B.C. bringing in ‘camping surcharge’ for out-of-province visitors

Golden Ears Park in B.C. (Shutterstock)

Out-of-province visitors to B.C.’s provincial parks will soon be charged an additional fee, according to officials.

B.C. Parks announced a new $20 flat-rate fee for people who are not residents of the province, citing a surge in visitors and the costly impact of extreme weather.

“During the past six years, the number of people visiting BC Parks sites has grown by about 30 per cent and now averages more than 27 million visits every year. That has put a strain on aging infrastructure, trails, day-use areas and the natural environment, particularly at B.C. Parks’ most popular locations,” a statement from the Environment Ministry said.

“At the same time, floods and wildfires have caused widespread damage to facilities and infrastructure, driving the need for significant repairs and ongoing reinvestment to keep parks open, safe and accessible.”

The fee for out-of-province visitors will be levied on front-country and back-country campsites, cabin rentals, mooring buoys and dock use. On average, the ministry said 15 per cent of visitors to the province’s parks per year are not from B.C.

The change comes into effect on May 15, 2026.

“Residency will be assessed by the home address people provide when making a reservation or arriving at a campsite that’s first come, first served,” the statement from the province explained.

B.C. residents will also see increased fees at 59 “high-demand” front-country parks and four popular backcountry parks. According to the province, this is the first increase to camping fees in a decade and fees at 338 parks will not increase at all.

The change means B.C. residents will see an average per-night fee increase of just over $13 at the 59 front-country parks in the summer, and an average nightly fee increase of just over $13.50 at the back-country parks, which include popular destinations like Garibaldi, Golden Ears, and Joffre Lakes.

More information about the new rates is available online. https://nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/kuwyyf/2026_camping_fees_information_sheet_7eed24d2eb.pdf