When it comes to camping in BC Parks this year, residency has its priorities

As British Columbia's Provincial Parks prepare to accept reservations for the 2020 camping season on Monday, one question will loom large for anyone looking for some space.

That being a request for your home address and if it's not one in British Columbia, then there will be no space in the great outdoors for you.

Yesterday it was announced that for 2020 preferential access to provincial camp site spaces will be given to British Columbia residents, with those out of province residents who may have previously booked space now asked to contact Discover Camping for a full refund.

It was also noted that new reservations made after May 25th  found to be made by non-BC residents will be subject to immediate cancellation without refund.

The announcement came by way of a Facebook post  to he BC Parks social media stream

Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park near Prince Rupert 
will be taking reservations from British Columbians only
this summer  that as a new policy in place for 2020

As noted in their update BC Parks is taking a phased approach to re-opening, some of the key notes include:

As of May 14, 2020, many parks have re-opened for day use. The Discover Camping website and call centre will reopen to new reservations on May 25, 2020 at 7am PT. 

Campgrounds, camping opportunities and accommodations will begin to open on June 1, 2020. 

As we work to ensure a positive and safe camping experience for all park staff and visitors, we have made a few additional operational changes for the upcoming camping season: · 

Frontcountry and backcountry reservations will be available on a 2-month rolling window starting May 25th at 7am: - On May 25th, the system will open to arrivals as far forward as July 25th. - 

On May 26th, July 26th arrivals will be released; on May 27th, July 27th arrivals will be released and so on. 

This daily release of inventory will continue until the end of the reservable period in each campground is reached. - Reservations can be made in most campgrounds for a maximum stay of 14 days, subject to availability.

The move to British Columbia resident only reservations, follows similar announcements in Alberta and Saskatchewan, which have both limited use to residents of their respective provinces.

To Reserve a space in a British Columbia Provincial Park see the Discover Camping reservation page.

More notes on tourism in the Northwest can be found here.

Further items of interest from the Legislature can be reviewed here.