B.C. Parks camping fees to increase in 2026

The cost of camping in British Columbia’s provincial parks is going up this year — especially for campers coming from out of province.

The B.C. government says the fee hike comes in response to “record levels of use” and increasing frequency of flood, fires and extreme weather. In an information sheet online, B.C. Parks said fees are going up to keep parks safe, accessible and healthy.

In particular, the province is introducing a $20 fee per trip for campers coming from out of province. It will apply to both backcountry and frontcountry camping, cabin rentals, mooring buoys and dock use.

But, fees are going up in general for all campers.

Fees are increasing at 59 “high-use” frontcountry parks, the province says, adding that fees vary by park to reflect the amount of care each site requires.

Previously, fees in these parks ranged from $5 to $35 per party, per night. Now, costs will be between $5 and $51 per party, per night.

The fee hike goes into effect June 15 and will last until Labour Day this year, after which off-season fees will apply until next June 14, 2027.

Backcountry users will see increases at four parks: Garibaldi, Golden Ears, Joffre Lakes and Mount Assiniboine. Costs will increase from $5 to $10 per person, per night, to $5 to $25.

Cabin fees at Garibaldi and Mount Assiniboine will also go up this year.

Mixed reaction from park visitors

At Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park northwest of Nanaimo — one of the parks where fees are set to go up — the hikes drew a mixed reaction from visitors on Thursday.

Barb Bracko said she understood that prices had gone up across the board for everything, and B.C. Parks need more resources in order to restore the parks given recent damage.

She said she was concerned, however, for people who are financially stressed.

“They’re stressed — and time in nature is the best way to destress,” she added. “And so, I would hate to see the prices go up to the extent where folks that are really needing to get out and just commune in nature are unable to do that.”

Others, however, like Terry and Pat Schiissler who were visiting from Regina, Sask., said the fee hikes were understandable given the need to maintain B.C.’s beautiful parks.

The couple even said they were OK with the out-of-province fee, saying it was likely to be reciprocated in Saskatchewan.

“Since the pandemic, everything sort of kind of fell into decay a little bit,” Pat said.

“And it all has to be brought back up to the standards where … you want to be able to enjoy it.”

Louise Pedersen, the executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C., said the advocacy group was opposed to fees in general, but the public would likely be understanding of the incoming hikes.

“Those of us who spend time in parks know that … our park system is in a lot of trouble,” she said.

“It’s not been keeping up with just, like, the general kind of population increase … the increase in outdoor recreation interest.”

Pedersen said that investing in the park system shouldn’t be driven by user fees alone, and the province should look at other investments and supporting the work of outdoor volunteers, too.

She added that the out-of-province fee was a good step to recognize the national and international appeal of B.C.’s parks, and it was fair to add a surcharge given that British Columbians already contribute to park upkeep with their taxes.

“We’re, kind of, taking a pragmatic approach to this,” she said.

“More investments are needed. Fees alone are not enough, but it is something and it is needed now.”