Last updated on December 29th, 2025 at 10:57 pm
When it comes to snapping up a great camping spot for the summer the best way is to join the pack on the day camping reservations open! By getting a camping reservation on opening day it makes it easy to plan your whole summer well in advance, something I like doing, although I always seem to try and pack way too much in.
Online waiting rooms, slow websites which regularly strain under the volume of visitors, all to snag the spots you want.
We are here to try and make it as easy as possible to have the best chance of grabbing the spots you want. We will list the dates and times of openings for the mountain parks in Western Canada. If you want any other opening dates for front and/or backcountry camping, pop them in the comments and we will try our hardest to update the page for you.
Camping Reservation Opening Dates
With all the parks having different opening dates and reservation rules, we’ve split the information down based on who manages the Park. From there if different parks have different opening dates, we’ve shown that too.
BC Parks Camping Reservation Opening Dates
Camping reservations for both frontcountry and backcountry camping can be reserved on a three month rolling basis with BC Parks. (NEW FOR 2026!) You can reserve online or via phone. So on the 3rd of January, you’ll be able to reserve for the 3rd April.
If you are hoping to book the Bowron Lakes Circuit, reservations for the canoe circuit opened in December 2025. Get online and book today, to secure your spot!
The highly popular Berg Lake Trail opened reservations in early December with pretty much all spots booking within the first few hours of opening.
Reservations online are easy using the new system, make sure you set up an account prior to wanting to reserve your spot for the best chance.
If you missed out on a BC Parks reservation, you can set up an alert on their website for frontcountry camping spots. If you are looking to grab a backcountry permit, set up an alert on Schnerp. The Schnerp site has allowed me to secure some coveted spots including Mount Assiniboine!
Alberta Parks Camping Reservation Opening Dates
Alberta Parks camping reservations are open year round for both frontcountry and backcountry camping. You are able to book 90 days in advance. Many of their backcountry and frontcountry campgrounds are open year round which is why there is no specific opening date for reservations.
For campgrounds which aren’t open year round you are able to start reserving your site 90 days prior to the opening date of that campground. They have a great list here which allows you to see when a campsite is reservable and therefore what date you will first be able to book it.
For general campground reservations head to their reservation website.
As of summer 2025, Alberta Parks now has an alert service on their website, if you missed out on the spot you wanted, set up an alert to get an email notification if someone cancels.
Parks Canada Camping Reservation Opening Dates
Parks Canada has announced that reservations for the 2026 summer season will open in January and into early February.
When it comes to camping in some of the most popular spots, you’ll want to be online at opening time to secure those camp sites. Make sure you’ve checked out the system beforehand and know when you want to go where, but also if you can’t get your first date choices have a back up idea. If you haven’t used the Parks Canada reservation system before, make sure to set up an account before opening too.
Banff National Park Frontcountry – Friday 23rd January 2026, 8am MT
Banff, Kootenay and Yoho Backcountry – Monday 26th January 2026, 8am MT
Kootenay Frontcountry – Tuesday 20th January 2026, 8am MT
Jasper National Park Frontcountry – Tuesday 27th January 2026, 8am MT
Jasper National Park Backcountry – Wednesday 89th January, 2026, 8am MT
Glacier National Park Front and Backcountry – Friday 16th January 2026, 8am PT
Mount Revelstoke Front and Backcountry – Friday 16th January 2026, 8am PT
West Coast Trail – Monday 19th January 2026, 8am PT
Pacific Rim National Park and Reserve – Friday 16th January 2026, 8am PT
Yoho Frontcountry – Tuesday 20st January 2026, 8am MT
Lake O’Hara camping – Thursday 22nd January 2026, 8am MT
Lake O’Hara bus – Random draw, applications accepted between March 2nd to March 23rd, 2026
Waterton Frontcountry and backcountry – Wednesday 21st January 2026, 8am MT
Shuttle bus to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise – Wednesday 15th April 2026, 8am MST
If you missed out on a spot, you can set up an alert for frontcountry campsites on the Parks Canada website, for backcountry spots, set up an alert on Schnerp, I’ve used these alerts to secure spots at Lake O’Hara before, so well worth it!
Popular Spots You’ll Need A Reservation For
There are many popular spots you’ll need a reservation for, a number of frontcountry campgrounds in Banff, such a Two Jack Lakeside campground, need to be reserved in advance to guarantee you a spot.
To backpack to Mount Assiniboine, you’ll also need to reserve in advance, although if the weather looks bad or there is smoke you may pick up a cancellation.
Lake O’Hara continues to be on the bucket list of many and for good reason! You’ll want to try and snag a spot here on reservation opening day, typically camping spots for here sell out within the first hour!
