It’s that time of year again as the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks has revealed that reservations are now open for camping in some campgrounds around the province, including many new sites.
According to the ministry, 60 new camping sites located across three BC parks will be added to the reservation service this year.
The ministry has also revealed extensive upgrades to parks and campgrounds around the province.
Here is what you need to know if you plan on heading out into the great outdoors this year.
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If you’re booking a campsite this year, you should know they can be reserved four months ahead of your arrival date. The ministry says that reservations for the extremely popular May long weekend open up this week for many campgrounds around the province that take reservations.
Among the 60 new campsites added to the reservation service this year are 30 that include power hookups in Fintry Park, near Kelowna. There are also 17 new walk-in sites at Rolley Lake Park, located near Mission, and 13 new sites, including eight park-beside for tent camping and five walk-in, at China Beach Campground in Juan de Fuca Park, near Victoria.
The BC Ministry of Environment and Parks has shared some information about upgrades that have been added to some campgrounds to “improve the visitor experience.”
This includes new flush toilets at Fintry Park and upgraded service centres, including a dishwashing station, a potable water tap, and garbage and recycling containers. It was all part of a $1.5 million campground upgrade.
Cyclists will be happy to learn that there’s a new $2 million walk-in campground at Rolley Lake Park with a communal day-use shelter, bike racks, bear-proof storage, and picnic tables.
“At China Beach Campground, two accessible showers and flush toilets are being constructed and are scheduled to open in May 2025, along with the 13 new campsites. In Spring 2024, 33 new campsites (22 drive-in and 11 walk-in) were added to the campground as part of the $2.7 million campground upgrades,” the ministry says.
If you’re interested in booking a campground at Fintry and Rolley Lake Parks, reservations open up on Wednesday, January 15 at 7 am for May 15 arrivals. China Beach reservations will open at a later date.
“The opening date for camping reservations in Golden Ears Park near Maple Ridge is delayed as several sections of the Golden Ears Parkway are being repaired. The road provides access to all three campgrounds that are expected to open in Spring 2025. Updates about the progress of the work and the opening date for reservations will be posted on the BC Parks website,” the Ministry of Environment and Parks added.
At a later date, more information will be shared about backcountry camping at the 23 km Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Park.
The ministry says that since 2017, over 2,000 new campsites have been added to BC parks and recreation sites and of the 10,700 campsites BC Parks manages, over half are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
You can learn more about reservations and advisories at specific BC parks and campgrounds by clicking here.