Alberta Campgrounds
CBC News
Provincial campgrounds are getting a $24-million facelift this season.
The Alberta government is spending the money this year to modernize several of its campgrounds, as the number of people using holiday trailers steadily outnumbers the tents.
John Mullin is camped at Gooseberry Campground in Kananaskis this weekend. His says his large trailer is a progression from his a tent trailer a few years ago and a tent even earlier.
"It's a 24-foot trailer, we have a TV and air conditioning,” says Mullin.
"We tented when we were younger and we just moved the trailer because it's more comfortable, and the luxuries — the bed, having a shower and we don't have to pack coolers
And Mullin isn't the only one "going big."
RV sales this year are up 42 per cent from last year according to Go RVing Canada.
The province’s improvements include adding power and water hook ups to its campgrounds, adding nicer washrooms and bigger sites for RVs, says Katrina Bluetchen of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation.
"We're interested in keeping pace with what campers are interested in. So, for us, that's meant making some changes to our parks,” says Bluetchen.
Last long weekend, provincial reservations were up 25 per cent from the year before.