shum02
Burlington ON CDA
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almcc wrote:shum02 wrote:almcc wrote:I'd love to see a detailed park-by-park analysis of the 80% cost coverage claim for Ontario provincial parks. My take is that based on the services provided and cost of operation most, if not all, southern Ontario provincial parks are making a substantial profit, and those in the north aren't doing badly either.
You asked and so you shall receive.
Park stats for 2010
Thanks shum02!
It's good information. It's doesn't have detailed cost/P&L information by park though. I guess the information may be available internally but maybe not as it's the government!
The other stat that wold be interesting is the usage of developed sites with electricity in each park vs. the non-electrical sites. It could be that adding additional electrical sites may improve the occupancy rates.
You'll need a request forwarded to MNR to get that kind of detail  As a note many parks are adding additional serviced sites, an example would be Inverhuron which converted all it's non-hydro to hydro over the last couple years but I have actually been increasing my use of non served sites as well so it's not always a true indicator or always a way to increase occupancy. I suspect some of the decrease in occupancy has actually occurred because of the strength of the Cdn currency. It used to be parks close to the US border such as Pinery would have an amazing amount of Michigan plates during the summer but since our dollar is par it is rare to see US plates, not that it has helped to get a site there, it's still booked solid all summer just now it's all Ontario plates.
For Northern parks it's the drive. From my place it's almost 4hrs to Algonquin and then it stretches out even more to the next park. Some seriously excellent parks along Superior but it's just a heck of a drive especially if it's just for a long weekend. Hard to justify all that fuel for a two night trip, I do it for Algonquin as well as Arrowhead in the past but that's it. You need at least 5 days or more to enjoy the Northern parks which make it a tough sell coming from the GTA. If they dropped the price in half for them I would be seriously tempted 
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83trekker
calgary,ab,canada
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ve7prt wrote:donn0128 wrote:Still far cheaper than a private park and generally they provide much better scenery.
Not necessarily. Last time we went to stay at Rathtrevor it was $30/night (last year I think). Due to a storm in the area we delayed departure by a day. However, we discovered the park was almost full for what was open at the time. So, we ended up staying at Whiskey Creek Campground for $28/night. So let's compare:
Rathtrevor PP: $30/night, you get:
1) Flat Pad
2) Picnic Table
3) Fire Ring
4) Water From a nearby tap
5) Mostly outhouses for washrooms (yes there are flush toilets in certain locations)
Whiskey Creek Campground: $28/night, you get:
1) Grassy, mostly flat site
2) Movable picnic table
3) Fire Ring
4) 15/30Amp power (depending on site)
5) Water connection (though it is well water)
6) Flush Toilets
7) Toys for the kids to play with
Seems to me the private site in this case is more economical. Having said that, though, when I first started camping, Rathtrevor was $18.50/night, and you got all the free firewood you could burn.
Not all private sites are cheaper, though. It depends on the site(s) in question.
Cheers!
Mike
You forgot one thing @ rathtrevor, 2 minute walk to the ocean. Love that place.
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renoman69
Edmonton Alberta
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JN_B wrote:Supply & Demand...
There is more people camping in Alberta than ever before, campgrounds are typically booked solid 75 days in advance.. Reservations start 90 days prior to first night stay.
There was supposed to be a bunch of new campsites put into the PP's, but I haven't seen anything on that recently.
JN_B,
They are developing a very large rec area just east of Drayton Valley along the NSR. Looks like it is going to be very nice with things to do for all. Some areas are already open.
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BFL13
Victoria, BC
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83trekker wrote:.........
You forgot one thing @ rathtrevor, 2 minute walk to the ocean. Love that place.
You mean here? (two days ago looking towards Alberta and the other Mainlanders ) Just got back from three days camping at Rathtrevor. It is $11 a day winter rates.
Temperature was down to freezing at night and just above that daytime. No problem.
On the Island anyway, hardly anybody uses the parks most of the year except July and August. The locals use them for jogging and dog walking more than anybody comes to go camping. If we lose the parks somehow it will be our own fault for not showing up enough IMO.
We go to the provincial parks here from Feb to June and then Sep and Oct and often are the only ones in the whole park even in early June. We avoid the parks in July and August when they look like overflowing refugee camps and from Nov-Jan when we wimp out during the monsoons.
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shum02
Burlington ON CDA
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BFL13 wrote:83trekker wrote:.........
You forgot one thing @ rathtrevor, 2 minute walk to the ocean. Love that place.
You mean here? (two days ago looking towards Alberta and the other Mainlanders ) Just got back from three days camping at Rathtrevor. It is $11 a day winter rates.
I'm seriously jealous of the vistas of BC, you guys are even more lucky than we are 
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paulj
Seattle
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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BFL13 wrote:...
We go to the provincial parks here from Feb to June and then Sep and Oct and often are the only ones in the whole park even in early June. ...
May and September have been our favorite camping times. The crowds are down. Sometimes there are so few campers that the park operator doesn't bother to make the rounds to collect fees. But they also remove half (or so it seems) of the picnic table boards for refinishing.
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rickm
windsor
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ve7prt wrote:donn0128 wrote:Still far cheaper than a private park and generally they provide much better scenery.
Not necessarily. Last time we went to stay at Rathtrevor it was $30/night (last year I think). Due to a storm in the area we delayed departure by a day. However, we discovered the park was almost full for what was open at the time. So, we ended up staying at Whiskey Creek Campground for $28/night. So let's compare:
Rathtrevor PP: $30/night, you get:
1) Flat Pad
2) Picnic Table
3) Fire Ring
4) Water From a nearby tap
5) Mostly outhouses for washrooms (yes there are flush toilets in certain locations)
Whiskey Creek Campground: $28/night, you get:
1) Grassy, mostly flat site
2) Movable picnic table
3) Fire Ring
4) 15/30Amp power (depending on site)
5) Water connection (though it is well water)
6) Flush Toilets
7) Toys for the kids to play with
Seems to me the private site in this case is more economical. Having said that, though, when I first started camping, Rathtrevor was $18.50/night, and you got all the free firewood you could burn.
Not all private sites are cheaper, though. It depends on the site(s) in question.
Cheers!
Mike
Ah, u forgot the most imporatnt thing about the private campground for 2 bucks less....u can hear your neighbour pass gas, cause you're camped atop of him!
Least the PP still give you some space, i'll take that over fancy fire rings and water hook up anytime...if thats most important, stay home, set up in the back yard
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paulj
Seattle
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How are the hikes at Whiskey Creek?
Besides the beach at Rathtrevor, Little Qualicum Falls has camping, good walks and falls for sightseeing. I have also enjoyed the quite campsites at nearby Englishman River Falls, as well as the hike and falls.
One time, years ago, on the way south from Strathconia, we spent a night at crowded private campground along Alberni Hwy because the provincial parks were full. The campground had showers, laundry, playground, and no space between sites. We spent the next couple of nights at a nicer private campground near Goldstream (Victoria). Paradise Lake or something like that. We used it a couple of other since it was hard to get into Goldstream without a reservation (at least during the summer). Unfortunately Paradise has since been turned into condos.
The nicest private campground we've stayed at was Gnome's Home near Bella Coola. That is set among old growth, and even has its own nature trail. And the owner (a retired school teacher) was a fountain of information on local sights and opportunities.
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Little Kopit
TheMaritimes.ca
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Rick and Paul, I enjoyed your posts. Yes, most of the time the government run parks give one more room.
Yet, I have seen a National Park east of me in this part of Canada, where the campsites had been divided in 2 or 3 rather than enlarging the campgrounds and where campers were so tight to each other, that Rick's passing gas comment was most apt. & the private cgs outside of that National Park gave one space. (Cape Breton Highlands National Park ie. where the Cabot Trail runs and there are some good hiking trails)
When my perspective is that of having 1.5 acres and my closest neighbour 400 feet from my house, to be squeezed like that is the outside of tolerance.
& I, I took the road less travelled by.
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83trekker
calgary,ab,canada
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BFL13 wrote:83trekker wrote:.........
You forgot one thing @ rathtrevor, 2 minute walk to the ocean. Love that place.
You mean here? (two days ago looking towards Alberta and the other Mainlanders ) Just got back from three days camping at Rathtrevor. It is $11 a day winter rates.
Temperature was down to freezing at night and just above that daytime. No problem.
On the Island anyway, hardly anybody uses the parks most of the year except July and August. The locals use them for jogging and dog walking more than anybody comes to go camping. If we lose the parks somehow it will be our own fault for not showing up enough IMO.
We go to the provincial parks here from Feb to June and then Sep and Oct and often are the only ones in the whole park even in early June. We avoid the parks in July and August when they look like overflowing refugee camps and from Nov-Jan when we wimp out during the monsoons.
Wow very Jealous, i alway come in July-aug and its crazy but still love that place so much.
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