Camping fees

Important note on taxes: 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

Important note: 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.

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

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.

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 is on the base frontcountry camping fee, which pays for use of your campsite. It does not apply to any transaction fees you may be 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, and cabin fees

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

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)

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:

• Obtain a letter of eligibility from the MCFD (contact your Social Worker or an At Home Program regional office [PDF] for more information)

The letter of eligibility should come either from At Home Program regional coordinator [PDF] or a Medical Benefits Program manager [PDF].

• When you arrive, show the park operator the original letter of eligibility and a piece of photo ID (for the child or a parent)

Adults receiving PWD benefits from the MSDPR

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

• Obtain a current calendar year Release of Personal Information form [PDF], fully completed, from the MSDPR
• When you arrive, show the park operator the original approved form and a piece of photo ID (such as a BC Driver’s Licence, BC Services Card, or BCID)

Important notes for people receiving PWD benefits from the MSDPR:

• The Confirmation of Assistance form is not accepted as proof of eligibility for this exemption
• People who are only receiving health supplements from the MSDPR do not qualify for this exemption
• Canada Pension Plan disability recipients are eligible if designated under the PWD program and receiving assistance from the MSDPR

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)