Alberta Announces Hundreds Of New Campsites To Boost Tourism

The Alberta government has announced a broad, long-term plan to expand camping facilities across the province in the coming years, with a total of 900 new campsites planned by 2033. The plan is designed not only to ease the pressure of a growing population and tourism, but also to allow more people to enjoy Alberta’s natural beauty.
Major expansion at Pigeon Lake Provincial Park
The most significant development under the plan is being made at Pigeon Lake Provincial Park, a popular recreation destination south of Edmonton. Alberta Parks has completed plans to add 50 new campsites to the park. The project is one of the province’s largest camping projects and design work has officially begun.
Officials say the new campsites will be completed by the fall of 2027, providing more opportunities for camping enthusiasts. This initiative will be especially beneficial for families and tourists who are looking for places to camp during the summer and long weekends but are disappointed when they cannot find a place.
Growing demand for camping and government strategy
**Judy Reid**, senior manager of project management and delivery at Alberta Parks, says Pigeon Lake Provincial Park was among the five busiest parks in the province last camping season. According to her, the demand for camping is constantly increasing, which has led the government to feel the urgent need to expand infrastructure.
“We try to build campsites where they are needed the most and where people really want to come. Our goal is not just to increase the number, but also to improve the quality.”
New campsites equipped with modern amenities
Pigeon Lake Park currently has about 250 campsites, more than half of which are equipped with electrical facilities for RVs. However, all newly constructed sites will have RV hookups, better access, parking and modern amenities so that tourists do not face any problems. According to officials, the new campsites will reduce the pressure created, especially during long weekends and holidays, when the parks are fully booked and tourists have to turn back.
Protecting the natural environment is a top priority
Alberta Parks has also given special importance to protecting the environment in this project. According to Judy Reid, the new campsites will be built within the existing park boundaries and most of the sites will be in forested areas where there are already trails.
“We prefer places where there is already some human activity, so that there is minimal damage to the natural environment. We want to develop while maintaining the natural shade of the trees.” This project is being described as an example of promoting tourism while maintaining the ecological balance.
The pressure of increasing population and tourism
Alberta’s population is growing rapidly, putting pressure on recreational facilities. Experts say many of the province’s parks were built in the 1960s and 1970s and need to be upgraded to meet modern requirements. Pigeon Lake Provincial Park was also established in the late 1960s, while other popular parks such as Writing on Stone, Castle Park and Fish Lake were built later. Over time, the number of people visiting these parks has increased many times over.
Provincial Minister’s Position
Alberta’s Minister of Forests and Parks **Todd Lowen** is overseeing this major project. He says the government’s focus is not limited to well-known or mountainous areas but to provide uniform facilities throughout the province. “We want every Albertan to have quality camping facilities close to them. Our goal is not to develop just a few popular places, but to create camping opportunities throughout the province,” he said.
Where will more campsites be built?
According to the government plan, the following locations will be built in the coming years:
Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
Castle Provincial Park
Fish Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Waterton Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area
New or upgraded campsites will be built at all of these locations to provide better facilities to tourists.
Future planning
The government’s goal is to complete **900 new or upgraded campsites** by 2033. This plan will not only promote tourism but also increase the local economy, employment and environmentally friendly recreational activities. According to experts, this plan will play a significant role in making Alberta one of the best camping destinations in Canada.