Camping reservations at Alberta Parks temporarily suspended

The camping season is going to be starting a little late, if at all, this year.

Alberta Parks has announced that it is temporarily suspending all camping reservations up to and including May 19 due to the threat of COVID-19.

A release from the Province of Alberta states that the decision is in line with that of other provinces throughout the country and Parks Canada.

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Alberta Park’s online reservation system has been temporarily closed, and anyone with existing reservations up to May 19 will receive an email and have their fees refunded, though that the refund “may occur through multiple transactions.”

These transactions may take up to two weeks to process.

The cancellations of reservations made for camping sites after May 19 will potentially be announced in the future, though the government will be continuously assessing the pandemic situation to determine that decision.

The release also noted that dispersed, random camping on public land is still allowed, though may also be restricted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in the future.

Fire and recreational off-highway vehicle bans are in place for anyone who is camping on public lands, and the release states that “all random campers must follow the directions of the chief medical officer of health, including physical distancing and no mass gatherings.”

More information about how the pandemic has affected Alberta Parks can be found on its website.