Metro Vancouver is taking steps to address a growing shortage of campsites across the region as demand for local outdoor accommodations continues to rise.
On Wednesday, the Metro Vancouver Regional District’s parks committee approved a plan to explore new campground developments after a staff report identified 19 potential sites suitable for camping expansion.
According to the report, regional park campgrounds have been effectively sold out on weekends from March through September in recent years, with many visitors turned away from group sites.
Committee chair John McEwen said interest has grown significantly in recent years. “Campgrounds are extremely popular, often booked out within the day that the camping is open,” he told CBC. “Between 2022 and 2024, demand has increased from 65 to 85 per cent.”
Metro Vancouver currently offers overnight stays in eight regional parks, including two multi-type campgrounds that accommodate both tents and RVs.
The new study outlines possible additions, including three wilderness camping areas, 12 potential group camping sites in parks such as Pacific Spirit, Burnaby Lake, Kanaka Creek, and Crippen on Bowen Island, and four multi-type campgrounds across three other regional parks.
McEwen said expanding campground options would bring outdoor experiences closer to residents living in urban areas. “It makes sense with a lot of the new homes being created in the Metro Vancouver region, apartments and condos, and those that don’t have outdoor space,” he said.
He added that the region’s $30-per-night camping rate keeps local stays accessible for families. “A lot of people aren’t able to go long distances or have the equipment to go long distances,” he said.
Conservation and youth organizations have voiced support for the proposal. Jesse Zeman, executive director of the B.C. Wildlife Federation, said additional campgrounds could reduce pressure on overcrowded provincial parks.
“We’re seeing a significant increase in park use and camping … and so the more we can sustainably connect [people] with nature, the better,” he said. Adam Heffey, board chair of CTS Youth Society, said the expansion could make camping more accessible to new campers.
“Allowing for people who might not have been camping before or people who don’t have the means to go out of Metro Vancouver, it’s gonna give a great opportunity for them to get involved and get to see our regional parks and fall in love with the region,” he said.
However, officials emphasized that any expansion will take time. Each site will undergo environmental and cultural assessments, consultations with First Nations and municipalities, and reviews of wildfire and flood risks.
“Certainly, infrastructure would have to be created, washrooms, that sort of stuff. We’d also need to make sure traffic concerns are addressed as well,” McEwen said.
The study also points to potential challenges such as vandalism, park use by unhoused individuals, and sensitive ecological zones that could limit development.
Staff will now conduct feasibility testing and develop cost estimates before the committee makes a final decision on expanding camping opportunities.
For outdoor hospitality operators and campground developers, the Metro Vancouver initiative highlights both the growing regional demand for nearby nature-based accommodations and the opportunity for public-private collaboration.
The study reflects a broader trend seen across Canada, where municipalities are reevaluating how to meet post-pandemic demand for accessible, affordable, and sustainable camping options within urban proximity.