Parks Canada Has a New Reservation System for 2023. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Attention, fellow campers! Lovers of nature! People of the parks! Outdoor adventurers!
Camping and outdoor adventures are the highlights of the year for many of us nature lovers—it’s a time to spend with your loved ones, disconnect from work stress and soak in the beautiful natural landscape that we are so blessed with in Canada. But snagging your spot has come with many challenges, with the masses flocking to Parks Canada’s websites to try and reserve their seasonal holidays the moment sites open up. There have been battles against bulk reservations, automated programs and demand that outweighs availability, causing some of us to miss out on our beloved spots. Frankly, the system needed to change.
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With the aim of streamlining and simplifying the reservation process, Parks Canada is launching a new reservation system as of March 13, 2023. If you’re planning on reserving a site or activity, you’ll want to keep reading.
This year, reservation launches will be staggered to avoid having to attempt to book all your activities at once. The platform is being upgraded to have a more modernized look and feel. Parks Canada promises to ensure the continued stability of the service while offering similar features and functions as the current system you know and love (or love to hate).
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We know claiming and reserving your favourite camping spots can be stressful, and the shift over to Parks Canada’s new platform will require a little additional effort to set yourself up for success (most notably, your old account will no longer exist as of February 26, and you will need to set up a new one).
For a smooth and enjoyable booking session—leading to getting outdoors more this season—mark your calendars with these key dates.
From now until February 26:
- Log into your existing account and take note of sites and activities you may have reserved in the past. Write it down on a piece of paper, in a note on your phone take a screenshot—this data will no longer be available after February 26.
- This is your last chance to make reservations for March bookings on the current Parks Canada Reservation Service.
Between February 27 and March 2:
- The Parks Canada Reservation Service will be offline as they migrate to the new platform.
- Launch dates will be available for viewing and planning on the Parks Canada website.
Between March 3 and March 12:
- Set up a new account, browse the site and get used to the new look. Familiarize yourself with the new Parks Canada Reservation Service. Test out the new features.
- You will be able to make reservations for March, but not for dates in April and beyond.
From March 13 to 31:
- It’s go time! 2023 reservations will now open for camping spots, roofed accommodation and activities. Visit the Parks Canada website to find the launch dates of your favourite Parks Canada spot or your next adventure.
To stay in the loop, the Parks Canada website and social media channels are your best friends. Visit the site for reservation details and exact dates for each national historic site, national park and national marine conservation area. Keep an eye out for updates in the coming weeks, including a step-by-step guide on how to set up a new user account on the Parks Canada Reservation Service.
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Here are the upcoming reservation launch dates:
Newfoundland and Labrador:
Gros Morne National Park: March 31 at 8:30 am NT
Terra Nova National Park: March 18 at 8:30 am NT
Nova Scotia:
Cape Breton Highlands National Park: March 18 at 8 am AT
Grand-Pré National Historic Site: March 17 at 8 am AT
Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site: March 31 at 8 am AT
Prince Edward Island:
Prince Edward Island National Park: March 18 at 8 am AT
New Brunswick:
Fort Beauséjour – Fort Cumberland National Historic Site: March 17 at 8 am AT
Fundy National Park: March 17 at 8 am AT
Kouchibouguac National Park: March 17 at 8 am AT
Quebec:
Forillon National Park: March 15 at 8 am ET
La Mauricie National Park: March 15 at 8 am ET
Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve: March 15 at 8 am ET
Saint-Ours Canal Historic National Historic Site: March 15 at 8 am ET
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Ontario:
Bruce Peninsula National Park: March 21 at 8 am ET
Fathom Five National Marine Park: March 21 at 8 am ET
Georgian Bay Islands National Park: March 21 at 8 am ET
Point Pelee National Park: March 21 at 8 am ET
Pukaskwa National Park: March 21 at 8 am ET
Rideau Canal National Historic Site: March 21 at 8 am ET
Thousand Islands National Park: March 21 at 8 am ET
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site: March 21 at 8 am ET
Manitoba
Riding Mountain National Park: March 27 at 8 am CT
Saskatchewan:
Grasslands National Park: March 28 at 8 am CT
Prince Albert National Park: March 28 at 8 am CT
Alberta:
Banff National Park (Hidden Lake Guided Hike): March 29 at 8 am MT
Banff National Park (backcountry camping): March 22 at 8 am MT
Banff National Park (reservable shuttle to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise): April 13 at 8 am MT
Banff National Park (all other campgrounds/hikes): March 23 at 8 am MT
Elk Island National Park: March 30 at 8 am MT
Jasper National Park (backcountry camping): March 20 at 8 am MT
Jasper National Park (all other campgrounds/hikes): March 16 at 8 am MT
Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site: March 30 at 8 am MT
Waterton Lakes National Park: March 30 at 8 am MT
Wood Buffalo National Park: March 30 at 8 am MT
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British Columbia:
Fort Langley National Historic Site: March 13 at 8 am PT
Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site: March 13 at 8 am PT
Glacier National Park: March 13 at 8 am PT
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve: March 13 at 8 am PT
Kootenay National Park (backcountry camping): March 22 at 8 am MT
Kootenay National Park (all other campgrounds/hikes): March 29 at 8 am MT
Mount Revelstoke National Park: March 13 at 8 am PT
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (West Coast Trail): March 25 at 8 am PT
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (all other campgrounds/hikes): March 13 at 8 am PT
Yoho National Park (Lake O’Hara Overnight Camping): March 28 at 8 am MT
Yoho National Park (backcountry camping): March 22 at 8 am MT
Yoho National Park (all other campgrounds/hikes): March 29 at 8 am MT
Yoho National Park (Lake O’Hara Day-Use Bus): April 12 at 8 am MT
Northwest Territories:
Wood Buffalo National Park: March 30 at 8 am MT
Yukon:
Kluane National Park and Reserve: March 13 at 8 am MT
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Note: These dates may change; check the website for updates.
