British Columbia’s wilderness is spectacular, so it’s no surprise that backpacking and backcountry camping are popular. I’ve been backpacking in BC for decades (and I even wrote a book about it), so I’ve put together a complete guide on how to make backcountry camping reservations in BC.
While there are literally hundreds of places to go backpacking in BC without reservations, the most popular spots require advance booking. This post breaks down how to book backcountry campsites in BC Provincial Parks (run by BC Parks), National Parks in BC (run by Parks Canada), and a few independent locations (run by hiking clubs).
I’ve also got tons of helpful tips you can navigate the whole process of booking backcountry camping in BC with ease.
This post includes:
- What is backcountry camping? How is it different from other kinds of camping?
- Backcountry camping in BC Parks – Which parks require reservations and which require permit registrations? And what’s the difference between the two?
- Backcountry camping in Canadian National Parks – How to make reservations for the West Coast Trail, the Rockwall Trail, Banff National Park, and more.
- Backcountry camping at campgrounds run by hiking clubs – How to make reservations at backcountry huts as well as Watersprite Lake and Tenquille Lake
- BC Backcountry camping FAQ – I’ll answer all your questions about booking backcountry camping in BC
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What is Backcountry Camping?
If you’ve never heard the term, you might be wondering: What is backcountry camping?
In the outdoor community, the terms “backcountry” and “frontcountry” are used to mentally separate the outdoors. The backcountry is generally a wilderness area accessed via trails, not roads. The frontcountry is an area of wilderness or nature that is easy to access via road.
Want explanations for more outdoor slang? Check out my list of over 300 hiking terms with definitions.
Frontcountry camping means a drive-in campsite. Backcountry camping is when you hike to your campsite – usually at least 1 km but often much more.
In the frontcountry, campsites often have picnic tables, toilets (flush or pit), as well as water taps or pumps.
In the backcountry, campsites sometimes (but not always) have pit toilets and rarely have picnic tables or other amenities. You will need to collect and filter water from a lake or stream.
If you camp in the backcountry, you need to be prepared to Leave No Trace and practice bear safety.
If you’ve never been backpacking before, read my guide to Backpacking for Beginners. It has lots of tips for getting started. You should also check out my list of 24 Easy Backpacking Trips In BC For Beginners.
Where Do You Want to Go Backpacking?
The first thing you need to do is decide where you want to go backpacking. Find out which park your backcountry campsite is in. In British Columbia, several different organizations regulate backcountry camping.
- BC Parks: Regulates backcountry camping in BC Provincial Parks such as Garibaldi, Cape Scott, Strathcona, Assiniboine, and dozens of others. Click here to jump to the BC Parks section of this post.
- Parks Canada: Regulates backcountry camping in Canadian National Parks including Pacific Rim (West Coast Trail), Banff, Yoho, and several others. Click here to jump to the Parks Canada section of this post.
- Hiking clubs: In a few places, hiking clubs are in charge of managing reservations for backcountry campgrounds and huts. Click here to jump to the hiking clubs section of this post.
Backcountry Camping in BC Parks
There are two types of backcountry bookings in BC Parks: reservations and registrations. Understanding the difference between the two can be confusing at first, but I promise, it’s not that complicated.
The short answer is that a reservation reserves a site and is only required at five parks. A registration is basically just paying camping fees and registering that you will be in the park’s backcountry. It does not reserve a site and is required at 29 parks. (Note: registrations are sometimes called permits – BC Parks’ language is not consistent.)
Tons of BC Parks do not require backcountry reservations or registrations – you can just show up! See my How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations post for ideas.
Here’s a chart that explains the differences between reservations and registrations:
| BC Parks Backcountry Reservations | BC Parks Backcountry Permit Registrations | |
|---|---|---|
| Which parks? | Required for Garibaldi, Joffre, Mount Robson (Berg Lake), Bowron Lakes, Manning (Buckhorn, Kicking Horse, and Frosty Creek only), and Assiniboine Provincial Parks | Required for 29 provincial parks including Cape Scott, Chilliwack Lake, Golden Ears, and Juan de Fuca (See below for the full list) |
| Is it a reservation? | Yes. Reserves a site in a specific campground for a specific date(s). Does not reserve a specific site – you choose once you get there. | No. Does not reserve a site (all sites in these parks are first-come, first-served) but does allow you to camp in the backcountry |
| When to book? | Reserve online in advance (up to 4 months in advance for Garibaldi, Joffre, Manning, and Assiniboine – specific dates for Bowron and Berg Lake) | Pay online up to two weeks in advance. (At some parks you can pay with cash and self-register in person. |
| Who do you book for? | Reserve the number of tent pads you need, as well as the number of people in your group. | Purchase a backcountry permit registration for each person in your group. |
| Do they sell out? | Yes. Bookings are limited to the number of tent pads in each campground. Once they are all booked up, it’s full. | No. An unlimited number of permit registrations are available for each park. |
| How much? | The reservation fee is $6 per night per tent pad, up to a max of $18. You must also pay $5-10 per person per night for camping fees. | Camping fees are $5-10 per person per night and vary by park. |
| Max booking size? | Maximum two tents and four people per tent pad. Maximum three tent pads per reservation. | No restrictions on the number of tents or people |
| More info | Jump to the BC Parks Backcountry Reservations section of this post | Jump to the BC Parks Backcountry Permit Registration section of this post |
How to Make BC Parks Backcountry Reservations
If you want to stay at Garibaldi, Joffre, Mount Assiniboine, Bowron, some campgrounds at Manning Park, and Mount Robson (Berg Lake) Provincial Parks, you must make a reservation. There are no first-come, first-served, stand-by or overflow sites.
Looking to plan a trip to these parks? Here’s some info to get you started:
- My Joffre Lakes hiking guide, my Elfin Lakes hiking guide, and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia has everything you need to know to backpack in Joffre, Manning, and Garibaldi Provincial Parks
- My Berg Lake Trail guide has a complete overview of this gorgeous 23 km trail
- My Bowron Lakes guide has info on this epic 110 km canoe circuit
- My huge Mount Assiniboine hiking guide has info on planning trips to the Assiniboine core area via six different approach routes.
To make reservations, go to camping.bcparks.ca. Select “Backcountry” from the blue bar at the top and then select “Backcountry Reservation” (or “Canoe Circuit” for Bowron reservations). On mobile, you will need to use the small > to scroll to the right to see these options.
Here are a few tips and tricks to know about BC Parks backcountry reservations:
- The reservation site is MUCH easier to use on desktop so avoid mobile if you can. Test out the site ahead of time to get familiar with it. You can also book by phone, but it costs more and you will wait on hold for a long time.
- Pay attention to reservation opening dates. As of 2024, reservations for Garibaldi, Joffre, Assiniboine, Manning (Buckhorn, Kicking Horse, and Frosty Creek) and Mount Robson (Kinney Lake only) open at 7 am PT 4 months before your trip. Bowron has its own reservation date (October 24, 2023). See my 2024 backpacking reservation dates guide for more info.
- For a better chance at getting the reservation date you want, have everyone in your group online trying to book sites as soon as reservations open. Use a text thread to communicate.
- If you log on to the site at 7 am and all the sites are gone, don’t freak out. Reservations are held in people’s carts for 15 minutes. At about 7:15(ish) some of the sites will become available again as people didn’t complete the check-out process.
- You can book more than one consecutive night at once. For example, if you want to arrive on July 25 and stay for 4 nights, you can reserve all 4 nights starting on March 25.
- Weekends in July and August are the most popular. To ensure you get a weekend, try starting your trip on a Friday (or even a Thursday) so you can make your booking a day or two earlier.
- You need to set up an account on the BC Parks site to make reservations. Make one in advance so you don’t waste time on the day reservations open.
- At some times of year (spring, fall, winter) reservations are not required or the park may be closed to backcountry camping in the winter. Check the park website for details – the reservation website may not have clear info.
- When you make your reservation, you are booking the number of tent pads you need (up to 3) and the number of people in your group (up to 4 people per tent pad). The tent pads vary in size but are small. Plan to fit one 3- or 4-person tent on each pad or two 1- or 2-person tents.
- Your reservation guarantees you a tent pad, but you can’t book a specific campsite. You will need to choose an empty site when you arrive.
- Note: Bowron reservations are quite different. For Bowron, you reserve your start date for the full canoe circuit or the west side only. You don’t reserve specific campgrounds. See my Bowron Lakes guide for more details.
- In Garibaldi, Manning, and Assiniboine you can book an itinerary that includes more than one campground.
- Under BC Park’s policies, you are not allowed to change the reservation holder or sell your reservation to someone else. If you do, your reservation will be void.
- Your reservation info will be sent to you by email. It often gets stuck in your spam folder. You need to bring a copy of your reservation with you when you come to the park. You can print it out or carry a screenshot on your phone. Park rangers may ask to see it.
BC Parks Backcountry Camping and Reservation Fees
Camping fees in Garibaldi, Mount Robson and Assiniboine Provincial Parks:
- $10/night for adults (16 and older)
- $5/night for kids (6-15)
- Free for kids 5 and under
Camping fees in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park and Manning Provincial Park:
- $5/night per person (6 and older)
- Free for kids 5 and under
Reservation fees for all parks:
- $6/tent pad/night up to a max of $18 per tent pad
Didn’t Get the Dates You Wanted? Check Cancellations!
Since BC Parks doesn’t let you sell or transfer reservations, there are lots of cancellations. Check the system regularly to see if anything becomes available.
You can also signup for Schnerp or Campnab. These sites scan reservation sites for you and sends you an email or text if something becomes available for your dates and campgrounds. Read my guide to camping cancellation apps for my full review of both apps. Spoiler: one gets you more for your money.
Or use my list of places to go backpacking in BC without reservations and plan an awesome trip somewhere else.
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How to Get a BC Parks Backcountry Registration Permit
As of 2024, BC Parks Backcountry Registration Permits are required at 29 provincial parks. Here’s the list of parks where you need to get a backcountry permit:
- Akamina-Kishinena (Rockies)
- Bugaboo (Kootenays)
- Cape Scott (Vancouver Island) – Read my Cape Scott and North Coast Trail guides and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island for more info
- Cathedral (Okanagan) – See my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia, for backpacking trip info
- Desolation Sound (Sunshine Coast – water access only)
- Dionisio Point (Gulf Islands – water access only)
- Discovery Island (Gulf Islands – water access only)
- E.C. Manning (Vancouver area) – Note: backcountry registration permits apply to all campgrounds except Buckhorn, Kicking Horse, and Frosty Creek, which require reservations. See my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia, for backpacking trip info
- Elk Lakes (Rockies)
- Golden Ears (Vancouver area) – See my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia, for backpacking trip info
- Halkett Bay (Vancouver area – water access only)
- Inland Lake (Sunshine Coast)
- Jedediah Island (Gulf Islands – water access only)
- Juan de Fuca (Vancouver Island) – See my Juan de Fuca Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island for more info
- Kokanee Glacier (Kootenays)
- Main Lake (Gulf Islands)
- Monashee (Okanagan)
- Mount Robson (Rockies) – Note: backcountry registration permits apply only to the less popular Fitzwilliam Trail and Moose River Route – you need a reservation for the Berg Lake Trail. See my Berg Lake Trail guide for more info
- Pilot Bay (Kootenays)
- Pirate’s Cove (Gulf Islands – water access only)
- Raft Cove (Vancouver Island) – See my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island, for more info
- S⨱ótsaqel / Chilliwack Lake (Vancouver Area) – See my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia, for backpacking trip info
- Strathcona (Vancouver Island) – See my Della Falls Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island, for more info
- Top of the World (Rockies)
- Tweedmuir South (Chilcotin)
- Wallace Island (Gulf Islands – water access only)
- Wells Gray (Thompson-Okanagan)
- Whiteswan Lake (Kootenays)
To make reservations, go to camping.bcparks.ca. Select “Backcountry” from the blue bar at the top and then select “Backcountry Registration” On mobile, you will need to use the small “>” to scroll to the right to see these options.
Here are a few tips and tricks to know about BC Parks backcountry registration permits:
- The reservation site is MUCH easier to use on desktop so avoid mobile if you can. You can also pay by phone, but it costs more and you will wait on hold for a long time.
- You can buy your backcountry registration permit online up to two weeks before your trip. If you try to buy one earlier than that, it won’t be available for purchase.
- At some parks, you can self-register and pay in-person with cash. However, this is not available at all parks so it is best to do it online.
- When you register you will need to give your arrival and departure dates and select a park entry and exit point. This is just for park information gathering and safety in case you go missing – it is not an enforced itinerary. (BUT your backcountry permit doesn’t replace a trip plan, which you should always leave with a friend.)
- At some times of year (spring, fall, winter) registration permits are not required or the park may be closed to backcountry camping. Check the park website for details – the reservation website may not have clear info.
- A backcountry permit does NOT guarantee you a campsite. It is just a way of paying backcountry camping fees. There is no limit on the number of backcountry permits sold. All campsites are first-come, first-served.
- Under BC Park’s policies, you are not allowed to change the registration permit holder or sell your permit to someone else. If you do, your permit will be void.
- Your permit info will be sent to you by email. It often gets stuck in your spam folder. You need to bring a copy of your permit with you when you come to the park. You can print it out or carry a screenshot on your phone. Park rangers may ask to see it.
BC Parks Backcountry Registration Permit Fees
Camping fees vary by park. They are typically:
- $5-10/night for adults (16 and older)
- $5/night for kids (6-15)
- Free for kids 5 and under
Backcountry Camping in Canadian National Parks
There are several Canadian National Parks in British Columbia that offer backcountry camping. With very few exceptions, you must make reservations to backcountry camp in National Parks.
Here’s a run-down of the Canadian National Parks in (and near) British Columbia with backcountry camping:
- Banff National Park – 51 backcountry campgrounds spread across the park (requires reservations) and two large random camping areas (first-come, first-served – requires wilderness permit)
- Glacier National Park – Hermit Meadows (requires reservations) and Sir Donald (first-come, first-served – requires wilderness permit)
- Gulf Islands National Park Reserve – Narvaez Bay on Saturna Island (requires reservations) and several other water-access-only locations (first-come, first-served, no permits)
- Jasper National Park – 88 backcountry campgrounds including the Skyline Trail spread across the park (requires reservations)
- Kootenay National Park – Rockwall Trail (requires reservations)
- Mount Revelstoke National Park – Eva and Jade Lakes (requires reservations)
- Pacific Rim National Park Reserve – West Coast Trail, Keeha Beach, Broken Group Island (requires reservations)
- Yoho National Park – Lake O’Hara, Iceline, Yoho Valley (requires reservations)
- Waterton National Park – 10 backcountry campgrounds across the park (requires reservations)
How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in Canadian National Parks
To make reservations, go to reservation.pc.gc.ca. Select “Backcountry” from the green bar at the top. On mobile, you will need to use the small “>” to scroll to the right to see this option.
At the next step, you have a choice between “Backcountry”, “Backcountry Zone”, and “West Coast Trail”. Check the park drop-down to figure out if the park you want is under “Backcountry” or “Backcountry Zone”.
Here are a few tips and tricks to know about Canadian National Park backcountry reservations:
- The reservation site is MUCH easier to use on desktop so avoid mobile if you can. Test out the site ahead of time to get familiar with it. You can also book by phone, but you will wait on hold for a long time and the reservation fee is a bit higher.
- Pay attention to reservation opening dates. Each park has its own reservation opening date, typically in January or February. (Note: In 2024, reservations open in mid-January and early February). See my BC backpacking reservation dates guide for a full run-down of dates.
- Pay attention to reservation opening times. Reservations open at 8 am local time in the time zone that the park is in. So for example, West Coast Trail reservations (Pacific Rim National Park) open at 8 am Pacific time while Rockwall Trail reservations (Kootenay National Park) open at 8 am Mountain time.
- You need to set up an account on the Parks Canada site to make reservations. Make one in advance so you don’t waste time on the day reservations open.
- On the date that reservations open, make sure you are online and logged in to your account 15-20 minutes early. Anyone who is on the site before reservations go live will be randomly placed in a queue. If you log on to the site after reservations go live, you will be at the back of the line.
- For a better chance at getting the reservation date you want, have everyone in your group online trying to book sites the day that reservations open. Use a text thread to communicate and see who gets the best place in the queue.
- Use as many devices and browsers as you can. The system lets you try for a reservation on multiple computers, tablets, and phones. You can also use different browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Safari) in both regular and incognito/private mode. Each device and browser will get its own place in the queue.
- Weekends in July and August are the most popular. To ensure you get a weekend, try starting your trip on a Friday (or even a Thursday) so you can make your booking a day or two earlier.
- At some times of the year (spring, fall, winter) backcountry camping is closed so you won’t be able to make reservations.
- Have your first choice of campgrounds available, as well as some backup options. As well, you need to know your entry and exit trailheads.
- For most parks, when you make your reservation, you are booking the number of tent pads you need (up to 3) and the number of people in your group (up to 4 people per tent pad). The tent pads vary in size but are small – they will fit up to a 4-person tent. Parks Canada regulations only allow one tent per pad. Your reservation guarantees you a tent pad, but you can’t book a specific campsite. You will need to choose an empty site when you arrive. (Note: This isn’t the case for Gulf Islands National Park Reserve – there you book a specific campsite.)
- Note: West Coast Trail reservations are quite different. For the WCT, you reserve your start date and starting trailhead. You don’t reserve specific campgrounds.
- Under Parks Canada’s policies, you are allowed to change the reservation holder BUT you are not allowed to sell your reservation to someone else. If you do, your reservation will be void.
- Your reservation info will be sent to you by email. It often gets stuck in your spam folder. You need to bring a copy of your reservation with you when you come to the park. You can print it out or carry a screenshot on your phone. Park rangers may ask to see it.
Canadian National Parks Backcountry Camping and Reservation Fees
Camping fees vary by location. In general, backcountry camping fees in Canadian National Parks are $10-18/person/night. Reservation fees are $11.50 per reservation regardless of the number of nights.
In most parks, you will also need to purchase a National Park entry pass. Passes cost about $10/person/day or $20/day for groups in the same car. It is often more economical to purchase a Parks Canada Discovery Pass, an annual pass that gives you access to all National Parks in Canada for one year.
Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group
Didn’t Get the Dates You Wanted? Check Cancellations!
Since you have to book so far in advance, there are usually lots of cancellations. Check the system regularly to see if anything becomes available.
You can also signup for Schnerp or Campnab. These sites scan reservation sites for you and sends you an email or text if something becomes available for your dates and campgrounds. Read my guide to camping cancellation apps for my full review of both apps. Spoiler: one gets you more for your money.
Or use my list of places to go backpacking in BC without reservations and plan an awesome trip somewhere else.
How to Get First-Come, First-Served Wilderness Permits for Backcountry Camping in Canadian National Parks
Almost all backcountry camping in Canadian National Parks in BC requires reservations. The only places that do not require reservations and have first-come, first-served wilderness permits are:
- Sir Donald campground in Glacier National Park
- Designated random camping zones in Banff National Park
Both Sir Donald and the random camping zones in Banff are most often used by mountaineers or people on long-distance, remote expeditions to climb mountains. They are not common backpacking destinations.
To obtain a wilderness permit for these area areas you must get one in-person. For Sir Donald, visit the Illecillewaet campground kiosk. For Banff, head to the Banff or Lake Louise Visitor Centres.
Backcountry Reservations at BC Campgrounds Run by Hiking Clubs
There are a few places in BC with reservable campgrounds run by hiking clubs. They each have their own reservation dates and policies.
There are also several dozen backcountry huts in BC run by clubs with their own reservation dates and policies. See my post about Backcountry Huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies for full details.
As of 2024, there are two reservable backcountry campgrounds in BC run by hiking clubs:
- Watersprite Lake near Squamish, run by the BC Mountaineering Club;
- Tenquille Lake near Pemberton by the Pemberton Wildlife Association
You can find details for backpacking to both Watersprite Lake and Tenquille Lake in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.
Both locations use the same booking software and have the same booking process. Here are some tips and tricks:
- Book online via the BCMC Watersprite Lake or Pemberton Wildlife Association Tenquille Lake sites. The sites are a bit easier to use on desktop.
- Pay attention to reservation opening dates. As of 2024, reservations open at midnight 60 days before the first day of your trip. See my 2024 backpacking reservation dates guide for more info.
- Weekends in July and August are the most popular. To ensure you get a weekend, try starting your trip on a Friday (or even a Thursday) so you can make your booking a day or two earlier.
- At some times of year (spring, fall, winter) reservations are not required. However, that usually means the campground will be very snowy.
- When you make your reservation, you are booking the number of tent pads you need (up to 3) and the number of people in your group (up to 4 people per tent pad). The tent pads vary in size but are small. Plan to fit one 3- or 4-person tent on each pad or two 1- or 2-person tents.
- Your reservation guarantees you a tent pad, but you can’t book a specific campsite. You will need to choose an empty site when you arrive.
- Under their policies, you are not allowed to change the reservation holder or sell your reservation to someone else. If you do, your reservation will be void.
- Your reservation info will be sent to you by email. It often gets stuck in your spam folder. You need to bring a copy of your reservation with you when you come to the park. You can print it out or carry a screenshot on your phone. The campground host may ask to see it.
- If you don’t get a spot, check back for cancellations.
BC Backcountry Camping FAQ
Do you have questions about backcountry camping reservations in BC? I put together this BC backcountry camping FAQ for you!
Sites in National Parks can be booked in January and February. (See my BC Backcountry reservation dates post for exact dates for each park and see the Parks Canada section above for more info.) Reservable sites in provincial parks can be booked 4 months before your trip. You can pay for a permit for first-come, first-served sites in provincial parks up to 2 weeks before your trip. (See the BC Parks section above for more info.)
Yes! Most backcountry campsites in BC parks do not require reservations. As well, there are lots of places to backcountry camp outside of parks. See my guide to backpacking in BC without reservations for more info.
Visit the BC Parks reservation site four months before the first day of your trip. See the BC Parks section above for tips on how to get a backcountry reservation.
Prices vary by park, but in general, it costs $5 to $10 per person per night. In parks that require reservations, you will also need to pay a reservation fee of $6 per tent pad.
Use an app like Campnab or Schnerp to let you know the minute there is some availability. My guide to camping cancellation apps explains how they work and which one is better.
So that’s everything you need to know about how to make backcountry camping reservations in BC at provincial parks, national parks, and campgrounds run by hiking clubs. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments. I’m happy to help!
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Jake
Monday 26th of February 2024
Do you have any tips for being on the system in time to book the camp sites that book right away (like garibaldi)? Should I be on a certain page right at 7am?
Taryn Eyton
Tuesday 27th of February 2024
You need to be on the BC Parks site ready book right at 7am. I recommend practicing making your booking (click through all the steps all the way up to checkout but don't checkout) so you know what to expect when it comes times to book.
Barry A.
Tuesday 28th of November 2023
In the parks, are all the tent sites [pads] wooden platforms, or are there places where you can set your tent up on the ground itself?
Taryn Eyton
Tuesday 28th of November 2023
It really varies by location. In some places there are wooden tent platforms, in others there are packed dirt tent pads. In some places there are a mix.