Provincial Parks Begin To Open For 2015 Season

Just in time for the holiday weekend, most Nova Scotia provincial parks will open for the season Friday, May 15.

"It is springtime in Nova Scotia and that means camping and other fun activities in our provincial parks," said Natural Resources Minister Zach Churchill.

Reservations for camping sites can be made by phone at 1-888-544-3434 or online at www.novascotiaparks.ca .

Almost all provincial day-use and many camping parks open tomorrow but three parks are delayed in opening due to lingering winter conditions that have caused damage and prevented maintenance work.

The provincial parks at Dollar Lake, Halifax Regional Municipality, Uisge Bàn Falls , near Baddeck, as well as the North River Wilderness Area hiking trail in Victoria County, will remain closed until further notice. Some camping parks typically do not open each year until June.

Two parks affected by winter damage will open tomorrow as scheduled, despite ongoing repair work. Blomidon Provincial Park in Kings County, will open with 40 of 72 camping sites closed until repairs can be completed. Thomas Raddall Provincial Park in Queens County, is open but the showers and flush toilets will be unavailable until further notice. The compost toilets are functioning.

Park users are urged to check for updated information at www.novascotiaparks.ca . Details on 130 events offered at provincial parks are also listed on the website.

The government is again offering the Learn 2 Camp program for people with limited camping experience or those who want to brush up their skills. Learn 2 Camp will be offered at Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park in Yarmouth County, on July 18 and 19.

There are more than a million visitors to provincial beaches and parks each year. Visitors to provincial parks can enjoy swimming, camping, paddling, nature exploration, geocaching, and other activities.