Balsam Lake Provincial Park

[Zubbie]

Has anyone been to Balsam Lake Provincial Park camping grounds??

My buddies and I are going there next week, and I was wondering if anyone has been there and know if they are strict about:

a) Alcohol

b) The amount of people on a campsite. we have 7 people going and we were told 6 people per camp site.

We aren't going for the Canada long weekend, we are going from monday to thursday next week. Think they'll be strict?

[IMHIP2]

As with any provincial park you are only allowed alcohol on your site (ie you are not suppose to walk around the camp ground with it) and the park rangers are usually pretty cool with the noise etc on the long weekend just so long as you are respectful of others and not totally plastered. Some parks the OPP do the rounds and they can be a bit more ridgid.

As far as over six adults I know they take each persons name down and log it on the peice of paper for the site and for the vehicle. Not sure how easy it would be to have 7 but I don't think everyone needs to come in to register. I know my wife doesn't come in and show ID or anything when I register but her name goes on the site paper.

Hope you have your reservation. Have fun.

[Zubbie]

Thanks guy. We are going on Monday till Thursday and it is already booked... actually the 3 campsites around us are empty and looks like this time it's just gonna be us.

We have the extra guy bringing his car as well so if the park rangers really get mad, he already offered to be the first to go.

[WLS ZMZM]

Last time i went camping there it was the OPP doing the rounds.... they usually don't get out of their cars just drive around with the spotlight... as for the 7th man.... as long as the rangers don't have to pay you a visit you're fine, because when they do, they ask for ID and the site registration thats when stuff gets sticky.... as for the second car... most provincial parks you have to buy the extra pass... as its one car per site... and yes they are pretty strict with that... you could always do what we used to do.. say he was there for the day... to visit.. but not staying over... and then play the game of oh... well he was too drunk to drive home so we took his keys away :chuckle:chuckle it doesn't always work... the key is to not draw attention to yourselves... especially if the opp are doing the patrols.. cuz they can be really really tight....

[Caz]

Don't go to provincial parks if you plan on partying until the wee hours of the morning. They can be really strict, so if they come around don't give them any lip or you will get a ticket.

[Zubbie]

just in case anyone wants to go here...

it was awesome! the rangers came around and saw 3 cars and 7 people on our campsite and said nothing.

swimming in 20 ft deep water we could see our feet kicking, and it was warm.

only bad side was, the raccoons were very smart and could open coolers with latches on them, but that just made our drunken nights even better with raccoon hunting.

I recommend this park, but they probably won't be as lenient on long weekends.

and thanks for the advice guys.