Campers line up outside Golden Sheaf Park on April 13, 2022 to get a spot. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Gates Guarin

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Apr 13, 2022 | 1:35 PM

RATTLESNAKE LAKE, AB – If you had plans to pack up the tent and marshmallows for a weekend away at one of Medicine Hat’s surrounding campgrounds, you might have to wait your turn.

Campers have already begun hunkering down in their cars and RVs outside campgrounds to make sure they get the best spot this long weekend.

Some, like Jim Cameron, have been waiting outside Golden Sheaf Park since Sunday afternoon. He says the wait hasn’t been too bad despite the weather.

“It’s alright, you know, not much to do out here at the moment with the lovely weather we’ve been having, but yeah, we keep ourselves occupied and busy,” Cameron says.

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Roger Johnson and his partner Jackie took over as managers of the park last July. He says long-term spots are limited, and because it’s first-come, first-serve, campers who spend months at a time on the grounds want the best option for them.

“There’s 21 sites available for monthlies, and they want those 21 sites,” Johnson says. “We’ve got over 200 sites here that are seasonal, and some of these people have been here for over 30 years, and they’ve already paid for their sites.”

Johnson says certain rules must be followed, such as having at least one person remain with their vehicle at all times. Johnson has also been getting the campgrounds ready for the season.

We’ve cleaned up the park, done different jobs here and there. They put in a new boat ramp in last year which they needed after 30 years and, been in there the whole time, anything I can do to help it keep going.”