Parks Canada is ushering in the 2024 camping season with an earlier reservation opening, slated for January, two months ahead of last year’s March start. Campers can secure their spots between January 19 and February 13, 2024, through the Parks Canada reservation website or phone service. The new booking system, introduced to address overbooking and queuing issues, requires users to have a registered account, available since March 3.
A range of camping options, from frontcountry to backcountry, along with roofed accommodations and activities, are available across various parks in Canada. It’s important to distinguish between the ‘reservable period’ (the timeframe for making reservations) and the ‘operating season’ (when campgrounds are open to the public).
Booking start dates vary by province and territory. For British Columbia, reservations open between January 19 and January 29 for several sites, including Fort Langley and Yoho National Park. Yukon’s Kluane National Park opens on January 23. In Quebec, all sites, like Forillon and La Mauricie National Parks, begin on February 7. Alberta’s options, including Banff and Jasper National Parks, start between January 24 and February 1. New Brunswick opens on February 8 for parks like Fundy and Kouchibouguac.
Nova Scotia, with Cape Breton Highlands and Kejimkujik, and Prince Edward Island National Park begin reservations between February 9 and February 13. Newfoundland and Labrador follow the same dates for Gros Morne and Terra Nova. Ontario’s parks like Bruce Peninsula and Thousand Islands open on February 5. Manitoba’s Riding Mountain Park starts on February 2, the same date as Saskatchewan’s Grasslands and Prince Albert National Parks. The Northwest Territories’ Wood Buffalo National Park opens on January 24.
A full list is below:
BRITISH COLUMBIA – sites opening between January 19 and January 29
- Fort Langley National Historic Site
- Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site
- Glacier National Park
- Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
- Kootenay National Park
- Mount Revelstoke National Park
- Pacific Rim National Reserve
- Yoho National Park
YUKON – site opening January 23
- Kluane National Park and Reserve
QUEBEC – all sites opening February 7
- Forillon National Park
- La Mauricie National Park
- Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
- Saint-Ours Canal National Historic Site
ALBERTA – sites opening between January 24 and February 1
- Banff National Park
- Elk Island National Park
- Jasper National Park
- Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site
- Waterton Lakes National Park
- Wood Buffalo National Park
NEW BRUNSWICK – sites opening February 8
- Fundy National Park
- Kouchibouguac National Park
NOVA SCOTIA – sites opening between February 9 and February 13
- Cape Breton Highlands National Park
- Grand-Pré National Historic Site
- Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND – site opening February 9
- Prince Edward Island National Park
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR – sites opening between February 9 and February 13
- Gros Morne National Park
- Terra Nova National Park
ONTARIO – all sites opening February 5
- Bruce Peninsula National Park
- Fathom Five National Marine Park
- Georgian Bay Islands National Park
- Point Pelee National Park
- Pukaskwa National Park
- Rideau Canal National Historic Site
- Thousand Islands National Park
- Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
MANITOBA – site opening February 2
- Riding Mountain National Park
SASKATCHEWAN – all sites opening February 2
- Grasslands National Park
- Prince Albert National Park
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – site opening January 24
- Wood Buffalo National Park
While there are certain things in the van that are irreplaceable, like photos and other similar material from their travels, Taylor and Fillier have started a fundraiser to try and get back on their feet.
“For those of you that know us, the van was not just a vehicle, it was our home abroad and in Canada. In addition to the van we lost all of the photos of our incredible journeys, all of our clothing, shoes, computer, electronics and every single item in our Etsy shop (which was our hope and plan for a future of financial independence),” the fundraiser explains.
“More than that, we feel like we lost a member of our family, the MVP of Lifeat90kph, our beautiful and beastly GMC Savana. Our hearts are broken, we feel lost and we need help. It humbles us to reach out to you all in our hour or need.”
But they certainly have not forgotten about the police officer who was killed while trying to help them, who leaves behind a loving wife and six children. The couple has also set up a separate fundraiser to raise money for the fallen officer’s family.
“The objective is to provide the family with ongoing long term financial assistance,” it reads. “We would like to raise enough money to contribute to the education of his children and their upbringing. Any amount, big or small, is greatly appreciated.”
Source: Kelowna Now