Why do I need a reservation?
Parks, where reservations can be made, are strongly recommended from May Long Weekend to Labour Day due to the popular time of There is security in knowing a campsite IS waiting for you upon your arrival!How do you best acquire a first come first serve campsite during peak season (July/August/all long weekends)?
Although there are no guarantees, it is best to arrive at the park before noon to check for availability. Check-out time at all parks is 11am, therefore, if a guest is checking out then you can move in to the site after they leave. If a campsite is unoccupied, doesn’t have a ‘reserved’ tag on it, and there is nothing in the site, you may also occupy it. Please ensure that you physically have something ON the site in order to claim it (ie. a tent set-up, trailer). The exception is at Bear Creek & Okanagan Lake South Campgrounds where you must check at the gatehouse for campsite availability. At these parks you may need to add your name to a Waitlist if you do not have a reservation.  How do I get my name on the Waitlist?
Waitlist Policies: applies to Bear Creek and Okanagan Lake (South Park) only:
1. Our first come first serve sites are often full during the summer. At such times a “First Come First Serve – Site Waitlist” for those wishing to get a site will be started. You must come to the park in person to put your name on the list. No one can put their name on the list via phone. Only one site per person will be allowed. Example: If you want to obtain two sites you need two people present, both for placing your name on the waitlist as well as for being present at 11:00 am. Please note that we only accept CASH.
2. Each morning at 11:00 am the waitlist will be processed, meaning that each person in turn on the list will have the opportunity to obtain a site becoming available that day, until all available sites for the day are taken. If there are more people than sites, those left move up the list accordingly.
3. If a person is not present at 11:00 am and their name is called, their name is crossed off the list and the park attendant will continue on to the next name.
4. If a person is present at 11:00 am but wishes to pass on taking an available site, they may either remove their name from the list, or go to the bottom of the list for the next day.
Note: ALL persons waiting at 11:00 am MUST BE ON FOOT. When arriving for the processing of the waitlist please park in our day use parking lot. Please remain out of the way of traffic entering and exiting the park.
Will cell phones work in the parks?
Cell phones do work in the South Okanagan Area Parks but coverage can be ‘spotty’ at Okanagan Lake & at Bear Creek. Cell Service is available at Texas Creek & Christina Lake Parks but not at Kettle River, Conkle Lake, Johnstone Creek, Boundary Creek, or Jewel Lake. Can I use my generator?
No generator use is permitted during quiet hours (10pm to 7am). Generators may otherwise be used with ‘much discretion’ – meaning for very brief short periods during the day. Please be considerate of your neighbours as sound travels so easily outdoors. Solar power is an alternative.  Do the Washroom Buildings have electrical outlets?
Most do have 1 in each of the men’s and women’s sections of the building. (Bear and Okanagan Lake Provincial Park)
Do the campsites have tent pads?
Kettle River Provincial Park does have several pads for tents. Tenting is definitely welcome at all other parks but the tent must be contained on the provided gravel campsite pad. Can I stake my tent on the grass or off the campsite pad?
No, this is not permitted as the surrounding grasses and ecosystem are very delicate & would be eventually destroyed. The Park Act maintains that it wants to preserve it for the enjoyment of future generations. Do you have any overflow camping available?
Overflow camping policy is as follows:
1. If campground is full and no sites are available for occupancy, overnight camping will be permitted in another designated area of the park (ie., often in the day-use parking lot).
2. Campers must be self-contained (no tents permitted) and full fees will apply. Registered “overflow” campers have access to park facilities. Some day-use areas have access to firepits otherwise campfires are not permitted in overflow area.
3. The next morning, guests may attempt to acquire a vacated first come first serve site. Check with Park Staff for procedure | 
