The great outdoors: Online reservations open for winter camping

Saskatchewan residents who like camping year-round now can do just that in the province.

On Friday, the provincial government said online reservations are now being accepted for winter camping at Buffalo Pound, Cypress Hills, Duck Mountain, Echo Valley, Great Blue Heron, Moose Mountain and Pike Lake provincial parks.

“We are pleased to offer online winter camping reservations in Sask Parks for the first time ever,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said in a media release.

“We know many families will be staying close to home again this season, so we want to ensure there will be a variety of nearby winter experiences and overnight opportunities available for everyone to enjoy.”

Nightly camping fees have been decreased between Nov. 1 to March 31. Electrical sites cost $29 per night and non-electrical sites are $16 a night.

Three Camp-Easy yurts are available at Echo Valley and two Camp-Easy tents are at Cypress Hills. Those sites are equipped with cots, camp chairs, a propane camp stove, a wash bin and an axe. Camp-Easy sites are $65 per night and can be booked online.

There also are activities and programs available in the parks, including Trim Your Tree at Cypress Hills. Starting Nov. 27, people can chop down a Christmas tree from a designated area in the park.

Other programs at Cypress Hills are to start Nov. 27, with pre-registration required. Those include:

• “Marvel at the Night Sky” — Fridays at 7:30 p.m. — People can discover the Hollywood blockbuster films whose tales are told across the night sky;
• “Move it or Luge It” — Saturdays at 10 a.m. — Visitors can go down a mini luge track with a saucer-style sled and take part in a series of fun winter challenges; and,
• “Cypress Snowshoe” — Saturdays at 2 p.m. — People can go on a guided snowshoe hike through the park.

The Festival of Lights will be returning to Pike Lake and Candle Lake provincial parks, featuring light displays sponsored by local groups and families.

Pike Lake’s festival will operate on select days between Dec. 10 and 29. Candle Lake’s festival will run Wednesdays to Sundays from Dec. 17-31. More information is available here.

Park entry permits are required year-round in provincial parks. 2021 permits, which are valid until March 31, can be purchased at a reduced rate of $40.