LOCKDOWNS ARE LIFTING AROUND THE COUNTRY, BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE THAT COULD LEAD TO ROADBLOCKS ON YOUR SUMMER TRIP.
BE PREPARED FOR BUMPS ON THE ROAD
Everyone knows the best way to travel is on the open road. And this summer, as travel options outside the country are interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, a Canadian roadtrip would seem a good way to save some money, spend it locally — and see some of the uniquely Canadian sights you’ve always meant to see but have never gotten around to.
Before piling into the car, take note: Although lockdowns are lifting across the country, there are still plenty of COVID-19 restrictions in place that could throw some wrenches into your summer roadtrip.
Provincial governments are still urging people against non-essential travel, even if most — though not all — provincial borders are open. All three of the territories are closed to nonresidents and non-essential workers, as well as Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
Even in more open provinces, such as Alberta and British Columbia, there are challenges for outsiders. In British Columbia, for example, provincial campgrounds are open exclusively to B.C. residents, although private campground operators can welcome those from out of province.
If you are starting in Vancouver, attractions such as the Capilano Suspension Bridge are closed at the moment, but intend to open later. Heading north on the Sea to Sky Highway, perhaps best-named highway in Canada, will take you into the beautiful wilderness of B.C.’S interior. Unfortunately, some of the more iconic tourist stops, such as Liard Hot Springs Provincial Park, are closed for the summer.
Next up, Alberta, where there are plenty of options that are reopening to the public. You can head to Jasper National Park or Banff National Park for a picnic or some good Instagram photos, but no camping just yet.
Further south, is Waterton Lakes National Park, which shares a border with Montana’s Glacier National Park.
Again, check for closures ahead of time as Parks Canada slowly reopens the national parks. On the way to Waterton, drive by the Frank Slide, the deadliest rock slide in Canadian history. In 1903, Turtle Mountain collapsed, dropping more than 80 million tonnes of rock onto Frank, Alberta.
Unfortunately, a number of other fascinating sites in Alberta remain closed at the moment, including Headsmashed-in Buffalo Jump. But you can visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, or swing past the Rowley Ghost Town near Drumheller.
Heading eastward, Saskatchewan is restricting overnight camping in provincial parks to residents, although out-of-province visitors may stay in vacation residences or private campgrounds. A number of tourist sites in Saskatchewan remain closed presently. But Grasslands National Park is now open.
Manitoba is an especially sticky wicket for outsiders. The provincial government is asking that any out-ofprovince visitors drive on through. If you do plan to stay, you are required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Campgrounds are open in Manitoba; the government is urging people to travel only with family members. Riding Mountain National Park is minimally open, although more easing is expected in weeks to come.
Oh Ontario, so big, with so few options presently. Restrictions are slowly lifting, outside Toronto, at least. There, bars and restaurants remain closed, so drive on.
On to Ottawa, where many of the national tourist attractions are also closed at the moment, such as guided tours of Parliament, and many of the museums, such as the Canadian War Museum. Still, you could snap photos of the Rideau Canal, or Maman — a big ol’ spider outside the national gallery in Ottawa.
Quebec also poses some challenges for roadtrippers. Tourist information centres remain closed. And there are some restrictions for visitors of Quebec national parks administered by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec. Sépaq’s website says “only a few hiking and biking trails, nautical activities with a personal watercraft, as well as some lakes for day fishing will be accessible.”
The Maritimes are where things get really difficult if you’re a non-resident. Prince Edward Island requires an application for a visitation permit that applies to travellers and seasonal residents. You need to plan well in advance because this process will prioritize those who live in the Maritimes. New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador have closed their borders to non-essential travellers.
If you make it through to Nova Scotia, or are from the region, the Cabot Trail is a stunning drive. Throughout Nova Scotia, provincial and municipal parks and trails are open. In Halifax, for the time being, the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is closed. For those looking to get into the wilderness, private campgrounds are now open, and provincial park campgrounds are scheduled to open next week.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, Gros Morne National Park is open, although no camping is permitted and some trails are closed.
As for the north, sorry non-residents, some of the most stunning places in the country are essentially off limits this summer. In the Yukon, residents are told to avoid non-essential travel outside of Whitehorse.
In the Northwest Territories the border is closed to non-residents and non-essential workers. Nunavut’s restriction on non-territorial visitors remains, but travel bans are lifting, and facilities such as libraries are slowly reopening.
SOME OF THE MORE ICONIC TOURIST STOPS … ARE CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER.