Campgrounds in the Kootenay region are seeing a rise in early reservations, signaling a demand for outdoor travel this year.
The increase in bookings follows a decline in pre-reserved sites in 2024, according to the president of the B.C. Campground and Lodging Association.
At Kootenay Lake Lodge Waterfront in Boswell, owners Claudia and Klaus Sedlmeir said their peak summer availability is nearly gone, with only one week in August still open.
“Campsite reservations are taking off and it’s not even the end of March,” said Claudia Sedlmeir, noting that most of their guests are from British Columbia and Alberta.
Several campsites that have opened their booking systems report higher-than-usual reservations compared to previous years.
“Everyone’s back online again, and they’re now pre-booking far more dramatically this year. A lot of places are already booked out from May long weekend until about mid-June, and then we’ll probably see strong numbers for July and August,” BCLA said, as reported by Castanet on March 31.
Nelson’s Bear Spring Eco Retreat in central Kootenay is also seeing a rise in reservations. “We’re fairly new, but we have more bookings this year,” said owner Solita Work, adding that many campers are Kootenay locals or travelers from east of the border.
Deborah Cox, park manager of a local campground, said visitor numbers remain stable but acknowledges that economic factors may influence travel plans.
“Our number of people visiting the park always stays relatively the same, but who knows, time will tell,” she said.
She expressed concerns about whether economic conditions will impact travel spending, though she emphasized that her campsite offers an affordable way to experience nature.
With strong early-season bookings and growing interest in outdoor travel, campgrounds across the Kootenay region are preparing for what could be a busy summer season.