There’s been an influx of reservations this year and the Ontario Parks website is being flooded with fresh campsite seekers. More than double the activity than previous years, the site has forewarned visitors of a slower technical response. And honestly, besides those IT woes, it’s cut-throat out there.
And not all those that book seek to explore.
This year there’s bots to compete with. Because somehow, as absurd as it may be, people are reserving in bulk to sell those sites back to hopeful campers. In the light of COVID, Provincial Parks are the new concerts…apparently?
Scalpers have gotten desperate. And I can’t wrap my head around how this is going to work out for anyone.
So between the scouting out of prime spots and the early morning rises to try to get ’em, and then that threat of getting in the ring with bots, there’s not much room for pliancy this year. And the prompts informing you that everything is already booked up stings during those 7am ‘Refresh’ clicks. As the summer months near and more people load up ontarioparks.com to get their reservations denied, people are starting to question just how every site is already unavailable. But mostly we’re just clicking on there and then being sad and dejected.
But like any great war, it’s fought in battles. And there’s a few techniques I’ve been using to get on the inside line that I hope can do you guys some favours as well.
1. SCOUT. Pre-scout. Mark your target and keep your eye on the prize!
And then get about 4 back-ups lined up. (You’re probably not gonna get that first-pick).
2. SET AN ALARM. Parks Ontario is organizing site availability based on dates, so although you may be on top of booking that time off, you may not be able to reserve until a later date. So check out when you can book a specific site and make sure you’re up early. I suggest having your finger over the reserve key by 7am on the dot. Otherwise you might be shit outta luck.
BUT
If at first you don’t succeed, try 15 minutes later. Try booking at 7:15am because the bots have one weakness. And it’s in their inability to stop the sites automatic cancellation of sites that are in your chart inactive after 15 minutes. So you could get lucky checking back less than half an hour later.
3. PATIENCE. Ok, so this may be absolutely contradictory to everything I’ve written above, BUT waiting it out might also be an option here.
Keep flexible and keep your eye out for openings. In these unprecedented times, as the site reaches peak frenzy, sitting back and waiting – and hoping – that people cancel as summer draws closer might be a strategy.
4. KEEP IT FUN. A bad day camping is better than a good day at work. So even if you’re a little discouraged that all those lakeside sites were scooped up, and the site conditions you managed to get are average at best, you’re still out there and get to enjoy the best of what you wanted from the parks. You’re going to have a great time no matter the route you take to satisfy that adventuring itch!
And of course, if all else fails…
5. OFF THE BEATEN PATH. Although not the most beginner inclusive, checking out Crown Land and backcountry sites is a fantastic option. Before you head out, always make sure you’ve done your research though! Know your surroundings, plan for the worst and work your way up to get comfortable and experienced enough to keep yourself and the environment safe out there.
And then side step all those pesky rushes and settle in for a slightly less frantic reservation.
Well that’s it! That’s all I’ve for for you so far.
Using the tips above (and a healthy dose of luck), I’ve managed to book up about a dozen sites from spring through to summer for the 2021 camping season and I’m psyched! (Despite the lockdown putting a damper on that first April booking already…).
I’m not sure what the season will look like but I’m excited for whatever adventures I can get up to and wish you guys the same! With all the new obstacles that this season is offering up, I know it’s easy to get discouraged but I think there’s time still to make this work and make the best of the upcoming season. And I think we’ll all have some good stories soon.
She Collects Campsites 