So did you try to book your campsite in Banff today? Well what a S**t Show! Once again Parks Canada showed how inept they are when it comes to booking their campsites. There were many complaints today on Social media ranging for screens freezing to being kicked out at the payment stage and having to start all over again.  Some even complained that they were billed but their site did not book or confirm, leaving them with a bill for a campsite they did not receive. Myself, It took over 50 min for me to book a site and in the end I did not even get close to the sites or campgrounds I wanted. Instead I had to settle for a campground and site that is far away from my intended point of stay which was Johnston Canyon. Unfortunately this campground is still closed and will not open for bookings until at least June if at all this year.

The promise of a better user experience and more resources for the booking system appear to have been a pipe dream. What a big disappointment! A common theme today was that all users of the system call it antiquated, unfair, and behind the times. Parks Canada should adopt the Provincial Parks booking theme and only allow bookings 90 to 120 days in advance of your arrival instead of opening up the entire season on one day. I am pretty sure that if they did they would have far fewer complaints and disappointed campers.

Sigh..If you did not get a site in Banff today I suppose that you can wait for Alberta’s Provincial Park booking opening day which will be here next month.  As always the best of luck with your play at the camping lottery game that has become the norm rather than the exception.

Happy Trails,

The Glampurs