For 1st time, you can reserve sites at some Yukon campgrounds

Anyone eager for camping season in the Yukon can now, for the first time, reserve their favourite sites at some of the more popular territorial parks.

The new online reservation system for four of the territory's front-country (that is, road-accessible) campgrounds opened Wednesday morning. The government says it's a two-year pilot project aimed at helping people better plan their camping trips in advance.  

Until now, the only reservable sites at Yukon territorial parks were in the backcountry. All other sites at the territory's 42 campgrounds were available only on a first-come-first-served basis.

"We're excited over here," said Carrie Mierau, Yukon Parks' operations manager, on Wednesday morning, shortly before the online reservation system opened.

"We've chosen the well-loved campgrounds, and [are] introducing a blended version of first-come-first-served and reservation service — so it should be a solid opening this morning."

Under the new system, half the sites — the odd-numbered ones — will be available to reserve at each of the four chosen parks: Marsh Lake and Wolf Creek, south of Whitehorse; Pine Lake near Haines Junction; and Tombstone Mountain near Dawson City. Reservations can be made for any dates when those parks are officially open, from May 3 to Sept. 30.

"We did choose a selection of the more popular campgrounds, where it isn't always assured that you'll be able to find a site when you choose to go camping," Mierau said.

Reservations can be made in seven-day blocks, and there is no added fee for reserving. The existing rule limiting people to a maximum of 14 nights at any campground within a 30-day period also applies to any reservations. 

The new online system is part of a larger strategy announced by the territorial government in 2020, to update the parks system and respond to a growing population and demand for campsites. Between 2008 and 2018, the number of people using campgrounds went up by 80 per cent, and government officials said in 2020 that demand for a campsite was expected to double by 2024 and triple by 2028, compared to 2018.

Many campgrounds — especially those within an hour or two of Whitehorse — are full for much of the summer, and it's not uncommon for people to drive around to several campgrounds in search of a vacant site.

Before 2018, when the rules were changed, some anxious campers would claim a campsite days ahead of time by leaving a lawn chair or empty tent on their preferred spot until they could return later to actually use the spot for camping. Now, occupied campsites left unattended for more than 24-hours can mean a $200 fine.  

Two years ago, camping fees were also hiked for the first time in decades. 

Can't reserve with an annual camping permit

Opposition MLA Wade Istchenko of the Yukon Party pressed for more details on Tuesday in the Legislature, about how the new reservation system will work and how it will be enforced. He also asked why people who hold annual permits for Yukon campgrounds won't be able to use those to reserve sites.

Environment Minister Nils Clarke said the government is working on that — for next year. In the meantime, annual permits can only be used to claim sites available on a first-come-first served basis, at all front-country parks.  

"We'll need to ensure that our systems can accommodate this function," Clarke said.

"The pilot project will allow us to learn from Yukoners and visitors about what works, what doesn't work, and where we need to readjust for future camping seasons."

Officials say there will be extra staff at the four parks with reservable sites this summer, including new "visitor service operators," to ensure enforcement of the new rules.