Camping

In 2019, the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District installed this gate on the gravel road that leads to the West Coast landfill to mitigate illegal dumping. The gate is locked when the landfill closes. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Gates considered as visitors and campers disrupt West Coast watershed

Tofino-Ucluelet residents reflect on solutions to clean up backroads issues around Kennedy Lake

In 2019, the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District installed this gate on the gravel road that leads to the West Coast landfill to mitigate illegal dumping. The gate is locked when the landfill closes. (Nora O’Malley photo)
A Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation guardian took this photo about a month ago of dozens of vehicles parked along a forest service road in the Kennedy watershed. (Submitted photo)

Ucluelet RCMP increase patrol at Kennedy watershed

“There’s no social distancing and there is a lot of drugs; total destruction of the environment.”

A Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation guardian took this photo about a month ago of dozens of vehicles parked along a forest service road in the Kennedy watershed. (Submitted photo)
The view of Cox Bay Beach from the Maltby Road entrance, any given day in August. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Disgruntled Tofino residents say visitors turning town into a free-for-all

Some West Coast residents angered by perceived lack of bylaw enforcement

The view of Cox Bay Beach from the Maltby Road entrance, any given day in August. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Campers left a mess at a site in Cherryville over the weekend, as seen Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, sparking concern from local residents who are asking elected officials and politicians to do something. (Contributed photo)

Wedding party bear sprayed at Okanagan campsite irks locals

Latest criminal activity at the Meadows leaves locals frustrated

Campers left a mess at a site in Cherryville over the weekend, as seen Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, sparking concern from local residents who are asking elected officials and politicians to do something. (Contributed photo)
Beach fire remains at MacKenzie Beach in Tofino. (Westerly file photo)

Fire restrictions in Tofino and Ucluelet

“It is visitors and residents alike that struggle with this one on a yearly basis.”

Beach fire remains at MacKenzie Beach in Tofino. (Westerly file photo)
Campers along the beach on Tent Island. (Photo submitted)

Tent Island closed due to neglect and abuse from campers

Illegal campfires common on Penelakut Tribe reserve land

Campers along the beach on Tent Island. (Photo submitted)
Campers along the beach on Tent Island. (Photo submitted)

Tent Island closed due to neglect and abuse from campers

Illegal campfires common on Penelakut Tribe reserve land

Campers along the beach on Tent Island. (Photo submitted)
Maple Mountain is always a potential hot spot for fires, especially with so many people out on the trails hiking or on bikes that makes the situation even more volatile. (Photo submitted)

EDITORIAL: Fire bans should cover the entire summer

Allowing campfires still a threat to our forests as much as open burning

Maple Mountain is always a potential hot spot for fires, especially with so many people out on the trails hiking or on bikes that makes the situation even more volatile. (Photo submitted)
A report by Alberta Environment’s Bighorn Backcountry Standing Committee says camping numbers in the large undeveloped wilderness in central Alberta’s foothills and Rocky Mountains, have been “insane,” in a July 28, 2020 story. (File photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)

‘Insane:’ Report details random camping stresses on Alberta wilderness

Campers hit Bighorn Backcountry in double the triple the numbers, leaving garbage in their wake

A report by Alberta Environment’s Bighorn Backcountry Standing Committee says camping numbers in the large undeveloped wilderness in central Alberta’s foothills and Rocky Mountains, have been “insane,” in a July 28, 2020 story. (File photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)
A hiker pauses on Chairback Mountain overlooking Long Pond on the 100-Mile Wilderness section of the Appalachian Trail north of Monson, Maine, in this September 2004 file photo. COVID-19 restrictions on camping site reservation and other forms of travel have led to increased demand and system bottlenecking, so when reservations opened across British Columbia on June 1, they went quickly. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Robert F. Bukaty

Camping offers a great pandemic escape, for less money than you might think

But for many first-timers, knowing what to bring can be a challenge

A hiker pauses on Chairback Mountain overlooking Long Pond on the 100-Mile Wilderness section of the Appalachian Trail north of Monson, Maine, in this September 2004 file photo. COVID-19 restrictions on camping site reservation and other forms of travel have led to increased demand and system bottlenecking, so when reservations opened across British Columbia on June 1, they went quickly. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Robert F. Bukaty
An app is allowing people to book campsites on private land. (File photo)

App allows campers to book sites in people’s backyards

Campertunity offers camping on private land across Canada

An app is allowing people to book campsites on private land. (File photo)
(Facebook photo/Strathcona Provincial Park)

Campers can get one site for the price of two in BC Parks this summer

B.C. campers disgruntled by full rates being charged for half-capacity double campsites

(Facebook photo/Strathcona Provincial Park)
(Facebook photo/Strathcona Provincial Park)

Campers can get one site for the price of two in BC Parks this summer

B.C. campers disgruntled by full rates being charged for half-capacity double campsites

(Facebook photo/Strathcona Provincial Park)
Plugging up free camp sites with long-term trailer parking means less access to the parks for everyone else. (Northern Vancouver Island Tourism/Steven Fines)

North Island recreation sites are not your summer home, officer says

Long-term trailer parking ruins viability of free recreation camp sites in the north Island

Plugging up free camp sites with long-term trailer parking means less access to the parks for everyone else. (Northern Vancouver Island Tourism/Steven Fines)
Reservations for some B.C. Parks camp sites are now open. (File photo)

‘Just went crazy:’ Group gets lots of interest in random camping on public land

Parks Canada has said campgrounds in national parks will remain closed until at least June 21

Reservations for some B.C. Parks camp sites are now open. (File photo)
Climbing in Bugaboo Provincial Park in 2019 (File) British Columbia.

Only British Columbians allowed to camp in provincial parks this summer amid COVID-19

The residency restriction matches similar initiatives by Alta. and Sask.

Climbing in Bugaboo Provincial Park in 2019 (File) British Columbia.
Richmond Boy Scouts enjoy a photo op at last summer’s Pacific Jamboree at Camp Barnard. The camp has hit hard times with the coronavirus epidemic. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Coronavirus restrictions will keep thousands from Vancouver Island summer camp

Scouts won’t be making traditional visit to Camp Barnard in Sooke this summer

Richmond Boy Scouts enjoy a photo op at last summer’s Pacific Jamboree at Camp Barnard. The camp has hit hard times with the coronavirus epidemic. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Camping in Jasper National Park. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)

Parks Canada extends closures until at least end of May

The agency is suspending camping, group activities and events across the country

Camping in Jasper National Park. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)
Jasper Sunshine lives full time in his camperized cube van. He said he knows many people living a similar lifestyle that are struggling without access to recreation centres, public libraries, coffee shops and restaurants to do things like take showers and connect with others. (Black Press Media file photo)

Full-time campers face various struggles amidst COVID-19

One camper advises others to find a way to work together

Jasper Sunshine lives full time in his camperized cube van. He said he knows many people living a similar lifestyle that are struggling without access to recreation centres, public libraries, coffee shops and restaurants to do things like take showers and connect with others. (Black Press Media file photo)
A petition is underway to stop the Regional District of Nanaimo from adopting a bylaw that would allow homeless people camp overnight in designated parks. (File photo)

Petition underway to stop bylaw on homeless camping in Regional District of Nanaimo

‘Canadians are known for their meekness but this time we need to have a voice’

A petition is underway to stop the Regional District of Nanaimo from adopting a bylaw that would allow homeless people camp overnight in designated parks. (File photo)