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B.C. Closes Provincial Campgrounds to Non-Residents

As does Alberta and Saskatchewan

In support of staying local and avoiding unnecessary travel during the covid-19 pandemic, B.C. residents will be given preferential access for the 2020 camping season. Non-BC residents with Reservations made by non-residents after the system reopens on May 25th may be subject to immediate cancellation.⁠ For more information visit here. The news shouldn’t be a surprise as provinces are working to keep their residents close to home.

Alberta and Saskatchewan made similar announcements, the Alberta Parks website says: “Government and parks’ staff are working hard to make our campsites available as soon as possible so that Albertans can enjoy our parks again while adhering to current health orders. Again, at this time, sites are open to Albertans only. We anticipate opening more campsites as we get more staff in place with the proper protective gear.” The Saskatchewan Parks website says: ” Camping in provincial parks will be restricted to Saskatchewan residents starting June 1, until further notice.”

A number of climber’s campgrounds are located in provincial parks, such The Chief in Squamish and Applebee in the Bugaboos. Huts operated by the Alpine Club of Canada are also located in provincial parks, but the huts have been closed until at least June 13. See below for a statement from the ACC.

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Discover Camping’s online reservation system and call centre will be available to accept new reservations beginning May 25 at 7:00 am PT. ⁠ ⁠ When the system opens on May 25, visitors will be able to book reservations for arrival dates up to July 25.⁠ ⁠ In support of staying local and avoiding unnecessary travel, BC residents will be given preferential access for the 2020 camping season. Non-BC residents with existing reservations should contact the call centre prior to June 15 to receive a full refund. Reservations made by non-residents after the system reopens on May 25th may be subject to immediate cancellation.⁠ ⁠ Be sure to gather your DC login information, preferred campsite numbers, and method of payment so you’re ready when booking opens.⁠ ⁠ See link in bio for more information on Discover Camping or check the BC Parks website.⁠ Happy camping!⁠ ⁠ #BCParks #staylocal #InThisTogether⁠

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Alpine Club of Canada Huts

On March 13, 2020, The Alpine Club of Canada made the difficult decision to suspend all backcountry hut operations until June 13 due to the covid-19 pandemic. Please know that we’re doing everything that we can to get our backcountry huts reopened in the safest way possible as soon as we can.

On May 1, we announced that, until further notice, we will not be accepting new reservations as we plan and prepare to implement Health Canada guidelines and protocols in our backcountry huts. We’re committed to operating our hut network safely and we are reassessing our guidelines for hut use. We ask for your patience as we put these new policies and guidelines into place.

If you have a current hut booking that will be affected by the new guidelines we’re working on, we’ll reach out to you soon with more information. Otherwise, stay tuned for future announcements. Thank you and stay safe.

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