March 1, 2010 Alberta expands online campground reservation system Reserve your May long weekend campsite beginning March 8 Edmonton... Starting March 8, Albertans and visitors can book more than 5800 campsites at 50 provincial campgrounds online or through a new toll-free phone reservation service. “We are doubling the number of provincial campgrounds taking online reservations this year,” said Tourism, Parks and Recreation Minister Cindy Ady. “The 25 new online campgrounds will give Albertans and visitors easier access to provincial campgrounds as we committed to with Alberta’s Plan for Parks.” Online reservations at the 50 provincial campgrounds are available up to 90 days in advance at Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca. Online reservations start March 8 at 9 a.m. for the May long weekend. Online reservations start April 1 for the July long weekend. Online reservations start May 3 for the August long weekend. Online reservations start June 5 for the September long weekend. Visitors can preview Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca starting today to research their individual campsite on an interactive map. The maps show the campsite size and features such as nearby trails, firepit location, and proximity to washrooms. The website provides a 360-degree panoramic view of each campsite and campground. Starting March 8, a new toll-free phone reservation service will allow those who prefer to talk to a real person, to book their campsite over the phone at 1-877-537-2757. “This is a great example of our government improving services for Albertans,” said Service Alberta Minister Heather Klimchuk. “The beauty is it provides a state-of-the-art online reservation system along with the personal contact of over-the-phone service for those that want it. It’s the best of both worlds.” In 2009, campers made nearly 50,000 online reservations. More than 20 provincial campgrounds, that are not online, will begin taking phone reservations at local campground offices on May 3. More than 140 other provincial campgrounds offer first-come first-served only campsites. The Government of Alberta has a clear plan for a strong economic recovery. The Way Forward will bring Alberta back into a surplus position in three years by trimming government spending; using cash reserves to protect key programs; continuing to invest in public infrastructure; and ensuring that our province's industries are competitive and continue to attract investment to provide jobs and prosperity. -30- Backgrounder: 50 provincial campgrounds offering online reservations Media inquiries may be directed to: Camille Weleschuk, Tourism, Parks and Recreation 780-427-2206 [email protected] To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. March 1, 2010 50 provincial campgrounds offer online reservations Reserve your campsite up to 90 days in advance at the following 50 provincial campgrounds online at Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca or by calling 1-877-537-2757. *New in 2010 Provincial Park / Recreation Area Campground Location Aspen Beach Provincial Park Brewer's* Lacombe Lakeview* Lacombe Beaver Lake Provincial Recreation Area Beaver Lake* Lac La Biche Bow Valley Provincial Park Bow Valley Kananaskis Lac Des Arcs* Kananaskis Brazeau Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area Reservoir Loops 1 & 2* Drayton Valley West Canal* Drayton Valley Cold Lake Provincial Park Cold Lake* Cold Lake Rocky Mountain Crimson Lake Provincial Park Crimson Lake* House Rocky Mountain Twin Lakes* House Cross Lake Provincial Park Cross Lake Westlock Cypress Hills Provincial Park Beaver Creek Medicine Hat Elkwater Medicine Hat Ferguson Hill Medicine Hat Firerock Medicine Hat Lakeview Medicine Hat Lodgepole Medicine Hat Old Baldy Medicine Hat Dillberry Lake Provincial Park Dillberry Lake* Provost Dinosaur Provincial Park Dinosaur Brooks Dunvegan Provincial Park Dunvegan Fairview Etherington Creek Provincial Recreation Area Etherington Creek* Kananaskis Franchere Bay Provincial Recreation Area Franchere Bay Bonnyville Garner Lake Provincial Park Garner Lake* Bonnyville Gregoire Lake Provincial Park Gregoire Lake* Fort McMurray Jarvis Bay Provincial Park Jarvis Bay Sylvan Lake Kinbrook Island Provincial Park Kinbrook Island* Brooks Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park Marten River Slave Lake Little Elbow Provincial Recreation Area Little Elbow* Kananaskis Little Elbow Equestrian* Kananaskis Long Lake Provincial Park Long Lake Boyle McLean Creek Provincial Recreation Area McLean Creek Kananaskis Miquelon Lake Provincial Park Miquelon Lake Camrose Moose Lake Provincial Park Moose Lake Bonnyville Park Lake Provincial Park Park Lake* Lethbridge Pembina River Provincial Park Pembina River Stony Plain Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Boulton Creek Kananaskis Elkwood* Kananaskis Pigeon Lake Provincial Park Pigeon Lake* Wetaskiwin Zeiner* Wetaskiwin Red Lodge Provincial Park Red Lodge* Bowden Saskatoon Island Provincial Park Saskatoon Island Grande Prairie Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park Sir Winston Churchill* Lac La Biche Tillebrook Provincial Park Tillebrook Brooks Vermilion Provincial Park Vermilion* Vermilion Wabamun Lake Provincial Park Wabamun Lake* Stony Plain Whitney Lakes Provincial Park Ross Lake* Elk Point William A. Switzer Provincial Park Gregg Lake Hinton Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park Writing-on-Stone Milk River Young's Point Provincial Park Young's Point Valleyview -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Camille Weleschuk Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation 780-427-2206 [email protected] To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. Alberta Government | Newsroom | Ministries Listing | Tourism, Parks and Recreation Home Page | News Releases | Top of Page | Send us your comments or questions Copyright(©) 2010 Government of Alberta .