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I have nothing but praise for our provincial park system. The accommodations are first class and modern. The staff is courteous and well organized. The grounds are very clean and upkeep is a full time job for them. It all comes at a cost and various tiers of service are available to everyone including free camping on crown land. So, pick the level of service that fits your budget.
All true, however when I started camping a serviced site was about 2/3 the cost of one in a private campground. Not the case any longer -- pretty close to even now.Quote:
Originally Posted by impact
I was just having this conversation the other day with a friend of mind. In 1995 at the age of 15 I started working in a Provincial Park. The price to camp on an non-serviced lot was $16.00. Now the cost has pretty well doubled. Its a tough pill to swallow but given that that was nearly 20 years ago and the popularity of camping has risen significantly during that time frame, I can see why the price has inflated. I don't have a problem spending that at a PP, but more than that for private campgrounds is a major rip off.
changes started about 10-12 years ago.someone decided the parks should be a money maker not just a service. So along came the new logo,parks started selling fire wood,ice,renting equiptment,building yurts and cabins,visitor centres,adding more sites with electricity. The prices are reflecting that. They even now charge premium surcharges for sites on the water. Where I go the price has gone from 13 bucks a night in 1989 to 48 bucks for the same electrical on the water site.
53 dollars to put a tent on a non electric camp site for 1 night last weekend. I don't mind paying it, time well spent with my son, very clean and comftorable parks.
The rates went up when the ministry started cancelling programs and closing parks.
A few parks had to beg and plead to not be closed, and any financial losses will fall on the municipality (as was the deal) so they opened up a lot more lots as seasonals and rates increased, if it keeps the gates open, for the few times we do use them, I don't see it as a big burden.
I guess camping is out of the question for my family...Quote:
Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie
$50 a night is ridiculous... Especially when you can get a hotel for not much more.. ($60) personally I would rather sleep in a tent... The wife... She doesn't think that way.
Spent a lot of time in the parks when my kids were young, hadn't camped in years, then my grandkids and their parents start the cycle and I find out the cost has tripled, I realize things increase in price with time, but seems to me its getting to the point where its difficult for some young parents to get out for a week or 2 like we used to. $500.00 plus for 2 weeks and you haven't eaten, had a cold beer or bought your kids a treat.
I would go to a camp ground if they pay me. Crown is free and there is still lot's up near Algonquin.
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Originally Posted by topher
Crown land camping has it's place, I personally love it, when going with the guys, it's an adventure, it's fun, it's new.Quote:
Originally Posted by greatwhite
When you have a three year old, or the family with you, parks do have their perks, mainly, other like minded families, doesn't take little ones long to find all the other little ones and make new friends, entertain each other, and make memories.
Coleman ran an ad campaing last year, "Coleman, the original social network"
And they are right.
Next year will be the perfect time to start bringing him. All of my sons started at age 4 I don't think the youngest has ever been to a campground except with the Cubs.
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Originally Posted by TurkeyRookie