Environment Minister Terry Lake says Discover Camping saw a 41 per cent increase over 2011 when BC Parks opened for reservations on March 15. In the first hour, more than 2,100 reservations were made. This represents approximately 35 a minute.

Overall, Discover Camping received 3,970 reservations on opening day compared to 2,815 in 2011, the majority of which were made online. Campers' top two picks were: Bear Creek near Kelowna in the Okanagan and Porteau Cove on the Sea to Sky Highway south of Squamish.

Discover Camping takes reservations up to 90 days in advance.

Riding on the centennial high of 2011, BC Parks is enjoying a surge in interest with many British Columbians re-discovering provincial parks in their own backyard. The proof is in the numbers. More than 90 per cent of the reservations were from British Columbia.

New this year is the ability to make up to three reservations in one transaction - reservation fees apply for each booking. Reservations can be made in any one of 97 frontcountry campgrounds.

Discover Camping allows you to view the availability and amenities at more than 125 reservable campgrounds, including group sites, in 94 provincial parks across B.C. Whether you're hiking, camping under the stars with nothing between you and the great outdoors but a tent, or hauling an RV, the reservation service offers information about sites, maps and amenities so you can customize your camping vacation.

Book your favourite 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.

The reservation system sometimes experiences times of unusually high volume, which can have the effect of slowing the system down. This can occur as certain dates open for the next available reservations (i.e., opening day or exactly three months before a long-weekend). During these peak periods, we suggest you try accessing Discover Camping through the mobile web interface: https://secure.camis.com/BCMobile/

Even though the smartphone interface was developed for ease of access while on the road, you do not need a smartphone to access the mobile system - you can use any computer.

Contact:

Karen Johnston
Communications
Ministry of Environment
250 812-0495