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Have you experienced disappointment after learning you were weeks or even months too late to reserve your spot at Canada’s best National and Provincial Park camp sites? Considering how popular camping is in Canada Parks, a more accurate question is - 'Who hasn't experienced this?'
We've taken the guess work and 'luck' out of navigating Canada's National & Provincial Parks' sporadic reservation systems and are excited to share this comprehensive guide to securing your dream 2024 Canadian camp season!
New year, new adventures! During colder months, droves of us dream about spending long sunny days with family and friends in Canada’s breathtaking outdoors. Canada's camping fanbase steadily increases in popularity and it is important we are positioned to reserve our ideal campsites in favourite parks as soon as possible to avoid forlorn feelings towards 2024's camp season.We've taken the guess work and 'luck' out of navigating Canada's National & Provincial Parks' sporadic reservation systems and are excited to share this comprehensive guide to securing your dream 2024 Canadian camp season!
As campsite demand often exceeds supply, pre-planning is our best defence against ‘unhappy camper’ syndrome. We have created an informative guide packed with helpful information on each province and have included the important reservation launch dates. Booking is a breeze in park campgrounds through Parks Canada's one-site reservation tool and Provincial Parks’ reservation system with links located in this blog along with informative tips!
Changes to Canada Parks Reservation Launch Dates
Parks Canada recently announced exciting changes for the upcoming year’s reservation system launch dates, which are locatable on Canada Parks website. Enthusiastic campers will be happy to know Canada's National Park reservation launch dates are opening earlier this year, with all Parks Canada campground bookings opening between January 19 and February 13, 2024!
British Columbia
As one of Canada’s premiere camping provinces, B.C.’s diverse landscape features ancient rainforests, lush valleys, rolling grassland, lakes, mountains, and semi-arid desert, accommodating all camping preferences.
Some B.C. Parks campgrounds are open year-round, and the majority are seasonal. Park operating dates vary by park with online reservations available through BC Provincial Parks Reservation portal and offers a 4-month rolling booking window for front-country and backcountry reservations. In most BC Parks, campers are invited to stay up to 14 days per calendar year.
B.C.’s Parks Canada reservations open: Staggered between Jan. 19 - Jan. 29, 2024
B.C’s Provincial Parks reservations open: January 3, 2024
Alberta
Alberta’s national and provincial parks offer a wide range of recreation and tourism experiences, thanks to a generous assortment of geographical regions. The topography of Alberta features rugged mountains, forest, foothills, prairie, lakes, and badlands, offering a dynamic canvas for campers to achieve their unique dream camping holiday.
More than 100 of the Alberta Provincial Parks campgrounds are non-reservable, offering only first-come, first-served camping. The more popular ones will require reservations, particularly during long weekends the school summer break. Reservations for Alberta Campgrounds are available on a rolling 90-day basis; you are invited to reserve at a campground up to 90 days in advance of your arrival. The maximum number of nights bookable is 10 and there is no limitation to nights per park per year.
Alberta Parks Canada reservations open between: Staggered between Jan. 23 - Feb. 1, 2024
Alberta’s Provincial Parks reservations opens: January 24, 2024
Saskatchewan
Despite treacherously cold and long cold winters, Saskatchewan is reputed to be the sunniest province in Canada. Blessed with hot summers, huge skies that mesmerize, lakes galore, and sun-kissed fields for as far as the eye can see, Saskatchewan offers camping perfection.
Camping Guests are spoiled with choice with an astonishing selection of 24 Saskatchewan Provincial Parks! Many campgrounds are close to fishing, golfing, swimming, and other fun-in-the-sun recreational activities.
Saskatchewan Parks Canada reservations open between: February 2, 2024
Saskatchewan Provincial Parks reservations opens: Likely April 1, 2024
(Date not posted at time of online publication)
Manitoba
The most easterly of Canada’s prairie provinces, Manitoba is a land of lakes, forest, rivers, and mountains stretching from northern Arctic tundra to southern rolling farmland. Manitoba’s provincial motto “Strong and Free” accurately depicts the colossal province’s 650,000 square kilometres, with a sparse 1.3 million calling this province home. Locating ‘peace in paradise’ is simple while camping in Manitoba's National and Provincial Parks.
Manitoba Parks Canada reservations open between: February 2, 2024
Manitoba Provincial Parks reservations opens: April 1, 2024
Ontario
Are you looking for crystal-clear lake to laze or Interested in exploring a bounty of counties and vast country to explore? Ontario is your best bet to fulfill your lake bathing bucket-list with over 250,000 lakes. Can you see an Ontario camping holiday in your future? We can!
Canada’s second largest province touts an enormous one-million-kilometre land mass and is estimated to have 20% of the world’s freshwater stores. If you are seeking to sample several different lakes, Muskoka’s famous Cottage Country may just have what you are looking for – and you may run into a few Hollywood types! International and local film and television stars have long sought relaxation and refuge in this heavenly lake haven. Ontario is your best bet to fulfill your lake bathing bucket-list with over 250,000 lakes!
While reservations are not always necessary at Ontario Provincial Parks, you should book your site for highly visited parks.
Ontario Parks Canada reservations open between: Staggered between Feb. 2 - February 5, 2024
Ontario Provincial Parks reservations open: April 1, 2024
Québec
Québec is the largest province in Canada, covering nearly one-sixth of Canada’s total land area. While the province is predominantly French speaking, visitors to main cities won’t struggle locating bilingual residents. Québecers are keen on camping and campsites book up early every year. It is highly recommended sites in Québec's Provincial Parks (SEPAQ) are booked well in advance for more popular campgrounds.
For great bike trails, exciting water sports, hiking and amazing scenery, Québec offers more than ideal camping destinations.
Québec Parks Canada reservations open: February 7, 2024
Québec Provincial Parks (SEPAQ) reservations open: November 11, 2023
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is home to some of the world’s highest tides, beckoning visitors from around the world to view this spectacular phenomenon. This maritime province is known for its vast, untouched wilderness and the warmest saltwater beaches north of Virginia.
Interested in trying a different surfing experience? Check out Petitcodiac River, N.B. and learn how they hang ten! Surfs up! Reserve your space at New Brunswick's Provincial Parks here!
New Brunswick Parks Canada reservations open: February 8, 2024
New Brunswick Provincial Parks reservations open: February 2, 2024
Prince Edward Island
Red, sandy beaches, lighthouses and fertile farmland greet you as you arrive on Prince Edward Island. Its expansive coastline is indented with small inlets, bays, and coves; spending summer afternoons undisturbed by crowds is often the rule, not the exception.
While PEI has many private campgrounds, along with a few National Park Campgrounds, the government owned network of PEI Provincial Parks is popular. Eight of PEI’s 21 Provincial Parks offer RV camping and are ideal for swimming, picnics, and other outdoor experiences.
Prince Edward Island Parks Canada reservations open: February 9, 2024
PEI Provincial Parks reservations open: Vary by campground
Nova Scotia
While the name, Nova Scotia, is Latin for New Scotland, it was Gaelic speaking immigrants from both Ireland and Scotland who had the most influence in shaping Nova Scotia’s proud and lively identity.
Many of Nova Scotia’s Provincial Parks' campgrounds are adjacent to water sources, providing ample opportunities for fishing, hiking, beachcombing and other outdoor activities. If 2023 is any indicator in forecasting Nova Scotia’s parks' popularity, competition for sites in this remarkable province will prove fierce.
Nova Scotia Parks Canada reservations open: February 9, 2024
Nova Scotia Provincial Parks reservations open: Early April 2024
Newfoundland
Known for its unique houses, majestic and rugged coastline and big personalities, Newfoundland is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful provinces in Canada. Newfoundland is home to the oldest city in North America – St. John’s - where houses were painted in different colours to assist ship captains and crew to identify their location and have added awareness to where shorelines lay. Campers are thrilled with the diverse camping options in Newfoundland's Provincial Parks.
Newfoundland Parks Canada reservations open: Staggered between Feb. 9 - Feb. 13, 2024
Newfoundland Provincial Parks reservations open: Launches third week in April 2024
Yukon and Northwest Territories
If you’re looking for Canada’s wild and free frontier, you’ll find it in Yukon and the Northwest Territories. With mountains dominating a vast rugged wilderness, these territories are home to the indigenous Inuit and Inuvialuit people. They are small on population and big on wildlife, wide spaces, and WOW!
Many Yukon and Northwest Territories Provincial Parks camp sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camp sites are often available although it is best to call or research the specific campground to learn more information.
Yukon Parks Canada reservations open: January 23, 2024
Yukon Provincial Parks reservations open: Pilot reservation tool launching in 2024 with no set date
Northwest Territories Parks Canada reservations open: January 24, 2024
Northwest Territories Provincial Parks reservation open date: Commences early Spring 2024
CANADA’S MOST POPULAR CAMPING DESTINATIONS 2024 RESERVATION LAUNCH DATES:
| PARK or AREA | CAMPING TYPE | RESERVATIONS OPEN |
| Banff National Park | Front-country | Friday, January 26, 2024 |
| Banff, Kootenay, & Yoho Nat. Park | Back-country | Monday, January 29, 2024 |
| Glacier National Park | Front and Back-country | Friday, January 19, 2024 |
| Jasper National Park | Front-country | Tuesday, January 30, 2024 |
| Kootenay National Park | Front-country | Tuesday, January 23, 2024 |
| Mount Revelstoke | Front and Back-country | Friday, January 19, 2024 |
| Pacific Rim Park | Front-country | Friday, January 19, 2024 |
| Waterton National Park | Front and Back-country | Wednesday, January 24, 2024 |
| West Coast Trail | Back-country | Monday, January 22, 2024 |
Closing Tips
National and provincial park camping reservation launch dates may vary by categories of camping offered (front and back-country as well as canoe-camping). As a result, the booking system’s open dates listed may not correlate to your unique location, date and camping type. Researching your desired national or provincial park camping trip, including specific campsite details, will ensure you are on the mark to get ready and set to RESERVE on your preferred park’s launch day!
- Most online park reservation systems open between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM, in the parks specific time zone. Newfoundland bookings start at 8:30 AM (NT)
- To save time during the reservation process, create a Parks Canada account prior to your anticipated launch date
- Review the camping site map and identify your preferrable sites if your park of interest allows specific site bookings
- Locations offering shuttle service within national parks (such as Banff National Park’s shuttle to Lake Louise) are reservable, and recommended, on the Parks Canada website
Happy camping!
