When Do Canadian Campgrounds Close? Your 2025 Guide

We all know the feeling: where did the summer go? Spring and early summer can be shaky in Canada, delaying those first camping trips. Unfortunately, the next thing you know, it’s Labour Day!

So if you’re planning fall camping in Canada, it helps to know exactly when provincial and national parks close for the season. As a general rule, most campgrounds shut down between late September and mid-October, though some gems stay open year-round.

If the idea of winter camping intrigues you, see our blog.

But there are plenty of good camping days left. More and more Canadians are discovering that fall is a great time of year for RVing – fewer people, fewer bugs, lower temperatures and splendid Fall landscapes. Perhaps there is an upside to global warming, as the mild weather can last well into October.

Check out our province-by-province list of campground closure dates, plus the spots that remain open all year long and enjoy the best of fall. 

Need some suggestions on which parks to visit? Read on. 

Fall camping also requires some changes in gear and food preparation. We have a few tips to make your fall adventures all the more memorable.

Happy Fall camping!

British Columbia

In BC, most provincial campgrounds wind down by mid-to-late October, though mountain sites often shut earlier once snow arrives. Popular spots like Golden Ears, Manning Park, and Wells Gray usually close around mid-October. The coast is a different story—milder weather keeps some parks like Goldstream and Alice Lake open longer, and many private RV resorts around Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland offer winterized hookups for year-round stays.

Alberta

The camping season in Alberta typically ends with Thanksgiving, especially in the Rockies where cold weather hits early. Parks such as Peter Lougheed and Dinosaur close by mid-October. But if you’re looking to extend your season, Banff’s Tunnel Mountain Village II is open all year with electrical hookups, and private parks near Calgary and Edmonton also stay open to serve winter workers and long-term RVers.

Saskatchewan

Here, campgrounds usually wrap up by early October, with favorites like Cypress Hills and Meadow Lake closing around Thanksgiving. While provincial parks shut their gates, a handful of private campgrounds near Regina and Saskatoon continue through winter, catering to snowmobilers and seasonal workers.

Manitoba

Manitoba’s camping season also ends after Thanksgiving, with Birds Hill and Hecla/Grindstone among those closing in mid-October. Provincial facilities don’t stay open, but private resorts sometimes extend into the winter months, particularly for ice fishers and winter sports enthusiasts looking for a base.

Ontario

Thanksgiving marks the end for many Ontario campgrounds, though a few stretch into late October. Algonquin’s Mew Lake stands out as a true four-season site, offering winterized facilities all year. Other parks, like Killbear and Killarney, shut down in mid-October, but MacGregor Point and Pinery join Algonquin in welcoming cold-weather adventurers with heated comfort stations and trails for skiing and snowshoeing.

Quebec

Most SEPAQ parks close in mid-October, with well-known destinations like Mont-Tremblant and Jacques-Cartier among them. Still, a few campgrounds stay open year-round, especially those near ski areas where RVers can combine camping with downhill or cross-country skiing. Private sites near resorts also serve as winter bases.

New Brunswick

In New Brunswick, provincial parks tend to close by late September or early October. Fundy National Park usually lasts until after Thanksgiving, but beyond that, your options are limited to private campgrounds. Some near Moncton and Fredericton stay open all year, mainly to serve travelers and off-season stopovers.

Nova Scotia

By early October, Nova Scotia’s provincial campgrounds have packed up for the year. Kejimkujik National Park is a Thanksgiving favorite, closing soon after the holiday. A few private campgrounds along the coast remain open for hardy RVers seeking quiet winter getaways by the sea.

Prince Edward Island

PEI’s camping season is shorter than most—the island’s provincial campgrounds, including Cavendish and Brudenell River, close by the end of September. Year-round options are rare, though some private sites do open their doors for long-term stays, especially for workers posted on the island.

Newfoundland & Labrador

In Newfoundland and Labrador, campgrounds often close even earlier, with provincial sites shutting between early September and early October. Terra Nova and Gros Morne, for example, close in early October. While year-round options are sparse, a few private parks near larger towns provide off-season stays, often geared toward workers rather than leisure campers.

Year-Round Camping in Canada (Quick Reference)

Western Canada

• British Columbia:Goldstream Provincial Park, Alice Lake, and several coastal private RV resorts (mild climate, winterized hookups).
• Alberta:Tunnel Mountain Village II in Banff, plus private RV parks near Calgary and Edmonton (serve long-term stays and winter visitors).
• Saskatchewan: Select private campgrounds near Regina and Saskatoon (popular with snowmobilers and seasonal workers).
• Manitoba: A handful of private resorts (catering to ice fishers and winter sports enthusiasts).
  

Central Canada

• Ontario:Algonquin’s Mew Lake, MacGregor Point, and Pinery Provincial Park (heated comfort stations, skiing, and snowshoeing trails).
• Quebec: Campgrounds in ski regions, both SEPAQ and private (attract RVers combining camping with winter sports).
  

Atlantic Canada

• New Brunswick: Private campgrounds near Moncton and Fredericton (open for stopovers and local travel).
• Nova Scotia: Coastal private campgrounds (quieter stays, milder coastal winters).
• Prince Edward Island: Limited private campgrounds (mainly for worker housing and long-term stays).
• Newfoundland & Labrador: Select private RV parks near larger towns (primarily for worker accommodations).
  

Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Camping in Canada

When do campgrounds close in Ontario?

Most Ontario campgrounds close around Thanksgiving (early October), though a few remain open until late October. Algonquin’s Mew Lake, MacGregor Point, and Pinery are open year-round with winterized facilities.

When do campgrounds close in British Columbia?

In BC, most inland and mountain campgrounds close by mid-to-late October, though higher-elevation sites often shut earlier due to snow. On the coast, some parks like Goldstream and Alice Lake stay open longer, and private RV resorts with winterized hookups operate year-round.

When do campgrounds close in Alberta?

Alberta parks usually wrap up around Thanksgiving weekend. Mountain sites like Peter Lougheed close earlier in October, while Banff’s Tunnel Mountain Village II stays open year-round with electrical hookups.

When do campgrounds close in Quebec?

SEPAQ campgrounds generally close in mid-October. However, some sites near ski areas and private campgrounds stay open year-round to serve RVers who enjoy skiing and snowshoeing.

Do campgrounds in Atlantic Canada close earlier?

Yes. In provinces like PEI and Newfoundland & Labrador, many campgrounds shut by late September or early October. A few private campgrounds near towns and along the coast remain open through winter, often for long-term stays.

Are there year-round campgrounds in Canada?

Absolutely. Year-round options include Algonquin’s Mew Lake, MacGregor Point, and Pinery in Ontario, Tunnel Mountain Village II in Banff, and select coastal parks in British Columbia. Many private RV resorts across the country also offer winterized hookups.

Fall in love with Fall

As you can see, you don’t have to let Labour Day mark the end of your camping season. With a little planning, September and a good chunk of October usually offer excellent camping weather. The unofficial end of the Canadian camping season is Thanksgiving, but year-round RVing opportunities still exist, especially in southern Ontario, coastal British Columbia, and select national parks. Happy fall camping!