Camping fees in B.C. provincial parks to rise

The cost of camping in B.C.'s provincial parks is set to go up in March, with sites costing between $2 and $5 more per night.

"By increasing user fees in campgrounds, campers who use the parks system are helping to keep it sustainable for future generations to enjoy," B.C. Minister of Environment Mary Polak said in a government issued news release.

Jane Seagrave, the author of Camping British Columbia and Yukon, doesn't think the new fees will keep people out of campgrounds.

"With the gas prices going down, I actually think more people will be thinking about camping this year, and perhaps going further afield," she told The Early Edition's Rick Cluff.

"The camping in British Columbia is so popular — especially during the school holidays — so I think a lot of people are going to say, 'You know what, this gives us a fantastic opportunity. I don't like the $5 extra I'm paying … but at the same time, I know the campsite, I know it's good, I know I want to go there, my kids like it, I'm just going to swallow that price.'"

The fee increase is expected to bring in $1.3 million — which the government said will go towards maintaining and improving the parks.

The last increase to camping fees was in 2010.

There won't be any increase to fees for sani-stations, mooring buoys, backcountry camping, picnic shelters or group camping. Parking in provincial parks will continue to be free.

To hear the full interview with Jane Seagrave, click the audio labelled: Higher camping fees balanced by lower gas prices.