Opening of provincial park campgrounds marked by wet, chilly weather

Government officials marked the official opening of the summer camping season Friday, as Manitobans braced themselves for what is forecast to be a wet and chilly May long weekend.

Most provincial park campgrounds are open for the long weekend, although many have limited water services due to colder spring weather. Campers are advised to bring their own drinking water, Environment Minister Mike Moyes said in a news release.

Provincial campgrounds in northern Manitoba remain snow-covered, and their opening dates have been postponed. Campers with reservations impacted by the delays are being notified, the release said.

Those include:

• The Campers Cove and Pioneer Bay campgrounds in Clearwater Provincial Park, now rescheduled to open May 22.
• Wekusko Falls, Bakers Narrows, Grass River (Gyles, Reed Lake and Iskwasum Landing campgrounds) and Paint Lake provincial parks will be delayed until at least May 29.
• North Steeprock Lake Provincial Park (Porcupine Hills) will be delayed until at least May 22.

Duck Mountain Provincial Park campgrounds will open as planned, but water service will not be available due to overnight temperatures. Pit privies are available in camping bays. Some campsites may be snow-covered, but people with reservations can move to alternate sites, the province said.

Environment and Climate Change Canada is projecting possible showers near Winnipeg Friday, with the temperature slated to drop as low as 4 C overnight.

Saturday’s low is 2 C. Low temperatures are also forecast for Sunday, along with periods of rain that could continue until Tuesday, when there is a possibility of snow.