Parks Canada will open bookings in early January for popular campsites

It may be hard to think of the joys of camping in the great outdoors just yet, but Parks Canada has set two dates in early January when it will be taking the first online and phone bookings for popular West Coast camping sites.

Booking begins Jan. 3 at 8 a.m. for the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, which has a mix of drivein campgrounds and backcountry ones, including sites by the ocean at Sidney Spit and on Pender and Saturna islands.

In 2017, there was a 22 per cent increase in camping in the Gulf Islands reserve, so would-be visitors are encouraged to secure popular, long-weekend times in advance.

Also available in some locations are oTENTiks, a cross between a tent and a rustic cabin, complete with beds and Wi-Fi, for those who prefer glamping in nature.

Fort Rodd Hill and the Fisgard Lighthouse sites on Vancouver Island, in particular, have oTENTiks with a spectacular location that will be taking reservations on this day.

On Jan. 8 at 8 a.m. the race begins for grand-prize sites at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on the west coast of the Island.

The Green Point campground, overlooking Long Beach, has sought-after oTENTiks. This year, instead of opening in May, this site will open March 8 in time for campers to participate in the annual Pacific Rim Whale Festival, when grey whales will migrate right past this area.

Also different this year is the fact reservations for sites in the reserve’s Broken Group Islands will be taken. This will allow boaters who love travelling into this destination, with camping areas on seven different islands, to guarantee their spots.

Of course, aficionados from all over the world will be hammering their keyboards in hopes of snagging site bookings on the stunning West Coast Trail for experienced hikers.

Go to reservation.pc.gc.ca or call 1-877-RESERVE to make bookings.