Canadian Campsite Booking Tips to Help you Reserve your Dream Campsite with Minimal Stress
Tried and true hints and tips to help you book the perfect campsite for you in Canada
How to Book the Best Campsites in Canada
From private campgrounds and Harvest Hosts, to National and Provincial Parks, it is estimated that Canada has more than 6,600 campgrounds offering more than 200,000 campsites. Canadian campgrounds offer diverse experiences, and their reservation systems reflect this. Understanding when and how to book is crucial to securing your spot.Top Five Tips for Canadian Campsite Booking Success
Despite the immense quantity and vast variety, campsites across the country are in high demand, especially at popular destinations. To book the best campsites in Canada and increase your chances of snagging your ideal spot, follow these tried-and-true tips:
1. Do Your Research
Before the booking frenzy begins, savvy adventurers map out their dream destinations. They browse guides like the Canada Adventure Travel Guide and soak up insider tips from blogs like Andrea Horning's "How Do You Find Campsites in Canada". The pros know to answer the following questions at the start of their Canadian campsite search:
- Which area do you want to visit and when? Is there a destination you are hoping to camp near? Or a particular trail you will be hiking along?
- What amenities does the campground have? Do you need electricity or would you prefer an unserviced site? If bringing a trailer, make sure it fits into the size of campsites offered!
- How many people are permitted on each site? Will this be enough for your group or will you require two campsites?
- How long you will stay at this campground? Are their minimum stays during peak times? Or maximum stays you need to book within?
2. Plan Ahead
Preparation is the key to stress-free booking the best campsites in Canada. Once you have chosen the ideal campground for you, your camping style, group size and amenity needs (see Tip #1: Do your Research above), confirm how far in advance you can book or when the particular campground begins taking reservations. Some private campgrounds begin taking reservations the fall before, while others don't begin until January or later. For example, Canadian National Parks have rolling reservation start dates, beginning in the western provinces and moving east, such that National Parks in British Columbia start taking reservations in January, while reservations in the Maritime provinces begin in mid-February. Similarly, each province and territory offers a variety of camping, with variety of reservation rules and start dates. To accommodate for this:
- Double-check the booking site's reservation opening time and time zone. Canada has six time zones, try not to mix them up!
- Ensure your account on the reservation system is active and up-to-date. Resetting a forgotten password mid-booking is a recipe for disaster.
Of course, how reservations are made varies by campground, so be sure to make note of the preferred booking method (email, telephone, online booking system, or in-person).
3. Have a Back-up Plan
Popular sites fill up quickly. To avoid disappointment, identify two or three backup campsites, campgrounds, or dates. Flexibility increases your chances of securing a reservation. Because of the variation in when bookings become available at the various campgrounds across Canada (see Tip #2: Plan Ahead above), it can be helpful to know that another campground's bookings will open at a later date, if you didn't get your first choice.
4. Prioritize Your Must-Haves
How to Book the Best Campsites in Canada you need to know what matters most to you and those you will be camping with. To book the best campsite in Canada for YOU, be able to answer the following questions:
- Is physical accessibility a must for you?
- Do you need a waterfront site?
- Is proximity to a comfort station a priority?
- Do you require electrical hookups (30 Amp? 50 Amp?)?
- Will you want to be close to your car, or is hiking or boating to a site acceptable?
Being clear on your deal-breakers helps you filter options quickly if your top choice isn't available. When speaking with campground owners, they may be able to accommodate your camping party when you are able to list your priority needs.
5. Be Prepared
When the time comes to make that reservation, set yourself up for success by:
- Setting an alarm and having your coffee ready – don't get distracted and miss the booking site going live!
- Logging into the reservation site a few minutes early – don't wait until the booking goes live to log-in!
- Familiarizing yourself with the site selection process to save time once bookings open – click around, ensure you know where to go when the bookings go live!
- Hovering over the "Select" button – when the reservation system goes live, campsites disappear in seconds. Be ready to click as soon as your desired site becomes available. Speed is your best friend.
Bonus Pro Tips:
Team Up
Booking for multiple sites or dates? Divide and conquer with friends or family members. With more hands on deck, your chances of success multiply for snagging your first choice Canadian campsite. Teamwork truly makes the dream work.
Don't Give Up!
If you don't get your dream site on your preferred date, don't despair. Cancellations happen all the time, so keep checking back in with your dream campground. Persistence can pay off.
Ready for Adventure
Canadian campsite booking season may be a whirlwind, but it's also the start of your next great adventure. By doing your research, planning ahead, having a back-up plan, knowing what you want, and being prepared, you'll set the stage for unforgettable memories in Canada's incredible outdoors. From serene lakeside retreats to thrilling backcountry hikes, your perfect Canadian campsite is waiting. So, set those reminders, charge your devices, and get ready to secure your spot. Cheers to epic outdoor adventures in 2025! This is some advice for How to Book the Best Campsites in Canada.
Photo credit: Anja Cahill