Camping Fees
- Click here to view the complete list of Provincial Park Fees (PDF format)
- Fee revenues are reinvested in the BC Parks system to maintain and repair facilities, and to improve services. Many improvements have taken place in provincial parks in recent years, including: rebuilding day-use areas and campgrounds, upgrading drinking water systems, replacing shower and toilet buildings, and improving trails and roads.
- Camping fees range from $10 to $30 per party, per vehicle, per night.
- For an additional nightly charge a second vehicle (non RV) may be allowed on site for 1/2 the campsite fee (to a maximum of $12/night). Note: A towed vehicle is not considered a second vehicle.. (See Camping Party Definition below)
- The nightly campsite fee is levied on a per party basis depending on the level of service provided at the campground. Additional fees must be paid in cash on arrival at the campground.
- Per Person Rate – the per person rates for Maquinna Hotsprings, Liard Hotsprings, Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit, Tatshenskini River Rafting, and group camping, backcountry camping, and backcountry cabins applies to those 6 years of age or older; the fees do not apply to those 5 years of age or under.
Group Camping and Picnicking at Designated Group Sites
- Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. See Youth Group criteria.
- Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, listed in the fee schedule, plus $4/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15).
- Some provincial parks offer reservable camping and picnicking facilities for groups.
Volunteer Fee Exemption
A volunteer: is a person who freely undertakes to perform a specific service or function for a ministry that is not normally performed by employees and who does so without financial remuneration. Volunteers, with prior approval of a volunteer project or service by a park officer and completion of a volunteer agreement, are exempt from frontcountry camping fees. If the volunteer is eligible to be reimbursed for camping costs by a volunteer organization, university, or other government program, there will be no exemption from these fees by BC Parks. Read more about Volunteering in BC Parks.
Payment and Check-in/Check-out
| Campsite Type First-come, first-served campsites. |
Payment of Fees If arriving at the park on a first-come, first-serve basis, payment can only be made in cash. No personal cheques, bank debit or credit cards are accepted. Canadian currency is preferred. In most parks, the park facility operator collects camping fees at campsites. Some campgrounds require self-registration. Instructions are posted at the fee station and on the envelopes provided. The registration receipt must be displayed on the campsite number post. |
Check-in and Check-out Times First-come, first-served check-in time is between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Check-in procedures and hours vary between parks. Check-out time is 11 a.m. (for all campers). |
| Campsites reserved through Discover Camping. | If site has been reserved through the Discover Camping Service, a confirmation number is issued for each reservation. Please have this available on arrival at the campground, or for reservation changes or cancellations.
Additional Park user charges may be applicable, and must be paid in cash. |
For campers with reservations, check-in time is between 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Procedures for obtaining a reserved campsite are posted on information board at the entrance to the park/campground, or are available at the gatehouse.
Check-out time is 11 a.m. (for all campers). |
Hours of Operation
During the operating season, park gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Maximum Park Stay
The maximum length of stay in any provincial park is 14 days per park, per calendar year. Some parks may limit maximum length of stay to seven days. Limits will be posted in the park.
Camping Party Definition
Due to wear and tear, maintenance and conservation factors within our parks, limits must be placed on the party size, i.e., the number of people and vehicles each campsite can accommodate.
Party size for one vehicle accessible campsite:
- One to four persons 16 years of age or older.
- At least one member of the camping party MUST be 16 years or older.
- A maximum of eight persons including children (15 years of age and younger).
- Campsite Maximum is one camping party per site, unless otherwise authorized.
Vehicles per Camping Party:
- One vehicle and trailer (including towed vehicle). Either one (but not both) may be an RV.
- A second vehicle (non-RV) may be allowed on site for an additional nightly charge of 1/2 the campsite fee (to a maximum of $12/night).
- Note: A towed vehicle is not considered a second vehicle.
- Each member of a party may have one motorcycle i.e. four people with two motorcycles towing bike trailers, is one camping fee.
Group Party Size:
- A regular group camping or picnicking party must consist of a minimum of 15 people or more.
- A youth group camping or picnicking party must consist of a minimum of 12 people or more. A youth group means a k-12 school, recreation centre or not-for-profit youth organization located within BC, undertaking a camping or day-use trip.
Here is a Party Size Definition Table (PDF format) that explains camping party, second vehicle on-site and campsite maximum calculations.
Parking Fees
Parking fees for vehicles and buses in all BC Parks were eliminated effective May 2011.
Camping Fees for Persons with Disabilities
The purpose of this program is to provide support for persons with disabilities who are also receiving income assistance from the authorities identified.
Camping for free – what are the criteria? If you meet any ONE of the following criteria, your camping party can camp for free. There is also no charge for a second non-recreational vehicle.
| 1. | You are designated a “Person with Disabilities” (PWD) and receiving PWD benefits under the British Columbia provincial government Employment and Assistance Program (administered by the BC Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance). Note: Recipients of CPP disability are eligible for free camping if they are also designated under the PWD program and receive additional disability benefits from the Ministry of Social Development.
Procedures:
OR |
| 2. | You have a child registered through the “At Home Program” (administered by the British Columbia provincial government Ministry of Children and Family Development).
Procedures:
OR |
| 3. | You are a person living on-reserve and receiving disability benefits from a First Nation Administering Authority.
Procedures:
|
Please note: This discount does not apply to group camping, group picnicking, backcountry and marine fees or reservation fees.
Campsite Fees for Seniors
Senior camping discounts for British Columbia residents that are 65 years of age and older are available from the day after Labour Day to June 14th of the following year. During the peak season (June 15 – Labour Day), there are no seniors discounts.
- The senior rate is the campsite’s regular summer camping fee divided by two.
- OR, if there is a winter camping fee for that campsite that is LESS than the above, then the senior’s rate is equal to the winter camping fee.
For example: if a campsite is usually $30 per party, the senior rate will be $15 (half price). But if the winter camping fee is $11, then the senior fee will be $11.
- This discount does not apply if the camping party includes an adult who is not a senior or the spouse of a senior (up to four seniors/spouses are allowed, children under 16 are allowed up to a maximum of 8 people total).
- This discount does not apply to group camping, group picnicking, backcountry, marine and day-use fees.
- This discount is for frontcountry camping only.
- From June 15 through to Labour Day (first Monday in September), the full rate applies.
- A second vehicle (non-RV) may be allowed on site for an additional nightly charge of 1/2 the campsite fee paid by the senior (to a maximum of $12/night).
- Fee collectors may ask to see proof of age and British Columbia residency.
Reservation Service Fees and Discover Camping Information
BC Parks Backcountry Registration System
The new BC Parks Backcountry Registration System allows you to purchase a backcountry permit before leaving home. This service provides the convenience of paying the registration fee in advance by credit card and eliminates the need to fill out a registration form at the park. There are no additional fees to register.
Backcountry Camping – Backcountry means an area in a park or recreation area that is primarily for wilderness hiking and backpacking. There are usually no facilities available.
27 parks are participating in the online Backcountry Registration Service.
| Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park Bugaboo Provincial Park Cape Scott Provincial Park Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park Cascade Recreation Area Cathedral Provincial Park Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park Dionisio Island Marine Provincial Park Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park E.C. Manning Provincial Park Elk Lakes Provincial Park Garibaldi Provincial Park Golden Ears Provincial Park Halkett Bay Marine Provincial Park |
Inland Lake Provincial Park Juan De Fuca Provincial Park Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park Monashee Provincial Park Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park Pilot Bay Provincial Park Pirates Cove Marine Provincial Park Strathcona Provincial Park Top-Of-The-World Provincial Park Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park Wallace Island Marine Provincial Park Wells Gray Provincial Park Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park |
- Although backcountry areas in most of these parks are available year-round, this registration service is available for periods when fees are charged for overnight backcountry stays. You can register up to two weeks in advance of your trip.
- The backcountry permit system is for backcountry and marine site use only. This system will not be used for car camping or controlled back country permits such as Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson) and Bowron Lake.
- The registration fee allows for overnight camping in back country areas but does not guarantee that a site in a specific area will be available.
- Self-serve registration facilities are still available at some designated trail heads and access points.
- All back country registrations are final and fees are non-refundable – No exceptions!
Always travel within your ability and prepare for your trip. Please follow the link to purchase your permit.
Glossary
- Backcountry Camping – Backcountry means an area in a park or recreation area that is not frontcountry. Backcountry campsites are primarily for wilderness hiking and backpacking. There are usually no facilities available.
- Cabin Accommodation – Some backcountry provincial parks offer cabin accommodation, primarily during the winter months.
- Frontcountry Camping – Frontcountry means an area in a park or recreation area within one kilometre of either side of the centre line of a park road or a highway. Frontcountry campsites are generally accessible by vehicle and offer designated campsites, facilities and recreational opportunities. Due to wear and tear, maintenance and conservation factors within our parks, limits must be placed on the party size, i.e., the number of people and vehicles each campsite can accommodate.
- Per Person Rate – The per person rates apply to those 6 years of age or older.
- Vessel Camping – A vessel means a boat, canoe, kayak or other craft used, or capable of being used, for navigation on water. Some marine parks offer this type of camping.
- Voyageur Canoe – A voyageur canoe is designed to carry six or more persons.
- Walk/Cycle-in Camping – Walk/cycle-in designated camping areas do not allow vehicle parking in the campground area. Some frontcountry campgrounds offer walk/cycle-in designated camping areas.
- Winter Camping – Frontcountry parks that are open year-round may offer winter camping. All campers must be self-sufficient as limited facilities are available.
- Where applicable: General Sales Tax (GST) is included in all fees;
- the fee for the overnight use of dock or mooring buoy facilities also applies to vessels that tie or anchor to another vessel using the dock or mooring buoy facilities;
- the west side of the Bowron Lake Circuit means Bowron Lake, Spectacle Lakes, Skoi Lake, Babcock Lake and Unna Lake;
- the annual fee (January 1 to December 31 of each year) for access by vessel applies to Cinnemousun Narrows, Silver Beach and Shuswap Lake Marine (Multi-Site) Parks.
