Coronavirus (COVID-19) - What does it mean for RV and Campers in Canada's National Parks?
As of March 19, 2020
Specifically, front country and backcountry areas, including accessible day use areas, trails and basic washroom facilities, will continue to be available for public use.
However, there are significant closures that will impact those who are wanting to camp.
Let’s break it down to each National Park.
Banff National Park
To reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, the following facilities will be closed in Banff National Park:
- The Banff and Lake Louise Visitor Centres, and the satellite kiosk at the Banff Train Station
- Tunnel Mountain Village 2 campground and the Lake Louise Campground
- The Banff Park Museum National Historic Site,
- The Cave and Basin National Historic Site
- The Park Administration Buildings in the communities of Banff and Lake Louise
- The Banff Upper Hot Springs, and
- The kiosks at the East Gate (Please note that 3rd party vendors will continue to have the option to sell park passes from their locations.).
While visitor services are temporarily suspended, Parks Canada will continue to deliver a number of critical functions. In Banff National Park these include:
- highways operations and snow removal
- avalanche forecasting and avalanche control
- visitor safety and search and rescue
- water testing and waste water treatment at our outlying sites
- Human-wildlife conflict response
- fire response
- emergency dispatch
- law enforcement, and
- construction project implementation support.
Funday National Park
In the interest of reducing the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus, Fundy National Park visitor facilities are now temporarily closed until further notice.
During this time, visitors may access front country, backcountry and accessible green spaces. Here’s what you need to know if you are planning to visit Fundy National Park:
- Visitors are responsible for their own safety while visiting the park
- The visitor centre and washrooms are closed until further notice
- Trails and boardwalk remain open for nature walks
- All camp sites (front and backcountry) as well as roofed accommodations are closed until further notice
Jasper National Park
To reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, the following facilities will be closed in Jasper National Park:
- Jasper Information Centre
- Wapiti Winter Campground
- Park Administration Building
- all park entry kiosks
- Palisades Centre
- all seasonal facility and area closures remain in place.
Roads into and within the park, as well as open spaces (including front and backcountry areas, accessible day use areas and trails) remain open. In addition, some basic washroom facilities along highways 16 and 93 North, will be available. Please respect social distancing of 2 metres when using trails, open spaces or other facilities.
Kootenay National Park
⚠ The health and safety of our visitors and team members is Parks Canada’s top priority. In the interest of reducing the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus, Kootenay National Park visitor facilities are now temporarily closed until further notice.
During this time, visitors may access front country, backcountry and accessible green spaces. Here’s what you need to know if you are planning to visit Kootenay National Park
➡Visitors are responsible for their own safety while visiting the park.
➡The visitor centre and washrooms are closed until further notice.
➡ The Kootenay Spring Thaw event has been cancelled.
Kouchibouguac National Park
The health and safety of our visitors and team members is ParksCanada’s top priority. In the interest of reducing the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus, Kouchibouguac National Park visitor facilities are now temporarily closed until further notice.
During this time, visitors may access front country, backcountry and accessible green spaces. Here’s what you need to know if you are planning to visit Kouchibouguac National Park:
- Visitors are responsible for their own safety while visiting the park
- The visitor centre, the Pijeboogwek shelter, the Administration building and all washrooms are closed until further notice
- Trails remain open, however Winter trails will no longer be maintained
- All camp sites (front and backcountry) as well as roofed accommodations are closed until further notice
Point Pelee National Park
During this time, visitors may access trails, beaches, and accessible green spaces. Here’s what you need to know if you are planning to visit Point Pelee:
- Gates will be open 7 am to sunset
- Visitors are responsible for their own safety while visiting the park
- Visitors should exercise additional caution at this time and avoid activities with safety risks
- Visitor Centre, Administration buildings, and washrooms are closed
- Construction continues along the Park road, visitors should expect closures or delays
- TENTIK Village closed to all guests and visitors – all existing reservations for dates between March 18 and April 30, 2020, will be refunded in full
- For pass renewal call at 519-322-2365 x. 0
Prince Edward Island National Park
There will be operational delays in the opening of day-use areas for the season, including beach amenities at Stanhope, Ross Lane, Brackley and Cavendish, and washroom facilities at Cavendish Grove, and the Greenwich trails.
Riding Mountain National Park
Highways 10 and 19 through Riding Mountain National Park remain open and will continue to be serviced.
The townsite of Wasagaming will remain accessible. However, visitor facility services will be closed temporarily, including all washrooms and day use facilities such as the skating rink and kitchen shelter behind the Visitor Centre, until further notice. Trails remain open but not maintained, use at your own discretion and please respect social distancing when using trails or public spaces within the park.
The South Entry Gate and the Administration Building are closed until further notice. For general inquiries, please call 1-204-848-7275 or 1-888-773-8888.
Rouge National Urban Park
All visitor facilities will be closed temporarily. This includes washrooms and day use facilities.
During this period, visitors may passively use trails and accessible green spaces in the park. Should you decide to visit, be aware that it is at your own risk and that you are fully responsible for your own safety. Please respect social distancing and keep a healthy space of 2 metres between you and other visitors if using the trails or green spaces. Search and rescue services may be limited. Visitors should exercise additional caution at this time and avoid activities with safety risks.
Wapusk National Park
There will be no access to visitor facilities and services.
Waterton Lakes National Park
In Waterton Lakes National Park, frontcountry and backcountry areas will continue to be available for public use. The Firehall washroom on Fountain Avenue in the townsite will remain open and maintained for public use.
Parks Canada will continue to maintain the following basic critical operations in Waterton Lakes National Park:
- highways operations and snow removal;
- avalanche forecasting;
- visitor safety and search and rescue;
- townsite management;
- water testing, potable water and waste water treatment;
- human-wildlife conflict response;
- wildfire response;
- emergency dispatch;
- law enforcement;
- construction project implementation support.
However, to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, the following facilities will be closed in Waterton Lakes National Park:
Visitor services that are closed
- Visitor Centre on Fountain Avenue;
- Park Administration building on Mount View Road;
- Parks Canada Operations Compound on the Entrance Road, including:
- The Operations Building;
- The Warden’s Office;
- Pass Creek winter campground and washrooms;
- Various frontcountry and townsite day use areas and washrooms.
Yoho National Park
Parks Canada is committed to maintaining the critical services that we provide in Yoho National Park, including:
- Highways operations and snow removal;
- Avalanche forecasting and avalanche control;
- Visitor safety and search and rescue;
- Townsites management;
- Water and waste water treatment;
- Wildfire response and management;
- Law enforcement; and
- Construction project implementation support
Visitors may use front country and backcountry areas as well as accessible green spaces. Canadians visiting Parks Canada places should remember that they are always responsible for their own safety. Consult the Parks Canada website to be prepared for your visit and be aware of any area closures.
Visitor safety services may be limited in some locations and all visitors should exercise additional caution at this time and avoid activities with safety risks.
Business and tourism operations working within Parks Canada places are valued partners and provide important services to visitors. They may continue to operate and clients should check with them before visiting to ensure that there has been no change to their services.