Sea to Sky to benefit from first wave of new BC Parks campsites in 2017

West Vancouver – Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy announced Thursday at the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park that the Sea to Sky region would be one of the first communities to benefit from a wave of new campsites announced by the provincial government in November last year.

The region will see 52 additional campsites available for users this year; 32 at Chek Canyon recreation site and 20 new back-country sites in Garibaldi Provincial Park.

In a release the government says that the construction of campsites ‘also includes any associated infrastructure, such as roads, water and sewer expansion, electrical upgrades, outhouse facilities and shower and toilet buildings.’ New developments will also include accessible designs. Recreation site expansions will include associated roads, campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, signage and outhouse facilities.

In addition to the announcement of new sites for 2017, officials also have The Stawamus Chief Provincial Park earmarked for expansion. It’s estimated there were around 350,000 day use visits, and over 100,000 vehicles to the site last year. John Hawkings, Director of Recreation Sites and Trails BC says usage has increased throughout the region; “its not just the [Stawamus] Chief, we’re seeing increased usage from all over the Sea to Sky corridor, and camping is obviously a huge demand in the spring, summer and even fall now.”

A new parking lot with approximately 40 spaces is planned for the Stawamus Chief campsite, with a goal of having 90 total spaces available for campers. Along with additional parking, officials hope to add more campsites as well as a new communal shelter.

Ron Goldston, Section Head, Recreation – South Coast Region says this year they will be working on improving the water system to cater to the proposed new campsites in the park. The new campsites should then be available for use in 2018. He says they have worked with the Squamish Access Society to find out what is needed in the park that is heavily frequented by climbers.

Hawkings says they will also likely be looking at investing about $500,000 to increase camping opportunities in the Squamish Valley over the next three years.

Five new Park Rangers will be hired for the Fraser Valley, North Vancouver, Squamish and Powell River-Northern Sunshine Coast region.