Provincial Parks to Open

Many of Nova Scotia's provincially operated parks will open for the season on Friday, May 17.

The Victoria Day long weekend kicks off the summer season in the province; it's when Nova Scotians and visitors head out to enjoy our provincial parks.

Camping parks opening tomorrow include: Graves Island and Rissers Beach, Lunenburg Co.; The Islands, Shelburne Co.; Cape Chignecto, Cumberland Co.; Five Islands, Colchester Co.; Blomidon, Kings Co.; Thomas Raddall, the Region of Queens Municipality; Ellenwood, Yarmouth Co.; and Dollar Lake and Porters Lake, Halifax Regional Municipality.

The remaining campgrounds will open on Friday, June 21 and include: Amherst Shore, Cumberland Co.; Laurie, Halifax Regional Municipality; Valleyview, Annapolis Co.; Smileys, Hants Co.; Salt Springs and Caribou/Munroes, Pictou Co.; Salsman and Boylston, Guysborough Co.; Whycocomagh, Inverness Co.; Mira River, Cape Breton Regional Municipality; and Battery, Richmond Co.

Fees in the 21 campgrounds operated by the Department of Natural Resources have not changed this year. They are $14 for basic service and $18 for semi-serviced, which includes flush toilets and showers.

Reservations can be made at all parks by directly calling the provincial park of choice. For more information on specific parks, please call the Department of Natural Resources' parks phone line at 902-424-5937 or visit the department's newly designed Web site at http://parks.gov.ns.ca