This release was issued under a previous government.
More than 110,000 online reservations for regular, comfort and group campsites have been made so far this year. That’s an increase of over 12,500 bookings, or 11 per cent, compared to the same period last year.
“Our record-setting online reservation numbers are another clear indication that Albertans love their provincial parks. I will be among the thousands of Albertans and Canadians enjoying Parks Day celebrations this weekend.”
The province is also committed to building on the success of Alberta’s parks system by working closely with First Nations communities, municipalities, counties and environmental groups with the focus of promoting tourism and economic growth.
Since its introduction in 2009, Alberta Parks’ online reservation system has now surpassed 700,000 bookings. There are more than 6,000 provincial campsites available for booking using the online reservation system. The remaining 8,000 campsites within the provincial parks system are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Work is underway to make the online reservation system mobile application friendly for the start of the 2016 camping season.
Alberta Parks is also seeing an increase in its “stay for three, pay for two” nights midweek promotion. Campers receive a free night of camping when they book a consecutive three-night stay Sunday through Thursday in provincial campgrounds that include Dunvegan Lake, Battle Creek, Pigeon Lake, Whitney Lake and West Canal. To access the promotion, campers need only visit AlbertaParks.ca
To celebrate Parks Day, a host of events and activities will be held at various provincial parks, including nature hikes, scavenger hunts, horse-drawn wagon rides, fireworks and geocaching.