2026 Reservation Dates for BC Parks & Parks Canada (BC + Alberta)
If a summer adventure in the Canadian Rockies or along BC’s wild coast is on your list for 2026, January is planning season.
Reservation dates for many of the most popular parks and backcountry trips in BC and Alberta are rolling out throughout January and the following months — and if you’ve ever tried to book Lake O’Hara, the Rockwall Trail, Berg Lake, or the West Coast Trail, you know how competitive these reservations can be.
This guide brings everything together in one place:
Key 2026 reservation dates for Parks Canada and BC Parks
What to expect when booking
Proven tips I personally use to secure hard-to-get sites
Details on the Canada Strong Pass, which can save you money if you book at the right time
Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit, Yoho National Park
Parks Canada vs BC Parks: What’s the Difference?
Before we dive into dates, it’s important to understand the difference between the two systems:
Parks Canada manages National Parks (Banff, Yoho, Jasper, Pacific Rim, etc.) and releases most summer backcountry reservations on set dates in January.
BC Parks manages Provincial Parks (Garibaldi, Joffre Lakes, Mount Assiniboine camping, Manning, etc.) and uses a rolling reservation window.
Takakkaw Falls Campground (Walk-in Only), Yoho National Park
Key Parks Canada Reservation Dates (2026)
Fri, Jan 16 at 8:00 am PT RESCHEDULED
Mount Revelstoke National Park (backcountry)
Glacier National Park (backcountry)
Wed, Jan 21 at 8:00 am MT
Waterton Lakes National Park (backcountry)
Thurs, Jan 22 at 8:00 am MT
Lake O’Hara camping (Yoho National Park)
Mon, Jan 26 at 8:00 am MT
Banff, Kootenay & Yoho National Parks backcountry
Includes Egypt Lake, Skoki Loop, Rockwall Trail, Mount Assiniboine (via National Parks routes), Yoho Valley / Iceline
Wed, Jan 28 at 8:00 am MT
Jasper National Park backcountry (including the Skyline Trail)
Thurs, Jan 29 at 8:00 am PT
Mount Revelstoke National Park (backcountry)
Glacier National Park (backcountry)
To Do Before Reservations Open
Preparation is everything. These steps make the difference between panic-booking and a smooth checkout.
Set up a Parks Canada reservation account in advance
Set calendar reminders for each park’s specific opening date and time (watch the time zone!)
Choose flexible dates and prepare multiple backup itineraries
Weekdays are easier than weekends; long weekends are the hardest
Know exactly:
How many people are in your group
How many tent pads you need (max 4 people per pad, 1 tent per pad, 3 pads per reservation)
Learn the exact campground names
Example: you won’t find “Rockwall Trail” — you must book Floe Lake, Numa Creek, Tumbling Creek, and Helmet Falls individually
Familiarize yourself with the booking site
Select Backcountry → Park → Campground → Access Point
Practice navigating the site before booking day
This step alone can save you precious minutes.
Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit, Yoho National Park
What to Expect on Booking Day (Parks Canada)
For many Parks Canada reservations, opening day follows a similar pattern:
30 minutes before opening, users are redirected to a virtual waiting room
At opening time (usually 8:00 am local park time), everyone is placed into a random queue
When it’s your turn, you’ll have access to the booking site
Reservations are held in your cart for 15 minutes
If you arrive after reservations open, you’ll be placed at the back of the queue — so login early.
Hermit Meadows, Glacier National Park, BC
Booking Tips
These are the exact strategies I use every year:
Use a computer, not a phone
Have everyone in your group log in at the same time
Use a group call (FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp) to coordinate
Each browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) gets its own queue spot
Multiple tabs in the same browser do not help
One person should complete checkout once a booking is secured
Book whatever you can get — even partial itineraries
Keep refreshing for 30–60 minutes after opening
Many carts time-out and sites reappear
Stay calm — glitches happen, but persistence pays off
You can also use cancellation alert tools later in the season to snag sites that open up.
Bugaboos Provincial Park, BC
Canada Strong Pass (Back for 2026)
Parks Canada has confirmed the return of the Canada Strong Pass for 2026.
The pass offers:
Free national park admission
25% off camping and overnight stays at Parks Canada sites
Discount Periods:
December 12, 2025 – January 15, 2026
June 19 – September 7, 2026
If you book during these windows, the discount will automatically apply at checkout.
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
New for 2026: BC Parks 3-Month Window
BC Parks has officially changed their rolling reservation window from 4 months to 3 months before your trip.
Example:
Planning to camp over May Long Weekend (May 16–18)
Reservations open February 16 at 7:00 am PT
BC Parks reservations are made at: camping.bcparks.ca
Emperor Falls Campground, Berg Lake Trail
Other Popular Trips & When to Book
Berg Lake
Camping: December 2, 2025
Hut: Dec 15–Jan 30
Camping: Jan 22
Bus: Mar 2–23
Garibaldi Provincial Park (Black Tusk, Panorama, Wedgemount Lake and Elfin Lakes)
Day Use Pass has applied in past seasons
Camping: 3 months before trip
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
Day Use Pass has applied in past seasons
3 months before trip
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
Naiset Huts: January 13
Camping: 3 months before trip
E.C. Manning Provincial Park
Camping: 3 months before trip
Watersprite Lake
60 days before trip
Tenquille Lake
60 days before trip
Kinney Lake, Berg Lake Trail
Booking backcountry trips in BC and Alberta takes preparation, patience, and flexibility — but with the right strategy, it is possible to secure even the most sought-after routes.
If you’ve got your eye on a specific park or trail for 2026, now is the time to start planning, practicing, and marking your calendar.
I’ll continue updating guides across the blog as reservation dates roll out — and I’ve linked detailed park-specific posts where available to help you dial in your plans.
Happy planning — and good luck on booking day 🤞
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