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Camping fees

The fees you pay for camping help BC Parks maintain campgrounds and camping infrastructure for everyone to enjoy. This page provides details of camping fees, transaction fees, discounts, and exemptions.

Look on this page for information about:

For a full park-by-park list of camping fees, download the camping fees and information supplement [PDF]. For full details of our reservation policies, download the reservation services policies and terms [PDF].

Camping fees and transaction fees

Tax is included in camping fees. Tax is added to all transaction fees.

There are two types of fees:

  • Camping fees pay for your campsite and parking place as well as other campground services and amenities. They help us maintain park facilities. 
  • Transaction fees include reservation fees, change fees, and call centre surcharges. Transaction fees are non-refundable. They help us maintain the reservation service.

Fees for frontcountry and backcountry camping reservations  

Camping fees vary by park, so visit camping.bcparks.ca, or download the camping fees and policies supplement [PDF], for specific information.

  • To secure a camping reservation, you must pay all camping fees and transaction fees in advance
  • You pay these fees when making your reservation at camping.bcparks.ca or via our call centre at 1-800-689-9025 (1-519-858-6161 internationally)
  • You can pay all your fees using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Visa Debit, or Mastercard Debit
  • Transaction fees are $6 per campsite or tent pad per night, up to a maximum of $18 per site (plus tax)
  • There is an additional $5 transaction surcharge (plus tax) for reservations, cancellations, or changes made via the call centre

Fees for first come, first served campsites 

  • When you use a campsite on a first come, first served basis (in other words, without making a reservation), camping fees are paid directly to the park operator
  • There are no transaction fees for first come, served camping (transaction fees are only charged when you make a reservation)
  • Fees can be paid in cash (Canadian currency) or, where the facilities exist, by credit or debit card
  • At some campgrounds, a drop box is provided where you can self-register for camping and deposit your cash payment

Parking, groups, and additional fees

Vehicle parking • Parking for one vehicle is included in your camping fees    
• More vehicles can be parked for an additional fee if there is space    
• The additional fee is 50% of your base camping fee, per vehicle    
• This additional fee has a maximum charge of $12 per vehicle    
• For information on parking fees for towed-in vehicles and RVs, download the camping fees and policies supplement [PDF]
Group camping• There is a base fee for each groupsite, which varies by park      
• On top of the base groupsite fee, there is a nightly per-person fee     
• For adults (aged 16 or over), the per-person fee is $5 per night     
• For children under 16, the per-person fee is $1 per night     
• Children under the age of six camp for free     
• Group bookings are charged for a minimum of 15 adults per night     
• For more information on reserving a groupsite, see the group camping page
Youth groups• There is a base fee for each youth group, which varies by park     
• On top of the base fee, there is a $1 per-person charge     
• Children under the age of six camp for free     
• There is a $50 minimum and $150 maximum youth group fee     
• For more information and criteria for qualifying as a youth group, see the group camping page
Changes• If you change or cancel your reservation, there may be extra fees     
• For information on these fees, see the cancellations and refunds page
Other fees• Extra camping fees are charged for services such as electrical hook-up, sani-station use, and firewood     
• These extra fees vary between parks (download the camping fees and policies supplement [PDF] for full details)

BC Senior Camping Discount

To claim the BC Senior Camping Discount, you must choose the discounted rate when making your reservation. The discount cannot be applied later.

The BC Senior Camping Discount gives B.C. residents over 65 a half-price rate on any campground’s regular camping fee. This applies only outside peak season. To qualify for the BC Senior Camping Discount:

  • Your camping party must have no more than four adults
  • All the adults in your party must be B.C. seniors or their spouses or partners
  • Your party must have no more than eight people total (including under-16s)

During the peak season (June 15–Labour Day), this discount is not available, and you must pay the regular camping fee.

If a winter rate is in effect and is under half the regular fee, you pay the winter fee:

  • If the regular rate is in effect and is $30 per party, the BC Senior fee is $15
  • If the winter rate is in effect and is $11, the BC Senior fee is $11

The discount is on base camping fees, not transaction fees. It does not apply to:

  • Additional fees for services like electrical hook-up, firewood, and RV rental
  • Group camping, picnic shelter, backcountry, marine, or cabin fees

For an explanation of the different types of fees BC Parks charges, see camping fees and transaction fees, above.

Social Services Camping Fee Exemption

The Social Services Camping Fee Exemption is available to people with disabilities who are receiving income assistance. The exemption offers some free frontcountry camping to people who qualify and, in certain cases, their families.

To see if you can claim the Social Services Camping Fee Exemption, see the who qualifies section, below.

To claim the Social Services Camping Fee Exemption, you must choose the discounted rate when making your reservation. The exemption cannot be applied later.

For each camping trip, qualified people are entitled to:

  • One single campsite, for a single camping party, for free
  • One double campsite for half price
  • Free parking for two vehicles

The exemption applies to the frontcountry camping fee, which pays for use of your campsite. It does not apply to any transaction fees charged when making a reservation.

For an explanation of the different types of fees BC Parks charges, see camping fees and transaction fees, above.

The discount also does not apply to:

  • Additional fees for services like electrical hook-up, and firewood  
  • Group camping, picnic shelter, backcountry, marine, or cabin fees

If your party exceeds the size of a standard camping party, the discount will not apply. For details of camping party sizes see the frontcountry camping page.

Who qualifies for the Social Services Camping Fee Exemption?

The Social Services Camping Fee Exemption is available to BC residents in any of the following groups:

  • Families of children on the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) At Home Program         
  • Adults receiving Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefits from the B.C. Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (MSDPR)       
  • Indigenous people living on-reserve and receiving PWD Disability Income Assistance from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)

Families of children on the MCFD At Home Program

To claim the Social Services Camping Fee Exemption for the family of a child on the At Home Program:

Adults receiving PWD benefits from the MSDPR

To claim the Social Services Camping Fee Exemption for adults receiving PWD benefits from the MSDPR:

  • Obtain either a Confirmation of Assistance form from My Self Serve, or a fully completed Release of Personal Information form [PDF] from an MSDPR income assistance office.
  • To confirm your eligibility, the form must:
    • be dated in the current calendar year
    • state you are receiving "Disability Assistance under the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act"
    • show an Estimated Assistance Amount greater than $0.00
  • When you arrive, show the park operator the original form and a piece of photo ID (such as a BC Driver’s Licence, BC Services Card, or BCID)

People who are only receiving health supplements from the MSDPR do not qualify for this exemption

Indigenous people receiving PWD Disability Income Assistance from ISC

To claim the Social Services Camping Fee Exemption for adults receiving PWD benefits from Indigenous Services Canada:

  • Obtain a current calendar year Release of Personal Information form from your Band Social Development Worker
  • When you arrive, show the park operator the original approved form and a piece of photo ID (such as BC Driver’s Licence, BC Services Card, or BCID)