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

A camping party may arrive at the campsite with one of the following:

• a motor vehicle not designed as an accommodation for camping, e.g., car, truck, SUV, non-camperized van, motorcycle¹; or
• a motor vehicle towing a trailer designed as an accommodation for camping, e.g., 5th wheel, travel trailer, tent trailer; or
• a recreational vehicle (RV), e.g., motor home, camperized truck/van; or
• a RV with a legally towed motor vehicle; or
• a motor vehicle or RV towing a trailer not designed as an accommodation for camping, e.g., utility/cargo, or boat trailer.

¹to a maximum of one motorcycle per each adult in the party.

A camping party may also include a tent or tents, if suitably accommodated on the campsite pad. A camping party may be allowed a 2nd motor vehicle not designed as an accommodation for camping on the campsite for an additional ½ of the camping fee (to a maximum of $12/night).

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.

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 groupmeans a k-12 school, recreation centre or not-for-profit youth organization located within BC, undertaking a camping trip.

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.

Payment and Check-in/Check-out

Hours of Operation

During the operating season, park gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Dates of operation are 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 and Picnicking at Designated Group Sites

Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (age 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 $5/adult (age 16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (ages 6-15), (children 5 and under are free).

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

Fee Exemptions/Discounts

Volunteer Fee Exemptions

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

Camping Fees for Persons with Disabilities

The purpose of this program is to provide support for persons with disabilities who are also receiving income assistance from the authorities identified. Click here to view the criteria.

Senior camping discounts

Senior camping discounts for British Columbia residents that are 65 years of age and older are available from the day after Labour Day to June 14th of the following year.Click here for more information.

Long Stay Program

Park visitors can now enjoy long-stay camping options in BC Parks. Long-stay campsites must be occupied for a minimum of 4 consecutive weeks (maximum 6 months or until the campground is closed, whichever is first). Please refer to the specific park operator for the effective dates in each location. The senior’s discount and the exemption for persons with disabilities do not apply to the long-stay campsites.

Long stay campers must comply with the Park Act and all its regulations. Some of the significant exceptions are noted below.

• A second vehicle (non-RV) is exempt from the second vehicle fee.
• One additional camping tent and one screened tent for meal purposes is allowed.
• Any combination of tarps may not exceed 400 sq. ft. Tarps cannot be used vertically.
• Removable ground level decks/landings to a maximum of 80 sq. ft. are allowed.
• If all camping units, structures and equipment are removed for a period of more than 2 days, the long-stay camper is required to notify the park operator in writing.

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: taxes are included in all fees;

• the fee for the overnight use of dock or mooring buoy facilities also applies to