Alberta's new camping reservation system opens today. Here's what you need to know
Starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Albertans can book regular camping sites for the next three months.
Tuesday marks the launch of Alberta Parks' new year-round reservation system that will feature a rolling window of open bookings.
Campers can now book regular sites up to 90 days in advance, and comfort and group sites 180 days in advance, so long as they are open.
"We've had a 167 per cent increase in total reservations over the last two years, and that demand has put a strain and pressure on our existing reservation system," Michael Roycroft, Alberta Parks' Kananaskis regional director, told CTV News Edmonton.
"This year-round service, that will even out the usage of the system and it will give folks an opportunity to plan and book throughout the year, not just traditionally in February, when the system has historically opened."
It's not the only change Alberta Parks is making: the maximum number of consecutive nights that can be reserved at once is being reduced from 16 to 10. Multiple bookings will be needed to stay at a site longer than 10 days.
Roycroft said the department was seeing up to 50 per cent of those large bookings being changed or cancelled last minute, preventing other campers from using the site.
Alberta Parks believes the new rule will reduce the amount that happens.
"We're hoping that change will allow for a greater and more equitable access to the system," Roycroft added.
'THE NEW NORM'
Previously, Alberta Parks opened bookings in February through the fall. That method also meant back and front-country sites still open in the winter were available on a first-come, first-served basis.
"This is the trend that we're seeing across North America," Roycroft commented, pointing to Ontario and the U.S. "We anticipate it will be the new norm. It will take a bit for folks to get used to but over time we think it will serve Albertans better."
He added, "Once certain campgrounds open, I think we'll start to see a pick up of usage, and certainly the 90-day period prior to the long weekend in May, I'm sure we'll see a jump in increased usage there as well. But overall, it should streamline the overall demand on the system."
Under the new system, on Tuesday, Albertans can book regular sites that are open on April 11, and comfort and group sites that are open on July 11.
The booking window will advance by one day each morning at 9 a.m.
More information is available online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.