7 of the Coolest Accommodation Options in Canada’s National Parks

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 Canadian 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 — 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 — The Cocoon Tree bed in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia – Photo credit @Parks Canada

Waterfront oTENTiks in Malady Head Campground, Terra Nova National Park, Newfoundland - Photo credit @Parks Canada/Eric Laflamm — 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 — 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 — 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

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 — Goutte d’O in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick – Photo credit @Parks Canada

Booking accommodation in Canada’s National Parks

Make camping reservations in 2020 once we get the go ahead because of the COVID-19 crisis. I’m not sure any of the oTENTik type accommodation uill be available until the crisis has passed.

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.