logo
  • News
    • Community
    • Local Government
    • Sports
    • Alberta Politics
    • Opinion
    • Deke
  • Events
  • Jasper Builds
  • Peaks & Valleys
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking and Climbing
    • Biking
    • Fishing
    • Snow Sports
  • Culture
    • Jasper Arts & Culture
    • Local Dining
    • Local Literature
  • Jasper History
  • Support
    • News
      • Community
      • Local Government
      • Sports
      • Alberta Politics
      • Opinion
      • Deke
    • Events
    • Jasper Builds
    • Peaks & Valleys
      • Wildlife
      • Hiking and Climbing
      • Biking
      • Fishing
      • Snow Sports
    • Culture
      • Jasper Arts & Culture
      • Local Dining
      • Local Literature
    • Jasper History
    • Support
The ongoing issues with campsite reservations in our national parks
Editorial, Fishing, Opinion, Peaks & Valleys
By Bob Covey
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
The ongoing issues with campsite reservations in our national parks

It’s hard to think of spending the night in a tent when it’s minus 45 degrees Celsius outside, but if you want to camp in Canada’s mountain parks this summer, that’s exactly what you were doing earlier this month.

At least that’s what you had hoped you’d be doing: online camping reservations opened up on January 7; however, the system suffered a major slowdown and users all over the world experienced frustration as they were blocked out of the site while the software attempted to process requests.

To be fair, the delay in JNP was (according to officials) just 19 minutes long but the following day, when Banff National Park opened itself to the world, the online booking site was down for hours as tens of thousands of people trying to reserve their campsites overwhelmed the system.  Parks Canada said there were over 35,000 website connections attempting to reserve campsites at 8 a.m. MST on January 8. At the end of the day, more than 22,000 reservations were completed for Banff National Park on their opening day.

Today (January 22), reservations opened for backcountry campsites in JNP, and while there were apparently less problems with the website freezing up, many frustrated users still took to Facebook to vent their anger.

If it wasn’t the same problem for the past several years, perhaps we could be a little more forgiving. But it’s tough to remain patient when you’re trying to plan a holiday eight months in advance at 8 a.m. on a weekday morning and the same issues keep cropping up.

What’s also frustrating is that when the time comes to pack the car and head to mountains, many of the folks who booked won’t actually show up to their campsites. This is more of an issue with backcountry campsites than it is with those in the front country but the fact remains: there aren’t enough financial penalties for people who don’t cancel their bookings. The result is that many coveted campsites sit empty, despite showing as full on the website.

These are all problems that were bound to arise when the booking system moved online. We know the supply and demand for national park campsites is extremely askew and we accept the first come, first serve philosophy seems like the only fair way to approach it.

But is it? The Lake O’Hara shuttle bus is going to a lottery system to reduce stress on the system and the Maligne Lake Ski Club uses a random draw to book guests into its Shangri-la Cabin here in JNP. Is it time to institute something similar for our national campsites?

For the record, Parks Canada has said that they are always looking into improving the reservation service, and that “the Agency continues to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of other options, such as wait-queues and different reservation windows to help distribute the demand.”

Some have suggested dividing the booking windows between different dates and still others have said Canadians should have the first crack at national park campsites.

Something’s got to give: it’s embarrassing to think that all across the country, online users are simultaneously screaming at their screens, cursing the organization that is built to help people access and appreciate our national treasures. Mind you, if it took your mind off the polar vortex last week, I suppose that’s something.


Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

Articles You May LIke ›
Opening soon: Campground reservation access dates approaching
Hiking and Climbing
Opening soon: Campground reservation access dates approaching
Bob Covey 
Friday, January 19, 2024
Campers, get ready to be happy. Starting next week, Parks Canada’s reservation system opens up and campers looking to enjoy the natural beauty of Jasp...
this is a test
Water line break closes Wabasso campground ahead of May long weekend
News
Water line break closes Wabasso campground ahead of May long weekend
Parks Canada has set up a “hotline” for campers with reservations who need to rebook
Bob Covey 
Friday, May 19, 2023
Jasper National Park staff were scrambling to rebook hundreds of campground reservations after damaged facilities at Wabasso and Whistlers Campgrounds...
this is a test
Most Read ›
The dukes of hazard trees
Environment
The dukes of hazard trees
Bob Covey 
Monday, July 7, 2025
When normal forestry practices don’t cut it: With a light-on-the-land touch, specialized arborists are cleaning up Jasper’s burn debris It’s a widely-...
this is a test
Walking Through Fire: Wildlife
Environment
Walking Through Fire: Wildlife
Kirsten Schmitten 
Friday, July 4, 2025
Part 2: Home is where the hearth is In Part 1 of our Walking Through Fire series , we discussed how post-fire vegetation bounces back. But what about ...
this is a test
Pitch perfect: Jasper U15 Football Club provincial champs
News
Pitch perfect: Jasper U15 Football Club provincial champs
Lucas Habib 
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Jasper soccer players have once again brought home a provincial soccer championship. Jaifred Mota was the first one to rush keeper Kieran Rudge after ...
this is a test
Latest ›
Golf’s golden years at Jasper Park
Jasper History
Golf’s golden years at Jasper Park
John Wilmshurst, freelance contributor 
Monday, June 23, 2025
100 years ago, the Jasper Park Golf Club teed up its first round of the Royal and Ancient Game In 1457, King James II of England banned golf in Scotla...
this is a test
Two hikers killed by rockfall event at Bow Glacier Falls
Environment
Two hikers killed by rockfall event at Bow Glacier Falls
Friday, June 20, 2025
The Rockies hiking community is mourning the loss of two of its members today. Calgary's Jutta Hinrichs, 70 years old, a member of the hiking group Sl...
this is a test
The bear necessities
Environment
The bear necessities
Bob Covey 
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Collars, fences and attractant elimination keys to bear management Jasper National Park bear biologists are keeping a close eye on area grizzlies. At ...
this is a test
CONGRATULATIONS Class of 2025
Community
CONGRATULATIONS Class of 2025
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Congratulations to the 2025 graduates of Jasper Jr/Sr High School and École Desrochers! These bright young individuals are now stepping confidently in...
this is a test

NEXT ARTICLE

Family of renown mountaineer donates treasury of alpine artifacts to museum

Hiking and Climbing, Jasper History, Peaks & Valleys

Most Read ›
The dukes of hazard trees
Environment
The dukes of hazard trees
Bob Covey 
Monday, July 7, 2025
When normal forestry practices don’t cut it: With a light-on-the-land touch, specialized arborists are cleaning up Jasper’s burn debris It’s a widely-...
this is a test
Walking Through Fire: Wildlife
Environment
Walking Through Fire: Wildlife
Kirsten Schmitten 
Friday, July 4, 2025
Part 2: Home is where the hearth is In Part 1 of our Walking Through Fire series , we discussed how post-fire vegetation bounces back. But what about ...
this is a test
Pitch perfect: Jasper U15 Football Club provincial champs
News
Pitch perfect: Jasper U15 Football Club provincial champs
Lucas Habib 
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Jasper soccer players have once again brought home a provincial soccer championship. Jaifred Mota was the first one to rush keeper Kieran Rudge after ...
this is a test
Latest ›
Pitch perfect: Jasper U15 Football Club provincial champs
News
Pitch perfect: Jasper U15 Football Club provincial champs
Lucas Habib 
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Jasper soccer players have once again brought home a provincial soccer championship. Jaifred Mota was the first one to rush keeper Kieran Rudge after ...
this is a test
The dukes of hazard trees
Environment
The dukes of hazard trees
Bob Covey 
Monday, July 7, 2025
When normal forestry practices don’t cut it: With a light-on-the-land touch, specialized arborists are cleaning up Jasper’s burn debris It’s a widely-...
this is a test
Walking Through Fire: Wildlife
Environment
Walking Through Fire: Wildlife
Kirsten Schmitten 
Friday, July 4, 2025
Part 2: Home is where the hearth is In Part 1 of our Walking Through Fire series , we discussed how post-fire vegetation bounces back. But what about ...
this is a test
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Arts & Culture
Float on: Canada Day Parade gallery
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Jasperites donned their red and white, kitted out their floats and paraded around the community with pride on Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1). Local busi...
this is a test
This site complies with Jasper requirements
Contact us
Privacy Policy
Advertise With Us
About The Jasper Local
Accessibility Policy
Support

Follow Us

Advertise with us

Measurable, targeted, local. Email example@thejasperlocal.com

ePaper
coogle_play
app_store

© Copyright The Jasper Local