Effective May 1, vehicle access restrictions at parking lots and staging areas in provincial parks and on public land are lifted.
We recognize many Albertans want to get outside, but we’re still in the middle of a pandemic, so we’re encouraging anyone visiting our parks and public land for recreation purposes to follow public health guidelines. Visit parks near your home. Now is not the time for long road trips or non-essential travel.
Washrooms and garbage pick-up aren’t available yet and campgrounds don’t open until June 1. We’re busy staffing up so we can clean washrooms and plan for garbage services. It will take time to get these services in place. If you’re visiting our parks or public land, respect the land and pack out what you pack in for the safety of wildlife and our staff. Plan ahead to ensure you have enough food and water and remember to have sanitizer on hand.
Everyone needs to work together by physical distancing, wearing masks when possible and not gathering in groups to minimize the chance of a second wave of the virus.
Remember, a fire ban is still in place in our provincial parks and in the Forest Protection Area.
The last thing we want to do is re-impose restrictions on outdoor recreation – so plan ahead, and if the parking lots look full, come back later or visit another day.
We’ll make updates as services become available and campgrounds open. We ask for your patience – our relaunch of campgrounds and parks services will come online as soon as possible, but not all at once. Your cooperation will go a long way to help us open sites and services in the days and weeks ahead. Thank you for your patience and understanding during our phased approach.
Camping
Our online campsite reservation system will reopen May 14 for campsite bookings starting June 1 onward. We’re still dealing with COVID-19, so extra steps need to be taken this summer to ensure everyone’s safety. That’s why we’re limiting occupancy to 50 per cent capacity to ensure we’re respecting physical distancing. We want to ensure as many Albertans as possible get to camp this summer, which is why sites are open to Albertans only. We will try to maintain as many existing reservations as possible, but for campgrounds already over 50 per cent capacity, cancellations will occur randomly.
Only individual and backcountry campsites can be reserved.
A list of select campgrounds will be posted to this website on May 13.
Government is working hard to staff up to make our campsites available as soon as possible. We are hoping to have as many open as possible by June 1 so Albertans can enjoy our parks again while adhering to current health orders. Again, at this time sites are open to Albertans only. Group and comfort camping will not be offered this season.
We anticipate opening more campsites on June 15 as we are able to get more staff in place with the proper protective gear.
Alberta Parks will notify by email and fully refund all customers with existing camping reservations from May 19-31, including comfort camping reservations. Customers are advised that refunds may occur in multiple transactions. For example, camping fees will be refunded separately from the reservation fee. Transactions may take up to two weeks for processing
Boat Launches
Access to select boat launches is posted here. We will be working to have all boat launches open by May 14.
Fishing
If you are an Alberta resident between the ages of 16 and 65, you must obtain an Alberta angling license to fish. Non-residents must obtain an Alberta angling license regardless of age. The Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations has detailed information on season and catch limits. More info on fishing in Alberta’s Parks.
Fire ban
A fire ban remains in place for all Alberta provincial parks and protected areas until further notice. We are asking Albertans to comply with the fire ban. Non-compliance may result in extreme fines.
Approved activities during a fire ban are available on this site.
Off-highway vehicles
Off-highway vehicle recreation use is permitted on designated trails at this time. Please always check for bans before you ride.
Backcountry safety
The Kananaskis Country public safety team is asking for cooperation from Kananaskis backcountry users. Backcountry use has the potential to add unnecessary stress to the health care system and put public safety staff at risk, including to exposure to COVID-19, which could then impact resources to support search and rescue. This applies to all Alberta Parks’ backcountry areas.
Visiting Alberta Parks During COVID-19
We know our parks play an important role in both the physical and mental wellbeing of Albertans. We need your help to reduce the spread of COVID-19 so our parks can stay open, safe and accessible.
- Continue to practice physical distancing and only visit a park with members of your household, or your cohort family.
- Visit parks near your home. Now is not the time for long road trips or non-essential travel.
- Please respect the health and safety of small communities by planning your trip without stops for gas or food.
- Don’t visit if you’re sick or were recently exposed to someone with COVID-19. Bring a cloth mask and wear it when you’re near other people.
- Only visit parks or go hiking where you can maintain at least two metres of physical distance at all times.
- Visit early in the day, so you can head somewhere else if a parking lot is full. If parking lots are full, please consider visiting at a different time. Do not park on the shoulder of roads.
- Please come prepared with your own water, snacks and hand sanitizer.
- Dispose of your trash in appropriate receptacles or pack it out to keep both wildlife and our maintenance staff safe.
- Follow all the advice of the public health experts to protect yourself and others during this pandemic.
We’re all in this together. Thank you for loving and supporting Alberta Parks, and for helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by following these guidelines.
Contact Alberta Parks or Public Lands with any questions or comments related to Alberta Environment and Parks response to COVID-19.
For up-to-date and accurate information on the Government of Alberta’s response to COVID-19 please visit COVID-19 coronavirus info for Albertans.