Visitors will soon have more camping opportunities in northern B.C. with the construction of 20 new campsites, in time for the upcoming camping season. The 20 new campsites are at Six Mile Bay Rec Site near Mackenzie.

The new campsites are among the first phase of 1,900 new campsites over five years, announced by Premier Christy Clark in November, 2016, as part of the BC Parks Future Strategy, the Province’s commitment to public recreation opportunities.

Future campsite expansion in the north will be focused on recreation sites, targeting high-demand areas near Prince George and Burns Lake. This includes the Bower Mountain site, an area renowned for its outdoor recreational opportunities, such as mountain biking. Campsite expansion will include additional sites at flagship provincial parks, including Mount Robson.

Future expansion will also occur in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region, targeted to ensure regional diversity, including expanding recreation sites on two areas between 100 Mile House and Williams Lake. This includes new sites in a well-used outdoor recreation area, to help meet growing demand. 

Additional new campsites throughout B.C. which will 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
• Okanagan Lake South Provincial Park near Summerland  – eight sites
• Badger Lake Rec Site near Heffley – 30 sites
• Scuitto Rec Site near Kamloops – 17 sites
• Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish – 20 sites
• Chek Canyon Rec Site near Squamish – 32  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.

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:

Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie –

“New campsites in northern B.C provide more opportunities for citizens and visitors to enjoy the beautiful, rugged outdoors of the north. I’m pleased the addition of new campsites will be focused in a region known for its outdoor recreation.”

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 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/