The Yukon government has committed to building a new campground at Atlin Lake, just north of the B.C. border.
“It’s a big, beautiful lake, it’s got great fishing, great boating,” said Environment Minister Currie Dixon. “And it’s right across the street from Snafu and Tarfu, which have been very well attended in the last couple years.”
Building new campgrounds or expanding existing ones was part of the Yukon Party’s 2011 election platform.
“Pretty much every campground within about a two-hour drive from Whitehorse is either at or near capacity basically every weekend during the camping season,” said Dixon.
Planning will start right away, and $75,000 has been set aside for that purpose.
Construction will begin this summer, pending legislative approval of a $780,000 proposed budget.
The new campground is expected to include 45 camp sites, a boat launch and a dock.
The facility should be open for the 2015 summer season, said Dixon.
Yukon Environment sells about 1,900 season passes and 21,000 daily campground passes each year, said department spokesperson Nancy Campbell.
Many Yukoners are familiar with the Friday rush for camping spots close to Whitehorse, she said.
“It requires a commando-like efficiency for getting out the door with all of your stuff for camping.”
The government maintains 42 campgrounds throughout the territory.
A one-night stay is $12, and Yukoners are eligible for a $50 season’s pass.