• What size of campsite do I need?

  • The camping unit size is the complete camping equipment, including any tow vehicle.
  • It is your responsibility to choose a site that will accommodate your unit. Use the photos on the campsite details pop-up to determine if the site can accommodate slide-outs and which side the firepit is on.

• What is a booking window?

  The booking window states when campsites will be available to reserve. It is expressed as the number of days prior to your arrival date that you may book at a location.   

  Different camping types have different rolling booking windows:

  • Individual Campsites: 90 day booking window
  • Backcountry Camping: 90 day booking window
  • Group Camping Areas: 180 day booking window
  • Comfort Camping units: 180 day booking window

  A rolling booking window allows you to book a reservation within a specified range. The date that can be reserved will update each day at 9 a.m.

  • For example, with a 90 day rolling booking window (offered for individual campsites and backcountry camping):
    • February 1 you could reserve out to May 2. 
    • February 2 you could reserve out to May 3.

  • For example, with a 180 day rolling booking window (offered for group camping areas and comfort camping reservations):
    • February 1 you could reserve out to July 31.
    • February 2 you could reserve out to August 1.

• Why does the booking window reset at 9:00 a.m. each day?

  • In order to provide equal opportunity for all users to reserve a campsite (either online or phone-in bookings), the booking window resets at 9:00 a.m.  This morning reset time ensures that the Contact Centre (1-877-537-2757) is open to assist callers. 

• Why are some campsites reserved beyond the available booking date?

  There is no guarantee that your desired reservation dates will be available once the booking window opens due to a few possible reasons:

  • The booking window only applies to the day of arrival. The reservation’s arrival date must be within the designated booking window before a reservation can be made.  Once you can select your arrival date, you can book up to the next 10 days. For example, on January 31 a visitor could reserve May 1-10 (start date falls within the booking window) but not May 8-10 (start date falls outside the booking window). 
  • The campground is not yet open for reservations. The campground may not be open for your specified dates. Opening dates are listed here.
  • The campground or specific campsites are closed for set time periods. Closures may be in place for a variety of reasons including but not limited to: Infrastructure upgrades (I.E. installation of power), campsite issues (I.E. flooding, tree down), park events, environmental education.

• What if I forget to bring my permit or reservation confirmation ?

  • At a staffed campground, registration booth staff will assist you.
  • At a self-registration campground, there may be no staff to assist you. It is important to print and bring your permit for these campgrounds. Staff will verify your reservation when they patrol the campground.
  • If you cannot print the permit, note the campsite number/group camping area of your reservation so you know which campsite/area to occupy.

• I will arrive after check-in time/the registration booth is closed. What should I do?

  • Arrive before 11:00 p.m. if possible. Quiet hours are 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
  • Proceed directly to your assigned campsite. Register when the booth re-opens in the morning.
  • If you don't have your permit or site number, staff will often post late arrival instructions at the registration booth.
  • It is especially important to print and bring your permit for self-registration campgrounds as there are no staff on site.
  • You do not have to call the Contact Centre unless your arrival time will be after 2:00 p.m. of the day following your scheduled arrival date.

• I arrived a day late. Why was my campsite given to another camper?

  • Reserved campsites are held until 2:00 p.m. of the day following your scheduled arrival date.
  • If you reserved at a campground on Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca and your arrival will be after 2:00 p.m. of the day following your scheduled arrival date, phone the Contact Centre at 1-877-537-2757. Inform the Contact Centre of your estimated arrival time. We make every effort to accommodate campers who provide notification of late arrival.
  • If you don't notify us of your late arrival, you are considered a "no show" and your reservation is cancelled. Up to four nights camping fees will be forfeited depending on the length of your stay.  Any remaining camping fees will be refunded. The reservation fee is not refunded.

• What is included in a comfort camping unit?

  • Each location offers different types of units. It is important to check comfort camping for detailed information on each specific park.
  • The page for each comfort camping location details what is included, what to bring and the rules.

• What is the booking window for comfort camping?

  • Comfort camping reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance of the scheduled arrival date.

• I'll be late in arriving for my comfort camping reservation. What should I do?

  Arriving on your scheduled arrival date but after the registration booth is closed

  • Arrangements for a late arrival for comfort camping unit reservations should be made directly with the campground.
  • In most cases, you will be required to check-in first thing in the morning.
  •  Arrive before 11:00 pm if possible. Quiet hours are 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

  Arriving after 2:00 pm of the day following your scheduled arrival date

  • Call the Contact Centre at 1-877-537-2757 to advise of your estimated arrival time. We make every effort to accommodate campers who provide notification of late arrival.
  • If you don't notify us of your late arrival, you are considered a "no show" and your reservation is cancelled. Up to four nights comfort camping fees will be forfeited, depending on the length of the stay. Any remaining comfort camping fees will be refunded to the credit card used for the original transaction. The reservation fee is non-refundable.

• Can I reserve a comfort camping unit on behalf of friends or family?

  • Yes.  Bookings for others must be within the limit of 4 reservations per transaction. 
  • All reservations made during one session are considered one financial transaction. For that reason, only one credit card is accepted.
  • Account holders are responsible for the actions of all camping party members.  
  • If the account holder will not be camping, they must ensure that the camper details are accurate and/or allow the alternate to be listed as their pre-authorized designate to ensure registration can be completed upon arrival at the campground.

• Can I put an additional tent or trailer at the comfort camping unit site?

  • Additional tents or trailers are NOT allowed on or near comfort camping unit sites.
  • The exception to this rule is Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park which allows one additional camping unit per cabin.  This unit must be registered and will be charged the regular camping fee.   

• Are pets allowed in the comfort camping units?

  • Pets are NOT allowed in or around comfort camping unit sites.
  • At Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, pets are NOT allowed in the cabins, with the exception of cabins #8 and #9 which are designated pet friendly cabins. Guests will be charged an additional $20 per day for pets.

• Why are camping fees different at some campgrounds?

  • Individual campground operators set fees within this range of $8 to $31 per night based on local market conditions.
  • Additional fees of up to $8 per night are charged for each of the following services
    • Pressurized water hook-ups
    • Electrical hook-ups
    • Sewer hook-ups
    • Non-coin operated showers
    • Horse corrals
  • Fee Guidelines

• What is the window to book a group camping area?

  • Group camping area reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance of the scheduled arrival date.

• Why is there a 5-night stay limit in group camping areas?

  • The 5-night limit is meant to provide fair and equitable access to camping opportunities.

• Why are some group campgrounds more expensive than others?

  • Some group campgrounds require prepayment for 5 units while others charge for a minimum of 10 units.

• How far in advance can I make a reservation?

  • Reservations for campsites can be made up to 90 days before the desired arrival date to provide fair and equitable access to reservation services at high-use campgrounds.
  • Visit the online reservations listing for details. Click on a specific campground for further information including the opening and closing dates.

• Why is there a 10-night reservation limit at provincial campgrounds?

  • To provide fair and equitable access to camping opportunities, campers can now book a maximum of 10 consecutive nights per reservation.
  • This update will help reduce booking changes, overbooking and no-shows, which will give more Albertans the opportunity to experience camping in our provincial parks.
  • Campers can stay for a total of 16 consecutive nights; however, multiple reservation must be made.  The maximum stay in a group camping area continues to be five (5) consecutive nights.

   

• When is the camping season?

  • Most campgrounds are open from mid-May to the end of September.  Click on a specific campground in the online reservations listing for details on its operating season.
  • Some campgrounds offer First Come-First Served campsites. These sites display in a purple colour on the map on Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca.

• Can I reserve a campsite on behalf of friends or family?

  • Yes; however, bookings for others must be within the limit of 4 reservations per transaction. 
  • All reservations made during one session are considered one financial transaction. For that reason, only one credit card is accepted.
  • Account holders are responsible for the actions of all camping party members.
  • If the account holder will not be camping, they must ensure that the camper details are accurate and/or allow the alternate to be listed as their pre-authorized designate to ensure registration can be completed upon arrival at the campground.
  • Groups requiring more than 4 campsites should consider booking a group camping area.

• Can I change campsites after I've registered?

  • Yes - providing one is available. However, you must confirm availability with campground staff before occupying the new site. If the campground does not have staff on-site, phone the Contact Centre.
  • There is no additional charge for changing a campsite after registration; however, there may be additional camping fees if the new site is equipped with more amenities.

• How much notice is required to cancel an individual camping reservation and receive a refund?

  • If you cancel more than 72 hours before 2 p.m. on the scheduled arrival date, you will receive a full refund of all camping fees (for example, if you are scheduled to arrive on Friday, July 8 and you cancel before 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, you will receive a full refund of camping fees).
  • If 72 hours notice is not provided, up to three nights camping fees will be forfeited depending on how much notice is given. Any remaining camping fees will be refunded to the  card used for the original transaction.
    • 1 night penalty if less than 72 hours but greater than 48 hours notice before 2 p.m. of originally scheduled arrival date
    • 2 nights penalty if less than 48 hours but greater than 24 hours notice before 2 p.m. of originally scheduled arrival date
    • 3 nights penalty if less than 24 hours notice before 2 p.m. of originally scheduled arrival date
  • Reservations/Changes/Cancellations can be made
    • Online at Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca
    • By phoning the Contact Centre at 1-877-537-2757

• If I have to shorten my stay, will I get a refund?

  • To receive a full refund of your camping fees, cancellations must be made more than 72 hours before 2:00 p.m. of the originally scheduled arrival date.

• Why don't I get my reservation fee back when I cancel a reservation?

  • The reservation and change fees are non-refundable administrative fees, which  help offset the cost of providing reservation services, including the development and maintenance of the websites Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca and AlbertaParks.ca, as well as the Contact Centre, various merchant fees and staff resources.

• How long will it take to receive my refund for a cancellation?

  • If you are eligible for a refund, it is initiated as soon as the information is entered into the system.
  • Refunds are processed as quickly as possible, usually within two weeks.
  • The refund is applied to the card used to make the original reservation.
  • For possible refunds, keep depleted prepaid cards even after expiry.

• Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca didn't work for me. Why?

  • There are a various reasons why you may be unable to get through online.
    • There may be an unexpected interruption of service through your internet service provider.
    • Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca may be temporarily down for maintenance.
    • There is an unexpected server outage.  Outages are usually temporary, keep trying.

  • If you still can't get through online, call 1-877-537-2757 to book by phone.

• How do I reset my account password?

  • Click "Sign In" on the top right hand of the Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca.
  • Go to the "Forgot your password?" link. Enter your email address into the box and click "Send".
  • Within 3-5 minutes, you'll receive an email containing your new password.
  • If you prefer, phone the Contact Centre at 1-877-537-2757 for password reset assistance. 

• When I logged into my account, there was a prompt indicating that the site is not secure. Is it safe for me to make a payment online?

  • Yes payments are made through a secure processing service.  
  • When you click the payment button, you are redirected to a secure website where you can safely enter your card details.

• I received an error message while trying to make a payment for my reservation. What should I do?

  • If you receive an error message or are unsure whether your transaction was processed, phone the Contact Centre at 1-877-537-2757.
  • If the Contact Centre is not able to process the transaction, you should contact your credit card provider.

• How do I delete my online reservation account? Will it ever become inactive?

  • Phone the Contact Centre to ask for your account to be deactivated.
  • A user account is automatically deactivated after 5 years of inactivity.

• What happens to my personal information when I reserve a campsite online?

  • The system retains your personal information so that it is easier for you to make future online campsite reservations.
  • The Government of Alberta collects personal information under the authority of Section 33 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information is protected by the privacy provisions of the Act.

Safety Links

Provincial Sources for Advisories