A longtime Snaring Campground user writes to The Jasper Local following Parks Canada’s decision to move the campground to an online reservation system in 2027.
Dear editor:
I read your article regarding Snaring campground going to reservations next year. I’m deeply disappointed and I would have really preferred that this had been made public a lot sooner. I’m not a Jasper resident but, I’ve been going to Snaring for many years and the first-come-first-serve has always worked for our family.
Besides now being able to collect the reservation fees I see no advantage for anybody going to reservations.
I’m also disappointed that our friends in Jasper will no longer have the option to just escape.
This should have definitely been made public and feedback from the public taken in to consideration.
— Sylvia Jones, Spruce Grove, AB
Background
Beginning in 2027, Parks Canada will move six of Jasper National Park’s remaining first-come, first-served campgrounds onto its online reservation system.
Snaring, Kerkeslin, Honeymoon, Jonas, Wilcox and Icefield Tent will become fully reservable, adding approximately 240 campsites to the reservation system.
Parks Canada says the change will help replace some of the more than 450 reservable campsites lost in the 2024 Jasper wildfire, while also responding to changing camping habits and improving use of the six campgrounds.
Collectively, the six campgrounds were about 70 per cent occupied a decade ago. Parks Canada says that figure has since fallen to about 40 per cent of available camping nights.
The agency will retain some first-come, first-served camping through an overflow area, primarily during peak summer weekends. Its online reservation system will also allow campers to receive notifications when reserved sites become available through cancellations.
Snaring is located approximately 15 minutes east of Jasper and has traditionally provided an option for campers who did not need to plan their trips in advance.
The Jasper Local welcomes letters to the editor. Letters represent the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jasper Local.
