Visitors will soon have more camping opportunities in the Squamish area with the completion of 52 new campsites in the Sea-to-Sky corridor, in time for the upcoming 2017 camping season.

The 52 new campsites are located at:

• Chek Canyon Recreation Site – 32 sites
• Garibaldi Provincial Park – 20 backcountry sites

The new campsites are among the first phase of the 1,900 new campsites announced by Premier Christy Clark in November 2016 as part of the BC Parks Future Strategy, the Province’s commitment to public-recreation opportunities. Campsite expansion is occurring in all regions of the province, and the majority will be where demand is greatest – in the Kootenays, Okanagan, the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

Future  expansion in the region will be focused in key areas, including along the Sea-to-Sky corridor, Chilliwack Valley and flagship BC Parks – Golden Ears, Cultus Lake and Garibaldi provincial parks.  All of these high-demand areas will see an increase in campsites, and Mission will see a brand-new recreation site at Stave West.

In addition to 52 new campsites in the Sea-to-Sky corridor, new campsites around the province to be available for the 2017 camping season include:

• Blanket Creek Provincial Park near Revelstoke – 58 sites
• Halfway Hot Springs Rec Site near Nakusp – 20 sites
• Six Mile Bay Rec Site near Mackenzie – 20 sites
• Okanagan Lake South Provincial Park near Summerland  – eight sites
• Badger Lake Rec Site near Heffley – 30 sites
• Scuitto Rec Site  near Kamloops – 17 sites
• Stave West –Sayres Lake Rec Site near Mission – 60 sites (phase one)
• Desolation Sound Provincial Park  near Powell River – 34 sites
• Rathtrevor Provincial Park near Parksville – 30 sites (phase one)
• Goldstream Provincial Park near Victoria – four sites
• Pye Mountain Rec Site  near Sayward – 20 sites
• Maple Grove Rec Site near Lake Cowichan – 22 sites

The new campsites are a mix of BC Parks and Recreation Sites that supports maintaining a range of camping opportunities (rustic and less rustic) in the highest-demand areas.

The construction of BC Parks campsites also includes any associated infrastructure, such as roads, water and sewer expansion, electrical upgrades, outhouse facilities and shower and toilet buildings. New campground development also incorporates accessible design standards.

The recreation site expansion, will include associated roads, campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, signage and outhouse facilities.

The majority of the new BC Parks campsites will be available for reservation via the Discover Camping Reservation Service. To reserve your spot, please visit: https://secure.camis.com/DiscoverCamping/ReservationService.aspx

Recreation sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

As part of the BC Parks Future Strategy, the Province is investing up to $22.9 million to add more than 1,900 new campsites over five years. More than 800 of the new sites will be in provincial parks, while more than 1,000 will be in recreation sites.

Additional campsites will be announced as expansion plans continue.

The Province also recently announced a new investment of $35 million over the next three years as part of the BC Parks Future Strategy. The funding will result in 28 more full-time park rangers, new programs to promote and protect the environment, and $10 million as an initial endowment to the new BC Parks Foundation.

Quote:

Jordan Sturdy, MLA for West Vancouver – Sea to Sky -

“I know outdoor enthusiasts love to camp in our beautiful BC Parks backcountry, and also enjoy recreation sites for their more rustic appeal. I’m pleased additional sites are being added in Garibaldi Provincial Park, and at the nearby Chek Canyon Recreation Site. With the construction of these new sites, more residents and visitors will have access to the beautiful BC wilderness experience.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C.’s provincial parks receive more than 21 million visits each year.
• Parking is free in all provincial parks, making them more accessible to families.
• BC Parks manages the third-largest parks system in North America behind the United States National Park Service and Parks Canada.
• British Columbia has the highest percentage of its land base dedicated to protected areas of all provincial Canadian jurisdictions.
• B.C. offers a range of camping experiences in provincial parks as well as recreation sites.
• Over the past five years, the Province has invested approximately $60 million in park facilities, delivering projects directed at attracting young families, offering new recreation opportunities and increasing attendance.

Learn More:

To read the BC Parks Future Strategy, please visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/future/

The Province recently announced changes to the Discover Camping Reservation Service for the 2017 season, which aim to improve fair access for everyone. For more details, and to book your next trip, please visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/reserve/

To learn more about BC Parks: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/

To learn more about FLNRO Recreation Sites and Trails: http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/