100 new campsites have been added to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast in time for the upcoming camping season – with more to come.
The additional spots would be welcomed news if you were one of the thousands last year constantly clicking refresh on BC Parks new reservation system in hopes a campsite would come available.
In addition to 30 new campsites at Rathtrevor Provincial Park in Parksville, other new campsites include:
- Maple Grove Rec Site near Lake Cowichan – 22 sites
- Goldstream Provincial Park near Victoria – four sites
- Pye Mountain Rec Site near Sayward – 20 sites
- Desolation Sound Provincial Park near Powell River – 34 sites
The new campsites are among the first phase of the 1,900 new campsites announced by Premier Christy Clark in November 2016.
Campsite expansion is occurring in all regions of the province, and the majority will be where demand is greatest – in the Kootenays, Okanagan, the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Future campsite expansion on Vancouver Island will target flagship high-demand BC Parks, including Gordon Bay and phasing in more sites at Rathtrevor Provincial Park.
Recreation sites will be significantly expanded in key areas – along the most populated, high-demand east spine of Vancouver Island – as well as targeted spots along the west coast.
The work will also include the development of one new recreation site near Nanaimo.
The construction of campsites also includes any associated infrastructure, such as roads, water and sewer expansion, electrical upgrades, outhouse facilities and shower and toilet buildings.
The recreation site expansion will include associated roads, campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, signage and outhouse facilities.
Last year, the province introduced changes to the camping reservation system for 2017 following public complaints about overbooking and unscrupulous reselling – one of the changes include removing the ability of permit holders to change the name on their reservation and requiring at least one of the permit holders be present during the stay.
Hurry, reserve your spot!
