HAPPY CAMPERS: Here’s all the new sites and amenities at local and provincial campgrounds

Campers in the Thompson-Okanagan this summer will have more places to camp and more facilities to use at B.C. Parks and recreation sites.

The provincial government announced earlier this month that close to 600 new sites opened up across the province this season. In the Southern Interior, 116 new sites have been constructed ready for the summer season at Okanagan Lake South, Manning Park, Okanagan Falls Provincial Park, now officially called sx???x??nitk? Provincial Park, Bear Creek, Kettle River and Fintry Provincial Park.

Located on the west side of Okanagan Lake between Kelowna and Vernon, Fintry Provincial Park and Protected Area has added 60 new campsites in two new loops. Fintry is also scheduled for a new toilet and shower building to be built by late June. The building will include a large accessible family change room. A sani-station will also be added to the site by late June.

Just north of Kelowna on the west side of Okanagan Lake, Bear Creek Provincial Park has recently seen the addition of 21 new sites. The 21 new sites have all been electrical connections and seven also have water. A new flush toilet building upgrade has recently gone in as well as a dishwashing station.

Located on the banks of the Shuswap Lake north of Salmon Arm, Herald Provincial Park's Homestead Campground has gained nine new vehicle assessible campsites.

East of Lake Country and south of Lumby, the Grizzy Lake Recreation Site is set to 29 more free campsites.

Although the sites have had upgrades, the province says it has not increased the fees to camp.

According to the Camping and RVing B.C. Coalition, more than one million campers from B.C., Alberta and Washington are expected to camp or RV in B.C. in 2019.

According to the Ministry of Environment, B.C. Parks is planning to add an additional 179 sites across the Interior within the next few years. The locations of these sites have not been confirmed yet. According to the province, in 2018 it built 431 new sites and has not increased costs for three years.

The 13 campgrounds in B.C. Parks with 362 additional sites include:

• 65 sites (20 walk in, 15 drive in and 30 marine) at Golden Ears Park near Maple Ridge
• 60 sites in two new loops at Fintry Park near Vernon
• 40 sites in two new loops at Kentucky Alleyne Park near Merritt
• 35 sites at Stawamus Chief Park near Squamish
• 30 sites in Martha Creek Park near Revelstoke
• 25 small cabins at Cultus Lake near Chilliwack
• 21 sites in a new loop at Robson River Campground in Mount Robson Park near Valemount
• 19 sites in Mount Fernie Provincial Park near Fernie
• 18 sites at Pyramid Campground in Wells Gray Park near Clearwater
• 18 tent pad sites at Kokanee Creek Park near Nelson
• 12 sites at Monck Park near Merritt
• 10 tent pad sites at Tantalus Park near Squamish
•  9 sites in the Homestead Campground at Herald Park near Salmon Arm

The 12 recreation sites with 232 additional sites include:

• 43 sites at Lundbom East and West near Merritt
• 32 sites at Howard Lake near 100 Mile House
• 30 sites at Turner Road near Nakusp
• 29 sites at Grizzly Lake near Vernon
• 23 sites at Bear Creek near Kelowna
• 15 sites at Lodgepole Lake near Logan Lake
• 13 sites at Boer Mountain/Kager Lake near Burns Lake
• 10 sites at Bear Creek near Harrison Hot Springs
• 10 sites at Horse Creek near Valemount
• 10 sites at Saskum Lake South near Barriere
• 10 sites at Nyland near Quesnel
• 7 sites at Tabor-Dougherty near Prince George

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