A successful first summer for North Arm campground in Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T.
Park staff, campers and local businesses are excited about the future of the North Arm Territorial Park campground, as a successful first summer winds down.
"It's been busy here. Every weekend, it's always full," said Norman Nitsiza, a safety officer at the campground and nearby day use area. People have come to stay from Alberta, B.C., Ontario and other parts of the N.W.T., he said.
The North Arm Territorial Park campground opened for the first time on May 15.
The new campground is located off Highway 3 near Behchokǫ̀. It has 15 powered campsites, washrooms, a playground and a kitchen shelter that were completed just a few weeks ago. Art by Tłı̨chǫ artists is also for sale at the gatehouse.
This all-weather indoor shelter at the North Arm Campground, completed in mid-August, has space for around 20 people to share a meal. (Sarah Krymalowski/CBC)
Plans for this campground began in 2020, with both the N.W.T. Government and Tłı̨chǫ government calling it a good opportunity for tourism and employment in the Behchokǫ̀ area.
Yellowknife resident Thomas Bentham and his family camped at the North Arm over Labour Day weekend — it was their second time there this summer.
Yellowknife resident Thomas Bentham and his family have already stayed at North Arm Campground twice this summer. (Sarah Krymalowski/CBC)
"It's really serene, beautiful out here and the kids love it," he said. "It's a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle out at Prelude [Lake campground] there."
Bentham said one of their favourite things about the campground was the powered campsites. It's a lot quieter because they aren't hearing generators running all the time, he said.
The campground is also really valuable to the local community, said Behchokǫ̀ resident and park staff member Brendan Camsell.
"We love staying outdoors because we were born to be outdoors," said Camsell.
"I would take my kids out here, my family out here… to get out of town for a while, enjoy the outdoors."
"I would take my kids out here, my family out here… to get out of town for a while, enjoy the outdoors," said campground staff member and Behchokǫ̀ resident Brendan Camsell. (Sarah Krymalowski/CBC)
Camsell said he started working at the campground on Thursday, but has seen campers around Behchokǫ̀ and fishing at nearby Mosquito Creek, all summer.
"It should be a good thing," said Camsell. "With this campground getting set up, we've seen a lot more people than usual. It really brings out the beautiful scenery of our landscape."
Behchokǫ̀ businesses have said while they have seen some campers, too, it may not necessarily be enough to make a big difference for the bottom line.
Luke Grasco is the operations manager at F.C. Services, a gas station and convenience store in the community.
'There are a few people that come by with their kids to get some ice cream," said Grasco. "But there's not a very big increase, maybe two per cent over the summer."
Still, he said he is hopeful the campground might send more traffic his way as it continues to grow in popularity.
North Arm Campground will close for the summer on Sept. 15.
