BC Parks announces fee increases starting March 15th 2015

Well, in case you didn't see my fit of outrage on Facebook in regards to the increase in park fees, check it out here:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/camping-fees-in-b-c-provincial-parks-to-rise-1.2929308

I understand that everything goes up in price. In the last month my hydro and daycare have gone up in price. So add camping fees to the mix, sure thing.

 Places like Bear Creek went up a whopping $5 a night. Others show a $2-$3 increase per night.

Let's compare:

Bear Creek Provincial Park - $35 a night (includes showers, washrooms, picnic table and firepit use on OK Lake) This is LOW and HIGH season. This is all sites  and includes tenters and rvers.

Banbury Greens, Kaleden, BC - on Skaha Lake.
Tents:
Low Season: $30.00 per night + Tax
High Season: $45.00 per night + Tax
RVs/Trailers etc:
Low Season: $40.00 per night + Tax
High Season: $55.00 per night + Tax
This includes everything above - showers, washrooms, picnic table, firepit. PLUS... power, water and in some cases, sewer.

Instead of hitting up Bear Creek this year, I will opt to stay local. Penticton.

The last increase in camping fees across the province was in 2010. I guess we were due for one. Kettle River increased their fees by $7 last year to accommodate the renovations they underwent over the last 2 years. Kettle River has now rose from $28 a night to $30 a night.

Here are a few more local campgrounds that reflect the new rates:

- Allison Lake - $18.00
- Bear Creek - $35.00
- Bromley Rock - $23.00
- Conkle Lake - $18.00
- Ellison - $32.00
- Fintry - $32.00
- Kettle River - $30.00
- Okanagan Falls - $23.00
- Okanagan North and South - $35.00
- Otter Lake - $23.00
- Stemwinder - $18.00

Are you considering headed out early on a Friday morning to "try your luck" getting a spot at Bromley Rock on the Similkameen River?? For $23.00 a night? A pull in/back in spot RIGHT on the highway with no showers, no flush toilets, no amenities, small cramped sites. Sure, some sites are reservable but there if you drive a trailer or motorhome over 22', you cannot book these sites.

How about this instead... $31-35 a night gets you a campsite that you can reserve a head of time. It includes showers, flush toilets, free wifi, free firewood, power, water, some sewer sites, a small store with ice, free morning coffee and a playground. This is Gold Mountain Campground just outside of Hedley. Where you can set up camp and then take a day trip out to swim at Bromley Rock.

One might argue that with the drop in gas prices, we can afford these campground increases. True, true. I also think that we need to search out privately owned campgrounds as options too. Weigh the options and support the local guys.

One thing is for certain. I wish BC Parks would consider seasons passes or frequent camper discount cards. Seniors have a reduced rate. Why can't families have an option like this?

I welcome your feedback.