Provincial parks in Canada are protected areas of land and water designated and managed by each province to encourage recreation and sustainable tourism, and promote science and education. They range from ecological reserves with no facilities to day-use and overnight-stay parks with unserviced and serviced campgrounds (including RV waste dumping, and toilet and shower facilities). Features include hiking trails, waterways and beaches, and outdoor equipment rentals.
Garibaldi Provincial Park | British Columbia, Canada
Operating dates of provincial park campgrounds are generally from May or June to September or October, weather depending. Reservations are primarily done via official park websites and it’s recommended to make them well in advance of travel—although most parks leave several spots open for walk-in camping. Day use access is possible by obtaining or purchasing a permit at any parks’ main gate entrances. Some provinces, such as Ontario, have introduced advance online reservations for daily vehicle permits a few days ahead of arrival. Winter options in provincial parks range from day visits for activities to overnight stays in roofed accommodations and backcountry camping.
Recommended quiet time in provincial parks is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Generators are permitted within reason at most parks (rules vary) and must be placed on a designated campsite pad. Liquor laws in the parks depend on each province. Provincial parks allow pets on leashes under 6.5 feet, though pets are only allowed in designated areas.
In the Yukon, Northwest, and Nunavut territories, government-run parks are referred to as “territorial parks.” Opening and closing dates differ slightly from provincial parks and many operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Online reservations are possible for most parks in the Northwest Territories.
Arches Provincial Park | Newfoundland, Canada
Newfoundland
There are more than 30 provincial parks across the rugged island province of Newfoundland, with landscapes ranging from sandy beaches and quaint coves to inland lakes and ponds. Thirteen parks offer overnight camping. Serviced campsites with 15- to 60-amp electrical hookups, garbage collection, and shower and toilet facilities start at $31CAD per night; unserviced campsite rates are just over $20CAD per night.
Online Reservations: parksnl.ca/reservations or NLcamping.ca
Phone: (877) 214-2267 or (905) 566-2405 outside of Canada
Recommended Provincial Parks:
Mira River Provincial Park | Albert Bridge, Nova Scotia, Canada – Photo by: Margot Bai
Nova Scotia
The maritime province of Nova Scotia features 20 provincial camping parks, many with seaside trails and scenic views. Eleven camping parks have a select number of sites with two-way hookups (30-amp electrical service). All of the parks—except backcountry camp Cape Chignecto with its vaulted toilets—have flush toilets and showers, a dump station, and drinking water available. Check-in time for campgrounds is 1 p.m.
Online Reservations: parks.novascotia.ca
Phone: (888) 544-3434; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (ET)
Recommended Provincial Parks:
Linkletter Provincial Park | Linkletter, Prince Edward Island, Canada – Photo by: Traveling Maritimers
Prince Edward Island (PEI)
Prince Edward Island’s network of provincial parks has eight camping parks and 13 day-use parks with spectacular beaches and hiking trails. Campground rates start at $30CAD for unserviced campsites. Fees vary and most provincial campgrounds operate from early June. Cabot Beach Provincial Park, the largest provincial park in western PEI, is building 36 new sites for big RVs; the project should be finished in time for the 2023 camping season.
Online Reservations: peiprovincialparks.ca
Phone: (800) 463-4734; 1-902-437-8570 outside of North America
Recommended Provincial Parks:
Murray Beach Provincial Park | Little Shemogue, New Brunswick, Canada – Photo by: Traveling Maritimers
New Brunswick
You’re never more than an hour’s drive away from a provincial park in New Brunswick, which features nine parks covering almost 50,000 acres of forest, shoreline trails, and hidden waterfalls. Roofed accommodations include heritage cabins, rustic shelters, and chalets.
Online Reservations: parcsnbparks.ca
Phone: (800) 561-0123
Recommended Provincial Parks:
Bic Provincial Park | Rimouski, Quebec, Canada – Photo by: Runswithdogs
Quebec
Provincial parks in Quebec are called “national parks” and managed by Sépaq, the government agency that oversees parks and wildlife reserves in the province. They are all International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Category II protected areas. Throughout Sépaq’s network, there are more than 1,300 campsites where you can park a 40-foot RV. Daily access fees for Sépaq parks are $9CAD for adults 18 and over. Overnight winter stays are magical in this traditionally snowy province.
Online Reservations: sepaq.com
Phone: (800) 665-6527
Recommended Parks:
Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park | Kakabeka Falls, Ontario, Canada – Photo by: WatsonsWander
Ontario
The vast province of Ontario has more than 330 provincial parks, more than 100 of which are open to campers. These feature facilities, 19,000 car accessible campsites, and 8,000 backcountry or wilderness campsites. Ontario Parks allows for tent and RV camping or you can stay in a yurt, cabin, or other roofed accommodation. Liquor is permitted in provincial parks for most of the season except for a 2-week period around the May Victoria Day weekend. Park rules and regulations are listed here. Backcountry camping fees are posted on the website as are day-use, trailer, and general camping fees. Several overnight roofed options are available in the winter season.
Online Reservations: reservations.ontarioparks.com
Phone: (800) ONT-PARK (888-668-7275); 1-519-826-5290 outside of North America
Recommended Provincial Parks:
Winnipeg Beach | Manitoba, Canada
Manitoba
Land and water meet in Manitoba, Canada’s central province, with its boreal forests, prairie parklands, and a multitude of lakes. There are 92 provincial parks to explore within almost 10 million acres of protected land. Manitoba Parks offers some of the lowest park entrance and camping fees in North America. Nightly camping fees for electrical and water range from $19 to $26CAD.
Online Reservations: prspub.gov.mb.ca/MainPage.aspx
Phone: (888) 482-2267
Recommended Provincial Parks:
Moose Mountain Provincial Park | Saskatchewan, Canada
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is known for its farm fields, but it’s also home to badlands, rolling hills, fabulous lake fishing, and 36 provincial parks. More developed parks offer resort-style accommodations and rental cabins, along with a range of camping amenities and recreational activities. Fee information is available online, as are provincial park policies. Full-service nightly camping is listed at $44CAD; non-electric is $20CAD. Quiet time is 24 hours a day.
Online Reservations: parks.saskatchewan.ca
Phone: (800) 205-7070
Recommended Provincial Parks:
Dinosaur Provincial Park | Patricia, Alberta, Canada – Photo by: Northern Hitchhikers
Alberta
The landlocked province of Alberta ranges from fossil-filled flatlands to the jaw-dropping Rocky Mountains. The province currently manages more than 470 parks, which provide cozy walk-in tenting options and roomy RV campsites. Make sure to check the regulations and campsite reservations rules. Check-in time is 4 p.m. and check-out is 2 p.m. Liquor consumption is restricted to registered campsites and various day-use parks. Alberta’s provincial park campgrounds have a 16-night stay limit and camping fees vary depending on facilities and services provided.
Online Reservations: albertaparks.ca or reserve.albertaparks.ca
Phone: (877) 537-2757; for hours of operation visit the Alberta Parks Contact Centre website.
Recommended Provincial Parks:
Bear Creek Provincial Park | Central Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada – Photo by: John & BJ
British Columbia
Beachcombing, bird watching, or sunbathing—there is plenty to do in the 600-plus provincial parks of British Columbia (BC). The park system boasts more than 10,700 vehicle accessible campsites and approximately 2,000 walk-in or backcountry ones. Of the parks, 230 have accessible facilities for those with disabilities. Winter activities and basic camping are popular in BC’s provincial parks.
Online Reservations: bcparks.ca/reserve
Phone: (800) 689-9025 within Canada and the U.S.; 1-778-371-0607 outside of North America
Recommended Provincial Parks:
Provincial parks in Canada are busier than ever with many Canadians rediscovering nature in their regions and provinces—and trying tent camping and RVing for the first time—during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the U.S.–Canada border now open, there will be an additional influx of visitors to the parks, so book in advance to avoid disappointment and always follow park rules and regulations.