When: March 27th-29th
Where: Bear Creek Provincial Park
Who: 2 adults, 2 teenagers, 2 kids, 2 dogs and a couple visitors
The excitement *may* have been similar to Christmas Eve in our house on Thursday evening. Kids had all of their worldly possessions packed. Food was prepared. The last few items on the list were ready to be ticked off in the morning.
Our original plan was to leave Penticton at 6am so that we could be there for 7am when the gates opened for the first time of the season. Once I crawled into bed at 11pm, I has second thoughts. Instead I shut my alarm off and knew the kids would wake me up.
We left the house around 7:30. We rolled into Bear Creek at 8:30am - anxious and excited to pick a spot! I quickly scanned the area. One vehicle in a spot with a couple setting up a tent. Good timing! We were 1/2 way around the first turn when we were met by Patrick, the camp facilitator. He greeted us with a warm smile and pointed out that 3 sites were already reserved and paid for at 7am. He, like us, had also contemplated whether there would be anyone sitting at the gates at 7. He said there was 3 people in line. He was quick to remind us that camp fees went up to $35 a night, sani was still at $5 and extra vehicles remained at $12 per night. We discussed whether we thought it would be busy, the weather, the best sites for the kids closest to the playgrounds and off we went.
We pulled up to site # 35. It was the best for us. Close to the playground, against the open green space, large enough and close to the bathrooms. I pulled in and paid the man. Then we set up camp!
I absolutely LOVE this campground for kids on bikes. It's flat with lots of speed bumps to slow cars down. There are 3 large loops for the kids to race around. We saw kids on bikes, long boards and scooters. Don't leave home without something for the kids to race around on! You will regret it otherwise.
The weekend was great. The campsites filled up rather quickly. They only had 1 loop open. This was sites 1-44. I really do believe that all sites at Bear Creek are quality sites. They are well spaced with lots of choices in shady, sunny, lake sites or private sites. Some of the doubles are quite small. I wouldn't use doubles - to me they are a waste of money. Get single sites with your friends and family for the same price and way more space. Like I said it last year's review, doubles are NOT made for trailers - or anything with slide outs.... unless you are a slide out and your neighbor is a tent.
One thing that made me very happy to see as I walked my dogs throughout the loops was the amount of people that get "into the spirit" of camping. Campers hung decorations, lights, paper lanterns and neat little decorative stakes into the ground.
Of course the weather wasn't exactly cooperative. We chased every ray of sunshine that we could with our chairs but we wrapped ourselves with blankets around the fire at night. It was damp and chilly. NOTE: when trying to light a fire for the first time of the year in the fire pits at provincial parks, bring in your own DRY wood and dry kindling. We had a heck of a time because the pits are wet and moist and cold and haven't had anything hot inside of it for months.
Regardless of duck poop and crappy weather (both out of our control) we had a good time and made the best of it!
Camp set up:
An interesting tip that I learned this weekend and didn't know. Bikes are free at Provincial Parks. One bike per adult. So you could come in with 5 adults on 5 bikes and put up a few tents and it would all be covered under one cost. Interesting to know!
So for this trip I have to give it a 5.5 /6 stars.
Patrick, our facilitator was friendly, happy and helpful.
The sites are fantastic. The amenities are perfect - playground, shower, bathroom, sani dump, trails, lake.
Location is convenient. Just a few kms off Hwy 97 on Westside Road. Took us about 45 minutes to get there.
VERY pet friendly - I think every campsite had a dog. So many great trails for you to walk your dog. I put 10,000 steps on my fit bit in a day, no problem!
The only downfall to this is the price. :( $35 a night now (plus $5 sani) is steep... especially in shoulder season when you can't utilize 100% of the amenities (the lake). BC Parks really needs to put Bear Creek on its radar for electrical. Especially if it wants to keep jacking up the prices. Private campsites that offer the same beauty and include utilities is now looking much more appealing to me.
Next stop.... Pickard Creek, Hedley, BC - Easter weekend!
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