Jasper National Park has released details about how the park will start to reopen in June.
Starting June 1, Jasper National Park will offer limited visitor access and basic services - trails and day use areas will be open and Lake Annette Road will reopen.
Visitors will be able to access the following services and facilities:
- Information services on-line and by phone;
- Day-use trails, including cycling access on designated trails and pathways;
- Day-use areas, including green spaces, picnic areas, and beach areas;
- Public toilets in day-use areas and along main roadways;
- Boat launches or access points to lakes and water-based recreation.
The road to Lake Annette opens June 1 and [updated] Maligne Road will reopen from Maligne Canyon to Maligne Lake. That section is currently open only for cyclists and pedestrians.
Until June 1, these facilities remain closed and Parks Canada asks that visitors respect these closures in order to allow park staff to do the necessary work to prepare for opening.
And while some services will open that day, others will remain closed. These include:
- Visitor information centre
- All camping including backcountry;
- Edith Cavell Road and Celestine Lake Road under normal seasonal closure;
- Motorized access and associated day-use along seasonal roads: Highway 93a from Moab
- Lake Road to Athabasca Falls, inclusive of Moab Lake Road and Geraldine Lake Road, and
- Miette Road;
- Miette Hot Springs.
All camping facilities remain closed until at least June 21, 2020, while Parks Canada assesses whether and how these services might resume.
According to Jasper National Park’s website, Wapiti and Wabasso campgrounds will open once COVID-19 preparations for the safety of visitors and employees are complete but services will be limited to washrooms and fire - and showers will be closed. No date has been confirmed for this yet.
Parks Canada warns that visiting Jasper National Park will be different than it has been in the past.
Visitors are asked to plan ahead by checking the Jasper National Park website before they travel to find out what is open, what they can expect and how to prepare for their visit.
Jasper National Park has issued the following information for visitors:
The safety of visitors, employees and residents is our top priority. We welcome your support toward a safe and respectful visit.
- You are responsible for your own safety
- You can help keep others safe
- Do not visit if you are sick. Do not visit if you were recently exposed to someone with COVID-19
- Follow all public health guidelines. Hand washing hygiene and social distance measures are key to your health
- Maintain physical distance measures of two metres (six feet) between yourself and others
- Wear your cloth mask when you are closer than two metres (six feet) to other people
- Wash your hands frequently
- Bring your own COVID-19 hygiene safety kit. Following recommendations from Alberta Health Services, bring your own hand sanitizer and disposable gloves. Wear a reusable mask when you cannot maintain a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet)
- Prepare for long lines. Prepare to wait for your turn
- You may need to change your plans
- Be kind and patient to each other. We are in this together
