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Backgrounders

Regional overview of 5-year provincial campsite expansion ahead

The 375 sites that will open in 2017 are only the first phase of the 1,900 new campsites, to be added over five years, announced by Premier Christy Clark in November 2016 as part of the BC Parks Future Strategy.

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.

Below is a regional overview of where these campsites will be located.

Lower Mainland

Expansion 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 forestry recreation site at Stave West.

Vancouver Island

Campsite expansion will target flagship high-demand BC Parks, including Gordon Bay and phasing in more sites at Rathtrevor Provincial Park. Recreation sites will be significantly expanded in key areas – along the most populated, high-demand east spine of Vancouver Island – as well as targeted spots along the West Coast. The work will also include the development of one new forestry recreation site near Nanaimo.

Thompson-Okanagan

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.

Northern B.C.

Campsite expansion 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.

Cariboo-Chilcotin Coast

Expansion in this region will be 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. 

Kootenay Rockies

Campsite expansion in provincial parks will be focused at high-demand campgrounds, such as Kokanee Creek. New recreation sites will be clustered across the region, which will help provide more camping opportunities in rural areas.