Backcountry camping reservations

Reservations are required at some of BC Parks’ most-visited backcountry areas. Look here for links to detailed information on booking ahead for the following campgrounds and activities.

Berg Lake Trail reservations

The Berg Lake Trail is a world-renowned backcountry hiking route featuring some of the finest scenery in British Columbia. The trail is in Mount Robson Park, east of the Cariboo Mountains, near the Alberta border.

The Berg Lake Trail was severely damaged by extreme weather in 2021. All campgrounds on the trail were closed.

Kinney Lake Campground reopened in June 2023. In peak camping season, you can book a reservation up to four months before your desired arrival.

We are continuing to work on the trail beyond Kinney Lake. See the Berg Lake Trail reservations page for more information.

Garibaldi Park reservations

Garibaldi Park, 70 km north of Vancouver, is famous for its extensive hiking trails and breathtaking views. Garibaldi has year-round backcountry campgrounds and, for those with extensive backcountry experience, a Wilderness Camping Area.

You must make a reservation to camp overnight anywhere in Garibaldi Park at any time of year. To learn more about making a reservation for this park, visit the Garibaldi Park reservations page.

Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit reservations 

The Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit is a 116 km chain of waterways, just west of the Cariboo Mountains. It offers extraordinary adventures to paddlers with previous backcountry experience. If you wish to use the circuit, we advise making a camping reservation. To learn more, see the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit reservations page.

Mount Assiniboine Park reservations 

Mount Assiniboine Park is a beautiful, rugged, and remote area on B.C.’s border with Alberta. Camping reservations are available at Magog Lake and Og Lake, within the park’s core area.

Reservations are also now available for Porcupine Campground at the base of Citadel Pass. There are varied camping options in other parts of the park. To learn more, see the Mount Assiniboine Park reservations page.  

Joffre Lakes Park reservations

Joffre Lakes Park, 60 km northwest of Whistler, offers opportunities for hiking, mountaineering, and wildlife viewing. Backcountry camping is available at the Upper Joffre Lake Campground. To learn more, see the Joffre Lakes Park reservations page.

E.C. Manning Park backcountry reservations

E.C. Manning Park is among B.C.’s most popular destinations. Three backcountry campgrounds in this park require reservations during peak summer season: Buckhorn, Kicking Horse, and Frosty Creek. To learn more, see the E.C. Manning Park backcountry reservations page.

Reservations are required at certain times, at some campgrounds for all the parks and activities mentioned above. We recommend making a reservation whenever possible, even for times or campgrounds where reservations are not strictly required. This will help you avoid disappointment.

How to make a reservation

• How far ahead you can book varies between parks (see parks and activities, above, to find the park’s reservation policies page)
• Anyone over 16 years of age can make a backcountry camping reservation via camping.bcparks.ca
• Reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-689-9025 toll-free from Canada and the U.S. or 1-519-858-6161 internationally
• You must pay all camping fees and transaction fees in advance to secure your reservation (see fees, below)
• You can book up to a maximum of 14 nights per calendar year at any individual park
• When booking your reservation, you must specify the ‘named occupant’ who will be your official reservation holder
• This named occupant can be yourself or another person, but they must be present when your party arrives and throughout your stay

If the named occupant cannot be present throughout your stay, your reservation must be rebooked with an occupant who can be present. The named occupant may be asked to show ID during your stay to keep your reservation valid.

Tent pads and camping party sizes

• Camping in BC Parks’ reservable backcountry campgrounds is allowed only on designated tent pads or established campsites
• Making a reservation guarantees you a spot, but the reservation service does not assign you a specific tent pad
• You select your tent pad or pads when you arrive at the campground, on a first come, first served basis
• Tent pads are a maximum of three square-meters, holding up to two tents and four people 
• You can reserve up to three tent pads at one time, for a maximum total camping party of 12 people (at least one of whom must be over 16)

Tent pad and camping party sizes differ at Bowron Lake. To learn more, see the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit reservations page.

There are two types of fees:

• Camping fees, which pay for camping, activities, and services
• Transaction fees, which help us maintain the reservation service

For more information on camping fees and transaction fees, see the camping fees page.

Tax is included in camping fees, but tax is added to transaction fees. If you change or cancel your reservation, there will be additional fees (see additional transaction fees, below).

Camping fees vary between parks. For information on parks with reservable backcountry campgrounds, see parks and activities, above, or find the specific park’s webpage.

When paying online or by phone, you can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Visa Debit, or Mastercard Debit.

Main fees

For the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit, there is no transaction fee for camping. Instead, there is an $18 (plus tax) vessel fee for each canoe.

Changing or cancelling your reservation 

• You can change or cancel your reservation via camping.bcparks.ca or by calling 1-800-689-9025 (1-519-858-6161 internationally)
• Reservation changes or cancellations must be made by the account holder who made the original booking
• To change your reservation to a different campground or park, you must cancel and re-book
• Reservations cannot be transferred or sold to another party, and attempting to do so will lead to cancellation without refund
• Parks have differing rules about when you can alter your arrival date (see parks and activities, above, for information on a specific park)

Refunds

• If you cancel a reservation before your arrival, eligible camping fees will be refunded (subject to policies outlined on the cancellations and refunds page)
• All transaction fees and vessel fees, including change and cancellation fees and call centre surcharges, are non-refundable

Additional transaction fees for changes and cancellations

For more information on getting a refund, see the cancellations and refunds page. For full details of our cancellation and refund policies, download the reservation services policies and terms [PDF].

• Check-in and check-out times vary between parks (see parks and activities, above, for information on a specific park)
• We hold your reservation until noon the day following your scheduled arrival, after which it is cancelled without refund
• The reservation holder (‘occupant’) you named when booking your reservation must be present upon arrival and throughout the stay

Fix a copy of your reservation confirmation to your campsite post (in a resealable plastic bag) and keep another with you throughout your trip.