Alberta Parks sees record visitors, camping reservations in 2025
ECHO STAFF
Alberta Parks has capped off a busy 2025 season, welcoming millions of visitors to its 305 provincial parks and drawing outdoor enthusiasts from across the province and around the world.
More than 280,000 summer camping reservations were made this year, a seven per cent increase over 2024 and the highest total since 2021. Bow Valley and Peter Lougheed provincial parks in Kananaskis Country were the most visited, followed by Aspen Beach, Cypress Hills and Pigeon Lake.
“It’s been a fantastic year for Alberta Parks, and the numbers make it clear that demand for outdoor experiences continues to grow in our province,” said Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks. “From families enjoying weekend getaways to seniors taking advantage of our new discount program, we know how important it is for Albertans to have high-quality outdoor experiences. Our government continues to meet those needs as people explore our beautiful natural heritage.”
Visitors enjoyed a wide range of activities, from backcountry camping and hiking to kayaking, fishing and swimming. Parks staff engaged with more than half a million visitors, providing safety guidance and leading interpretive programs.
While 81 per cent of campers were from Alberta, Parks welcomed visitors from 59 countries, reflecting the global appeal of the province’s landscapes. A new notification feature on the online reservation platform, Shop.AlbertaParks.ca, was used more than 54,000 times, resulting in 13,000 additional bookings.
A spring launch of a camping discount for Alberta seniors also drew strong interest. The program offered a 25 per cent reduction on nearly 6,400 campsites across more than 140 campgrounds, with more than 34,000 camper nights booked under the discount. Miquelon Lake Provincial Park in central Alberta was the most popular destination, accounting for more than 1,100 bookings.
Looking ahead to winter, Alberta Parks will provide year-round recreation, including downhill skiing at Hidden Valley Ski Resort, cross-country trails at Canmore Nordic Centre, ice skating and other outdoor activities. The province has 530 campsites across 13 campgrounds available for winter use.
Quick facts:
All campground types saw increased bookings, including backcountry, front country, comfort, group and equestrian sites.
August was the busiest month, with the August long weekend drawing the highest visitation.
Parks staff delivered more than 3,000 interpretive programs, achieving a visitor satisfaction rate of nearly 97 per cent.
Visitors typically spend around $600 in surrounding communities, providing economic benefits to rural areas.
Public visitation to Kananaskis Country remained high following the G7 Leaders’ Summit in June, with five million visitors exploring the region.
Alberta Parks’ 2025 season highlights the growing demand for outdoor recreation and the province’s commitment to providing safe, accessible, and memorable experiences.