Camping in B.C. Parks closed to non-residents
Posted May 22, 2020 12:03 pm.
Last Updated May 22, 2020 3:38 pm.
CRANBROOK (NEWS 1130) — While most B.C. parks reopened last weekend as part of the province’s restart plan, campsites are reserved for residents only.
But the mayor of a B.C. city near the Alberta border doesn’t think the pandemic-related restriction will deter visitors.
“So they’re still going to come here,” said Cranbrook Mayor Lee Pratt.
“What’s going to happen, I think, a lot of them are going to come and they are just going to camp on Crown land.”
Lee said some Cranbrook residents don’t want visitors from Alberta, but added many of the latter own second homes in city.
He also said visitors spend money locally, which Cranbrook businesses need.
According to B.C. Parks, preferential access to camping will be given to B.C. residents for the 2020 camping season.
Enjoy your favourite BC activities, close to home. If you’re a BC resident, please explore locally and avoid inter-community travel, including road trips. If you’re from outside BC, we look forward to welcoming you when the time is right. #explorebclocal pic.twitter.com/xciqXsaH8i
— Destination BC (@HelloBC) May 22, 2020
B.C. Parks says anyone from outside the province with campground reservations is asked to call before June 15 to cancel and receive a full refund.
Camping reservations open on the Discover Camping website for a two-month rolling window starting Monday, May 25 at 7 a.m.
Reservations made by non-B.C. residents after May 25 will be subject to immediate cancellation without a refund, says B.C. Parks.
