Majority of B.C. Parks Anticipated to Open Next Week

All Provincial Parks in B.C. remain closed at this time, but many will be open once again on Thursday, May 14th.

As part of the B.C. Government’s Restart Plan, BC Parks staff will return to work to operate the provincial parks. The re-opening also includes provincially protected areas and marine parks.

The B.C. Government has made a list of all provincial parks that are currently closed to the public, with status updates and anticipate opening dates.

More: Provincial Parks Affected by COVID-19 (BC Parks)

BC Parks said most campgrounds and backcountry camping will open on June 1st as well. The Discover Camping reservation system will begin accepting camping reservations and be back up and running online as of 8:00 am MT on Monday, May 25th.

“We’ll do everything we can to ensure parks are safe, but visitors are reminded they are responsible for their own safety and to practice physical distancing by giving extra space when passing people on trails and in parking lots and practicing appropriate hygiene,” said BC Parks.

“In keeping with public health guidelines around non-essential travel, people are urged to only visit a park close to their home and avoid travelling to small communities. Some parks will remain closed at this time.”

Notable closures that will remain in effect for the Kootenay-Okanagan Region include the following, but many others are also closed:

  • Boundary Creek Provincial Park
  • Bugaboo Provincial Park
  • Champion Lakes Provincial Park
  • Cody Caves Provincial Park
  • Dry Gulch Provincial Park
  • Jewel Lake Provincial Park
  • Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park
  • Kootenay Lake Provincial Park
  • Nancy Greene Provincial Park
  • Ram Creek Ecological Reserve
  • Summit Lake Provincial Park
  • Top of the World Provincial Park
  • Yahk Provincial Park

“We are all in this together, and we are counting on everyone to do their part so our parks can stay open,” added BC Parks.

Additional information on closures from Recreation Sites and Trails BC can also be found online.

More: Recreation Sites Affected by COVID-19 (Recreation Sites and Trails BC)

Bradley Jones
Bradley Jones
Delivering local news and sports in the East Kootenay since April 2016, Bradley now calls Cranbrook home. Born and raised in Airdrie, AB, Bradley graduated from Lethbridge College, and has been a journalist, news anchor and reporter since 2014. Bradley took on local News Director responsibilities when he moved to Cranbrook in 2016. He is now Vista Radio's Kootenay News Director, managing and overseeing all news operations at the company's five regional radio stations in Cranbrook, Creston, Nelson, Castlegar, and Grand Forks.

Continue Reading

chnv Now playing play

ckkc Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Puck drop date set for KIJHL season

The puck will drop on the 2025-26 KIJHL regular season on Friday, September 19, when the league’s 21 teams each embark on a 44-game schedule.

Council votes to bring Baker Street market back downtown

Following months of community debate and vendor frustration, Nelson’s Wednesday farmers market will return to it’s longtime home on Baker Street next week (July 16). 

Report makes six recommendations on event safety after Lapu Lapu festival tragedy

A report commissioned by the B.C. government after a deadly attack at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver makes a number of recommendations to improve security at public events.

B.C. SPCA welcomes proposed ban on exotic cats

The B.C. SPCA is welcoming proposed regulations from the B.C. government to ban all exotic cat species. 

RCMP seeking two men after explosion outside MLA Bowinn Ma’s North Van office

RCMP have released images of two men they believe were involved in an explosion last month in North Vancouver, which damaged the front door of the building housing the constituency office of B.C. NDP MLA and cabinet minister Bowinn Ma.
- Advertisement -