Firewood Program and Campfire Permits

Prince Albert National Park is aligning with other national, provincial, and regional parks, and, beginning spring 2025, will no longer provide free firewood in day use areas or campgrounds. The current system of managing firewood in the park is not sustainable. The park’s budget for firewood has doubled in recent years to keep up with demand, creating a significant gap between the cost of providing the service and the revenue collected from fees. This change shifts the costs of firewood to those who benefit from using firewood and away from taxpayers and allows the allocation of valuable financial resources to other park priorities.

Prince Albert National Park will continue to sell firewood at Beaver Glen Campground, the Narrows Campground and all backcountry campgrounds through a mandatory fire permit. Free firewood will no longer be provided in day use areas, Namekus Lake Campground and Sandy Lake Campground. Campers and other visitors can purchase bundled firewood from the South Gate, Visitor Centre or a business in the park for use at these locations.

Parks Canada encourages responsible firewood consumption and supports environmental and financial sustainability while still enabling visitors the option to enjoy campfires. Transporting firewood (in or out of the park) is not permitted. Transporting firewood may seem harmless but can lead to the spread of pests such as insects, plants, and diseases. Salvaging for firewood is not permitted.

Campgrounds

• Prince Albert National Park will continue to sell firewood at Beaver Glen Campground, the Narrows Campground and all backcountry campgrounds through a mandatory fire permit. It is prohibited to transport firewood to and from Beaver Glen and/or the Narrows.
• Firewood will not be provided at Namekus Lake Campground or Sandy Lake Campground. Campers and other visitors can purchase bundled firewood from the South Gate, Visitor Centre or a business in the park for use at these locations. Bundled firewood is available for purchase at the Visitor Centre for $17.25 for a bag of 1.83 cubic feet.

Picnic sites and day use

• Visitors can purchase bundled firewood from participating businesses in the townsite of Waskesiu or the South entry gate for use at all picnic and day use areas.

Backcountry day use

• Visitors travelling to the backcountry for the day and having a campfire must purchase a backcountry fire permit at Visitor Centre, East or South Gate prior to their departure. Transporting firewood into the backcountry is prohibited. Salvaging for firewood is prohibited.

This is the first year of the new firewood program which will be evaluated throughout the season. Input from visitors will be considered and factored into the assessment of the program and future decision making regarding the provision of firewood. Feedback can be sent by email to princealbertinfo@pc.gc.ca.