Parks Open

Use this when exact dates or equipment fit matter, for questions like 'is X available', 'find a site for the long weekend', or 'which parks have space for a 32 ft RV'. It reads observed campsite availability across Canadian park reservation systems (BC Parks today) from public reservation data. Filters the official sites cannot: exact equipment fit, electrical, waterfront, shade, pets, privacy — across every park at once. Returns only sites observed open for EVERY requested night, with an absolute Parks Open page URL to cite, a booking link into the official reservation flow (we never book for the user), and observed_at for freshness; verify availability on the official site. Not for: fees, rules, facilities (use parksopen_park_info), weather (parksopen_check_weather), closures (parksopen_check_alerts), or dates beyond the provider's booking window.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "start_date": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^\\d{4}-\\d{2}-\\d{2}$",
      "description": "arrival, YYYY-MM-DD"
    },
    "end_date": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^\\d{4}-\\d{2}-\\d{2}$",
      "description": "departure, YYYY-MM-DD (exclusive; nights = end − start)"
    },
    "park": {
      "description": "park name — approximate is fine (partial, missing 'Provincial', misspelled). Omit to search every park. If it cannot be resolved you get a did-you-mean list.",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "system": {
      "description": "reservation system id, e.g. bc_parks. Omit for every tracked system.",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "province": {
      "description": "province code or URL prefix (bc, on, …) — an alternative to system.",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "category": {
      "description": "booking category; default frontcountry (drive-in campsites)",
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "frontcountry",
        "backcountry",
        "group",
        "cabin"
      ]
    },
    "equipment_class": {
      "description": "canonical class (tent, tent2, tent3, van, trailer_18, rv_32, rv_32_plus) or free text like '30ft trailer'. Default tent.",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "amenities": {
      "description": "ANDed site attributes: electrical, waterfront, pets, some_shade, full_shade, double, near_restroom, walk_in, accessible, pull_through, private, big_rig",
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    },
    "min_privacy": {
      "description": "'Good' or 'Excellent'",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "limit": {
      "description": "page size, default 20",
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 1,
      "maximum": 50
    },
    "cursor": {
      "description": "opaque cursor from a previous page",
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "start_date",
    "end_date"
  ],
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "results": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
          "system": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "park": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "park_key": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "slug": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "page": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "site_id": {
            "type": "number"
          },
          "loop": {
            "type": "number"
          },
          "nights": {
            "type": "number"
          },
          "fit": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "attributes": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "privacy": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "shade": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "electrical": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "adjacent": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "privacy",
              "shade",
              "electrical",
              "adjacent"
            ],
            "additionalProperties": false
          },
          "booking_url": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        },
        "required": [
          "system",
          "park",
          "park_key",
          "slug",
          "page",
          "site_id",
          "loop",
          "nights",
          "fit",
          "attributes",
          "booking_url"
        ],
        "additionalProperties": false
      }
    },
    "total": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "next_cursor": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ]
    },
    "nights": {
      "type": "number"
    },
    "equipment_class": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "resolved_park": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ]
    },
    "suggestions": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    },
    "observed_at": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ]
    },
    "closure": {
      "anyOf": [
        {
          "type": "object",
          "properties": {
            "park": {
              "type": "string"
            },
            "title": {
              "type": "string"
            },
            "until": {
              "type": [
                "string",
                "null"
              ]
            },
            "source": {
              "type": "string"
            }
          },
          "required": [
            "park",
            "title",
            "until",
            "source"
          ],
          "additionalProperties": false
        },
        {
          "type": "null"
        }
      ]
    },
    "note": {
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "results",
    "total",
    "next_cursor",
    "nights",
    "equipment_class",
    "resolved_park",
    "suggestions",
    "observed_at",
    "closure",
    "note"
  ],
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
  "additionalProperties": false
}

Use this when the user asks 'when is X free', 'how busy is X', or 'which weekend should I try' for ONE named park. It returns nightly open counts for the next 8 weeks, whole-stay counts for four weekends, fill rate, and booking rules. For exact equipment fit or specific dates across many parks use parksopen_search_campsites.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "park": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "park name — approximate is fine"
    },
    "system": {
      "description": "reservation system id, e.g. bc_parks",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "province": {
      "description": "province code or prefix, e.g. bc",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "days": {
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 7,
      "maximum": 92
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "park"
  ],
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}

{
  "type": "object",
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
  "anyOf": [
    {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "system": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "park": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "park_key": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "page": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "reservable_sites": {
          "type": "number"
        },
        "fill_rate_pct": {
          "type": [
            "number",
            "null"
          ]
        },
        "nights": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "date": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "open_sites": {
                "type": "number"
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "date",
              "open_sites"
            ],
            "additionalProperties": false
          }
        },
        "weekends": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "start": {
                "type": "string"
              },
              "end": {
                "type": "string"
              },
              "label": {
                "type": "string"
              },
              "open_for_whole_stay": {
                "type": "number"
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "start",
              "end",
              "label",
              "open_for_whole_stay"
            ],
            "additionalProperties": false
          }
        },
        "rules": {
          "type": "object",
          "properties": {
            "window": {
              "type": "string"
            },
            "min_lead_days": {
              "type": "number"
            },
            "max_nights": {
              "type": [
                "number",
                "null"
              ]
            }
          },
          "required": [
            "window",
            "min_lead_days",
            "max_nights"
          ],
          "additionalProperties": false
        },
        "observed_at": {
          "type": [
            "string",
            "null"
          ]
        },
        "note": {
          "type": "string"
        }
      },
      "required": [
        "system",
        "park",
        "park_key",
        "page",
        "reservable_sites",
        "fill_rate_pct",
        "nights",
        "weekends",
        "rules",
        "observed_at",
        "note"
      ],
      "additionalProperties": false
    },
    {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "error": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "suggestions": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        }
      },
      "required": [
        "error"
      ],
      "additionalProperties": false
    }
  ]
}

Use this when the user has not named a park and wants PARKS ranked by soonest opening or estimated drive time, such as 'where can I camp this weekend' or 'anything near Vancouver with space'. It uses the default tent-compatible inventory and can filter confirmed amenities. Do not use it when van, trailer, RV, or other equipment fit matters; use parksopen_search_campsites with equipment_class. For a named park use parksopen_search_campsites or parksopen_park_availability_calendar.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "system": {
      "description": "reservation system id, e.g. bc_parks. Omit for the default system.",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "province": {
      "description": "province code or URL prefix (bc, on, …) — an alternative to system.",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "weekend": {
      "description": "this coming weekend (Fri→Sun, 2 nights)",
      "type": "boolean"
    },
    "start_date": {
      "description": "a specific arrival date; omit to find the soonest opening",
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^\\d{4}-\\d{2}-\\d{2}$"
    },
    "nights": {
      "description": "default 2 (weekend) or 1",
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 1,
      "maximum": 14
    },
    "horizon_days": {
      "description": "how far ahead to look when no date is fixed; default 14",
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 2,
      "maximum": 35
    },
    "near_city": {
      "description": "rank by drive time from this city (Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Whistler, Kelowna, Kamloops, Cranbrook, Prince George, Fort St. John)",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "region": {
      "description": "restrict to a region name as the site shows it, e.g. 'Vancouver Island'",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "amenities": {
      "description": "ANDed site attributes (confirmed-only; the count is a floor)",
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    },
    "limit": {
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 1,
      "maximum": 40
    }
  },
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}

{
  "type": "object",
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
  "anyOf": [
    {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "nights": {
          "type": "number"
        },
        "horizon_days": {
          "type": "number"
        },
        "window": {
          "type": [
            "string",
            "null"
          ]
        },
        "amenities_applied": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        },
        "parks": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "object",
            "properties": {
              "park": {
                "type": "string"
              },
              "page": {
                "type": "string"
              },
              "region": {
                "type": [
                  "string",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "earliest_date": {
                "type": "string"
              },
              "earliest_offset_days": {
                "type": "number"
              },
              "sites_open": {
                "type": "number"
              },
              "drive_min": {
                "type": [
                  "number",
                  "null"
                ]
              },
              "ferry": {
                "type": "boolean"
              }
            },
            "required": [
              "park",
              "page",
              "region",
              "earliest_date",
              "earliest_offset_days",
              "sites_open",
              "drive_min",
              "ferry"
            ],
            "additionalProperties": false
          }
        },
        "total_with_openings": {
          "type": "number"
        },
        "observed_at": {
          "type": [
            "string",
            "null"
          ]
        },
        "note": {
          "type": "string"
        }
      },
      "required": [
        "nights",
        "horizon_days",
        "window",
        "amenities_applied",
        "parks",
        "total_with_openings",
        "observed_at",
        "note"
      ],
      "additionalProperties": false
    },
    {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "error": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "suggestions": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        }
      },
      "required": [
        "error"
      ],
      "additionalProperties": false
    }
  ]
}

Use this when checking current closures, fire bans, advisories, or nearby wildfires for one park or system-wide. Run it before recommending a park in summer; these are 'verify before you travel' notices, never a booking or safety claim.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "system": {
      "description": "reservation system id, e.g. bc_parks. Omit for the default system.",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "province": {
      "description": "province code or URL prefix (bc, on, …) — an alternative to system.",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "park": {
      "description": "park name; omit for a system-wide summary",
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}

{
  "type": "object",
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
  "anyOf": [
    {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "park": {
          "type": [
            "string",
            "null"
          ]
        },
        "alert": {
          "anyOf": [
            {
              "type": "object",
              "properties": {
                "type": {
                  "type": "string"
                },
                "severity": {
                  "type": "string"
                },
                "title": {
                  "type": "string"
                },
                "detail": {
                  "type": "string"
                },
                "access_status": {
                  "type": "string"
                },
                "closed_to_visitors": {
                  "type": "boolean"
                },
                "from": {
                  "type": [
                    "string",
                    "null"
                  ]
                },
                "until": {
                  "type": [
                    "string",
                    "null"
                  ]
                },
                "url": {
                  "type": "string"
                }
              },
              "required": [
                "type",
                "severity",
                "title"
              ],
              "additionalProperties": false
            },
            {
              "type": "null"
            }
          ]
        },
        "summary": {
          "type": "object",
          "properties": {
            "total": {
              "type": "number"
            },
            "fireBansOrClosures": {
              "type": "number"
            },
            "parksNearWildfire": {
              "type": "number"
            },
            "examples": {
              "type": "array",
              "items": {
                "type": "string"
              }
            }
          },
          "required": [
            "total",
            "fireBansOrClosures",
            "parksNearWildfire",
            "examples"
          ],
          "additionalProperties": false
        },
        "source": {
          "type": "string"
        }
      },
      "required": [
        "park",
        "alert",
        "source"
      ],
      "additionalProperties": false
    },
    {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "error": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "suggestions": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        }
      },
      "required": [
        "error"
      ],
      "additionalProperties": false
    }
  ]
}

Use this when the user asks about forecast conditions or air quality at a named park. It returns the Environment Canada forecast (daily high/low/conditions, about 6 days) and AQHI for the nearest station; if the park is beyond range it says so and never invents temperatures.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "system": {
      "description": "reservation system id, e.g. bc_parks. Omit for the default system.",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "province": {
      "description": "province code or URL prefix (bc, on, …) — an alternative to system.",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "park": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "park name"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "park"
  ],
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}

{
  "type": "object",
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
  "anyOf": [
    {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "park": {
          "type": [
            "string",
            "null"
          ]
        },
        "weather": {
          "anyOf": [
            {
              "type": "object",
              "properties": {
                "city": {
                  "type": "string"
                },
                "updated": {
                  "type": [
                    "string",
                    "null"
                  ]
                },
                "currentTemp": {
                  "type": [
                    "number",
                    "null"
                  ]
                },
                "days": {
                  "type": "array",
                  "items": {
                    "type": "object",
                    "properties": {
                      "date": {
                        "type": "string"
                      },
                      "label": {
                        "type": "string"
                      },
                      "high": {
                        "type": [
                          "number",
                          "null"
                        ]
                      },
                      "low": {
                        "type": [
                          "number",
                          "null"
                        ]
                      },
                      "icon": {
                        "type": "string"
                      },
                      "condition": {
                        "type": "string"
                      },
                      "pop": {
                        "type": [
                          "number",
                          "null"
                        ]
                      }
                    },
                    "required": [
                      "date",
                      "label",
                      "high",
                      "low",
                      "icon",
                      "condition",
                      "pop"
                    ],
                    "additionalProperties": false
                  }
                },
                "aqhi": {
                  "type": [
                    "number",
                    "null"
                  ]
                }
              },
              "required": [
                "city",
                "updated",
                "currentTemp",
                "days",
                "aqhi"
              ],
              "additionalProperties": false
            },
            {
              "type": "null"
            }
          ]
        }
      },
      "required": [
        "park",
        "weather"
      ],
      "additionalProperties": false
    },
    {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "error": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "suggestions": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        }
      },
      "required": [
        "error"
      ],
      "additionalProperties": false
    }
  ]
}

Use this when the user asks whether a BC Parks day-use pass is required, available, sold out, not released yet, or closed for a date, park, access area, or AM/PM slot. It returns every tracked access area and time slot for the requested parks across the live three-day booking window, with explicit No pass needed versus Sold out states, freshness, the Parks Open comparison page, and the official BC Parks booking handoff. If live inventory is stale, incomplete, or conflicts with published rules, it fails closed and will not claim Available or Sold out.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "date": {
      "description": "visit date, YYYY-MM-DD. Omit for today in British Columbia.",
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^\\d{4}-\\d{2}-\\d{2}$"
    },
    "days": {
      "description": "number of consecutive dates to compare, 1 to 3; default is the full 3-day booking window",
      "type": "integer",
      "minimum": 1,
      "maximum": 3
    },
    "parks": {
      "description": "optional park names, e.g. ['Golden Ears', 'Garibaldi']; omit to return every tracked day-pass park",
      "minItems": 1,
      "maxItems": 4,
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    }
  },
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "from": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^\\d{4}-\\d{2}-\\d{2}$"
    },
    "to": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^\\d{4}-\\d{2}-\\d{2}$"
    },
    "parks": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
          "park": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "park_slug": {
            "type": "string"
          },
          "access_areas": {
            "type": "array",
            "items": {
              "type": "object",
              "properties": {
                "area": {
                  "type": "string"
                },
                "pass_type": {
                  "type": "string"
                },
                "slot": {
                  "type": "string"
                },
                "dates": {
                  "type": "array",
                  "items": {
                    "type": "object",
                    "properties": {
                      "date": {
                        "type": "string",
                        "pattern": "^\\d{4}-\\d{2}-\\d{2}$"
                      },
                      "status": {
                        "type": "string",
                        "enum": [
                          "available",
                          "sold_out",
                          "not_released",
                          "no_pass_needed",
                          "closed",
                          "expired",
                          "live_inventory_unavailable"
                        ]
                      },
                      "label": {
                        "type": "string"
                      },
                      "source": {
                        "type": "string",
                        "enum": [
                          "live_inventory",
                          "published_rules",
                          "unavailable"
                        ]
                      },
                      "quantity": {
                        "type": [
                          "number",
                          "null"
                        ]
                      },
                      "release_at": {
                        "type": [
                          "string",
                          "null"
                        ]
                      },
                      "checked_at": {
                        "type": [
                          "string",
                          "null"
                        ]
                      }
                    },
                    "required": [
                      "date",
                      "status",
                      "label",
                      "source",
                      "quantity",
                      "release_at",
                      "checked_at"
                    ],
                    "additionalProperties": false
                  }
                }
              },
              "required": [
                "area",
                "pass_type",
                "slot",
                "dates"
              ],
              "additionalProperties": false
            }
          }
        },
        "required": [
          "park",
          "park_slug",
          "access_areas"
        ],
        "additionalProperties": false
      }
    },
    "live": {
      "type": "boolean"
    },
    "freshness": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "ok",
        "no-database",
        "no-data",
        "incomplete",
        "conflict",
        "stale",
        "error"
      ]
    },
    "observed_at": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ]
    },
    "coverage_through": {
      "type": [
        "string",
        "null"
      ]
    },
    "booking_url": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "page": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "suggestions": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    },
    "note": {
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "from",
    "to",
    "parks",
    "live",
    "freshness",
    "observed_at",
    "coverage_through",
    "booking_url",
    "page",
    "suggestions",
    "note"
  ],
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
  "additionalProperties": false
}

Use this when the user asks about reservation policy, fees, pets, fires, facilities, or park descriptions, such as 'does X allow dogs' or 'when do reservations open'. It returns slower-changing facts from the provider's published pages with sources. Do not use it for availability (parksopen_search_campsites) or current closures (parksopen_check_alerts).

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "question": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "what you want to know (fees, pets, fires, showers, reservations policy…)"
    },
    "park": {
      "description": "park name, when the question is about one park",
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "question"
  ],
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "park": {
      "anyOf": [
        {
          "type": "object",
          "properties": {
            "slug": {
              "type": "string"
            },
            "name": {
              "type": "string"
            }
          },
          "required": [
            "slug",
            "name"
          ],
          "additionalProperties": false
        },
        {
          "type": "null"
        }
      ]
    },
    "context": {
      "type": "string"
    },
    "sources": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    },
    "note": {
      "type": "string"
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "park",
    "context",
    "sources",
    "note"
  ],
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
  "additionalProperties": false
}

Use this when a search is complete, or when the user already knows the park and dates, to create a deterministic official reservation link with park, dates, and equipment pre-filled. The user completes the booking there; Parks Open never books, holds sites, takes payment, or treats the link itself as proof of availability.

{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "park": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "park name — approximate is fine"
    },
    "system": {
      "description": "reservation system id, e.g. bc_parks",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "province": {
      "description": "province code or prefix, e.g. bc",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "start_date": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^\\d{4}-\\d{2}-\\d{2}$"
    },
    "end_date": {
      "type": "string",
      "pattern": "^\\d{4}-\\d{2}-\\d{2}$"
    },
    "equipment_class": {
      "description": "canonical class or free text; default tent",
      "type": "string"
    },
    "category": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "frontcountry",
        "backcountry",
        "group",
        "cabin"
      ]
    }
  },
  "required": [
    "park",
    "start_date",
    "end_date"
  ],
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
}

{
  "type": "object",
  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
  "anyOf": [
    {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "system": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "park": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "park_key": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "equipment_class": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "booking_url": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "page": {
          "type": "string"
        }
      },
      "required": [
        "system",
        "park",
        "park_key",
        "equipment_class",
        "booking_url",
        "page"
      ],
      "additionalProperties": false
    },
    {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": {
        "error": {
          "type": "string"
        },
        "suggestions": {
          "type": "array",
          "items": {
            "type": "string"
          }
        }
      },
      "required": [
        "error"
      ],
      "additionalProperties": false
    }
  ]
}