Parks Canada upgraded reservation system live, staggered dates for Alberta

Parks Canada’s upgraded reservation system went live Monday, although you’ll have to wait a few days for Alberta campsites.

Six Parks Canada sites in the province will be made available at staggered dates until the month’s end, with Jasper opening up first for bookings on March 16.

Each camping location has its own launch date and will take bookings from now until April 13 for visits between May 2023 and March 2024.

The new staggered reservation system comes after officials deemed its predecessor outdated.

The change was announced in January, and claimed the new portal would be similar.

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• Alberta Parks campsite reservations down compared to this time last year

As a result of the platform switch, campers will need to create a new account.

Reservations for backcountry camping spots for Banff, Kootenay and Yoho national parks open up on March 22, and reservations for Moraine Lake and Lake Louise launch on April 13

In the past, bookings could be made 90 days prior for individual and backcountry camping and 180 days in advance for group and comfort camping.

The new booking system aims to reduce online volume and promote fair access for all Albertans looking to book those summer camping trips.

-With files from Cole Fortner