Glamping ; Ontario Provincial Parks

On the heals of the announcement that they were bringing WiFi to the Provincial Parks, I see that the are introducing the concept of "Glamping" or Glamorous Camping to the parks now.

It looks like some parks have cabins, fancy tents and yurts.

I'm not sure what guys find acceptable to pay for accommodations, but I think $150 a night for a cabin or $100 for a Tent is a little high, but for some folks maybe not.

What do you think ?

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Ontario Parks is working to expand its "glamping" or "glamourous camping" options to include roofed accommodations like cabins and yurts.

Ontario Parks spokesperson Anne Craig says the demand is so high that these sites have been booked until the fall.
Glamping is bringing in a new demographic of people to the parks, such as "people who think camping is really intimidating."
"We need to sort of hold their hands a little bit the first time around," she said.
"But once they get into a park and see how easy it is, they'll hopefully come back as lifelong users."

more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbur...pers-1.3155185

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http://i.cbc.ca/1.3155279.1437072914...ario-parks.JPG

Torn.

It's not my thing, and I'll not likely ever be camping near glampers, but for others maybe it is a way for them to experience a park. If not enough people use the parks maybe they shutdown and then none of us can experience them. Maybe its a way for some people to get back to a park because they feel their too old to sleep on the ground now.

I'm with kickingfrog. Not my thing but the more people that get outdoors and use the parks the better it is for everyone. Some people just want the campfire experience but not the roughing it tent sleeping on the ground experience. I see no harm in it.

It is no worse, in fact probably more down to camping, than the land yachts or even 5th wheel trailers.

For some it may be the ideal way for them to get "their outdoor experience" to each their own .

I pay 20 bucks a night for that but not a penny more. actually with all the equipment we bring were not far off from that.

Someone on here said that a regular site was near $40 a night now, so I guess 3x that for a cabin is not out of range.

My problem is I'm stuck in time when we used to only pay $6 for a tent site :)

A lot of my friends take their kids camping alone, their wives refuse to sleep on the ground in a tent..so maybe a good idea to keep the family together :)

I have no issue with offering fancy digs at a price but offering WIFI in a campground is encouraging what many parents are trying to get the kids away from. We all grew up healthy and productive without having wifi or data pkgs in our pockets 24/7. Let them catch frogs, toast marshmellows or have a camp fire instead of texting non stop. Sad.

I don't remember 6 bucks but I do remember as low as 10 plus you now have to pay for firewood.

Love crown all free. :)

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Originally Posted by MikePal

Someone on here said that a regular site was near $40 a night now, so I guess 3x that for a cabin is not out of range.

My problem is I'm stuck in time when we used to only pay $6 for a tent site :)

A lot of my friends take their kids camping alone, their wives refuse to sleep on the ground in a tent..so maybe a good idea to keep the family together :)

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

I don't remember 6 bucks but I do remember as low as 10 plus you now have to pay for firewood.

Love crown all free. :)

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My brother bought a bag of firewood. each peice of wood was 2.50 when it was figured out. that lasted about 1hr..

I find more and more I'm shying away from provincial parks. When I camp, I like the solitude and peace. Hard to find in PPs these days.
So I'm torn as well. On one hand it's great to see people getting 'back to nature', on the other hand the parks are destroying everything, that is supposed to make camping and getting away from "it" enjoyable. Almost seems like they are shooting themselves in the foot.

Peace and tranquilty.

I was hoping to do more camping this summer, but most parks I avoid like the plague now, and those few that still interest me, you have to book months in advance. Have been trying to spend a little time finding crown land with some nice locations instead.

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Originally Posted by JBen

Peace and tranquilty.

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Good to hear form you JBen....

With the Nature Center/Pavilions having free Wifi...the camp grounds will be a lot quieter during the day, all the kids will be sitting over there :)

Yeah because that's what "camping" is about right?

I don't mind modern conveniences, and some things that make camping easier, but the parks and those that run them....
/shrug

They aren't provincial parks anymore imo. Hence my desire to find some nice crown area's or others where you can "get away", decompress, enjoy it.Too late for me this year, but I'm even wondering if my body can still handle something a little more rigorous and do some canoeing/back country.

By all means, try to get into
Killbear
Bon Echo
Bonnechere
Some others

and even if you do......you might as well use one of the Provincial Parks located in the city like Bronte or Darlington or Sibbald

I recently passed through Dinosaur Provincial in Alberta and they had a half dozen of these set up as well as the regular sites. Not really my thing but they were full.

Some of the tent/cabin things are kinda cool. But I wouldn't use one. I don't understand the wifi at all. I remember as a kid if we had a radio to listen to camping that's was a bonus. I usually had a canoe, fishing gear and something to read. All I ever needed, hasn't really changed either.

Now I will say I would stay at a park with WIFI if the company would let me work from there, then it would be great.

I keep a pretty elaborate camp on the crown near my place up near parry sound. It's nice to have a handy spot in the outdoors. When the kids come up with their friends they can go out there too and not make a mess in my place. It works out very well from July to thanksgiving.

The great thing about Ontario is that we even have the option to go camping at a place like that.

You can go from one extreme to the other in this province in terms of your camping. Im in favour of ALL of it. If it makes people a little more aware of our natural resources, its all good.

Its not my cup of tea, thats for sure. But some will use and enjoy it.

actually I think it exists in most provinces I know it does in NB and I would assume probably the rest.

Glamping... Sounds like something a Yuppy would call camping next we will be able to get a manicure at a camp ground.

:)

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Originally Posted by blasted_saber

The great thing about Ontario is that we even have the option to go camping at a place like that.

You can go from one extreme to the other in this province in terms of your camping. Im in favour of ALL of it. If it makes people a little more aware of our natural resources, its all good.

Its not my cup of tea, thats for sure. But some will use and enjoy it.

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Don't forget that there's a gazillion private camping parks all over the province that are glad to have your business and usually don't have all the strict "rules" and park staff on patrol every 10 mins looking to give someone crap for any little thing (don't step one inch off your campsite with a beer in your hand,OMG :scream:). Private owners seem to have a little more people skills and discretion.

For those who grew up in the valley, this is what happened to the Storyland Park up near Renfrew.....it's become an upscale "Glampsite"....

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The camp is opening on the property of the former Storyland theme park near Renfrew

But if paying five-star rates ($270 to $499 per night with meals) for camping sounds wackadoo, consider her demographic: 38- to 68-year-old educated, well-heeled and completely overstressed entrepreneurs, employees and public servants who either have fond memories of childhood camping or would like to experience it — as long as they’re not put out.

And there’s little chance of that. At Elements, which opens in June, “glampers” can choose from massive two- or four-person canvas tents, each featuring everything from eco-toilets to mini-furnaces and yes, those butler-camp rangers on staff who will fetch your camp food, show you how to cook it, get you takeout, bring you snacks, decant your wine and turn down your bed.

http://news.nationalpost.com/life/tr..._lsa=b39a-4bb8

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http://wpmedia.news.nationalpost.com...trip=all&w=620

We have WIFI in Trailer Park on Graham Lake near Brockville. But, most if not all kids dont do the interweb when at park. They are up and out the door at 8-9 and we only see them when the are hungry. Trailer Life is most excellent if you are in a good park. 30ft Gulfstream, Central Air, Heat and vaccum, 42" surround sound TV. Full fridge and stove. It is our summer home away from the rat race in Barrhaven. Our cost is $2800 per year for 20 weekends and if you do the math, plus holidays and long weekends it is quite cost effective to "camp".

My buddy has a 28' trailer up past Petawawa on the river....if you add gas, and the loan payments on the trailer, insurance, site fees and marina costs, his weekends get to be pretty expensive. A few years back when he went up 12 weekends, we figured his cost was over $500+ per visit.

Does make renting a cabin for $500+ make more sense if you only are only go camping a few times a year.

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Originally Posted by blasted_saber

The great thing about Ontario is that we even have the option to go camping at a place like that.

You can go from one extreme to the other in this province in terms of your camping. Im in favour of ALL of it. If it makes people a little more aware of our natural resources, its all good.

Its not my cup of tea, thats for sure. But some will use and enjoy it.

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I like your positiveness, and agree with your sentiment.

I once spent a couple of nights in a Yurt in Algonquin park very nice in the cold season as they are heated. my only beef is you can't have your dog on site not even kenneled in your truck. How can you camp without your dog!

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Originally Posted by lazyman

How can you camp without your dog!

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Yea that would be an NON starter right off the bat !!!

I set up this trailer beside my lake house for visiting family & friends,it has running hot & cold running water,full bathroom & satalite tv,it only gets used about 3 wks out of the summer,considering renting it out by the week.There seems to be a big demand in this area.

http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...psx7vpvr4k.jpg