BC Parks announced the opening of its reservation system for the 2025 spring camping season, allowing campers to secure sites up to four months in advance. This week, reservations for the May long weekend are set to begin, giving visitors the opportunity to plan ahead for popular campgrounds that often fill up quickly.
In preparation for the upcoming season, BC Parks has expanded its offerings, adding 60 new campsites across three parks. The additional sites aim to address the growing demand for camping experiences in the region.
The province manages approximately 10,700 campsites, half of which remain available on a first-come, first-served basis, offering flexibility for spontaneous campers.
According to an article published by e-know, the new options include 30 powered campsites at Fintry Provincial Park near Kelowna, 17 walk-in sites at Rolley Lake Park near Mission, and a combination of eight park-beside and five walk-in sites at China Beach Campground in Juan de Fuca Park near Victoria.
These expansions are part of a broader initiative that has added more than 2,000 campsites across BC Parks and Recreation sites since 2017. The initiative targets regions experiencing the highest demand, ensuring better access to outdoor recreation for residents and visitors.
According to its website, Fintry Park, located along the scenic Okanagan Lake near Kelowna, offers 190 vehicle-accessible campsites, making it a popular destination for campers seeking outdoor recreation in a picturesque setting.
During the peak camping season, all campsites can be reserved through the BC Parks reservation system. Any unoccupied reservation sites are made available on a first-come, first-served basis, accommodating spontaneous campers for one or more nights as availability permits.
The park’s campsites have been designed to minimize environmental impact, particularly on the old-growth forest that characterizes the area. Campsites #1 to 50 have been developed as individual sites to protect this sensitive ecosystem.
Meanwhile, campsites #51 to 100 are situated in an open, grassy area bordered by aspen, cottonwood, and shrubs, providing a mix of privacy and accessibility. These sites, arranged in two loops, include seven double sites and feature gravel pads, picnic tables, and fire rings.
Juan de Fuca Park, located on the west coast of southern Vancouver Island, is known for its scenery, offering hiking trails, opportunities for marine and wildlife viewing.
The China Beach Campground, situated in a forested area with an open understory near the day-use area and Juan de Fuca East trailhead, provides vehicle-accessible campsites that require reservations during peak camping seasons. While the Juan de Fuca Trail itself does not offer vehicle-accessible camping, self-contained vehicle units are permitted at trailhead parking lots at China Beach, Sombrio Beach, and Parkinson Creek.
