I am absolutely convinced that summer is the best time in Canada, especially for outdoor enthusiasts.
When travelling around the country, nature lovers will definitely want to visit Canada’s national parks.
I will tell you about what service for travelers awaits you in Canadian campsites and what rules of conduct should be observed in the national park.
Campgrounds
Most Canadians prefer to live in campgrounds when they travel. There are campgrounds everywhere in Canada: in cities and towns, national parks, on rivers and lakes, in the mountains and in the middle of clear fields. Some are so popular that you have to make reservations in February or March.
The layout of a campground in Canada is not very different from that in Europe: there are campgrounds, which are surrounded by an administration building and outbuildings. You can only set up one tent or one trailer per site. The sites are large, with space for a fire, a table and benches. You can buy firewood from the administration here. Costs vary depending on the season and services available. There are sites with electricity and Internet access.
All of the campsites have showers (the average cost is $2 for a five-minute shower), dishwashing sinks, standpipes with clean drinking water, and restrooms with toilets. Some even offer washing machines and beds that are set up in tents. Many only allow you to pay with a credit card. Neither cash nor debit cards may be accepted.
National Park Vacations
If the campsite is in a national park, there are very strict environmental regulations. Feeding animals, of which there are many, picking flowers and leaving garbage there is not allowed under any circumstances.
The most important rule is “leave no trace” and “empty camp”. In order not to lure predatory animals, all food must be in tightly closed containers. For the time of excursions, when no one is left on the site, all things are put away in the tent. Garbage is placed immediately in lockable garbage cans.
The Nature Conservancy, which oversees compliance with the rules, works clearly and fines mercilessly. Still, bears wander into the campsites every year, and the board puts clawed containers at the entrance to reprimand untidy visitors.
Wild animals abound in Canada’s national parks. In small resort towns, tourists are told stories of moose parading through main streets and of bears laying down to sleep under house porches. Such things should be taken very seriously, in most cases they are true. Warnings are broadcast on radio and television during migration seasons. In many places it is not recommended to walk alone, and during the hike you are advised to make as much noise as possible to warn the animals of your approach. There are signs posted on hiking trails that say “No Children or Dogs Left Alone!” and “As soon as you step off the trail, you become part of the food chain.” However, attacks on people in national parks are very rare.
It’s helpful to know that the campgrounds have information boards with local attractions, hiking trails and their difficulty, museums and parks in the nearby town, tents, boats, and sometimes horses for rent.
For nature lovers national parks are absolutely indispensable. I recommend that you start exploring them from the websites. On each site you can book a campsite, design an itinerary, see when and where local festivals take place, what the natural attractions are, what time it is best to watch the birds or go fishing.
Every national park has its own peculiarities. Saskatchewan, for example, is called the “dark heart” of Canada because of the clearest, uncontaminated by city light, night sky. Amateur astronomers flock to the parks in this province for their festivals.
Many national parks are located on sacred sites of the Indians, who still make pilgrimages there. Please read the rules of conduct if you decide to stay there.
I’ve only been to one park so far, Writing-On-Stone provincial park, and I can tell you it’s an amazing place. In the future, I am planning a separate trip to American Indian Places of Power and invite anyone who wants to join.