Stay Local, Stay Safe
Bring your own ‘Clean Trip Kit’. A clean trip kit includes hand sanitizer, gloves and toilet paper.
– KEEP YOUR DISTANCE STAY 2M FROM OTHERS
– BRING YOUR CLEAN TRIP KIT
– WASH OR SANITIZE YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY
– LINE UP AND WAIT YOUR TURN TO AVOID CONGESTION.
Before leaving on your trip, check for possible closures, alerts or other warnings that may affect the site or trail you plan to visit.
Recreation Sites and Trails BC COVID-19 Response
May 6, 2020
On May 14, Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) will start to reopen the majority of recreation sites and trails to day-use activities only.
People across the province will once again have access to safe outdoor recreation opportunities, while meeting the guidelines of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO).
Re-opening Dates
On May 14, RSTBC will reopen many recreation sites, beaches, picnic areas, outhouses and boat launches for day-use from dawn until dusk. Recreation sites remain closed to camping.
On June 1, RSTBC will re-open most recreation sites to camping.
- To ensure physical distancing, you may notice some changes in campgrounds, including additional spacing between campsites and limitations on the number of guests in campgrounds
- Backcountry cabins will remain closed
Recreation sites that attract large crowds may remain closed until it is safe to reopen at a later date.
Health and Safety Guidelines
As we get back into our recreation sites and trails, it is critical that we continue to abide by the guidelines and recommendations of the PHO, which includes non-essential travel.
Minimize the risk to your health and safety by:
- visiting sites and trails close to home
- respecting any facility or area closures and to follow the physical distancing requirements set out by the PHO
- bringing hand sanitizer and practicing appropriate hygiene. If you are sick, please visit another time
RSTBC is doing everything we can to ensure sites and trails are safe. We are all in this together, and we are counting on everyone to do their part so sites and trails can remain open.
For now, visitors can expect the following:
Recreation Sites
- Sites are closed to camping until June 1, but day use activities are permitted from dawn until dusk, starting May 14
Recreation Trails
- Trails remain open; however, associated recreation facilities are closed
- The public is reminded to maintain safe physical distances of at least two meters and choose low risk activities while using trails
- Trail users are expected to carry out their own garbage, are responsible for their own safety, and should exercise additional caution as trails may not be maintained during this time
Recreation Facilities
- Facilities where people gather and are in contact with frequently touched surfaces will remain closed
- Closures will apply to overnight shelters, back-country cabins, day use shelters, and other related infrastructure
Visitors should check out the RSTBC website before heading out to be prepared for their visit and to be aware of any closures.
RSTBC continues to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak closely and is following recommendations set out by the PHO.
More information:
- Provincial Recreation Order May 14, 2020 (cancels and replaces Provincial Recreation Order April 7, 2020)
- News Release April 8, 2020
- Provincial Recreation Order April 7, 2020
- News Release Mar 24, 2020
- A current list of closures can be found on the Current Site Closures page of the RSTBC Website.
- For information about COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community and what to do if you suspect you have the virus please visit the BC Centre for Disease Control’s website.