ESSENTIALS - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 762

CAMPING
Almost every town in British Columbia and the Yukon has at least one campground, often
with showers and water, electricity, and sewer hookups. Prices range $15-30 in smaller
towns, up to $60 in the cities and more popular tourist destinations such as Tofino and the
Okanagan Valley. If you're planning a summer trip to Vancouver, Vancouver Island, the
Sunshine Coast, Whistler, or the Okanagan Valley, try to book in advance. At other times
and places, advance reservations aren't usually necessary.
National parks provide some of the nicest campgrounds. All have picnic tables, fire
grates, toilets, and fresh drinking water, although only some provide showers. Prices range
$14-28 depending on facilities and services. They are all open through summer, with some
parks having one area designated for winter camping. A percentage of sites can be re-
served through the Parks Canada Campground Reservation Service (877/737-3783,
www.pccamping.ca ) . Backcountry camping in a national park costs $8 per person per night.
Nearly 14,000 campsites lie scattered through 11,000 campsites in 300 provincial parks.
Rates range $16-38 a night depending on facilities, most of which are basic (only a very
few provincial park campgrounds have hookups). Reserve a spot at most popular pro-
vincial parks through BC Parks' Discover Camping (519/826-6850 or 800/689-9025,
www.discovercamping.ca ) reservation system. Reservations are taken between March 15
and September 15 for dates up to three months in advance. The reservation fee is $6 per
night, to a maximum of $19 per stay, and is in addition to applicable camping fees.
Camping in the province's over 1,400 Forest Service Campgrounds costs $8-10 per
site per night, which is collected on-site. For a list of site locations, visit
www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca .
Commercial and provincial park campgrounds are listed in Tourism BC's invaluable Ac-
commodations guide, available at all information centers, online at www.hellobc.com , or
by calling 250/387-1642 or 800/435-5622.
Tips for Travelers
VISAS AND OFFICIALDOM
Entry into Canada
To enter Canada, a passport, passport card, or NEXUS card is required by citizens
and permanent residents of the United States. For further information, see the website ht-