SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The campgrounds officially opened for the long weekend, and spots for the whole camping season have filled up fast.

Karen Carroll, left, Kent Rose, Liam Carroll, 10, Gavin Rose, 3, Trina Rose, Jason Carroll, Emily Carroll, 10, and Blake Rose, 5, enjoy their campsite in Prelude Lake campground despite the showers on Sunday afternoon. "It feels awesome to be here, it makes you realize how much you missed it," Karen said. - Candace Thomson/NNSL photo

Over the Victoria Day long weekend, the parks closest to Yellowknife – Fred Henne, Prelude Lake and Reid Lake – had few spots available each, most of which were small tent sites.

According to the NWT Parks website, only 77 of Fred Henne's 91 camping spots were taken. The other sites saw similar crowds, with 57 of Prelude's 72 spots and 61 of Reid Lake's 76 spots filled up.

Many of the seasonal camp sites are already booked, but the new NWT Parks website allows prospective campers to select a site and see which dates it's available. For most of the sites, there is limited availability, with early May and June being the best bet while July and August are almost packed solid.

Over the weekend, campers said they had no problems with the new website.

"I found it was much easier to book sites and to do multiple bookings with," said Kent Rose, who was camping with his family at Prelude Lake.

"It's the first year I booked a bunch at a time and I've got all of my campsites booked for the summer, now."

Prelude Lake only had tent sites available over the long weekend. While it was busy, campers said it was quiet and relaxing. Despite the fact that the lake is still frozen -- meaning no swimming or boating -- the Carroll and Rose families didn't find themselves bored.

"We've had no issues, and we're right next to the playground, so it's great for the kids," said Karen Carroll. "It feels awesome to be out here and it makes you realize how much you missed it. The kids haven't stopped, either."

"It's been really fun," said Liam Carroll, 10.

Tracy Levesque and her daughter, Isabel Levesque, 11, were seen walking their terrier, Nibbler, along Loop C in the playground. They admitted that it was cold at night, but the scattered showers of rain over the weekend didn't bother them.

"I'm glad we had a furnace because it was too cold (Saturday evening) to not have one," said Tracy. "We're hearty, what can we say."

Fred Henne campground was also full, with many RVs and tents filling up the spaces. Anne Mackenzie was camping over the weekend with her friends. Even though the beach remains closed until the weather warms up, Mackenzie said they've kept themselves busy with walking, biking and campfires.

"She learned how to ride her bike in one day," Mackenzie said, gesturing to Azarael Neville, 8.

"The kids are go go go," she said. "As soon as they wake up, they don't stop."