Cold weather may be hitting Cochrane this week, but it’s time to prepare for camping season in Alberta. 

Parks Canada will open reservations for sites in Jasper National Park today at 8 am, Banff National Park on Wednesday at 8 am and Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, Elk Island, Waterton Lakes, and Wood Buffalo kicking off on Thursday at 8 am.

While it may seem early to be booking summer camping trips, last year over 5,000 campsites were reserved within the first hour of opening. Long weekends are always the first to become fully booked.

The reservations for back-country locations will open up later in January. Reservations can be made online with Parks Canada here