B.C. to Implement $20 Fee for Out-of-Province Campers, Starting May 15
Beginning May 15, 2026, visitors from outside British Columbia will face an additional $20 fee for booking campsites in the province's most popular parks. This move has sparked debate among hikers and experts, who question its fairness and timing.
The fee will be applied at 59 high-demand front-country campgrounds and four backcountry parks, charged once per booking. BC Parks is also increasing base camping fees for all visitors, with front-country site fees ranging from $5 to $51 per party per night and backcountry sites from $5 to $25 per person per night.
The province argues that the new fee will help cover rising park costs without significantly increasing prices for residents. However, some, like Calgarian Ferrell Beleshko, who has hiked in both Alberta and B.C. for decades, express concern about the potential to divide visitors. Beleshko questions the decision to target non-residents, suggesting an underlying intention to create a divide.
According to B.C.'s Ministry of Environment and Parks, Albertans accounted for about 10% of park bookings in 2024 and 2025, while non-residents made up about 25%. The ministry estimates the non-resident fee will generate approximately $1.6 million this season.
The province attributes the fee to the increasing demand for park visits, which have risen by about 30% over the past six years, surpassing 27 million visitors annually. Rising maintenance costs and damage from extreme weather further strain park infrastructure.
Daniel Scott, a professor at the University of Waterloo and research chair in sustainable tourism, notes a trend in popular destinations using new visitor levies to raise revenue. He points to the United States, where some national parks have introduced a $100 surcharge per foreign visitor, but only for non-Americans. Scott questions the fairness of applying a non-resident surcharge to Canadians from other provinces, especially at a time when governments are reducing interprovincial barriers.
Despite the controversy, B.C.'s Ministry of Environment and Parks assures that the surcharge is not intended to discourage visitors. The agency emphasizes its commitment to fairness and accessibility for local residents, aiming to raise funds without significantly impacting B.C. residents' camping experiences. It expresses confidence that the surcharge will not deter visitors from exploring provincial parks.
Despite his personal reservations, Ferrell Beleshko plans to continue his camping trips to B.C., unaffected by the new fee. The debate surrounding the fee's fairness and impact continues, inviting further discussion and commentary.
