Camping is an iconic Canadian experience. Parks Canada is proud that families from coast to coast to coast choose to create lasting memories in their national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas.
As a year-round camping destination, Jasper takes every set up, from a one-person bivy tent to a 40-foot motorhome.
Want a rugged backcountry experience below glaciated peaks? Looking for a forested family camping spot close to town? Interested in the signature oTENTiks—part tent, part cozy cabin—with comfortable bunks and mattresses, a wood floor, table and chairs, and your own front porch?
No matter what your camping style is, Jasper National Park welcomes you!
Backcountry
Backcountry campsite reservations are now available online starting Jan. 28.
For the first time, campers are now able to book a campsite in the backcountry on the web with the Parks Canada Reservation System (PCRS).
Book your backcountry campsite the way that works best for you—use your smart phone, tablet or desktop computer. All you need to do is create a Government of Canada GCKey account.
Jasper’s backcountry encompasses more than 1,000 kilometres of trails and 80 campgrounds and camping areas, including Athabasca Island, Big Bend, Saturday Night Lake and the paddle-in-only campground, Hidden Cove on Maligne Lake.
With the online reservation system, hikers and campers will have access to better information about Jasper’s backcountry trails and campsites. By the end of January, the reservations website will have printable PDF guides for each backcountry trail, including elevation profiles, distance charts and suggested routes with the UTM co-ordinates of campsites along the way to help backcountry users plan their adventures.
Although there is now an online service, park users can still book backcountry campsites by calling 1-877-RESERVE. There will also be a computer station located in the lobby of Jasper National
Park’s Visitor Information Centre to serve walk-ins who wish to book a backcountry campsite.
To book a site, visit www.reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca and set-up your GCKey account.
Front country
If a family-friendly camping trip closer to town is more your style, Jasper National Park has plenty of great options.
Front country campsite reservations opened Jan. 13 for the 2016 camping season. JNP has 1,500 available front country campsites that are open for the following dates:
Pocohontas Campground: May 20 to Sept. 10
Wabasso Campground: June 17 to Sept. 4
Wapiti Campground: May 20 to May 22 and June 17 to Sept. 17
Whistlers Campground (and oTENTiks): May 6 to Oct. 9
Sites and oTENTiks can be in high demand in these campgrounds during July and August long weekends. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Winter camping
Can’t wait for summer? Wapiti Campground remains open in winter, with electrical hook-ups and hot showers. Wapiti is a great campsite for family outings at any time of year. It’s close to town for supply runs and in prime position for a first crack at the slopes and cross country ski trails.
No reservations are required in the winter.
For more information about camping in JNP, visit parkscanada.gc.ca/jaspercamping or to book a site, check out www.reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca.
Parks Canada
Special to the Fitzhugh
