Parks Canada Wants to Attract the Urban Camper

Since the 2007-2008 season, the average number of campers visiting one of Canada’s national parks has decreased by 9% and the government now wants to attract the urban set; people who may never have even set up a tent in their lives, into the wild woods.

Parks as prestigious as Banff and Jasper in Alberta, the Pacific Rim in British Columbia or even beautiful Cape Breton in Nova Scotia have recorded decreases in traffic.

"The population of Canada has become very urban," said Gloria Keyes-Brady, a tourism specialist with Parks Canada. "A few decades ago people would go camping with their parents.  That is not the trend anymore."

Already Forillon Park in Quebec has begun offering stays in a yurt on its property.  A yurt is a circular shelter used by nomadic Mongols and Turks in Central Asia.  The peculiarity of the yurt is that its size allows for windows, a stove, a sink and furnishings.  It is usually shorter than a tall tepee, but considerably wider.  Its canvas is maintained by including more wood than the shelter of American Indians and its modern version has a slightly raised wooden floor.

Next spring, a test will be performed in Jasper, and then fully equipped permanent tents will be installed, also with wooden floors.

If the experiment proves successful, Parks Canada could be tempted to install this type of rental housing in many of its parks, and attract customers who seek the experience of nature without sacrificing too much in terms of comfort.