According to Parks Canada, recent flooding on Snaring Road has caused two campgrounds in Jasper National Park to be closed during the upcoming Canada Day long weekend.
Approximately 350 fewer campsites than usual will be available.
The closure will affect the Snaring River Campground as well as its overflow site which was specifically used for long weekends.
“Long weekends are very popular for us; we get a big spike in interest,” says Visitor Experience Operations Coordinator with Parks Canada, Chris Whitty.
Whitty says this weekend is the busiest one of the year for Jasper because of all the Canada Day activities happening throughout the weekend and school just recently finishing for the summer.
This year Parks Canada expects all Jasper campsites will be full by June 29th.
Whitty says that people who don’t already have reservations should look outside of Jasper for camping if they plan to enjoy the park for the weekend.
“A lot of great things to do, just make sure you’re aware of the camping situation and make a good choice based on that,” he says. “We do not recommend taking your chances.”
In addition to camping options outside of the park, there are also hotels and private home accommodations that may still have some availability.
Whitty also recommends enjoying the park as a day event, since Parks Canada offers free admission into national parks on Canada Day.
He says much of the flooding not only comes from the rain, but from the winter snow still melting, adding that just watching all the water in the park right now is incredible.
“To see the speed the water is going over Athabasca Falls, there’s people who have lived here for decades who are trying to remember this kind of activity,” Whitty says.
He just hopes the rain holds off for the weekend and the planned fireworks.
Alternative Camping:
East of Jasper
Gateway RV Park, 75 KM east of Jasper.
Address 685 Gregg Ave Hinton, AB (30 sites)
Phone: (780) 865-1873
Hinton KOA, 70 KM east of Jasper.
Address 50409 B Highway 16 Hinton, AB (118 sites)
Phone: (780) 865-5061
West of Jasper
Robson Shadows Campground, 90 KM west of Jasper.
P.O. Box 157, Valemount, BC (25 sites)
Phone: (250) 566-4821
Yellowhead Campground, 120 KM West of Jasper.
325 North Highway #5, P.O. Box 387 Valemount, B.C.
Phone: (250) 566-0078
South of Jasper
The Columbia Icefields overflow Campground, 103 KM South of Jasper. RV Only
Silverhorn Overflow Campground (Waterfowl Lake) 176KM South of Jasper
Other Accommodations:
Hotels and Cabins
Private Home Accommodations, apartments and B & B
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.