“B.C. Parks to Raise Camping Fees for Out-of-Province Visitors”

Visitors to British Columbia’s provincial parks will face higher camping fees this year, particularly those traveling from outside the province. The fee adjustments are a response to increased park usage and more frequent incidents of floods, fires, and extreme weather. B.C. Parks stated that the fee increases aim to ensure the safety, accessibility, and well-being of the parks.

Specifically, a $20 fee per trip will be introduced for out-of-province campers, applicable to backcountry and frontcountry camping, cabin rentals, mooring buoys, and dock use. Moreover, fees will rise across the board for all campers.

The province will implement fee hikes at 59 “high-use” frontcountry parks, with varying fees based on the level of maintenance required at each site. Previously ranging from $5 to $35 per party per night, fees will now range between $5 and $51 per party per night.

The increased fees will be effective from June 15 until Labour Day this year, followed by off-season rates until June 14, 2027. Backcountry users at four parks—Garibaldi, Golden Ears, Joffre Lakes, and Mount Assiniboine—will experience fee increases from $5 to $10 per person per night to $5 to $25. Additionally, cabin fees at Garibaldi and Mount Assiniboine will be raised this year.

Varied Opinions among Park Visitors

At Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park near Nanaimo, where fees are set to rise, visitors expressed mixed reactions to the fee adjustments. Some, like Barb Bracko, acknowledged the general rise in prices and the need for additional resources to restore the parks following recent damages. However, she expressed concern for individuals facing financial stress, highlighting the importance of affordable access to nature.

Conversely, visitors Terry and Pat Schiissler from Regina, Saskatchewan, supported the fee adjustments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the beauty of B.C.’s parks. They even welcomed the out-of-province fee, suggesting reciprocity in Saskatchewan.

Louise Pedersen, the executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C., expressed the organization’s opposition to fees in general but anticipated public understanding of the upcoming hikes. She emphasized the need for increased investments in the park system beyond user fees and suggested supporting outdoor volunteers and other investments.

Pedersen highlighted that relying solely on user fees for park system funding is inadequate and urged the province to explore alternative investments and ways to support volunteers. She supported the out-of-province fee as a fair recognition of the broad appeal of B.C.’s parks and the contributions of British Columbians through taxes.