Ministry of Environment
VICTORIA – To maintain high service levels in B.C. provincial parks for an increasing number of visitors, the provincial government is raising camping fees as of March 15.
"British Columbia's world-renowned parks provide superb recreational opportunities for visitors from throughout the province and around the world,” said Mary Polak, Minister of Environment. “From diverse terrain to temperate climate, our parks are truly a unique treasure. By increasing user fees in campgrounds, campers who use the parks system are helping to keep it sustainable for future generations to enjoy."
This increase comes after years of investment delivering capital projects aimed at attracting young families, offering new recreation opportunities and increasing attendance in provincial parks. Over the past five years, BC Parks has invested approximately $60 million in park facilities, and has approximately $700 million of investment in infrastructure that requires maintenance.
Fee increases are nominal to ensure camping remains affordable for families and visitors enjoying B.C.'s world class parks system – one of the largest protected areas systems in the world.
While the fee schedule varies, the vast majority of provincial campsites will see a $2 per night increase, while others will see slightly larger increase in price, to a maximum of $5 per night. The last system-wide increase was in 2010.
There are no increases to fees for sani-stations, mooring buoys, backcountry camping, picnic shelters, or group camping.
Parking remains free in all provincial parks.
There are 1,029 provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas in B.C., covering more than 14 million hectares or approximately 14.4 per cent of the provincial land base.
B.C. provincial parks receive over 21 million visits each year.
Discover Camping opens at 9 a.m. (PST) March 15. Prices reflected on the Discover Camping website will be updated prior to this date to incorporate the new fee structure.
Frontcountry camping in Wells Gray Park is going up from $16 per night to $18. Backcountry camping along Murtle, Clearwater and Azure lakes remains at $5 per person per night. The group camping base fee is $20 per group site per night. The sani-station service remains at $5.
For a complete list of campgrounds and updated fees, visit: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/fees/userfees.pdf