Camping coming back to Point Pelee National Park

Camping is coming back to Point Pelee National Park with a more glamorous twist.

The campground is going to feature 24 brand new oTENTik tents, a structure crossed between a tent and a cabin.

The oTENTik has three beds and is able to sleep up to six people. There is lighting and heating in every unit so the structures can be rented all year round. It also comes with a porch and a barbecue on the site.

It's been about a decade since Point Pelee National Park had a campground.

"It is kind of a luxurious camping accommodation," said Marie Papoulias, park superintendent for Point Pelee National Park.

The oTENTiks are a feature that is unique to Parks Canada. The campground is still being installed at Point Pelee. The public will be able to rent them in the fall.

"They are just fantastic, if you haven't seen them you have to," Papoulias said.

One group will get a look at the new camping style a little earlier than the fall. The first to try it out will be campers from YMCA Camp Henry. The kids will be staying in some of the finished units over the summer.

Camp Henry says it's very pleased to be able to camp overnight in the nearby region, an option it has not had before.

"It's going to be fantastic, we are so excited," said Kelly Reynolds, camp director of YMCA Camp Henry. "The kids are going to love them."

Reynolds says she is excited for the kids to experience what Point Pelee has to offer. Campers will spend their time kayaking and canoeing around the marsh, swimming in the lake and mountain biking through the trails.

"Point Pelee is just an incredible place, there are so many different natural environments around here so we will spend a lot of time exploring that, learning about the environments around us," said Reynolds.

YMCA Camp Henry is at 80 per cent capacity so there is still room for a few more campers.