Starting this spring, Yukon campgrounds will subject to a stricter regulation and steeper associated fine intended to deter campers from the troublesome practice of campsite holding.

The regulation change reduces the length of time an occupied campsite can sit unattended from 72 to 24 hours, and violations can now mean a $200 ticket.

“Certainly something like a long weekend, we would see people go out on a Tuesday and register the site and put their tent there and then go home and finish their work week. And then come out on Friday at 4:00 and boom – their site is there,” explained Carrie Mierau, the acting director of Yukon Parks.

The campsite holding problem is compounded, Mierau said, by the fact that campground usage is growing by about 12 per cent every year.

“I’ve ... heard sentiments from Yukoners saying, ‘we don’t camp anymore because we know we’re not going to get a site,’” Mierau recalled.

A 2017 survey on proposed Yukon camping regulation changes saw more than 90 per cent of respondents support a 24-hour maximum on leaving occupied campsites unattended.

Eighty-eight per cent wanted to see a penalty stiffened for non-adherence, and more than half got behind a fine of $200 or more.

The old $50 fine “wasn’t really seen as a huge deterrent,” Mierau said.

An education campaign will roll out with the regulation change to make sure Yukoners know “that we’re taking it seriously, and we’re serious about fair access, and we’ll be monitoring, educating, looking for compliance, and ultimately, either enforcing by a ticket, which would be the $200 fine, or even eviction.”

Enforcement will be progressive, because the change is new, Mierau said. Park officers will be out to educate, as well as monitor and enforce the 24-hour rule.

Parks Yukon is also working to enhance access to campsites by bringing back its Undiscovered Campgrounds campaign for another year.

Of the 42 government campgrounds in the territory, only about 15 have high usage, and many of these are within an hour or two of Whitehorse, according to Mierau.

Through the Undiscovered campaign, Yukoners are encouraged to “drive a little further and find something new – a new campground with new things to do and hidden gems and unique characteristics.”

Camping will be free for all Yukon residents during the month of May. Twelve Yukon campgrounds will open on May 11, with the remainder opening May 18.

“We’ve heard from Yukoners that they support this regulation change to help increase campsite availability and opportunities for all Yukoners to enjoy the outdoors,” Environment Minister Pauline Frost said in a Monday statement.

“I encourage all Yukoners to get out in the coming weeks and enjoy the free campground access period.”

The government announced in its 2018-19 budget that it will be investing $1 million this year to improve the camping opportunities for Yukoners and visitors.

Part of a multi-year plan to expand and upgrade Yukon territorial parks and camping infrastructure, it will be spent on trails, signage, playgrounds, outhouses, and improving campground accessibility, according to a second government statement released Monday.

In the next five years, Yukon Parks aims to replace all of its 14 playgrounds, and have a universal access site in all campgrounds, with hard-packed surfaces and accessible tables and firepits.

The government will also be reaching out to park users this spring as part of its public engagement on the development of a Yukon parks strategy.

Information about the consultation process and how to participate can be found at engageyukon.ca