Yurts, cabins, some campsites to cost more in Manitoba under new fees

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This article was published 22/12/2025 (286 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – Many Manitoba campers will be paying more in 2026, as the provincial government is raising fees for yurts, cabins and some other types of campsites.

The NDP cabinet approved the changes set to take effect Jan. 1. but has not made any formal announcement.

A cabinet order says the nightly fee for a yurt is set to rise to $65. It is currently listed at $56 on the Environment department’s website.

Fees for a range of cabins are going up as well. A four-bed cabin in Camp Morton Provincial Park is to go up to $85 a night from a little over $70.

The order says fees for campsites with electrical or water service and fees for sites with firewood included in the nightly rate are increasing as well. The cost of applying for a Crown-land home or business permit in a provincial park is also rising.

There is to be a new $10 fee for cancelling camping reservations. And people who cancel three days or fewer before the first night will forego their first night’s fee.

Environment Minister Mike Moyes was not made available for an interview Monday. In a prepared statement, Moyes said rates remain affordable and the cancellation fee is a step forward.

“This measure encourages intentional booking and helps ensure more Manitobans and visitors can enjoy our parks,” the statement said.

“Other fees are increasing modestly to reflect the increased costs of services over the last 13 years, which was the last time camping fees were increased in Manitoba.”

In comparison, nightly fees for a yurt at Riding Mountain National Park are listed at $133 — more than double the province’s rate.

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives said people are facing rising costs in their daily lives and the higher camping fees will have an impact.

“I’m very disappointed that they’re increasing the fees, and especially since we haven’t seen many improvements in parks,” said Tory environment critic Greg Nesbitt.

“If they’re spending the (money) on the projects and can justify a fee increase, fine, but otherwise it’s just a cash grab.”

Moyes said the provincial budget has allocated $25 million for capital improvements in parks.

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A consultant’s report done for the former Tory government in 2022 suggested more luxury camping options such as yurts, along with higher fees to recover costs. The demand for the province’s limited number of yurts is so high, most are booked for the season within an hour or two of being made available for online booking every spring.

The report also suggested free park entry passes being made available through libraries, to help low-income earners.

The government didn’t act on some of the recommendations and said a “modest” fee increase would be likely at some point.

The NDP government suspended park entry fees in April for one year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 22, 2025.