Frequently Asked Questions

• http://albertaparks.ca/reservationinfo.aspx

• http://albertaparks.ca/reservationinfo.aspx

• There is public demand both for more reservation campsites and for more "first come-first served" campsites. The percentage of reservations sites at individual campgrounds is determined by the park manager based on demand.
• Many campgrounds offering campsite reservations also have campsites available on a first come-first served basis.
• Some campgrounds are 100% (or nearly 100%) reservable. Campers are encouraged to make reservations at these campgrounds.

  100% (or Nearly 100%) Reservable Campgrounds

  Campers are encouraged to make reservations for these campgrounds which are all on Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca:

  • Beaver Creek (Cypress Hills Provincial Park) - 100%
  • Beaver Lake Provincial Recreation Area - 98%
  • Boulton Creek (Peter Lougheed Provincial Park) - 100%
  • Brazeau Reservoir Loops 1&2 (Brazeau Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area) - 100%
  • Brazeau West Canal (Brazeau Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area) - 100%
  • Cross Lake Provincial Park - 95%
  • Dinosaur Provincial Park - 100%
  • Elkwater (Cypress Hills Provincial Park) - 95%
  • Ferguson Hill (Cypress Hills Provincial Park) - 100%
  • Firerock (Cypress Hills Provincial Park) - 94%
  • Kinbrook Island Provincial Park - 98%
  • Lac Des Arcs (Bow Valley Provincial Park) - 100%
  • Lakeview (Cypress Hills Provincial Park) - 100%
  • Lodgepole campground (Cypress Hills Provincial Park) - 100%
  • Long Lake Provincial Park - 100%
  • McLean Creek Provincial Recreation Area - 100%
  • Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park - 100%
  • Tillebrook Provincial Park - 100%
  • Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park - 100%
• At 100%-reservable campgrounds, any unreserved campsites are available to campers who don't have a reservation.
• Reservations are typically offered at campgrounds:
• that regularly fill to capacity
• along major highways to accommodate travelers
• so that Albertans throughout the province have access to reservation camping wherever they live geographically in the province

• Campground managers have flexibility to offer seniors and other discounts.
• Seniors discounts range from $1 to $3 per night for seniors at least 65 years old.
• Provincial campgrounds offering seniors discounts.
• "Senior Discount" can also be found under "Additional Searches" on Search Parks

• We are aware of public concerns related to the condition of infrastructure in Alberta's provincial parks.
• Existing parks were designed for a smaller population and to meet lower environmental, health and safety standards than those in effect today in Alberta.
• Since 2004, more than $150 million has been spent to repair and upgrade park infrastructure. This work has improved visitor experiences at many parks and recreation areas, providing:
• upgraded water and sewage disposal systems;
• resurfaced campsites, roads and trails;
• repaired and repainted buildings;
• new shower and washroom facilities; and
• new picnic tables and fire pits.
• Existing park facilities will continue to be repaired, upgraded and replaced to address increasing demand and to meet higher health and safety standards.
• Although 2007 estimates 32% of existing park infrastructure is in good condition - an increase of 13% over previous years - we recognize that more work needs to be done.

• With the advent of modern-day recreational vehicles, visitor needs and expectations have changed and the demand for power hook-ups and other services has increased dramatically.
• Work carried out since 2004 has gone a long way toward modernizing existing park facilities. Over the next several years we will continue to upgrade our campgrounds, adding more power sites and other amenities.

• Many parks have beverage container and other recycling programs.
• Our beverage recycling programs often operate in partnership with local non-profit groups who collect recycled materials in exchange for the proceeds.
• In 2007, with the assistance of the Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation, Alberta Parks installed 140 bear proof and wasp-resistant beverage container recycling bins.

• At sites where it is feasible, we are upgrading and/or installing modern washroom and toilet facilities.
• Running water is very expensive to install and maintain, so cost is a major factor in deciding to replace or install flush toilets and shower facilities.
• In some parks, water is either hauled in or pumped from a lake or other source, treated, and stored in a cistern for use by park visitors. Providing running water and shower facilities at these sites is often not feasible.
• At sites where it is feasible, we will continue to upgrade and/or install modern washroom and toilet facilities.

• In response to visitor feedback, this year(2008) we began installing hand sanitizers at selected sites.
• Continuation of this program will depend on the degree to which theft and vandalism occur.

• By their very nature, outdoor toilets tend to smell. Hot summer temperatures make the situation worse by causing more gas to be released from holding tank contents.
• To minimize odours, toilets are cleaned and holding tanks emptied regularly.
• Visitors can help to minimize odours by closing the toilet lid so that trapped gases are released through the outside vents that our vault toilet buildings are equipped with.

• Firewood at Alberta's provincial parks and recreation areas is provided by authorized suppliers.
• The cost of firewood includes both the wood itself and the cost of transporting wood to the site, sometimes from considerable distances.
• Two methods are used to charge for firewood:
1. A concession operator provides direct sale of firewood, either from a central location (e.g. at the check-in station) or by delivery at predetermined times.
2. A surcharge is added to the overnight camping fee and access to firewood is available at the campground.
• To find out which method is used at individual campgrounds, visit our web site www.albertaparks.ca - menu item "search parks" > "search by facilities & services " > select "firewood free" or "firewood cost").

• Alberta has experienced rapid population growth over the past decade, putting pressure on existing parks, particularly those located near large urban centres.
• To meet the growing demand for outdoor recreation opportunities, facilities and services we are looking at expanding capacity by increasing the size of existing campgrounds and developing new campgrounds and recreation areas.
• There are roughly 250 provincial campgrounds in Alberta, some of which rarely fill to capacity, so you may want to consider visiting a different campground than the one(s) you usually visit. Contact us toll-free at 1-866-427-3582 for information about our lesser-used campgrounds.
• For detailed information about campgrounds in Alberta's provincial parks and recreation areas, visit www.albertaparks.ca (you can "search parks" by "name", "activity" or "facilities & services"). If you prefer to talk to someone in person, call 1-866-427-3582 during regular office hours.

• Directional signage related to provincial attractions and facilities (i.e. provincial parks, historic sites) is managed under the Tourism Oriented Directional Signs (TODS) program administered by Alberta Transportation. Provincial facilities and attractions make requests under the program for installation of directional signs on provincial highways and along access roads into provincial attractions and facilities. Alberta Transportation coordinates sign installation
• As part of the TODS program, the Government of Alberta developed and installed the new "Alberta Rose" directional signs now seen on Alberta highways to promote travel and to improve way-finding to provincial parks, historic sites and other attractions.
• Municipal authorities (e.g. counties) are responsible for signs along local roads.
• To help you plan your route to provincial parks, recreation areas and other protected areas we recently incorporated a Google Maps feature into our web site ("search parks" on www.albertaparks.ca).

• We are implementing a new sign program to improve and replace signs in provincial parks and recreation areas. The sign program is part of our overall upgrading program to address deficiencies in the condition of parks.
• Our new sign program sets standards for all types of signs. It will include improved mapping and graphics as well as rules, emergency, and wildlife management information.
• Miquelon Lake Provincial Park is having new signs installed during 2008 and the spring of 2009. The program will be implemented at other sites over the next several years.
• Kananaskis Country is also replacing signs as part of its ongoing refurbishment.

• In response to public demand for improved information onsite, we have increased funding for public communications and put more focus on providing maps and brochures onsite.  Downloadable brochures and maps are available online on our "Publications/Media" section of www.AlbertaParks.ca  and linked to on the left hand side of the individual park web pages.

• Alberta Parks places a high priority on providing information online. This information can be readily accessed on our homepage at www.tpr.alberta.ca/parks or by bookmarking www.AlbertaParks.ca. We monitor public satisfaction with our websites on a regular basis so we can respond to your needs for additional information.

  In May 2008, we launched a new website design that improved park-specific information and navigation.  Changes included adding a Google map with enhanced direction-finding from your home to the park of your choice.

  Changes in operations, rules and emergency information are posted regularly.

  Parks that are major travel destinations have their own websites in order to provide more detailed information on way-finding, services, facilities, unique features and public events. A list of these websites is available at www.tpr.alberta.ca/parks.

  Information about the provincial parks network and how it's managed continues to improve. Recently, we added the feedback.AlbertaParks.ca web site, as well as public consultation web pages for easier access to this information.

  Major improvements under development include a reservations web site and a new web site for Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park.

  We are committed to constantly improving our on-line public information. The feedback we receive guides us in doing this. If you have additional feedback for us to consider, please go to www.feedback.AlbertaParks.ca to forward your comments.

• We have revitalized interpretive, educational and information services and programs in several parks over the past five years:
• Four new visitor centres have been constructed at Dinosaur, Writing-on-Stone, Cypress Hills and William A. Switzer provincial parks.
• A new avian research centre, the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation at Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, provides research facilities to the scientific community as well as public education programs and exhibits.
• Plans are underway for a major upgrade to the Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre, located in Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary.
• Programs have been re-established and enhanced in William A. Switzer and Miquelon Lake provincial parks and the Elbow/Sheep area in Kananaskis Country.
• A new seasonal interpretive program has been initiated at Long Lake Provincial Park.
• Interpretive and education services are offered in communities near parks and in most major urban centres.
• Demand for park interpretive and educational programming continues to grow and future expansion will proceed as funds become available.

• We know that visitors value safe and secure park experiences and. According to our annual Camper Satisfaction Survey, campers are generally satisfied with safety, security and the control of noise in our parks; however, each year problems do occur. For this reason, we recently hired several new conservation officers and intend to hire more to carry out, among other things, public safety and security duties.

• Although we recognize that most campers who enjoy liquor at their campsites do so responsibly, rowdiness and other disruptive behaviour related to excessive liquor consumption has been a problem at some parks, particularly on the May long weekend.
• Temporary liquor bans were implemented at seven provincial parks during the 2008 May long weekend to ensure that all campers have a safe and enjoyable visit.
• Based on initial public feedback, temporary liquor bans have been well-received by many visitors. As well, we have noticed a decrease in unwanted behaviour at sites with liquor bans, so it is possible that they will continue to be implemented at selected sites on future May long weekends.

• If you have a concern about other campers, report it to a conservation officer, the facility operator, or other staff.
• If there is danger to public safety and a conservation officer is unavailable, you should contact the RCMP.

• Our annual Camper Satisfaction Survey indicates that campers are generally satisfied with the friendliness and courtesy of staff and with staff responsiveness to public concerns.
• To further improve customer service, we are implementing a customer service training program in 2009.
• If you have had an unsatisfactory interaction with park staff, you can report the incident to the site contact (facility operator or conservation officer).
• If you are not satisfied with the way your concern is resolved, please follow-up by completing the on-line feedback form or by calling 1-866-427-3582 during regular office hours. Your feedback will be passed along to the appropriate Alberta Parks manager.

• Although the government operates some campgrounds directly, roughly three quarters of Alberta's provincial campgrounds are operated under facility operating agreements by private sector contractors, local community groups and municipalities.
• As well, contract employees often provide janitorial and landscaping services, and operate concessions (e.g. food concessions, boat rentals).
• To find out if a specific site is operated directly by Alberta Parks or by a private sector or other facility operator, visit our web site (go to "search parks" for links to site-specific information).
• It is important to note that the Government of Alberta owns all provincial campgrounds. Only campground operations and/or service delivery are contracted. Contracts are only entered into when it is cost-effective to do so.
• The government sets operational and service standards through contractual agreements and during review of annual operating plans. Facility operations have been contracted out by Alberta Parks for more than 30 years.
• Alberta Parks monitors performance of contractors to ensure that site visitors receive quality service and your feedback helps us to do this. To provide us with your feedback, use the online feedback form.

• Alberta Parks does recognize the need for places where OHV enthusiasts can pursue their activity.
• There are eight Alberta Parks' sites where you can ride your OHV on-site and another 29 sites that have OHV riding opportunities in the vicinity. These sites provide access to trails on surrounding public land and some also provide OHV staging facilities. For information about these sites, refer to the "search parks" section of our web site (go to "search parks". "search by activity" > search categories "OHV Riding (Off-site)" & "OHV Riding (On-site)".
• OHVs can also be ridden on trails in approved areas in forest land use zones which are administered by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development- visit their web site for additional information.
• Use of OHVs by Albertans is increasing, as is the demand for OHV access to public land. Parks Division and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development are working together to identify opportunities for development of new campgrounds and recreation areas to provide opportunities for OHV users.