More people camping in BC parks this year

Camping at Mabel Lake Provincial Park (BC Government photo)

British Columbia’s Ministry of the Environment says that camping reservations in the Province’s parks are up nearly 10% over last year.

Minister of the Environment, Barry Penner tells us that BC Parks offer excellent value for people of all ages who enjoy the great outdoors. He credits the increase in popularity of the camping experience, in great measure, to the new and improved ‘Discover Camping’ reservation service initiated last April, in anticipation of the ‘Parks 100’ celebration of the 100th birthday of BC Parks next April 11.

“People are noticing the improvements,” said Mr. Penner. “The increased visits to our provincial parks help boost local economies across the province.”

So far this season, BC Parks has taken 73,500 reservations. The new reservation service allows campers to book double sites with a single reservation, making it easier for families and friends to camp together. It is also much more user-friendly, with a step-by-step online process on an easy-to-use website.

Four more additional parks are now available for reservations, making 72 parks across the province from which to choose for your camping vacation. Since 2001, the BC government has established 65 new parks, 144 conservancies, two ecological reserves and nine protected areas. It has expanded more than 60 already existing parks and six ecological reserves, protecting over 1.9 million hectares (more than 4.5 million acres) of land in the province. They have also invested approximately $107 million to improve park infrastructure and acquire additional parkland. There are presently, 13.5 million hectares (more than 33.4 million acres) protected, a whopping 14.27 per cent of the land base, which is more than in any other Canadian jurisdiction.

Leading up to the birthday celebration, a new ‘Parks 100’ initiative will be engaging communities across the province, First Nations, young people and the arts, heritage and tourism sectors in events, competitions and conservation projects. Their aim it to promote accessible parks, healthy and green living and to strengthen shared stewardship of BC’s natural and cultural resources.

If you are planning to do some camping in BC’s beautiful parks this summer, check out Discover Camping at https://secure.camis.com/Discovercamping/ or call 1-800-689-9025 to make campsite reservations. Overseas callers may call +1 519-826-6850.

To find out more about what’s being planned for the celebration, visit http://www.bcparks100.ca