BC Parks' Discover Camping reservation system opened for business on Mar. 15, which was good news for Merlin Blackwell of Blackwell Park Operations.
"The new Discover Camping system has been awesome for us business-wise, adding steady growth to our numbers where other parks have been flat-lining," he said.
Blackwell noted that more campsites in Wells Gray and North Thompson River provincial parks were added to the Discover Camping system in spring of 2011, and as a result of this and a little increase in marketing, the local parks were one of the few BC Parks areas in the province that saw an increase in camping last summer.
"Overall we were up nearly two percent," Blackwell said. "Considering most parks in the province actually lost ground over past years due to the wet summer, we were likely up about five per cent, if you factor in the weather losses elsewhere."
The park operator reported that Clearwater Lake is presently on 50 per cent reservations and will go to 100 per cent reservable likely next year. Falls Creek, Mahood and North Thompson River are all 100 per cent reservable, and you can now prepay your camping fees on the Murtle Lake and Clearwater/Azure water access campsites. Pyramid remains first come first serve.
"You can also make group site reservations at Mahood - this year there will be two group sites at Mahood as we've split the field there in two to allow more family groups the opportunity to camp communally," he added.
Discover Camping allows prospective campers to view the availability and amenities at more than 125 reservable campgrounds, including group sites, in 94 provincial parks across B.C.
Discover Camping takes reservations up to 90 days in advance.
Campers can book their favorite spot through the interactive online reservation system at www.discovercamping.ca. The system also offers mobile web services so smartphone users can easily make and change plans from the open road. For a surcharge of $5, reservations can also be made through the call centre at 1 800 689-9025 or from overseas at 0+1 519 826-6850.