Though the frigid Canadian winter may not have you thinking about spending a night outdoors, now is the time to start planning your 2017 camping trips! New to the year of 2017, reservations for National Parks and Historic Sites are available as early as January, and many provincial parks are changing their booking procedures from a set reservation date to the ability to book months in advance of desired arrival date.
With the celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, and FREE entry into all National Parks in Canada, you can imagine the demand for camping reservations will be higher across the country than ever before. To ensure you get a spot at your favourite location this spring and summer season, be sure to follow the simple reservation steps each province has in place. Here we have provided detailed instructions and handy links so you can know how to book your provincial campground and celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday camping in the beautiful backcountry.
Image: National Parks - www.pc.gc.ca
National Parks
New to 2017, a reservation for a fully serviced campsite, roofed accommodation, an interpretive guided hike or a remote backcountry experience in any of the 31 National Parks and Historic Sites can be made starting in January. Once the launch date of the specific park has been passed, you can book online 24/7 at www.reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca or call 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783). The telephone service is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local park time (except from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Newfoundland).
For a detailed list of exactly when the National Parks and Historic Sites are accepting Reservations, please visit the Parks Canada Reservation Service website.
Image: Wells Gray Provincial Park - www.wediscovercanada.com
British Columbia Provincial Parks
WHEN YOU CAN RESERVE: Up to four months ahead of desired arrival date. (ex. If you want to reserve camping for May 2, 2017, you can book it on January 2, 2017)
With high demand for front, and backcountry, camping in BC, the process for registration has been changed and updated year after year. With plenty of feedback from the public BC Parks have attempted to make the registration process as easy and fair as possible for everyone, hoping to ensure those who want to camp get the chance to do so.
Using the BC Parks website, you will either login as a returning customer or signup as a new customer and follow the 6 steps to make a reservation, available 24/7. You can also reserve a site using the Call centre 7 days a week from 7am – 7pm.
In response to feedback from the 2016 reservation service, BC Parks have made significant changes to help improve the reservation system for 2017. Some key changes to note are:
• The elimination of “opening day” for reservations
- Previously, May 15 marked the opening day for all reservations for camping in BC Parks.
- Starting January 2, 2017, reservations can be made up to four months ahead of your desired arrival date.
• Policy to prevent reselling or transferring reservations
- Permit holders can now no longer change the name on the reservation starting January 2, 2017.
- During the stay, at least one permit holder must be present and identification may be required for a valid reservation.
• Restricted booking policy to stop “overbooking”
• Changes to Discover Camping Call Centre Hours
- Open from 7:00am – 7:00pm PT / 7 days a week including holidays
• Seven day maximum stay in five provincial parks (pilot project)
- Attempting to free up space for customers at high-demand campgrounds. Parks included are: Martha Creek, Mount Fernie, Porteau Cove, Lovelwand Bay, and Ellison
Image: Alberta Parks - www.albertaparks.ca
Alberta Provincial Parks
WHEN YOU CAN RESERVE: Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Alberta Parks offer a variety of camping suited to fit the needs and desires of everyone wanting to visit. From backcountry walk-in sites, to comfort camping in yurts, equestrian camping with horse corrals and the typical vehicle-access site, there is something for everyone in all Alberta parks. Check in time for many parks is around 4pm, and most check-out times are at 2pm and the amenities range from full hook ups, such as power, water, sewer, to un-serviced with no toilets or water hook-ups.
On Tuesday, February 21, 2017, all regular campsite reservations across the province of Alberta can be made. The reservation process is divided by times, and each region of the provinces is allocated a different set time for reservation to be open. Reservations can be made online at www.reserve.albertaparks.ca or by calling 1-877-537-2757. View the Regular Campsite Reservations Map to know which campsites are in which region and when their time to book begins.
Group camping reservations open on February 6 2017 at 9am, and comfort camping reservations open on Monday, February 13th, 2017 at 9am. Many campgrounds in Alberta are offered on a First Come First-Served basis, and some campgrounds that take reservations also have some First Come-First Served sites available. For those wanting to reserve an Equestrian Campground, most reservations will have to be made by phone. The cost to reserve a campground varies, depending on where and how long you want to stay, and for those who are wishing to try some Fall and Winter Camping in Alberta, there are a number of sites and places available year-round.
Image: Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park - www.pcs.gov.sk.ca
Saskatchewan Provincial Parks
WHEN YOU CAN RESERVE: Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 10:00am
Saskatchewan Parks have several options available for seasonal, group, equestrian and fall camping, which all follow the same reservation process. To reserve seasonal camping, the applications will be accepted starting Wednesday January 4, 2017 at 10:00am, until Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 11:59pm. In order to apply for seasonal camping, you have to create a new account, or sign in to an existing account you have created on the Saskatchewan Parks Website. Seasonal campsites are chosen by a lottery draw and priority is given to Saskatchewan residents.
There are 3 ways to make a reservation for camping in Saskatchewan Provincial Parks, their full reservation website, their mobile reservation website and their call center (1-855-737-7275). Their full reservation website, and mobile reservation website, offer a step by step process to booking the site you want. You can find more information about campsite reservations on the Reserve-a-Site section of the Saskatchewan Parks website.
Image: Nopiming Provincial Park - www.gov.mb.ca
Manitoba Provincial Parks
WHEN YOU CAN RESERVE: March 20, 2017
Reservations for any cabins, yurts, group use areas and Birds Hill campsite reservations can be made starting March 20, 2017. Reservations can be made online, by phone at 204-948-3333 or in person at 200 Salteaux Cres. Winnipeg. You can reserve a campsite up to 21 nights on a single reservation, while yurts and cabins can be reserved for a maximum of 14 nights and minimum of 2.
To make an online reservation you will need to create a personal username and password. Afterwards, the account will require your name, address, phone number and an email address. All campgrounds in Manitoba have a 4pm check-in time and 3pm check out, and Park Vehicle Permits are required in all Manitoba Provincial Parks. You can visit the Park Reservation Service website for more information and to book your camping, starting March 20th.
Image: www.ontarioparks.com
Ontario Provincial Parks
WHEN YOU CAN RESERVE: Up to five months ahead of desired arrival date. (ex. If you want to reserve camping for June 2, 2017, you can book it on January 2, 2017)
While some Ontario Parks do not require a reservation, the busy or more popular parks do offer at most a five month reservation in advance of your arrival date. You can make your reservation online or contacting the Ontario Parks call centre at 1-888-668-7275.
You can even reserve backcountry camping for many Ontario Parks, by selecting Backcountry as the reservation type and group campsite reservations are available for 12 parks in southwestern Ontario and can be booked by choosing “Group” as the Reservation type. For other parks, group reservations must be made over the phone by calling the specific park directly. For a more detailed list of what you need to know to reserve camping in Ontario, visit the Rules and Regulations page on the Ontario Parks website.
Image: www.parks.novascotia.ca
Nova Scotia Provincial Parks
WHEN YOU CAN RESERVE: April 2, 2017 at 9am
All campsites in Nova Scotia Provincial parks are open to registration starting April 2, 2017 at 9am Atlantic Time and can be made either online or by phone. Group campsites begin their registration process on May 1, and can only be reserved through a local DNR office.
All campers in Nova Scotia Provincial Parks must have a camping permit issued to an adult staying at the campsite. A camping permit includes up to 6 people and one vehicle, and fees will be applied for additional people and any separate vehicles need a second permit. A campsite can be reserved up to 14 nights and fees to reserve vary depending on if you’re booking an individual or group site.
Image: Sugarloaf Provincial Park - www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca
New Brunswick Provincial Parks
WHEN YOU CAN RESERVE: Up until 8pm Atlantic Standard Time on the day of arrival
Reservations for any of New Brunswick’s Provincial Parks can be made for a maximum of 14 nights and can be made online or by calling the Tourism Communication Centre at 1-800-561-0123. Each booking must be registered to someone who is staying on the campsite, and must be of at least 16 years of age. Group Campsites can only be made by calling the park directly. Seasonal Campsites are designated to customers by a draw within each park, and can only be reserved by calling the park directly.
There are also a number of first-come first-serve sites available within New Brunswick Provincial Parks and have a maximum stay of 7 nights.
Image: Mistaken Point - www.newfoundlandlabrador.com
Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Parks
WHEN YOU CAN RESERVE: On the scheduled launch date, both the online and toll free systems will open at 7am.
Each provincial park in Newfoundland & Labrador offers the ability to reserve a spot online or by phoning (709) 1-877-214-2267 to guarantee you get the campsite you want in the park of your choice. Reservations must be registered under the name of at least one person staying at that campsite and can be made for up to 7 nights, depending on availability. Group campsites can only be booked by calling the specific provincial park directly.
The online reservation process is a simple step-by-step process and you can make a reservation online 24-7. In order to reserve a campsite you must be 16 years of age, or older, and only a maximum of 6 people are allowed to satay on a campsite, aside from families containing more than 6 people. Newfoundland Provincial Parks allow a maximum one piece of camping equipment and a children’s tent or kitchen shelter per campsite, and you can check in at 3pm while checkout is at 2pm.
Image: Northumberland Provincial Park - www.tourismpei.com
Prince Edward Island Provincial Parks
WHEN YOU CAN RESERVE: April 1, 2017 and onwards
Though a small and quaint province, Prince Edward Island still boasts 9 parks to camp in and 13 day-use parks, featuring breathtaking beaches, iconic Atlantic scenery and great places to explore! Starting April 1 you can make camping reservations by calling the specific Provincial Park you would like to camp in directly. Calls can be made weekdays from 8:00am to 4:00pm AST and you will need to provide them with your phone number, length of desired stay, name, address and the type of campsite you would like.
