More campsites coming to Manitoba as government promises to build more

The provincial government is now promising to address the shortage though a 10-year, $110-million infrastructure plan to be formally announced later this year following public consultations

Megan Maxwell, like many Manitobans, fires up her computer every spring on the opening day of campsite reservations. And like many, she has often come away disappointed as the limited number of high-demand accommodations such as yurts and cabins are snapped up within minutes.

Booking a campsite can be as competitive as buying concert tickets online.

"I've had family members trying, to see if we can co-ordinate," Maxwell said.

"There's been five different groups trying to get yurts, and maybe 20 per cent are successful (in getting sites) on weekends."

This year, Maxwell lucked out and got a spot high in the randomly assigned electronic queue seconds after reservations opened.

"As I was clicking on weekends at the yurt I wanted, they were disappearing before my eyes. I got one locked in and then I was like 'maybe I can do another weekend' and all the other weekends were gone."

For years, demand has far exceeded supply for upscale camping options such as cabins, yurts and campsites with electrical and water service for vehicles.