71 Campsites Set Aside for Jasper Residents and Workers in 2026

Parks Canada will once again offer long-term campsite accommodations in 2026 to help residents, workers and contractors remain in Jasper as the community continues to rebuild following the 2024 wildfire.

The program provides temporary housing for displaced workers employed by local businesses who have struggled to find accommodation since the fire destroyed hundreds of homes and further strained an already tight housing market. The temporary housing measures are part of a broader recovery strategy led by Parks Canada and the municipality through the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre.

“Through the Jasper Recovery and Coordination Centre, Parks Canada continues to work with the Municipality of Jasper to identify additional parcels of land within the townsite for interim and long-term housing,” said Amy Cairns, director of the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre.

To support recovery in the meantime, Parks Canada is once again setting aside campsites for displaced residents and workers. From May 6 to Oct. 12, a total of 71 campsites, the same number as last year, at Whistlers Campground and Sleepy Hollow will be reserved.

“Following a review of last year’s distribution to residents and businesses, the same number of campsites will be offered for the 2026 season,” said Cairns.

The Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre will verify applications for the sites. Applications are screened using a system that prioritizes those with the greatest housing needs, assessing applicants’ housing circumstances and connection to Jasper’s recovery efforts before forwarding approved applicants to Parks Canada for booking.

“The allocation of campsites will be determined by the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre using the same interim housing priority matrix tool in use for all interim housing sites within town and at Marmot Meadows,” said Cairns.

In addition to campground accommodations, Parks Canada has introduced a temporary-use policy allowing RVs and contractor work camps on certain private lots within the townsite. Contractors rebuilding homes and infrastructure in Jasper are also eligible for additional campground accommodations and designated work-camp trailer sites south of the townsite.

“This policy permits RV use for residential purposes and for contractor work camps,” said Cairns. “In practice, it means that up to two RVs for residential use can be placed on a private lot with no permit required. Temporary work camps will be permitted on a case-by-case basis.”

Rebuilding efforts are also underway across the townsite. Construction is currently in progress at 89 properties where buildings were destroyed or severely damaged by the wildfire, and 15 have already achieved occupancy.

Housing has been a concern in Jasper for many years, with a low vacancy rate even before the wildfires. Parks Canada says its priority is to support the development of permanent housing in the community.

“Beyond temporary options such as interim housing, Parks Canada’s priority is to support permanent housing in the community,” said Cairns.

Of the properties currently under construction, 68 additional homes beyond those that existed before the wildfire are being built. As part of efforts to increase housing supply, Parks Canada has also provided land to the Jasper Municipal Housing Corporation for a 40-unit affordable rental housing complex on Connaught Drive.

As rebuilding continues, Parks Canada says it will reassess the long-term camping program at the end of the year.