BOW VALLEY – Online reservations for campgrounds in Alberta Parks open soon – and campers can expect to pay higher fees this year.
As part of the 2020 budget, the base camping rate at most Alberta Parks will increase $3, to between $8 and $29 per night depending on the campground. There is also a $1 increase for each service fee related to power, water, sewer and showers at the campgrounds those services are provided.
March 17 is the day reservations open for individual campsites, with staggered times to include 9 a.m. for the south region, 11 am. for Kananaskis Country, 1 p.m. for the central region and 3 p.m. for the north region.
Group camping bookings can be made March 24, while reservations for sites with comfort camping, which exist in eight parks across the province – most of which are at Cypress Hills – open March 10.
K-Country backcountry camping reservations can be made year round within a 90-day booking window.
“Starting this year, Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca will be available 365 days, allowing for consistent and easy access to year-round Alberta Parks’ camping reservations,” stated the Alberta Parks website.
Other fees increases include $1 increase to equestrian corral fees at backcountry sites Kananaskis Region.
In addition, there will be a $10 increase for sites that were at the low end of the fee range charged for comfort camping and group camping.
“This will only affect those sites that were at the low end of the fee range,” stated the Alberta Parks website.
This year, campers will get an email reminder of cancellation windows, advisory updates and information about events and activities in their park seven to 15 days in advance of their booking.
Payment methods have expanded to include Visa and MasterCard debit cards.
Online camping reservations can be made at Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca.
