The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) announced Monday an increase in camping fees across its parks for the upcoming summer season. This marks the first fee adjustment in over a decade for the territory’s campgrounds.
As per a Cabin Radio report, starting this season, campers will face a nightly rate increase for both powered and unpowered sites. The new rates are set at CA$33.33 for powered sites, up from CA$28, and CA$28.57 for unpowered sites, rising from CA$22.50.
The fee revision also includes changes for extended-stay campsites in the North Slave region. Here, nightly rates will see an increase of CA$6.07. However, the government offers a substantial relief of 50 percent on full and half-season bookings.
Highlighting specific impacts, the fee change significantly affects the cost of longer stays. For example, a full-season stay at Reid Lake, spanning May to September, will now cost campers CA$1,760, compared to the previous fee of CA$1,000, illustrating a 76-percent increase.
Shorter seasonal stays are not exempt from the hikes. The cost for periods from May to July or July to September at parks like Prelude or Reid Lake will jump from CA$500 to CA$880.
An additional change accompanying the fee increase is the introduction of a CA$6 non-refundable fee applied to each booking. This new fee is designated to cover the expenses of a new online reservation system set to launch this year.
The last time the territory adjusted its campsite fees was in 2009, making this increase a notable change in the territory’s pricing strategy. Caitlin Cleveland, the tourism minister of the NWT, explained that the adjustment is strategic, aiming to align with the market value and ensure the sustainability of park infrastructures.
Cleveland emphasized, “For the first time in 15 years, the GNWT will increase NWT park fees as a strategic measure to avoid undercutting private campgrounds while upholding park standards as costs continue to rise across the country.”
She added that the government is committed to enhancing the camping experience in NWT parks by investing in park infrastructure and maintaining high service standards.
Despite these increases, the GNWT assures that the camping fees in the territory remain competitive, staying below the national average.
The announcement also notes that NWT Parks will begin accepting reservations for the upcoming season from 9 a.m. on April 16. In anticipation of high demand and to facilitate smoother transactions, the territorial government is encouraging early online registrations.
The shift in fee structure reflects the GNWT’s broader initiative to modernize its park services and infrastructure, aiming to improve the overall user experience while adapting to economic changes.