Camping Reservations in Canada Parks

To streamline and organize camping trips in 2024, many Canadian parks are encouraging the use of online reservation systems to guarantee your spot in the warmer months.

These reservations are often free to make - minus a small processing fee - and can hold your ideal camping spot months ahead of time, so there’s less to worry about as you get closer to your trip date. You can simply show up to your pre-selected site, set up your Adirondack chairs and relax!

Because many popular parks fill up very quickly, relying on a “first-come first-serve” basis upon arrival may leave you without a spot. The reservation system is an easy way to make sure this doesn’t happen. Even parks that do not require reservations still often recommended doing so to avoid disappointment.

Canada’s most visited parks and their 2024 reservation launch dates*

1. Banff National Park, Alberta

Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest and most visited national park, nestled in the mountains of Alberta with stunning views of Lake Louise. Some campgrounds within Banff National Park are first come first serve, while others accept reservations – you can see which campgrounds are reservable here.

Parks Canada recommends arriving early to the non-reservable campsites and making reservations early for the sites that are reservable, stating that it is “essential” June through September (their busiest months).

Reservation launch date: Friday, January 26^th, 2024, at 8am MT

2. Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia

With unbelievable views of the highlands of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Highlands National Park offers seven regular campgrounds and one backcountry campground to choose from. Camping is permitted in this park from May 17^th to October 27^th, 2024.

Five of the eight campgrounds within this park accept reservations - Chéticamp, Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge, Ingonish Beach, Broad Cove and Fishing Cove - while the remaining three campgrounds (Corney Brook, MacIntosh Brook, and Big Intervale) operate on a “first come, first serve” basis.

Reservation launch date: Friday, February 9^th, 2024, at 8am AT

3. Jasper National Park, Alberta
   

Between canyon ice walks, helicopter tours, camping, and hiking, Jasper National Park is a sight to behold; many people travel from afar to visit.

To camp in this park, a camping permit and a national parks entry pass is required.  Of the 14 campgrounds within Jasper National Park, only five are reservable and the rest operate on a first-come first-serve basis.

Reservation launch date: Tuesday, January 30^th, 2024 at 8am MT

4. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve offers a variety of camping and hiking experiences including frontcountry, backcountry island sites only accessible by boat, and backcountry hiking on the West Coast Trail.

Reservations are recommended for all campgrounds in this park, but they are not required.

Reservation launch date: Friday, January 19^th, 2024 at 8am PT

5. Kejimkujic National Park and Historic Site, Nova Scotia

Open year-round, Kejimkujic National Park has two locations that offer many hiking, paddling, biking, and camping opportunities – inland and seaside. Camping is available from May to October every year at the inland location with an admission fee, while the seaside location is a day-use park, available year-round, and there is no cost to enter.

Backcountry campsites require a reservation in this park. There is also a fee for booking, cancelling, or changing reservations – $11.50 CAD online, or $13.50 by phone.

Reservation launch: Tuesday, February 13^th, 2024, at 8am AT

* Notice: We did out best to confirm dates and costs, but please check the Park's official website to get up-to-date prices and dates.