Reservations for Parks Canada’s highly sought-after campsites are set to open for the 2025 season, offering outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to secure spots at popular destinations.
Campers are advised to prepare in advance by creating or signing into their Parks Canada accounts and having alternative plans ready due to anticipated high demand.
On Friday at 8 a.m., campsites across Banff National Park, including Tunnel Mountain, Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Castle Mountain, and Two Jack Lake, will become available for online reservations. These sites are among the most frequented in the region, drawing visitors with their proximity to scenic landscapes and recreational opportunities.
Other locations in Alberta will also open reservations this week and next, with all launches scheduled at 8 a.m.
Beyond campsite reservations, outdoor enthusiasts can also book guided experiences. On Tuesday, reservations will open for the Consolation Lakes Guided Hike in Banff National Park.
This moderate hike, spanning six kilometers over 4.5 hours, provides a curated experience of the area’s natural beauty, according to Parks Canada. Such guided activities are part of efforts to offer visitors more structured engagement with the park’s environment.
For those seeking a diverse range of destinations, reservations for the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, Elk Island National Park, and Waterton Lakes National Park will be available starting Wednesday.
Matthew Nodge, engagement and communications officer for Parks Canada’s Waterton Lakes field unit, emphasized the brisk pace of bookings on opening day.
“We’re expecting to receive a high volume of bookings as soon as reservations go live,” Nodge stated, as reported by Calgary Herald on January 20.
Sites at the Waterton Lakes Townsite Campground are particularly in demand, especially during peak summer weekends. Nodge advised prospective campers to remain flexible, suggesting midweek visits or trips earlier or later in the season to secure bookings more easily.
Flexibility, he noted, can make the difference between enjoying a planned trip or missing out entirely.
Wood Buffalo National Park will also feature prominently in the reservation system, with Pine Lake’s tent and group camping options opening this week.
Meanwhile, backcountry enthusiasts can mark January 27 on their calendars. On this day, Banff and Yoho National Parks will open backcountry camping reservations, allowing for more adventurous explorations of the Rocky Mountains.
