British Columbia’s provincial parks are not the only places where residents and visitors can enjoy camping. Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) offers approximately 8,500 sites for camping at 1,700 locations in B.C.’s great outdoors.

RSTBC sites offer a more rustic camping experience and are generally located in more remote areas accessed by gravel Forest Service roads. Provincial recreation sites include basic facilities such as fire rings, picnic tables and outhouses.

The majority of these recreation sites offer free camping. However, potable water for drinking/cooking and electricity are not available.

Approximately 150 RSTBC sites offer enhanced levels of service, including on-site supervision and facility/structure maintenance, for $10-$16 per night.

RSTBC sites are managed and maintained through partnerships with local recreation groups, community organizations, First Nations, local governments and forest companies.

Earlier this month, RSTBC completed more than $50,000 in upgrades at the Halfway River Hotsprings Recreation Site north of Nakusp, which included establishing new vehicle-access and tent camping sites/facilities and enhanced parking. Camping at the Halfway River Hotsprings Recreation Site costs $12 per night per party, which includes on-site supervision and maintenance.

Over the past decade, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has invested millions of dollars in new recreation sites for camping – including upgrading/increasing capacity at 90 sites in the past five years.

Quote:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson –

“Recreations Sites and Trails BC’s camping sites offer great recreation opportunities for families in communities throughout B.C. – a rewarding way to explore the province’s outdoors this summer.”

Quick Facts:

• Overall, there are approximately 19,200 provincial camping sites in B.C. at Recreation Sites and Trails BC recreation sites and BC Parks:
  • The majority of RSTBC’s 8,500 sites are on first-come, first-serve basis. Some of RSTBC’s enhanced sites are reservable (on a site-by-site basis through operators).
  • 4,900 BC Parks sites are on first-come, first-serve basis.
  • 5,800 BC Parks sites are reservable.

Learn More:

Recreation Sites and Trail BC camping: http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-facility-activity.aspx

Halfway River Hotsprings: http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC2279&type=Site