By Laura Keil
For the second year in a row, BC residents will have priority access to reserve campsites in the province.
The Discover Camping reservation service opens to BC residents on March 8, 2021, giving locals a chance to book a campsite up to two months in advance of their arrival date. For non-residents of BC, reservations start July 8.
Backcountry camping reservations will open March 1 for the Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park and the canoe circuit in Bowron Lake Provincial Park. The Berg Lake Trail can be reserved from June 12 to Sept. 30, and the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit can be reserved from May 15 to Sept. 23.
Since COVID-19 is still impacting the province and travel opportunities are limited, this year’s camping season is expected to be busy.
“Our provincial parks have never been as important as they are right now,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “They provide a special place to safely connect with nature and improve our health and well-being during these difficult times.”
The Province is asking people to pick a campground close to home to avoid long road trips and non-essential travel. Reservations can be made at: https://www.discovercamping.ca
In order to support public health guidelines, many campgrounds are making changes, such as how many people can be in a campsite and restrictions on group sites. Reservations for day-use facilities, including picnic shelters and halls, remain closed for the 2021 season.
Everything there is to know about reservations and facilities, including up-to-date information on the status of favourite provincial parks, is available at: bcparks.ca (http://www.bcparks.ca)
Public health guidelines for gatherings may change throughout the season and between the time of booking a campsite and a scheduled arrival date. All camping parties must ensure they meet current public health guidelines for gatherings, even if those allowed numbers are less than the maximum site allowance.
