News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
New BC Parks Reservations System
Camping enthusiasts can now use the improved BC Parks reservation service, launched March 21.
The new online reservation service, Camping.BCParks.ca, is part of a broader redesign of BC Parks’ digital services to improve the park experience from computer to campground.
With the new reservation service, people will be able to reserve a campsite up to two months before the desired arrival date at most campgrounds.
Designed with input from campers, park operators, and other service organizations, the new reservation service includes:
more flexible search options such as a map to search campgrounds by region, park listing or site availability;
information on nearby facilities and large photos of campsites so people know what to expect when they arrive;
an interactive calendar that shows when booked sites will become available; and
saved booking preferences within customer accounts.
Camping enthusiasts can now use the improved BC Parks reservation service, launched March 21.
The new online reservation service, Camping.BCParks.ca, is part of a broader redesign of BC Parks’ digital services to improve the park experience from computer to campground.
With the new reservation service, people will be able to reserve a campsite up to two months before the desired arrival date at most campgrounds.
Designed with input from campers, park operators, and other service organizations, the new reservation service includes:
more flexible search options such as a map to search campgrounds by region, park listing or site availability;
information on nearby facilities and large photos of campsites so people know what to expect when they arrive;
an interactive calendar that shows when booked sites will become available; and
saved booking preferences within customer accounts.
BC Parks Additions Strengthen Protection of Wildlife Habitat, Ecosystems
Legislation has been introduced to expand B.C.’s parks and protected areas system, contributing to existing ecosystem conservation and expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation. The additions include the following lands in the Thompson Okanagan region:
Blue River Black Spruce Park (near Blue River): 59 hectares to protect a wetland and the ecological integrity of the North Thompson River.
Edge Hills Park (near Clinton): 50 hectares to enhance wildlife connectivity and protection of the Fraser River bluffs.
Okanagan Mountain Park (near Kelowna): 21 hectares to enhance wildlife connectivity and species protection, along with the addition of the Golden Mile Trail for recreation.
Gladstone Park (near Christina Lake): six hectares to add additional shorefront lands on the north end of Christina Lake, which is an important kokanee spawning area.
To further protect lake values, 27 hectares of lake foreshore would be added to Christina Lake Park, Kootenay Lake Park, Gladstone Park, and Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park.
Boundary modifications to correct administrative errors and address safety issues would also be made at Big White Mountain Ecological Reserve.
Increased protection for diverse wildlife habitat, wetlands, and bolstering the natural legacy of existing parks are all parts of strategic land additions to strengthen B.C.’s system of parks and protected areas.
Legislation has been introduced to expand the parks and protected areas system, contributing to existing ecosystem conservation and expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation.
The additions, proposed through legislative amendments to the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act, include the following lands in the Thompson Okanagan region:
Blue River Black Spruce Park (near Blue River): 59 hectares to protect a wetland and the ecological integrity of the North Thompson River.
Edge Hills Park (near Clinton): 50 hectares to enhance wildlife connectivity and protection of the Fraser River bluffs.
Okanagan Mountain Park (near Kelowna): 21 hectares to enhance wildlife connectivity and species protection, along with the addition of the Golden Mile Trail for recreation.
Gladstone Park (near Christina Lake): six hectares to add additional shorefront lands on the north end of Christina Lake, which is an important kokanee spawning area.
To further protect lake values, 27 hectares of lake foreshore would be added to Christina Lake Park, Kootenay Lake Park, Gladstone Park, and Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park.
Boundary modifications to correct administrative errors and address safety issues would also be made at Big White Mountain Ecological Reserve.
This continues the Province’s efforts to enhance protection of wildlife habitat, better reflect Indigenous Peoples’ history and cultures in parks for a deeper understanding of connection to the land, and create more opportunities for camping and outdoor recreation.
During the past four years, more than 1,700 campsites have been added to provincial parks and recreation sites, including the new Skyview Campground in E.C. Manning Park, which has 62 fully serviced campsites available in winter and 92 sites in summer.
Buy a BC Parks Licence Plate to Support Park Services
The BC Parks Licence Plate Program is a partnership between the Province and ICBC whereby motorists in British Columbia can choose one of three specialty plate designs depicting scenes from B.C.’s parks and protected areas.
Available at Autoplan broker offices throughout B.C., a BC Parks plate costs $50 for the initial purchase, and $40 to renew each year.
All net proceeds from the sale and ongoing renewals of the licence plates are re-invested back into provincial parks through the Park Enhancement Fund (PEF), a special account separate from the B.C. government's annual budget to BC Parks.
The BC Parks Licence Plate Program is a partnership between the Province and ICBC whereby motorists in British Columbia can choose one of three specialty plate designs depicting scenes from B.C.’s parks and protected areas.
The designs include the Kermode bear, an elusive white version of black bear found on B.C.’s coast, the snow-capped Purcell Mountains symbolizing the province’s interior region, and Porteau Cove overlooking Howe Sound.
Available at Autoplan broker offices throughout B.C., a BC Parks plate costs $50 for the initial purchase, and $40 to renew each year.
All net proceeds from the sale and ongoing renewals of the licence plates are re-invested back into provincial parks through the Park Enhancement Fund (PEF), a special account separate from the B.C. government's annual budget to BC Parks.
The BC Parks Licence Plate Program is marking its five-year anniversary, and more than 300 diverse projects and programs have been supported to further protect and enhance B.C.’s world-renowned parks system. In March 2021, the BC Parks Licence Plate Program reached a milestone with the sale of 250,000 specialty plates.
Through partnerships with Indigenous partners and community groups across the province, projects related to conservation, Indigenous reconciliation, fire-based ecosystem and land management, engagement, education and inclusion were completed over the last five years, as well along with support for the Student Ranger Program which started in 2018.
BC Parks Plans to Invest $21.5 Million in Outdoor Recreation over the Next Three Years
With parks seeing increasingly busy seasons, BC Parks plans to invest $21.5 million over the next three years to expand and enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation, including new campsites, trails and upgrades to facilities. In the Thompson Okanagan, Sun-Oka Provincial Park in Summerland is proposed to have trails reconstructed and paved to improve accessibility.
More than 3.1 million campers stayed in provincial parks during the 2021 camping season, and more than 260,000 reservations were made on Discover Camping – the highest volume on record.
With parks seeing increasingly busy seasons, BC Parks plans to invest $21.5 million over the next three years to expand and enhance opportunities for outdoor recreation, including new campsites, trails and upgrades to facilities.
In the Thompson Okanagan, Sun-Oka Provincial Park in Summerland is proposed to have trails reconstructed and paved to improve accessibility.
BC Parks Improving Accessibility to Enable Nature For All
To ensure everyone can get out and enjoy nature, BC Parks continues to make accessibility upgrades in parks throughout the province and incorporates universal design standards in new campgrounds and recreation sites.
“Everyone is welcome in nature” is a message that carries the spirit of a renewed commitment by BC Parks to make outdoor recreation more accessible and inclusive.
BC Parks has seen a significant increase in the diversity of park visitors over the past decade and park visitation is reaching record highs. Expanding accessibility through new projects in campgrounds, day-use areas, playgrounds and a new welcome sign convey the principle that nature is for all.
“Our provincial parks are a place for everyone, and these initiatives are the beginning of a renewed commitment and an important step in our long-term commitment to inclusion, equity and diversity,” said Kelly Greene, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment. “Our province is strong because of the diversity of our people, and it is important that our parks system ensures that everyone is welcome and comfortable as they enjoy British Columbia’s spectacular outdoors.”
To ensure everyone can get out and enjoy nature, BC Parks continues to make accessibility upgrades in parks throughout the province and incorporates universal design standards in new campgrounds and recreation sites.
With more than 23 million visits each year, new welcome signs are being installed at BC Parks entrance points, such as parking lots, kiosks, campgrounds and trailheads.
New accessibility information is also being added to the BC Parks website. People will be able to see photos and descriptions of facilities before they arrive at the park they plan to visit.