British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping

Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping<

British Columbia is Canada's third largest province and it covers approximately 952,260 square km (367,660 square mi.), along with 18,000 square km (11,160 square mi.) of inland water.

As a camping and hiking destination British Columbia is arguably one of the most spectacular and beautiful destinations there is. The province is home to the only desert in Canada along with the highest mountains in North America (the Coast Mountains), as well as the highest waterfalls in Canada (the Della Falls), and the 2nd largest granite monolith in the world (the Stawamus Chief), probably the best birdwatching areas in Canada and home to around 25% of the worlds grizzly bears.

British Columbia has 6 national parks and around 400 provincial parks that offer a very large range of camping and hiking options. Amongst this range of choices are at least 50 mountain ranges that include snow-capped mountains, hills and plateaus, lakes fed by glaciers that also feed fast flowing rivers, and the coastline consists of many miles of rugged fiords.

This gives a lot of camping and hiking options from short day hiking to long term back-country expeditions that offers more than 10,000 camp-sites. Whether you like camping in tents or rv-camping there is something for you when you go British-Columbia-Hiking.

The main national parks are Kluane, Yoho, Jsper, Kootenay, Banff, Pacific Rim, Glacier, Waterton Lakes, Mount Revelstoke. If you travel to Northern British Columbia you will be in a land of vast wilderness and relatively isolated communities. Enjoy the solitude of cruising along lonely highways and gaze at majestic peaks, and look at the creeping ice fields, bubbling hot springs, Indian totems and a multitude of wildlife. Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world

British-Columbia-Hiking - Why not visit the Thompson Okanagan

This area offers a wealth of activity. If you head south from the Thompson Okanagan you come into the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys where fruit cropping (cherry, apricot, peach, plum, pear and apple) is carried out in a great climate and where there are some 30 wineries. Visit in the spring to see and smell the fruit orchards.

Visit Keremeos, which is known as the fruit stand capital of Canada as there is so much fresh and tree-ripened fruit for sale at great prices, so fill your trunk up. It is worth visiting Canada's only desert at the Desert Centre, and this is located southern part of the region at Osoyoos. This is considered on one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada and they have a raised boardwalk to look at a unique habitat that hosts sage, cactus, scorpions, tiger salamanders and the western rattlesnake all in the same delicate environment. Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world.

Thompson Okanagan has more than 600 lakes and streams and is a fishing heaven, with many top spots only accessible by float plane. The famous Kamloops Trout is one target species and in the fall, visit the Nicola and Thompson Rivers to fish for steelhead trout.

The Adams River is worth visiting to watch the spawning run of the sockeye salmon as they head to the creek of their birth. Go fishing in British Columbia and Canada All you need to know about fishing for trout and about fly fishing is here. Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world

If you love water sports, from Shuswap in the center there are more than a 1,000 km of navigable shoreline. The Christina and Osoyoos lakes in the south boasting have the warmest swimming in Canada and you can rent a houseboat and just chill out or go water-skiing, windsurfing, sailing or swimming. Other watersports pursuits include canoeing, kayaking, and rafting down the historic Fraser or Thompson rivers. Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world

Other British-Columbia-Hiking adventures include riding trails on horseback in the backcountry or go heli-hiking. Also follow the old gold rush trails and make a call into Cache Creek or Ashcroft for some history. You can also hike among the hoodoos in Deadman's Creek Valley down near Savona.

Also if you have never been, why not go visit a cattle ranch down near Merritt or even stay at a guest ranch in the Kamloops, Ashcroft, Little Fort or Clearwater areas. If you cant live without your golf the region has over 50 golf courses. Winter sports are also big business in the area and skiers can go to Big White which is near Kelowna, Silver Star Mountain close to Vernon, the Apex Resort near Penticton and the Sun Peaks close to Kamloops. If you are in the Kamloops area take a visit to the Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park, with the authentic archaeological remains of a 2,000-year-old Shuswap winter village site. Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world

Why not hike somewhere nice in the Thompson Okanagan

British-Columbia-Hiking - Places to make sure you go to include Mount Robson which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Also go to Wells Gray Provincial Park in the northern section of the Thompson Okanagan, it has some of the most spectacular scenery around to hike in.

There is a lot of wildlife to look at that includes moose and bighorn sheep. Also look out for mountain goats and black bears. If you love bird watching then look out for Ospreys, Kestrels, Red-tailed hawks and Bald Eagles. The Salmon Arm Nature Enhancement area provides nesting grounds for thousands of waterfowl and also the wetlands of the Robert W. Starrat Wildlife Sanctuary near Valemount are worth visiting. Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world

For more artistic minded hikers and campers make sure you catch a performance under the stars in Penticton or Armstrong. There are also many arts and craft shops and galleries with some beautiful works to buy all made by local artisans and artists. Arts and Crafts All you need to know about arts, crafts and gifts is here.

Camping Etiquette in British Columbia

It is up to hikers and campers to protect the wilderness and preserve its beauty. The majority of campgrounds in British Columbia have the basic facilities and amenities. This includes clean potable water, fire wood, pit toilets, picnic tables and fire pits for cooking.

Some of the larger campgrounds are also able to offer hot and cold showers, flushing toilets, sani-stations, wheelchair access, areas for group camping, visitor's centers and interpretive programs for education. These camp grounds also are serviced after each visitor, the garbage is collected regularly and bathroom facilities are usually kept clean and hygienic.

The parks are an ecosystem that must be protected so enjoy looking at the flora and fauna but only look at safe distance and take photographs and don’t pick or cut the flowers. For everyone’s safety pets must always be kept on a leash. Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world

Park Details

The check out time is 12 midday. The maximum length of a stay is fourteen days per year in any one park. You are allowed one camping vehicle per site, unless an additional vehicle is being towed, or a member of the group is commuting to the park in a different vehicle. Park Gates are closed from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am. With no outside visitors allowed after 11:00 p.m. into the parks.

Camp only in the designated areas within the park. Camping fees are collected between April to October only. The camping fee costs will vary between sites. The camping ground attendants usually collect the cash only payments in the early evening hours. The fees including GST (taxes) are typically in the range of $6.00 to $18.00 in the provincial parks and up to around $22.00 in the national parks. A small charge for firewood is levied in the national parks.

BC Parks also offers a reservation service so you can make advanced reservations at the more popular parks throughout BC. Phone 1-800-689-9025 for advanced reservations. Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world

Food and Trash Control

Remove all your garbage and clean the campsite properly before leaving. You should not use the fire pit as a garbage disposal, but use the BC Parks garbage bins that are provided within the campsite. You should also always store your food in the vehicles in airtight containers so as not to attract bears.

Food and garbage odors will attract bears so reducing this is important. The rule is that you do not keep ANY food stored within your tent (unless you want a not so warm and cuddly bear inside). Always store food so that bears cannot smell or reach the foods. Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world

Camp Fires

It is a sad fact that campfires are the single main cause of forest fires in British Columbia. Only light camp fires in the metal fire pits that are provided and only take as much wood as you will need. Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world

About Wild Animals in BC

The wilds and wilderness of British Columbia are the home of many animals. They are also the home of grizzly and black bears. As you hike and camp there is always the possibility of meeting up with one as you transit their territory and they can be unpredictable in their behavior.

It is always best to avoid close contact or threaten them in any way, and given they can run as fast as a horse, climb trees with ease, have great sense of smell, hearing and fairly good sight, they have the advantage. You should never try and get close to photograph especially if they have cubs close by or have a fresh kill. They will defend very aggressively.

You can develop your tracking skills by being observant for bear signs that include tree markings from claws and teeth, droppings, tracks etc. You should make a lot of noise by loud talk, singing and whistling or even wear a bell. Just be sure you don’t sneak up and surprise them.

Always keep your kids close and within sight and it is better you leave the dog at home. Make sure children understand that cubs are cute but not to approach to see one. Trying to pet or feed or get a photo with bears is very dangerous indeed. Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world

You may even see cougars or as they are also called mountain lions or panther are largest cat species in Canada. In British Columbia the prime habitat is within the southern third of the province, but you will still find them in other regions. They are solitary and rather secretive animals and if you sight one you will be lucky.

Attacks are quite rare and main prey is mostly deer, and sometimes wild sheep, elk, rabbits, raccoons, beaver and grouse are all menu items. Your best chance to sight a Cougar is when they are most active around dusk and dawn. A basic safety precaution is to keep children close, do not hike alone, make enough noise so that the cougar can hear you coming, a walking or hiking stick makes a good weapon if you do have an incident.

If you come across a cougar, gather up your children and retreat quietly and slowly and go around the animal. If the animal starts heading for you pick up a stick throw rocks, shout loudly etc so the animal knows clearly you are not prey. Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world

Go British-Columbia-Hiking and Camping - Possibly one of the best places in the world to escape and enjoy nature

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