BC PARKS RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PROVINCIAL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS The health and safety of our park visitors and staff has always been our number one priority throughout this difficult past year. We understand and appreciate how important safe outdoor activity is, and we are committed to continuing to provide safe places and means for BC’s residents to enjoy the benefits of nature, to the fullest extent possible. In keeping with this commitment, we are providing an update on the implications to BC Parks campers of a new order issued on April 23, 2021, and in effect until at least May 25, by BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, pursuant to the Emergency Program Act. The aim of this order is to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19 by reducing the movement of people into and within the province. In particular, the order prohibits people from leaving their Health Authority Regions (some are combined for the purposes of this order) for nonessential reasons - including for holiday.
reservations for any remaining arrival dates in the season for other parks, pending travel restrictions. For the purpose of accessing priority reservations, a BC resident is someone who resides in BC. Visitors will need to confirm they are a BC resident before booking a campsite. Other key policies related to the 2021 camping season (such as campsite capacity limits, groupsite/family camping opportunities, PHO guidelines that relate to camping, etc.), can be found at bcparks.ca/covid-19/camping-2021 and we encourage all campers to review these policies prior to planning and booking their 2021 trips. A summary of key policy decisions are as follows: •C apacity limits for single or standard campsites remain unchanged for the 2021 season. A single camping party is still permitted – standard allowance of 8 individuals (of which, can be up to 4 adults aged 16 or older), including daytime visitors. •D ouble sites will return to standard capacity of 16 individuals (of which, can be up to 8 adults aged 16 or older), including OPENING DATES AND POLICIES daytime visitors. As was the case last season, double sites FOR THE 2021 CAMPING SEASON are required to be booked in full by one reservation holder Our park operators and staff have been preparing for visitors and for the 2021 season (i.e., they will not be bookable as single are looking forward to welcoming visitors to our campgrounds for sites for two separate parties). the 2021 camping season. However, it is still not quite business •G roup sites continue to provide family camping as usual. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to require BC Parks opportunities for those who may want a larger campsite to adapt its policy and operational decisions. for their larger families. The occupancy total remains at 16 Reservations for the full 2021 season for both the Berg Lake individuals, including daytime visitors. Trail and Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit will open on March 1, 2021, at 7 am PT. On March 8, 2021, at 7 am PT, camping reservations PHO guidelines for gatherings may change between the time of will become available for frontcountry and backcountry on a twobooking and a scheduled arrival date. Camping parties MUST month rolling window. This includes booking single or double meet current PHO guidelines for gatherings, even if those group sites at frontcountry campgrounds, as well backcountry camping numbers are less than the maximum site allowance. reservations at Garibaldi and Mount Assiniboine. With a March 8, Customers are responsible for reading and understanding BC 2021 release of campground reservations, campers will be able Parks Reservation Policies before making a reservation. Discover to initially reserve arrival dates up to May 8, 2021; on March 9 Camping reservation policies will be strictly enforced for the arrival dates up to May 9, etc. Operating and Reservable Dates 2021 camping season. Reservation, modification and cancellation for campgrounds can be found at bcparks.ca/operating-dates/ policies can be found at bcparks.ca/reserve and on individual park webpages. We appreciate your ongoing cooperation as we work to keep Due to the ongoing pandemic, British Columbians will be our staff, park operators, and visitors safe. Together we can stay provided with priority access to camping reservations. Starting safe and keep our parks open. July 8, 2021, non-residents of BC will be permitted to make
Know before you go, check website for updates on Covid-19 restrictions
WWW.BCPARKS.CA/COVID-19/ 6
BC Parks Visitors Guide
