Sites at a premium as camping season kicks off

If you were thinking about a last minute camping trip this long weekend, you might want to consider pitching a tent in your backyard.

The May long weekend is the traditional kick off to the camping season in the Okanagan and it is a full house.

Sites at Fintry, Ellison, Kekuli Bay and Mabel Lake Provincial Parks were booked out weeks ago through the B.C. Parks online and toll free booking site.

The situation through the Okanagan-Shuswap is much the same at the dozens of provincial, regional, municipal and private campgrounds.

Some parks have sites set aside for first come, first serve availability, but those will be a rare commodity.

Camping usage is currently being restricted to B.C. residents only.

Reservations for campsites are accepted up to two months in advance of desired arrival date and for group sites up to 12 months in advance of desired arrival date.

COVID-19 restrictions are also in place. B.C. Parks has put out a brochure to help campers follow the rules.

B.C. Parks Mascot Jerry the Moose waiting for the outhouse socially distanced (photo credit: B.C. Parks)

Restrictions on international, national and now inter-regional travel saw people refocus on enjoying the outdoors close to home.

The current health orders prohibit travel outside of the health region, which in the Interior Health Region gives people a lot of choices. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has continued to encourage people to stay local and support local.

There has been record use of the back country during the pandemic as well, and with relatively dry conditions in the region, officials are urging people to be careful when it comes to campfires.

If you are just getting into R.V. camping, that can be a challenge for those looking to purchase a new vehicle. Production has lagged behind, at the same time as demand has soared.

People are asked to be careful when it comes to preventing wildfires

Of the 214 fires so far this season in B.C., 168, or 79 per cent, have been caused by people.

“I hope British Columbians enjoy the Victoria Day long weekend, but I also encourage them to use caution with any activity that could spark a wildfire,” Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, said. “Human-caused fires are completely preventable and can unnecessarily divert firefighting resources from naturally occurring wildfires.”