Camping in Canada is a cherished tradition, offering people the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. From lush forests and pristine lakes to rugged mountain ranges, the country’s public campgrounds are popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and full-time adventurers embracing the RV living lifestyle. These campgrounds provide a vital connection to the outdoors, particularly for those who rely on them as part of their RV living journey, whether for weekend getaways or longer stays.

However, this shared love for camping has given rise to a growing problem: “site saving.” Site saving occurs when individuals reserve a campsite by placing a tent or parking a vehicle on it but don’t actually occupy the site until days later. This behavior has sparked widespread frustration, leaving many campers unable to find available spots despite supposedly full campgrounds. As demand for camping spaces continues to grow, particularly during peak seasons, the issue of site saving has become a significant obstacle to fair and accessible camping in public campgrounds across Canada.

The Yukon Case: A Persistent Problem

A recent article by CBC highlighted that site saving continues to plague campgrounds in the Yukon, despite government efforts to curb the issue. According to the Yukon Ombudsman, this practice undermines the fairness and accessibility of public campgrounds. Families and travelers often arrive at full campgrounds only to find that many sites are occupied by empty tents or parked vehicles. Such behavior creates a bottleneck in campsite availability, particularly during peak camping seasons.

Efforts in the Yukon to address this problem include charging fees at the time of reservation and limiting campers to one site per booking. However, enforcement remains challenging, with some campers still finding loopholes to save sites for extended periods.
Is Site Saving a Nationwide Issue?

While the Yukon has drawn attention to this problem, site saving is not confined to the North. Public campgrounds across provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario report similar challenges, especially during high-demand periods like long weekends and holidays. In BC’s popular parks, campers often encounter signs of site saving, such as unoccupied tents or RVs parked with no signs of actual use. Similarly, in Ontario’s provincial parks, reports of empty campsites with reserved tags are not uncommon.

The Impacts of Site Saving

The practice of site saving has several negative impacts:

  1. Reduced Accessibility: It prevents spontaneous campers and late planners from finding available sites, leading to frustration and missed opportunities to enjoy nature.
  2. Inefficient Use of Resources: Public campgrounds are meant to be shared and enjoyed. When sites sit idle, it undermines the purpose of these spaces.
  3. Economic Disparities: Site saving disproportionately affects those who cannot plan trips far in advance or who rely on limited camping budgets.
  4. Environmental Consequences: With fewer legitimate camping spots available, some campers may resort to illegal or unsafe camping practices, causing environmental degradation.

What Can Be Done?

Provinces and territories need comprehensive strategies to tackle site saving. Here are some potential solutions:

  1. Enforce Reservation Policies: Charge fees at the time of reservation and require campers to check in by a specific time to confirm their booking. If they fail to do so, the site could be released to others.
  2. Use Technology to Track Usage: Implement systems that monitor campsite activity through check-in apps or staff verification. For example, campers could scan a QR code upon arrival to validate their stay.
  3. Limit Multiple Reservations: Restrict individuals from booking multiple sites simultaneously unless they can demonstrate that all sites will be actively used (e.g., for group camping).
  4. Introduce Penalties for Abuse: Campers who repeatedly engage in site saving could face fines or temporary bans from making future reservations.
  5. Encourage Reporting: Create a system for campers to report suspected site saving. Verified complaints could trigger staff interventions or automated enforcement measures.
  6. Increase On-Site Staff: Employ campground attendants to verify site occupancy and address issues as they arise.

A Call for Change

While camping remains one of Canada’s most cherished activities, the practice of site saving threatens its fairness and accessibility. Provinces and territories must work together to implement solutions that preserve the integrity of public campgrounds. By addressing site saving through technology, enforcement, and education, Canada can ensure that its campgrounds remain welcoming and equitable for all outdoor enthusiasts.