BOW VALLEY, ALBERTA – A new initiative to reduce noise at select campgrounds across Alberta, including in the busy Bow Valley, is being piloted this summer.
New fuel generator rules will apply to eight provincial parks and provincial recreation across the province, including the local Bow Valley and Bow River campgrounds at Bow Valley Provincial Park and Elkwood Campground at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Kananaskis Country.
Effective June 1, fuel generator use will be limited to the hours of 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., which is based on a similar system used in campgrounds in other jurisdictions such as Parks Canada and B.C. Parks.
Officials with Alberta Parks say excessive noise can have a negative impact on campers and hinder their ability to enjoy provincial parks, noting a survey last year indicated 55 per cent of campers were interested in measures to manage generators.
“It’s really about addressing the issue of generator noise,” said Nancy MacDonald, interim executive director of visitor experience and business supports branch of the Parks division of Alberta Environment and Parks. “We’re not saying don’t use it, we’re just trying to manage the scope of the hours of the day. The feedback so far has been really, really positive.”
MacDonald said since 2019, visitation has grown by 169 per cent in reservable camping.
“Last year we had about 800,000 booked nights on the reservation system and so that’s just a really massive amount of people visiting,” she said.
“We’re always keeping an eye out for are people happy? Are they satisfied? How can we improve their visitor experience? What can we do differently? And generator noise has been coming up more.”
Visitors who require frequent access to power are encouraged to book powered sites rather than using a generator.
Alternate arrangements or exemptions may be made for those with medical needs.
“We know different campers are looking for different kinds of experiences,” said MacDonald. “We always try and offer a balance of things in the system.”
Other campgrounds participating in the pilot initiative include Lodgepole and Ferguson Hill Campgrounds at Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Gooseberry Campground at Gooseberry Provincial Recreation Area, Long Lake Campground at Long Lake Provincial Park, Miquelon Lake Campground at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park, Pigeon Lake and Zeiner Campgrounds at Pigeon Lake Provincial Park and Wabamun Lake Campground at Wabamun Lake Provincial Park.
MacDonald said this summer is shaping up to be another busy camping season, but there are still some reservable sites available.
“It continues to be a busy, a banner year for Alberta Parks, and if you live and play in the Canmore area you know that is for day use as well as overnight,” she said.
“But it’s a big province and there’s lots of opportunity for people to get out, especially if they’re flexible. We always encourage people to check a couple of days before because people’s plans change and there may be availability just pop up.”
