BC Parks website opens for camping reservations, promptly crashes due to demand
While summer camping season may still be a few months away in BC, those hoping to secure a spot can do so as of today.
Yes, the BC Parks Discover Camping reservation service is now open for the 2021 season.
However, the sudden spike in traffic on the site appeared to be too much, and the page ultimately crashed, causing many unhappy campers to vent their frustrations on social media.
Get your shit together, Discover Camping #bcparks pic.twitter.com/eFekV7aoSw
— Graham Ballantyne (@gnb) March 8, 2021
Has anyone been able to book camping? I’ve been trying since 7 and this is the only screen I’m getting.#discovercamping #justkidding #bcparks pic.twitter.com/aeYQzDkywW
— Bailey Parker (@BaileyParker_) March 8, 2021
Yo #bcparks, I was online at 7:02, saw tons of sites that weren’t available for booking, I refreshed and lost my spot and I can’t get back now. Ya’ll need to do the queue system Ticketmaster does. This system sux
— KelliRothwellPiccini (@KelliRP) March 8, 2021
Berg Lake booked out for the entire 2021 summer in less than 3 mins #bcparks
— Alyssa Wadey (@AlyssaWadey) March 1, 2021
I got into the #bcparks website at 7:10am. Website indicated availability at the two parks I tried for but every campsite was already booked on every day this summer? Nice.
— Greg Garner (@GregGarner1) March 8, 2021
I’m in, but still can’t book anything “due to restrictions” I’m a BC resident and a 20 minute drive to this park 😬 @bcparks #bccamping pic.twitter.com/lXjdqAdlrD
— Stephanie Dilling (@snoball83) March 8, 2021
@BCParks one year later. #tryagainandagainandagainandagain pic.twitter.com/tJXZTfMNy3
— Julia Boyle (@antee_julia) March 8, 2021
Just like last year @BCParks was not ready for this! 🤦♀️ Gonna take another 4 hours this year to book a damn campsite! 😒 pic.twitter.com/ztX3ouzjQm
— 🇨🇦 Im Leila, Yes I Am Canadian 🇨🇦 (@canadiansundae) March 8, 2021
Took a full four minutes for the discovery camping site to fall down the first time this morning. Now, the two month rolling window game begins tomorrow.
If anyone tries to tell you BC Parks are a) not in demand for use or b) easily accessible, they’re flat out wrong. pic.twitter.com/wEYuSDRnwo
— Kim(berly) “Cover Your Beak” Dohms, PhD (@Kimbirdly_PhD) March 8, 2021
Campsites can be booked up to two months of one’s planned arrival date, and similar to last summer, BC residents have priority access to campsite reservations throughout the season. People from out of province can reserve campsites beginning on July 8.
- See also:
“Our government is committed to ensuring British Columbians can safely enjoy the natural beauty of our province close to home,” said Kelly Greene, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment.
The province noted that opening provincial campgrounds while at the same time supporting public health guidelines “means it will not be business as usual.” Changes are being made to ensure everyone has a safe visit, such as how many people can be in a campsite and restrictions on group sites.
As well, day-use facilities, including picnic shelters and halls, are staying closed for the 2021 season.
Public health guidelines for gatherings may also change throughout the season and between the time of booking a campsite and a scheduled arrival date.
All camping parties must ensure they meet current public health guidelines for gatherings, even if those allowed numbers are less than the maximum site allowance, the province said.