Park User Fees

Camping Fees

• Fee Payment and Check-in/Check-out
• Camping Party Definition, and Glossary

Camping Fees for Provincial parks are identified on the individual Parks webpages and also in the Fee Schedule. [PDF 148KB]

Camping fees range from $10.00 to $30.00 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
• backcountry cabins

applies to those 6 years of age or older; the fees do not apply to those 5 years of age or under.

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).

Designated group sites are reservable in some provincial park campgrounds. For more information, check individual park pages.

Volunteer Fee Exemption

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.

Volunteer Fee Exemption

• 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	Payment of Fees	Check-in and Check-out Times
First-come, first-served campsites.	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.	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. See also Reservation Service Charges	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. Hours of operation are now posted on the park pages.

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

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 e.g. 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 17KB] that explains camping party, second vehicle on-site and campsite maximum calculations.

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.

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 - 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: the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) 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.