BC Parks Announces First Camping Fee Increase in 10 Years, With Additional Charges for Non-BC Residents

Dania Rashid

January 29, 2026

British Columbia has announced a major update to its provincial parks camping fees for 2026. In response to record visitation, up to 27 million visitors every year (a 30 percent increase), and pressure from wildfires, heat domes and atmospheric rivers, the Ministry of Environment and Parks is adjusting how camping is priced in the province’s most popular front-country and backcountry locations.

This is the first significant camping fee change in more than a decade. It includes a new non-BC-resident camping surcharge. Beginning May 15, 2026, campers who live outside of British Columbia will pay an additional $20 flat rate when reserving front-country sites, backcountry camping, cabins or mooring facilities. According to Jamie Cox from the BC Lodging and Camping Association, “Updating fees in the busiest parks helps ensure the entire system remains safe, well‑maintained and able to support the growing number of people who rely on camping as an affordable way to connect with nature.”

For BC residents, fees in 59 high-demand front-country parks will be increased, too. This applies to anyone camping in the affected parks from June 15th to Labour Day. A detailed sheet released by BC Parks show that fee ranges for front-country camping will expand, and backcountry fees will also increase in four iconic parks.

The backcountry parks affected by the camping fee updates in 2026 include:

• Garibaldi Provincial Park
• Golden Ears Provincial Park
• Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
• Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park

For backcountry camping, adult fees in Garibaldi will be $25 per person per night, $17 in Golden Ears ($5 in some areas), $25 in Joffre Lakes and $25 in Mount Assiniboine. Youth fees in all four parks will be $5 per night. For backcountry cabins, both Garibaldi and Mount Assiniboine will charge $30 for adults, while youth fees in Garibaldi increase to $10 per person per night and family fees in Mount Assiniboine increase to $50 per family per night. BC Parks encourage campers to check the official camping fee page and make reservations early as bookings open for the upcoming season.

List of the 59 high-use front-country parks affected:

1. Alice Lake Park
2. Bamberton Park
3. Bear Creek Park
4. Blanket Creek Park
5. Bromley Rock Park
6. Cowichan River Park
7. Cultus Lake Park
8. Dry Gulch Park
9. E.C. Manning Park
10. Elk Falls Park
11. Ellison Park
12. Emory Creek Park
13. Englishman River Falls Park
14. Fillongley Park
15. Fintry Park
16. French Beach Park
17. Gladstone Park
18. Golden Ears Park
19. Goldstream Park
20. Gordon Bay Park
21. Herald Park
22. Juan De Fuca Park
23. Juniper Beach Park
24. Kekuli Bay Park
25. Kettle River Recreation Area
26. Kikomun Creek Park
27. Kokanee Creek Park
28. Kootenay Lake Park
29. Little Qualicum Falls Park
30. Loveland Bay Park
31. Mabel Lake Park
32. Martha Creek Park
33. McDonald Creek Park
34. Miracle Beach Park
35. Mount Fernie Park
36. Mount Robson Park
37. Moyie Lake Park
38. Muncho Lake Park
39. Nairn Falls Park
40. North Thompson River Park
41. Okanagan Lake Park
42. Otter Lake Park
43. Porpoise Bay Park
44. Porteau Cove Park
45. Rathtrevor Beach Park
46. Rolley Lake Park
47. Sasquatch Park
48. Shuswap Lake Park
49. Smelt Bay Park
50. Sproat Lake Park
51. Strathcona Park
52. Summit Lake Park
53. Sẁiẁs Park
54. Sx̱ótsaqel/Chilliwack Lake Park
55. Sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ (Formerly Okanagan Falls) Park
56. Syringa Park
57. Tā Ch’ilā
58. Tribune Bay Park
59. Wells Gray Park

“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,” says Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks.

What do you think about this change? Tell us in the comments below!

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