If you haven’t recently stayed overnight in one of Canada’s National Parks you probably don’t know about all the cool and quirky accommodation options that are now available. Forget your musty smelling tent you haven’t dragged out in years. Instead check out options that include everything from micro-cubes to cocoon tree beds to double tents – exciting options to explore whether you’re a couple, a group of friends or a family.
The Micro Cube in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba – Photo credit @Parks Canada/Eric Beaudoin
It seems people are moving away from the full woodsy backcountry tenting experience to a more luxurious camping experience. Parks Canada is right there developing innovative options that are especially geared for people who haven’t had a lot of outdoor, close to nature experiences. But trust me that doesn’t mean that a hardcore camper like myself doesn’t enjoy the odd front-country glamping experience too.
It all started in 2012 when Parks Canada revealed the oTENTik, a cabin – tent hybrid available in many of the national parks across Canada. (You can read about my experience in a couple of oTENTiks in 1000 Islands National Park here.) Ultimately Parks Canada is doing its best to provide guests with innovative services to enjoy and appreciate our national parks. If you don’t know what the national parks offer, I doubt you’ll be as inclined to want to preserve our wild and natural spaces. And to me that’s a good part of what makes Canada so special.
Here’s a look at the diversity of cool and quirky accommodation options in our national parks.
The Double Tent available in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba – Photo credit @Parks Canada/Eric Beaudoin
An inner tent with a bed and chairs and outer roomy, bug proof tent Riding Mountain National Park – Photo credit @Parks Canada/Eric Beaudoin
The Cocoon Tree bed in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia – Photo credit @Parks Canada
Can you picture yourself sleeping in a cocoon – Cape Breton Highlands National Park only – Photo credit @Parks Canada
Waterfront oTENTiks in Malady Head Campground, Terra Nova National Park, Newfoundland – Photo credit @Parks Canada/Eric Laflamme
Red River Cart & glowing tipi at Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site in Alberta – Photo credit @Parks Canada/Scott Munn
Visitors gazing at the Big Dipper stars outside a Tipi on a starry night in August, at Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site in Alberta – Photo credit @Parks Canada/Ryan Bray
Tipi camping area at Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site – Photo credit @Parks Canada/Scott Munn
The oTentik village is on the shores of Kejimkujik Lake, Nova Scotia- Photo credit @Parks Canada/Eric Le Bel
Enjoying the beauty of Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan while staying in a teepee – Photo credit @Parks Canada/Kevin Hogarth
Below the Milky Way at night in the Dark Sky Preserve, in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan – Photo credit @Parks Canada
A couple enjoys the sunset view from their cabin deck at Christian Beach in Georgian Bay Islands National Park in Ontario, Canada – Photo credit @Parks Canada/Ethan Meleg
Visitors hang out in their illuminated Métis Trapper Tent at Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, Alberta – Photo credit @Parks Canada/Scott Munn
Goutte d’O in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick – Photo credit @Parks Canada
Another view – Fundy National Park Photo credit @Parks Canada/Jessica Seguin
When can you start booking accommodation in Canada’s National Parks for 2019?
Make reservations in 2019 for visits to the national parks during the period of April 2019 all the way through to March 2020. (You can stay in some oTENTiks in the winter.)
This was my wood heated oTENTik in La Mauricie National Park last January
Reserve by phone at 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783) from 8 AM to 6 PM local park time and from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM in Newfoundland. If you’re outside of North America call (519) 826-5391.
Otherwise click on this RESERVE link and it will show each province and the complete calendar of launch dates for 2018 reservations. Note that some reservattions open as early as January 3, 2018 for some locations in British Columbia.
You might also enjoy these posts on Canada’s National Parks.
- The Ivvavik National Park Base Camp Experience
- The Secret to Having Fun in Winter: Visit La Mauricie National Park
- 11 National Parks in Canada You Probably Haven’t Heard Of
Leigh McAdam
Author of Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures
Co-author of 125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta
HikeBikeTravel
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