By Fraserway RV

Booking campsites in Canada is a straightforward process, but understanding the differences between national parks, provincial parks, and private campsites can help you make an informed choice.

Camping in Canada’s National and Provincial Parks

National parks in Canada, such as Banff and Jasper, offer stunning natural beauty and are managed by Parks Canada. To book a campsite in a national park, you can visit the Parks Canada website (www.pc.gc.ca) and use their reservation system to choose from a variety of campgrounds. It's advisable to book well in advance, especially during the peak summer months, to secure your spot in these popular destinations.

Provincial parks in Canada, like Algonquin in Ontario and Kananaskis in Alberta, are managed by individual provinces and territories. To book a provincial park campsite, you can typically visit the website of the specific province's park agency or search for a centralized reservation system, such as the Ontario Parks Reservation Service (www.ontarioparks.com), which covers many parks within the province. Booking procedures may vary between provinces, so it's essential to research the specific park you're interested in and plan accordingly. In the Yukon, all Territorial Parks Campgrounds are operated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

It's important to note that most national parks and provincial parks in Canada primarily operate during the summer months, generally from late spring to early autumn, due to harsh winter conditions. Therefore, it's advisable to plan your camping trips accordingly and check specific park opening and closing dates when making reservations. If you're interested in camping during the shoulder seasons or winter, consider researching parks that offer year-round camping options or explore private campgrounds that may provide more flexibility in terms of seasonal availability.

Stay at Private Campgrounds and RV Parks

Private campsites in Canada are often found on privately owned lands, campgrounds, or RV parks. These sites can vary greatly in terms of amenities and services and are on average more expensive, so it is crucial to research and contact them directly for booking information.

Whether you choose to camp in a national park, provincial park, or a private campground, Canada offers a wealth of natural beauty and camping opportunities for RVing enthusiasts of all levels.

Helpful Links for Booking Your Campgrounds

Across Canada

• National Parks
• Go RVing
• Canadian Camping and RV Council

Alberta

• Travel Alberta
• Alberta Provincial Parks

BC

• Camping & RV in BC
• Go Camping BC
• BC Provincial Parks

Yukon

• Travel Yukon

Ontario

• Ontario Provincial Parks
• Camping In Ontario

Nova Scotia

• NS Provincial Parks
• Camping Nova Scotia

Supporting Point B: Book a Private Site

• Campertunity
• Harvest Hosts

Helpful Travel Apps

We recommend pre-downloading travel apps that assist in discovering and reserving campgrounds to ensure a seamless and enjoyable road trip experience. Here is a list of the best travel apps:

• iOverlander
• Parks Canada National App
• Camp Reservations Canada
• Wikicamps Canada
• AllTrails
• AdventureSmart
• Super Camping BC (BC and Alberta only)
• Yukon Road Trip (Yukon only)
• CampON (Ontario only)
• Go Camping Quebec (Quebec only)
• Historic Nova Scotia (NS only)

All apps are available on the Google Play and Apple App Store.

Additional resources:

• 3 Best Provincial Parks to Visit
• 5 Tips To Plan Your RV Trip