offer to its men's and women's national teams.
Canadian airlines, airports top global list of delays over the weekend
Canadian airlines and airports claimed top spots in flight delays over the July long weekend, notching more than nearly any other around the world.