Camping

Coronavirus (COVID-19) impacts
  • Starting June 22, 2020, Wood Buffalo National Park began to resume camping services.
  • Self-registration camping resumed at Pine Lake campground on June 22, 2020.
  • Washroom facilities at Pine Lake campground are open and available for use. Campers should bring along a clean-trip kit that includes items such as facemasks, gloves, sanitizer and toilet paper.
  • Backcountry camping resumed as of June 29, 2020. Please call the Wood Buffalo National Park office at 867-872-7960 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to obtain permits or email pc.woodbuffaloinfo-infowoodbuffalo.pc@canada.ca for more information.
  • Pine Lake Rental Cabins remain closed until further notice.
  • Kettle Point Group Campground remains closed until further notice.

Visit the COVID-19 and your visit to Wood Buffalo National Park for updates on park facilities and services.

A variety of camping experiences are available in the park. Frontcountry campsites are available at Pine Lake Campground which is a forty-five minute drive from Fort Smith. The campground is nestled in the trees, with a lakeside day-use area and swimming beach nearby. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Large groups may wish to make use of the Kettle Point Group Camp located at the south end of Pine Lake. Reservations are required.

Backcountry camping is available throughout the park. Park use permits are required for overnight stays in the backcountry. Some restrictions apply.

Fort Smith NT – June 1 2020 marked the beginning of restoring limited visitor services in Wood Buffalo National Park. Visitors are currently able to access the following services and facilities;

    What's open (updated June 26, 2020)
    • The entirety of Highway 5 and the road through to Peace Point, Alberta, Peace Point to Moose Island and the Salt Plains access Road
    • All official hiking trails for day-use only
    • All boat launches and shorelines for day-use activities
    • Day use area areas including some washrooms, picnic tables and trailhead parking areas
    • Pine Lake Campground
    What's closed (updated June 26, 2020)

    The following facilities remain closed until further notice:

    • All shelter buildings in day-use areas
    • Playground facilities at Pine Lake and Angus Day Use Area
    • Pine Lake Rental Cabins (opening July 17, reservation bookings available starting July 8)
    • Kettle Point group camp (closed until further notice)
    • All personal interpretive programs
    • Fort Smith and Fort Chipewyan visitor centres
    • All overnight recreational backcountry use (available June 29)
    • Parson's Lake Road and Hay Camp Road