Canada National Parks Reservation Release Dates?

[bcheever]

Does anyone have any insight into when reservations for Canadian National Parks are being opened this year? In previous years this has happened on January 18th and January 20th, but as of today all I can find is:

• The page on parks.canada.ca that is supposed to say when the reservations open only has 2022 dates. https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/reserve
  
• A tweet from Canada's Parks earlier this month that the dates would be announced "in January".
  
• A press release that sites would be released 4 months before the reservation (for June, that is now).
  
• A press release I found on another gov't website saying that park reservations would open on January 20th (today, did not happen).

When we made reservations in Banff last year the campground was pretty much fully booked within an hour or two of reservations opening, so want to make sure I don't miss this year's date. If anyone has any insight into what is going on, would appreciate it!

[Acheron2010]

https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/reserve

? Says available till 3/2023...

[hikingcamera]

I’d been wondering the same. It’s been a few years since we’ve been to Banff, but were planning a trip this year. So far it seems sites are only opening 3 months in advance.

[Waterbeach]

This was the same last year when we wanted to book various parks. I seem to remember it finally updated towards the end of January. There is no 4 month rule - each park will have its own release date when you can make reservations for the entire season. They use a random number to queue people into the reservation site on that date. Actually a lot fairer than a 4 month etc rule which gives priority to those with dates before your arrival date. Keep checking the site above for any updates for release dates for the park you are interested in.

[bcheever]

Thanks @Acheron2010.

It's not possible to make reservations past March. In previous years reservations have been open for the summer by now, and was curious if anyone had any insight into why there is a delay or what's going on.

See you on the open road.

[OrangeCrush]

I called about this a few days ago. They said the reservation system is opening late due to improvements/changes. Opening date is still TBD and they said to keep checking back or sign up for the newsletter to get updates which I did. Crickets so far.

[bcheever]

I was hoping to book the National Park sites first and then fill in the rest of our trip around those dates. But the problem now though is it seems like a lot of the desirable private RV campgrounds are starting to get booked up.

I'm sure it will all work out. If anyone is going to be on Vancouver Island in June keep an eye out for our Caravel 22FB and say hi!

[PB_NB]

Seems strange that National Parks have a tight reservation window. Looks like it currently 90 day window. They are working towards moving to a new platform that should be better.

BC Parks have extended the reservation window to 4 months stating this year (that's up from 2 months last year).

We booked a bunch of stops in Wash in September already (doing the Reach the Beach ride for American Lung Association)! Probably the easiest process ever and only took a few minutes. My wife has commented that the whole experience with the Washington State parks website was great compared to the BC Parks site.

Last year we were all over the Banff area and found lots of vacant campsites but that was in June (before the busy session) On one of our stops we had to leave a day early or risk getting stuck in a snow storm, we went back to Lake Louise and were able to grab a night there in the hard sided campground. This would be almost impossible if it were later in summer.

[Escape_Plan]

Bottom Line: Covid Vax Passports and Covid testing are currently not required for entering Canada.

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid?ut...utm_content=en

[Acheron2010]

Originally Posted by Escape_Plan

Bottom Line: Covid Vax Passports and Covid testing are currently not required for entering Canada.

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid?ut...utm_content=en

But, they still are for entering the United States....go figure.

[Escape_Plan]

Originally Posted by Acheron2010

But, they still are for entering the United States....go figure.

Certainly the rules and requirements are a moving target, and things could change while you are traveling, but for the most part a US Citizen traveling out of the country and returning (ostensibly by land since this forum is Airstream specific), C19 passport and/or testing won't be required. The below info would apply to nearly all US Citizens. Our Canadian friends will likely be required to show some sort of documentation indicating vax status or current testing results:

ALL travelers 2 years and older:
If you are flying to the U.S. from China, Hong Kong, or Macau, or have been in these areas in the past 10 days and are flying from certain airports, you are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before you board your flight to the U.S.

Non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants: You must show proof of being fully vaccinated with the primary series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine before you board your flight to the United States. Only limited exceptions apply.

Source:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...g-covid19.html

And:

As of Thursday, April 21, 2022, DHS will extend COVID-19-related land border entry requirements. Non-U.S. travelers seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination upon request.

These restrictions apply to non-U.S. travelers who are traveling for essential or non-essential reasons. They do not apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or U.S. nationals.

This announcement does not affect requirements for entry into the United States by air.

Source:
https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/29/...erry-terminals


Crap, I DID NOT want to hijack this thread. Sorry to the OP.

[BobBozeman]

Here's the latest update:
"Parks Canada understands the camping experience is very important for many people.
The Parks Canada Reservation Service uses an older version of reservation software. This platform is now becoming out of date and the Parks Canada Reservation Service is being moved to a more current platform.
Reservation launch dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
We are working hard to ensure this change is as smooth as possible. Updates will be shared on Parks Canada’s social media channels and this web page."

[Air2Dream]

From Park Website

When can you reserve campsites in Banff for 2023?
The first date when reservations can be made will be 90 days before the campground's season opening dates. For example if a campground opens on May 1, 2023, the 90 day booking window for individual and backcountry camping will open on January 31. Some campgrounds are listed as open year-round.

[caa321]

The reservation dates are now listed on the Canada parks website. https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/reserve#datestime
We are planning a trip to the Maritime provinces and the reservations for the parks we are interested in don't open until the middle of March.

[BobBozeman]

Posted on the Parks Canada website today:
"We’re moving our reservation system to a new platform! The look and feel will be different, but the features and functions will be similar.
Because of this change, Parks Canada will be launching reservations for the 2023 season starting in March."
See launch dates and times

https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/reserve#datestime

[civeng99]

Is interesting to make friends with some Canadians. Canadians and Americans are very different culturally.

Other than our money they don’t really want Americans there anyway. System will be ready when it’s ready…I’m sure that’s part of it.

[bcheever]

To anyone following this thread, reservation release dates for Canadian National Parks were just announced. They vary park by park, but most all are in March. Good luck!

https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/reserve?_ga=2.102277189.594643035.1675098857-1551290969.1675098857