The Victoria Day long weekend is a busy one for Discover Camping, the Province's camping reservation system, but many BC Parks still offer first-come, first-served campsites for visitors without reservations.

Reservations in BC Parks are up 10 per cent this year to date, at 36,038 reservations compared to 32, 729 reservations in 2012. The most popular parks are Haynes Point, Bear Creek, Cultus Lake, Rathtrevor Beach and Okanagan Lake South.

To check availability in BC Parks, the public is encouraged to visit the Discover Camping website at: www.discovercamping.ca

Those searching for long-weekend availability can do so by selecting the desired dates under quick dates in step two and then clicking on the "in a list" icon under find sites.

Many parks have seen upgrades directed at attracting young families, offering new recreation opportunities, improving accessibility and increasing attendance.

• If you're on Vancouver Island be sure to check out Rathtrevor Provincial Park's newly reconstructed campground and improved day use areas, including new picnic shelters and tables.

• The toilet and shower buildings at Cultus Lake Provincial Park have recently been enhanced to reflect green technology and improve accessibility. New picnic tables have also been installed.

• Visitors to the Kettle River Recreation Area can now enjoy 28 new campsites, picnic tables and a new toilet and shower building, as well as more trails linking existing campground loops.

• In the Kootenays, visitors can enjoy new picnic tables, signage and other improvements to the trail system at Kikomun Creek Provincial Park. The new Ponderosa campground also provides 37 campsites, two cabins and a shower building.

• Those visiting the Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park can now enjoy a new deck and change houses around the hot spring pool. This has improved accessibility for visitors with mobility challenges.

To find out what's new in a park near you, visit: www.BCParks.ca

There are over 5,000 reservable sites in 95 provincial parks throughout British Columbia. Up to three reservations can be made online in one easy transaction through Discover Camping. Individual sites are available up to three months in advance, while group sites are available up to 12 months in advance.

Discover Camping is also accessible by mobile devices at: https://secure.camis.com/BCMobile This is an alternative way to book a campsite from any mobile device or computer.

Reservations can also be made through the call centre at 1 800 689-9025 for a surcharge of $5 (plus tax).

Don't forget to pick up a free BC Parks Passport at any visitor centre in B.C. and most provincial parks. The idea is to collect six stamps at provincial parks to earn a collectible pin and six stickers from a BC Visitor Centre to earn an environmentally-friendly water bottle. Passports also include advice on trip-planning and Visitor Centre coupons.

Media contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834