Visitors will soon have more camping opportunities in the Okanagan, with the construction of 55 new campsites, in time for the upcoming camping season.

The 55 new campsites in the Okanagan region that will be available for the 2017 camping season are:

• Okanagan Lake South Provincial Park near Summerland  – eight sites
• Badger Lake Rec Site near Heffley – 30 sites
• Scuitto Rec Site  near Kamloops – 17 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 BC Parks expansion will be concentrated in the highest-demand, flagship provincial parks, such as Fintry and E.C. Manning in the Okanagan and South Okanagan. Recreation site expansions will take place across the Thomson and Okanagan – targeting high-demand areas while ensuring regional diversity.

Additional new campsites across 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
• Six Mile Bay Rec Site near Mackenzie – 20 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.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna –

“It only takes one visit to the Okanagan to understand why it has the highest demand for campsites in B.C. These new campsites will help more people have a unique experience in one of the most beautiful places in the world – and that’s an investment worth making.”

Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission –

“The construction of new recreation sites in the Okanagan helps ensure we are providing a range of camping opportunities for visitors. We recognize people also seek rustic experiences in nature, and enjoy recreation sites for this reason.”

Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country –

“I’m pleased the Okanagan will see 55 additional campsites, since camping opportunities are in such high demand in the region. By offering more recreational opportunities, such as camping, family and friends are encouraged to get outside and make some memories in this beautiful region.”

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/