B.C. Parks is overhauling its camping fee structure this year, adding a new surcharge for visitors who live outside the province and increasing rates at the most popular destinations.
According to an article by Vancouver Sun, beginning in 2026, camping fees will rise at 59 front-country parks and four backcountry parks, while fees at the remaining 388 provincial parks will remain unchanged. These adjustments mark the first major update to camping fees in a decade.
According to B.C. Parks, the increases are driven by “unprecedented demand” at top locations and the growing impact of extreme weather events, which have made maintenance more challenging and costly.
Environment and Parks Minister Tamara Davidson said the changes are designed to ensure long-term sustainability.
“By renewing the parks and recreation system, we are creating a more sustainable operating model that strengthens stewardship and long-term protections of the natural spaces people cherish,” she said.
Park visitation has surged in recent years, growing by about 30 per cent over the past six years to an average of more than 27 million visits annually. B.C. Parks said this growth has strained aging infrastructure and sensitive natural areas.
“That has put a strain on aging infrastructure, trails, day-use areas and the natural environment, particularly at B.C. Parks’ most popular locations,” the agency said in a statement.
“At the same time, floods and wildfires have caused widespread damage to facilities and infrastructure, driving the need for significant repairs and ongoing reinvestment to keep parks open, safe and accessible.”
Under the new structure, visitors from outside B.C. will pay a $20 flat surcharge for front-country campsites, backcountry visits, cabin rentals, and the use of mooring buoys and docks.
The fee will be assessed based on a visitor’s home address during reservation or upon arrival at first-come, first-served sites. Officials estimate that about 15 per cent of provincial park visitors come from outside the province, many of whom frequent high-traffic parks.
The four backcountry parks affected are Garibaldi, Golden Ears, Joffre Lakes and Mount Assiniboine.
At high-demand front-country parks, shoulder-season rates will rise by an average of 40 cents per night and by an average of $13.29 per night in summer, bringing average nightly costs to $30.81 in shoulder season and $42.91 in peak season.
These parks have experienced a 40 per cent increase in visits over the past decade. Backcountry fees will rise by an average of $13.62 per night, with rates ranging from $17 to $25.
Since 2017, the ministry has invested about $200 million in campground expansions, accessibility improvements, and upgrades to trails, parking, and facilities, along with another $27 million to repair infrastructure damaged by severe weather.
Recent projects include the $4.4 million Skyview Campground in E.C. Manning Park and the addition of 46 sites at China Beach in Juan de Fuca Park.
The updated fee structure will apply to all 2026 bookings, with the visitor surcharge taking effect May 15, and reservations opening three months in advance, while the redesigned reservation website remains available at bcparks.ca/reservations, a development that shows how changing park policies can influence trip planning patterns and campground demand across the RV and outdoor recreation market.