SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Groups of kids looking like they had rolled around in the dirt were happily riding their bikes and adults soaked up the rays in their patio chairs at Fred Henne Territorial Park during its opening weekend.

Nikki Tews, left, hold her baby, John, while sharing a brunch with fellow campers Denise and James McCann during a balmy Sunday afternoon at Fred Henne Territorial Park. - Heather Lange/NNSL photo

Twenty-three out of 104 campsites were filled at the park on Friday and 28 on Saturday night, according to Kate Hillman-Barnes, a park employee. There are 45 campsites with electricity in the park.

Billy Smith is a regular at the park, and came out with his RV as part of a three-family party - six adults and seven kids. He booked his site online as soon as bookings began three weeks ago.

Smith said he spends just about every weekend, every year, at Fred Henne with friends and family. He has a campsite booked this year for every weekend right into September, and said he always books ahead.

"I'm living the dream," said Smith on Saturday.

A few campsites down, Ives Otis made hashbrowns on a propane stove and side-table he'd rigged up for the occasion.

Otis, his spouse Tina Whelan and their daughter Brittany Gear are experienced campers and also pre-booked their campsite online three weeks ago, and have sites booked every weekend until September.

"This weather is really nice and I expect May long weekend to be busy" said Whelan.

Denise McCann also pre-booked her campsite online before coming in on the weekend, but she doesn't have a site booked until the fall like the other die-hards. Her work takes her out of town a lot, so it's difficult for her to plan that far ahead.

Though she has a camper on the back of her truck, she used the outside campfire for a simpler camping experience, rather than having to hook up to a power outlet to cook indoors, or watch movies. Her son James McCann, 4, hasn't gone swimming yet but enjoyed the outdoor brunch shared with family friends Nikki Tews and her baby, John Friesen-Tews.

Alayna Ward, manager of public affairs and communications with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, said the extended stay ballot draw for seasonal campsites at Prelude Lake Territorial Park and Reid Lake, which occurred on May 1, had double the number of ballots entered compared to last year. "This year there was 106 ballots entered compared to 60 ballots entered last year, for 40 half-season permits at Prelude and Reid and 10 full-season permits at Reid. There are no permits available now but there are still sites available through online booking for

Prelude and Reid," said Ward.

Fred Henne is not included in the extended stay ballot draw.

Ward said he didn't know how many campsites at Prelude and Reid Lake were occupied over the weekend.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.