Otonabee Conservation Campgrounds Open For Bookings

Two of the Otonabee Conservation’s campgrounds, Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Beavermead Campground have opened for their first bookings since Friday.

Seasonal camper Mike Fischer (left) is welcomed back to Beavermead Campground by Joyce Hyland (right) Gatehouse Attendant on the opening day of the camping season this past Friday. Photo Courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Both campgrounds were nearly at capacity; Warsaw Caves CA saw 92 per cent of sites booked while Beavermead Campground saw 87 per cent of campsites booked for the opening weekend.

Beavermead Campground site bookings are between 83-88 percent booked for weekends until the end of July while Warsaw Caves CA has more availability with 73-92 per cent booked. There is availability for mid-week bookings for campsites at both locations according to the press release.

While camping is now open, some of Otonabee Conservation’s amenities and services are still not available due to provincial guidelines.

Campground washrooms are open and basic supplies such as firewood and ice are available for sale. Showers and laundry facilities are not yet available but Otonabee Conservation is working to bring cleaning procedures in line with Provincial health regulations and hope to have them available soon. Boat rentals and picnic shelters are currently not available.

“We have been working closely with Peterborough Public Health to ensure that our visitors are able to safely enjoy the benefits that nature has to offer,” shares Jessie James, Otonabee Conservation Manager of Conservation Lands, “Our practices and operations are aligned with the latest provincial recommendations; that means some amenities must remain closed at this time but we are hopeful that we will be able to expand our services soon so that our visitors can enjoy all we have to offer this year.”

Meghan Rankin, Warsaw Caves Conservation Area Gatehouse Attendant, checks in a camper on Otonabee Conservation’s opening day of the camping season. Photo Courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Some trails remain closed, such as the Caves Trail at Warsaw Caves CA, where physical distancing and proper sanitizing cannot be ensured.

All closed amenities are clearly signed. Hiking, walking and biking have always been available at Otonabee Conservation’s properties during the pandemic.

The gates are now fully open at all properties, allowing access to seasonal amenities such as parking facilities, beaches, boat launches, and more, with physical distancing measures in place.

Campers wishing to reserve a campsite at Beavermead Campground and Warsaw Caves CA can do so online.

For more information about Conservation Areas, changes to services and amenities during the pandemic and FAQs, please visit otonabeeconservation.com.

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