Camping season extending into winter

 As the fall season approaches some campers are upset most commercial campgrounds close throughout the winter. However, some people agree with the seasonal closing. 

Jerry Palenkas has had a campsite at Willowood, near Amherstburg, for two years now. He said his trailer would be fine throughout the winter.  

“I would love to live there in the winter,” said Palenkas. “It is the best time of the year I think.”  

According to South Thompson RV, many campgrounds stay open throughout the winter in British Columbia but it requires a lot of planning. Windsor-Essex campgrounds close throughout the winter.  

Palenkas thinks campsites should be open all– year. He says he pays $5000 annual fee but can only use the site from May 1 until Thanksgiving. Winterizing his RV and closing his site takes time.  

Not only has the campsite– fee increased since the pandemic, but so has the cost to find somewhere else to rent for the months the parks stay closed.  

Palenkas now must find somewhere to live while still paying the rental space fee at the campground.  

Although Palenkas does reside at his campground full time, other people do not, considering  it is unsafe to camp during the winter.  

However, Violet Forrest thinks that the seasonal closing is good. Forrest has been camping for 15 years and has only had an RV for one year. 

“Your trailer may not be equipped for the weather conditions in Ontario,” said Forrest.  

Equipment needed for camping through a Canadian winter would be proper thermal clothing and lots of fire wood. Most trailers are not properly insulated for lower temperatures either. However, areas like Windsor-Essex, which have fairly short winters, could see a demand for more months of the year. 

Go to camping-canada.com for tips and tricks on how to camp throughout the winter. For now, parks remain closed around the Thanksgiving Day weekend.