How and When to Make Your National Campground Reservations For 2024

Are you planning on camping this summer season? While it may still be freezing where you are, January is when you need to think of your national campground reservations.

National Park camping reservations are getting more and more popular throughout Canada and USA. Trips to visit National Parks must be planned (even if we are not in a camping mood yet!)

After reading this article, you’ll know:

• When can you reserve national park campsites?
• How to book camping in Canada (Parks Canada) and the USA (National Park Service).
• Tips on how to get last-minute camping reservations.

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How to Increase Your Chances Of Scoring Camping Reservations in National Parks

Before considering when and how to make a reservation, here is my best tip to help you score national park.

Browse the booking site before the launch date to familiarise yourself with site navigation. I recommend shortlisting the national park campgrounds you wish to stay at. 

Camping spots book up very quickly on the launch date. Pre-browsing will save valuable time and provide backup options if your preferred site is unavailable. Make sure you also set up a booking account before launch day.

Also, look at all your available dates and be ready to change dates if your preferred dates are unavailable.

Reservations for Parks Canada Camping

There are 40 national parks with campgrounds in Canada. Parks Canada operates all national park campgrounds. The campground options include:

• Beachside spots,
• Forest land and
• Mountainous locations.

Parks Canada also offers some glamping options with its:

• OTENTik tent
• Ôasis
• MicrOcube
• Yurt
• Cabin
• Tipi

When Can You Reserve National Park Campsites in Canada

Parks Canada camping reservations need to be arranged months in advance. The global reservations system for all Parks Canada campgrounds generally opens in January and February (depending on the national parks).

From day 1 of the reservation system opening, you can book stays from April 2024 to March 2025. 

Each campsite has a different reservation timetable. To book national park camping, you must check the launch date for each campsite you wish to visit. Most campground reservations open in mid-January, but some will open in February 2024 (for example, Gros National Park).

Check out this useful list of national campgrounds in Canada and their launch dates. 

How to Make a Parks Canada Camping Reservation

The reservation system from Parks Canada was updated in 2023. If you didn’t make any reservation in 2023, you’ll need to create a new account in the new system. You’ll lose your camping reservation history, so you might want to log it before March to note your preferred campgrounds.

Campsites in national parks in Canada can only be reserved on the Parks Canada website.

To make a Parks Canada camping reservation, you’ll need to visit the Parks Canada Reservation Service at https://reservation.pc.gc.ca/.

Each campground will show operation dates (when the campground is open) and reservable dates. If there are dates outside the reservable dates, these dates are available for first come, first served camping spots. 

Bookings can be made by phone or online here, but only after setting up an account using a Parks Canada login.

Don’t forget that in addition to your camping fees and reservations, you”‘ll need to purchase a national park pass.  Passes cover your entrance and day use at the park and can either be a single park pass or an annual discovery pass that gives you access to all Parks Canada facilities. The family annual pass is 73$ for one adult or 145$ for the family pass. Children under 17 years old and older have free access.

Some of the Best Camping in Canada National Parks With Kids

Parks Canada offers excellent camping options, so it’s hard to say which ones are the best. But here are three across the country you might want to try:

Green Point Campground in Pacific Rim National Park

Green Point Campground in Pacific Rim, National Park on Vancouver Island, is a medium-sized site with 113 camping spots just meters away from a glorious sandy beach. 

Activities in the locality include the Pacific Coast Trail, whale watching, and surfing, and this site is renowned for its stargazing opportunities.

⛺ Check out Pacific Rim National Park Camping Reservations options. ⛺

Lake Louise Campground in Banff National Park

Lake Louise Campground lies in Banff National Park. It’s the biggest of Banff National Park campgrounds. And Banff is one of Canada’s most popular tourist locations.

Activities include hiking and kayaking and the world-famous Lake Louise and Icefields Parkway. But it’s

⛺ Check out Banff National Park Camping Reservations options. ⛺

Igonish Beach Campground in Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Igonish Beach Campground in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia is a small, intimate site of just 60 camping spots.

This campground is a great option for families as it is a short walk to beautiful Ingonish Beach and offers hiking, swimming, and sports activities.

⛺ Check out Cape Breton National Park Camping Reservations options. ⛺

USA National Parks Campground Reservations

There are approximately 113,000 reservable national park campsites in the United States, so there is a campsite to suit everyone!  

Most national parks have sites that will allow first-come-first, served drop-ins, but if you are traveling in peak season, making reservations is always best (and less stressful).

When to Make Your NPS Camping Reservations

Reservation timetables vary from park to park. You’ll need to research the rules for the national park you wish to visit. 

For example, reservations for Yosemite National Park’s campsites are available up to five months before your visit, opening on the 15th of each month at 7:00 a.m. (PST). 

How to Make Your NPS Campground Reservations

Campsites in national parks in the US can only be reserved on the Recreation.Gov website.

To make a US national camping reservation, you’ll need to visit the Recreation Reservation System at https://recreation.gov

You must set your alarm if you wish to book specific dates, as (the national park booking site) claims that the most popular dates and campsites sell out within 20 minutes of their call center opening.

Reservations can be made by phone or online, but you must set up an account before booking. 

Don’t forget that you must purchase a national park pass in addition to your camping fees and reservations.  Passes cover your entrance and day use at the park and can either be a single park pass or an annual ‘interagency pass’ that gives you access to over 2,000 sites. 

The “America The Beautiful” pass costs $80 and is valid for one year. Children aged 15 and under are free. 

Also, some US National Parks require reservations and your national park pass.

Which National Parks require reservations? The following national parks require reservations:

• Glacier National Park
• Zion National Park
• Acadia National Park
• Shenandoah National Park
• Haleakala National Park
• Yosemite National Park

You will not need to purchase the timed ticket if you have an overnight reservation within the national park.

USA National Campground Recommendations

• Upper Pines Campground allows visitors to camp surrounded by the majestic pines of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park in California. A free shuttle bus brings campers to various attractions around the park and an on-site children’s activity program. 

• Mather Campground in The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is just one mile from the South Rim. It is a large and only site within the Grand Canyon Village. A free shuttle bus runs from the campsite to the visitor’s center.

Mather campground reservations open six months in advance, and this site is an excellent option if you wish to stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon at sunrise and sunset (highly recommended)!

• Fish Creek Campground in Glacier National Park in Montana, is ideal for people who love forests, lakes, mountains and meadows. This campground stands at 3,500 feet, so pack appropriate clothing. 

How to Get Last-Minute Camping Reservations 

Camping in national parks is the best way to explore and experience everything a national park offers. But as you know, they get booked early in the year. Not all families can make plans many months in advance.

Here are some tips to help you get a last-minute camping reservation.

1. Your Travel Dates

Weekends and especially long weekends book super fast. And when I say super fast, I mean within the first hours on the first day as the reservation is available.

So if you can travel during the week, getting a last-minute camping reservation will be easier. For example, we could camp multiple times last minute in the peak season at Banff National Park by visiting early in the week.

2. The Type of Campsite You Need

Frontcountry sites (or car camping sites) are campgrounds accessible by car and RV’s. These sites are ideal for novice campers as they have extensive facilities such as hot showers, flushing toilets, electric hookups, designated pitch sites and a check-in station. 

Some front-country sites offer fully equipped tents or cabins, which can be a great choice if you are starting out on your family camping adventures. 

Backcountry sites can only be reached on foot by backpacking. They have more basic facilities such as a picnic table, fire pit and compostable toilet. Plus, you need to be able to carry all your camping gear on you.

Some national parks will require a permit for backcountry camping.

Within each campground category, you must decide whether you prefer small, quiet sites or larger, livelier ones. 

3. The Camping Facilities You’ll Need

The facilities at your campsite can make a massive difference to your enjoyment of your trip. 

When camping with kids, you may prefer national park campgrounds with activities or a playground. Both Parks Canada And the US National Park Service offer special activities for kids.

It is also worth checking the number of toilets and showers compared to the size of the campground to avoid daily queueing for facilities.

Also, if you are camping for a few days in a row, you may want to have access to electricity.

In USA, you’ll be looking at the Junior Ranger programs. In Canada, you’ll be searching for the Xplorers programs.

If you plan to work during your camping trip, ensure your campsite has WiFi or a cellular network.

For example, cellular reception is almost nonexistent at Yellowstone National Park (USA). You may have some issues in the Canadian Rockies National Parks as well. Most campgrounds along the Icefields Parkway won’t have wifi or cellular reception.

Final Thoughts: National Parks Campground Reservation

And that’s it. I hope this post helped you better understand national parks’ reservation systems in Canada and the USA.

Where will you be camping this season?

Emilie Brillon

Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She's based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.

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