Ontario Parks Testing Flat Rate Fees For Backcountry Camping
Ontario Parks is in the second year of a two-year trial to test whether flat-rate fees work for backcountry camping. An overnight trip to either The Massasauga (now $40.75) or the Temagami cluster of parks (Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater, Obabika River, Makobe-Grays River and Solace) ($32.50) is higher than the ordinary backcountry reservation price of $9.
“These pilot fee changes make backcountry camping fees consistent with our flat rate per-campsite car camping fee model. Ontario Parks will conduct a review of the pilot at the end of the 2021 season. The long-term plan for backcountry fees across Ontario Parks has not been determined.
Prior to conducting this pilot, data from 2014-2016 was compiled to determine that the average group size for backcountry camping is 4 persons. The new flat-fee rate aligns with the average backcountry group size, so that the average backcountry group does not experience a fee increase:
- When camping solo, fees increase approximately 26% per night from the regular per-person rate, and solo campers account for 11% of all bookings (2015-2017)
- If camping with 4 persons (average group size), fees per-person align with the flat-fee rate
- If camping with more than 4 persons, fees are less per-person with the current flat-fee rate”
It remains to be seen what will come from the pilot project until the end of this year. In the mean time there is an online petition you can sign if you want to help voice your opinion. There will also be a live chat on Canoehound’s Outdoor Adventure Show tomorrow night at 7 p.m. E.S.T.
Banner image is of The Massasauga and is from Ontario Parks
Evan Holt
