NWT parks and campgrounds will begin opening on May 14 with Covid-19 protocols in effect.

The draw for extended-stay sites at Reid and Prelude Lake Territorial Park Campgrounds will open on April 8, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) said in a news release Wednesday.

Ballots for the extended stay-campsite draw will be due on April 6. Full information the draw will be posted on the by March 29.

The NWT Parks reservation site will open in phases as follows:

• May 4 for bookings in all campgrounds except those in the North Slave

• May 5 for bookings at the Reid Lake Campground

• May 6 for bookings at the Prelude Lake Campground

• May 7 for bookings at the Fred Henne Campground

Camping Coupons

For every booking of five consecutive overnight stays, a coupon for one free night of camping will be automatically generated. Bookings made under the extended-stay lot draw will not be eligible for discount coupons.

Overnight stays at Reid Lake for Sunday to Thursday; not including weekends or statutory holidays, will be discounted by 50 per cent.

Campgrounds opening

• Campgrounds in the North Slave will open on May 14.

• The MacKinnon Territorial Park in the Sahtu will open on May 15.

• Campgrounds in the South Slave will open on May 17, with the exception of the 60th Parallel Territorial Park which will not open this summer.

• Campgrounds in the Dehcho will open on May 21, except for Blackstone Territorial Park which will open on June 4.

• Campgrounds in the Beaufort Delta will open on May 24, with the exception of the Happy Valley Territorial Park which will not open this summer.

Early openings

The Kakisa Day Use and Little Buffalo River Falls day use areas might be available for camping earlier, depending on conditions. Self-registration will be required and sites are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Further updates on services will be provided as they are known.