Families looking to camp under the stars without leaving town now have a new destination in Gimli.
Offroad Adventures Family Campground, a 66-lot full-service site nestled in the trees off Loni Beach Road, officially opened this summer—offering a rustic, nature-connected getaway just minutes from the heart of town.
Located at 59 Loni Beach Road, the 44-acre campground features lots serviced with water, sewage, and either 30- or 50-amp power.
“We are a camping family and we wanted to give our kids and other Gimli families another space to get away. We knew Gimli needed it, so we turned it into a little family project over the last 10 years,” said Laura Leger.
She owns the campground with her husband, Dennis. Both were born and raised in Gimli but had been living in Alberta. Laura and their three children moved back to Gimli in 2020, while Dennis commutes back and forth between his two jobs.
“It’s a lot being apart from him so often, but we both knew we wanted the kids’ roots to be back in Gimli,” she added.
The Legers always knew they wanted to develop a campground, buying the land from the municipality in 2015. The property has potential for 200 lots, with both seasonal and nightly options available.
Over the past decade, the couple worked on the campground during their off time from their Alberta-based businesses: Offroad Industries Ltd., Offroad Excavation Ltd., and now Offroad Adventures Family Campground.
“This campground was a little side project that quickly turned into something big. We didn’t necessarily know what we were getting ourselves into each year—taking on one big project annually—but we were excited to see where things went.”
They opened the first 66 sites over the May long weekend—something that happened sooner than expected.
“There was so much demand. We had to push the opening forward because so many people wanted a site. We didn’t promote the campground in any way—it just travelled by word of mouth. So, we set up a temporary office and we’ve been near capacity since we opened.”
Offroad Adventures Campground has welcomed visitors from across Canada, along with a few American guests. At the moment, most employees are family members.
“From our parents to our children—it’s a true family venture,” said Leger. “Our children have been involved since day one. From the planning stages, to development and now daily upkeep… our kids have been a huge part of this process.”
The campground also employs four students to maintain and clean the grounds.
Leger said many campers make the most of their stay by shopping and exploring Gimli’s local shops, restaurants, and activities.
When developing the campground, the family worked with local and provincial governments to ensure all standards were met. Nature preservation was also a priority. They aimed to maintain a “wilderness feel” by keeping as many trees as possible for wildlife—especially deer—to roam freely.
They are already developing Phase 2, which includes 33 additional sites set to open next year. In total, the campground will be completed in three phases, with the timeline still in the works as the Legers split their focus between their other businesses.
Currently, all lots are surrounded by trees, offering campers a private outdoor experience. The campground is attached to the sports park, offering amenities such as a dog park, walking trails, playground, and green spaces.
“The biggest thing is that we are right in the Town of Gimli. We’re within walking distance to the many great things the town has to offer,” said Leger.
The family hopes to eventually build their own green spaces and playground, but for now, campers can take advantage of Gimli’s nearby recreational facilities.
“We didn’t realize how lucky we were to live and grow up in Gimli. After we moved away, we realized just how fortunate we were to have this right outside our front door. We want to create this opportunity to bring more families to Gimli and let them enjoy the town just like we always did. Gimli is a special place and we can’t wait to create chances for families to relax and get away.”
Overnight camping spaces are still available until the campground closes for the season on Sept. 30. Families can book a campsite online at www.offroadcampground.com or call 204-671-0550 for more information.
