BC Parks is launching a new reservation service on March 21st, 2022 for the 2022 camping season. For further information, and details on when visitors can start to book, visit the links below. Information will be updated throughout the season.
- Important Launch Dates
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March 1
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Last day for reservations on discovercamping.ca (including web reservations and call centre support) for arrival dates up to March 31, 2022 (Porteau Cove and Garibaldi Backcountry reservations, only).
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March 2-20
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Blackout period to transition between systems – no web booking or call centre support available.
Limited informational support available via BC Parks website and ParkInfo@gov.bc.ca
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March 14
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Launch of new reservation service via bcparks.ca – view only.
Create account, save booking details and preferences, explore site.
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March 21
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Launch of frontcountry reservations via bcparks.ca – 2-month rolling window, arrival dates up to May 21, 2022.
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March 24
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Launch of groupsite reservations – full season opening with availability to December 31, 2022.
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March 29
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Launch of Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit reservations, full season opening to September 2022.
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- Booking Windows
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Frontcountry reservations will launch on March 21, 2022 on a 2-month rolling window, consistent with the last two seasons.
On March 21 launch day, frontcountry reservations will only be available for bookings with an arrival date up to May 21 – this includes bookings for the May long weekend. All subsequent dates will be available 2 months in advance of an arrival date, for example:
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To arrive on June 15, you can book starting April 15.
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To book for July 1 Canada Day, you can book starting May 1.
Groupsite reservations will launch on March 24, 2022. All groupsite bookings will be released for the remainder of the year, up to December 31, 2022. There is no rolling window for groupsite reservations.
Reservations for Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit will launch on March 29, 2022. All Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit Reservations will release for the season on this one day. There is no rolling window for Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit Reservations.
Special Note – Due to trail damage from severe flooding in 2021, an opening date for the Berg Lake Trail is not known at this time.
- Managing High Visitor Demand
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BC Parks expects continued high demand for summer camping opportunities. We are taking proactive measures to assist with managing the demand, including:
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Distributing release over a longer period – two-month rolling window for frontcountry camping and separate launch dates for groupsites and Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit.
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Over-provisioning Call Centre support to assist with bookings.
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Scaling up web servers to manage high traffic volumes.
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Leveraging use of queueing software (Queue-It) to alleviate peak demand rushes.
- System Accounts
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As this is a new booking system, accounts from Discover Camping will not transfer to the new system. All visitors will be able to visit the new site one week ahead of reservations opening, on March 14, to create their new account, set up account details and booking preferences, and learn to navigate the new system.
- Transfer of bookings from previous system
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Due to the scheduled blackout period between systems from March 2-20, and existing campsites available for reservations only to March 31, only 10 days of reservations will be transferred from existing reservations between March 21-31.
These reservations will be honoured – although they will not be directly linked to new user accounts. For support on these bookings, visitors can contact parkinfo@gov.bc.ca.
- Ongoing COVID-19 related changes
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BC Parks changed many of our parks policies in response to COVID-19 during the 2020 and 2021 camping seasons. No changes are currently expected for 2022 and capacity limits/other impacted policies are standard practice.
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Single frontcountry sites – 8 persons max (4 adults)
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Double frountcountry sites – 16 persons max (8 adults)
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Groupsites – standard capacity (specific to each site)
Additional details on all standard reservations related policies can be found at the selected tiles below.
PHO guidelines or travel restrictions may be enacted at any point due to the ongoing nature of the pandemic. BC Parks will strive to provide guidance as quickly as possible if this arises.
- Access for non-BC residents
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We recognize the special place British Columbians have for camping in provincial parks. We also recognize the importance of supporting the economic recovery in our province, and the role tourism plays in supporting many British Columbians’ way of life.
For the 2022 season, subject to any later travel restrictions that may arise, all visitors are welcome to reserve camping in BC Parks this season.
- Refund Policies
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While BC Parks was especially lenient with refund policies during the 2020 and 2021 camping seasons due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding COVID-19, BC Parks will be returning to standard refund policies for the 2022 season.
Details on BC Parks refund policies can be found at the link here.
Should any travel restrictions or PHO guidelines change in the future, BC Parks will provide additional guidance of any changing policies at that time.
- First-Come, First-Served Camping (FCFS)
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While reservations for camping in BC Parks are in high demand, we also recognize the ongoing need for flexible opportunities that cannot be booked in advance. Approximately 45% of all campsites in BC Parks remain available on a FCFS basis – including some sites at our more popular campgrounds.
A list of campsite operating dates can be found on the Park Operating Dates page. Parks with camping that can be booked in advance have reservable periods noted. All other parks are fully FCFS and do not require advanced booking. Additional details on each park and any amenities can be found on individual park pages at bcparks.ca/explore.
