Saskatchewan provincial park campgrounds are set to reopen on Monday to begin the camping season.
Provincial parks will be open at 50 per cent capacity on June 1. The province has set up an automated check-in process for visitors to keep physical contact at a minimum. Those who have a 2020 Annual Park Entry Permit and reserved a campsite can go directly to their campsite when arriving.
MyLloydminsterNow.com reached out to the Ministry of Parks, Recreation and Sport to clarify if Lloydminster residents would be able to access the parks. In their response, the ministry states only residents on the Saskatchewan side of the Border City would be allowed into provincial parks.
“Camping in provincial parks will be restricted to Saskatchewan residents starting June 1, until further notice. This guideline is being encouraged for all jurisdictions including the city of Lloydminster.”
Beaches, swimming pools, playgrounds, laundry and shower facilities are closed for the time being. Washroom access will also be limited and park staff will be implementing enhanced cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
Visitors are reminded to bring their own sanitizer and disinfectant products and practice physical distancing during their stay.
Alberta provincial parks will also reopen on June 1 and take in visitors who’ve reserved their campsite earlier this month. Similar to Saskatchewan, Alberta Parks will only allow Alberta residents to access their campgrounds.
In an email with MyLloydminsterNow.com, a parks representative says reservations made with an out of province profile will be cancelled. They say staff will use discretion for reservations from residents in locations such as Lloydminster.
Alberta will also be reopening at half capacity and is only allowing for one household per campsite with a maximum of six people per site. Group and comfort camping will not be allowed at this time. The parks website notes that washrooms and outhouses will be available but encourages visitors to bring their own hand sanitizer and toilet paper.
Parks Canada has also opened up a select few parks on the same day. The reopening will include access to day-use areas, trails, beaches and green spaces as well as access for recreational boating and fishing. Parks reopening include:
- Prince Albert National Park
- Grasslands National Park
- Banff National Park
- Jasper National Park
- Waterton Lakes National Park
- Elk Island National Park
