Victoria Day long weekend is known as one of the busiest times on the roads as residents try to get away from their normal lives for a couple days. It tends to be a busy time at the lakes and parks as well when the weather pans out.

And with warmer weather expected for this upcoming weekend, people will be looking to take advantage of the nice conditions by visiting provincial parks starting today.

The Government of Saskatchewan have officially opened provincial parks today for the 2017 season. Since the parks will have a busy first weekend in action, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Alcohol ban for opening weekend

As done in previous years, provincial parks will be enforcing an alcohol ban for Victoria Day weekend campers. The ban will extend from today (May 18th) to Victoria Day (May 22nd).

The alcohol ban is in effect for all campgrounds and picnic areas within the provincial parks and recreation sites along with several regional parks.

Although, the weekend prohibition does not extend to cottages and commercial businesses within the parks.

Reduced services including PDWA in some parks

Since this is opening weekend for parks in the province, services are reduced for a number of parks. Certain parks, including Saskatchewan Landing and Pike Lake, currently have a precautionary drinking water advisory (PDWA) as staff prepare the water lines for the upcoming months.

Campers are asked to check ahead for the services which are available during their stay by visiting www.saskparks.net/SpringCamping. This list will be updated on a regular basis as services become available.

Dry conditions for fires in a few parks

The majority of Saskatchewan provincial parks are ready to go for campfires as they have normal conditions at the moment. But, some parks have very dry conditions heading into the long weekend, and campers visiting these parks will be restricted to small fires.

Parks with very dry conditions include:

  • Pike Lake
  • The Battlefords
  • Moose Mountain
  • Meadow Lake

Visit the same link above regularly to find updates on fire conditions from the provincial parks before your visit. In addition, the link will provide conditions for road and lake conditions.

 

In 2016, a record of nearly four million visits were reported as provincial parks continue to be a popular vacation destination for residents and visitors of Saskatchewan.

Park staff are expecting 2017 to be an even busier year with a number of events being planned for Canada's 150th anniversary.

 

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