Camping reservations up in provincial parks

By Lethbridge Herald on May 20, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

With camping season here, many Canadians are sticking around to enjoy the beautiful scenery this province has to offer, instead of heading down to the United States during the trading war and economic upheaval caused by tariffs. 

Even though is early into the camping season, in a statement obtained by the Herald, Alberta Parks reports that they have seen an increase in camping reservations compared to this time last year. 

“Alberta Parks has seen around a 25 percent increase in bookings through our camping reservation system for both March and April 2025 compared to March and April 2024.” 

However, this is an early-season number for individual camping reservations to the end of June, and they say numbers are subject to change based on visitation levels, customer decisions and actual nights that campers stay at a campground. 

“While the reasons behind the increase are not known, anecdotal conversations with some Albertans at parks facilities indicate there is an interest in local recreation this year, including at an Alberta park.”

With places like Waterton Lakes Park, Writing on the Stone Provincial Park, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and Lake Louise just to name a few, Albertans and Canadians from across the country have plenty of options to choose from.  

“Alberta Parks offers a range of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including being in the mountains, recreating near or on the water, visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accessing trails for hiking, biking, motorized recreation and more. Plus, a seniors camping discount launched earlier this year making it more accessible for Albertans to camp in some parks.”

As for the rest of the country, as Albertans, including Lethbridge and area residents may wonder off a little further away to explore the Canadian scenery, Parks Canada said in a statement that they are proud to welcome visitors as valued contributors to Canada’s economic and cultural vibrancy.

“While most visitors are Canadian, many are international, representing more than 100 countries annually. For example, in 2023-24, nationally, 17 per cent of visitors came from the United States and 16 per cent from overseas.” 

Parks Canada added that the steady interest highlights the enduring appeal of the natural heritage in Canada and the importance of protecting these sites for future generations.

“Parks Canada is one of Canada’s leading tourism experience providers, welcoming approximately 24 million visitors every year to some of the world’s most iconic natural and cultural heritage destinations.” 

Visitors to Parks Canada administered places help generate $4 billion to the national GDP and spend the equivalent of more than $11 million every day in communities across the country.