The best camping is free camping. With fewer services compared to a full service campsite it allows you to enjoy getting back to nature. With less pressure you see more unique areas and features when you camp for free.
There are different ways to camp for free in BC. The first way is using Forest Service Rec sites. Exploring back roads is the second way to do it. The third way is to leave the vehicle at the trail head and travel by another method to the campsite.
The majority of land in BC (81%) is Crown Land. There are over 200,000 kilometers of dirt roads networked across it. This network of roads provides access to a huge area of the province for anyone who wants to take advantage of free camping opportunities.
There are almost 1,300 Forest Service Rec sites maintained throughout the province. Most of them are completely free, although some have small fees. The sites are usually chosen for some sort of reason, be it natural beauty or a local attraction. About half of them are maintained by the Forest Service, local First nations or some other group. The rest of them are user maintained, meaning what you pack in you have to pack out.
You can also use the network of roads to take you to unorganized camping. These sites are often the best ones. The law says you can camp anywhere on Crown Land as long as you don’t stay in one place longer than 14 days. You will find roads leading to lakes, or crossing rivers or meadows that make great camping places. Watch for logging trucks, especially during the week, and try to get off to the side of the road when you encounter one.
Take potable water with you for drinking, or be prepared to boil it. Firewood will be easy to find in most areas of the province unless you’re over the treeline or in the desert country. The huge amount of standing dead bug wood makes it easy to get plenty of dry firewood with a chainsaw. Always be firesafe and make sure your fire is completely out when you leave camp. Forest fires are a huge threat in BC. The danger season for forest fires runs from April through to October in most of the province.
For more adventure leave your vehicle at the road. Hike to a remote spot, or get there some other way. You can also use ATVS or snowmobiles to penetrate deeply into the woods. These modes of transport can get you to really wild areas. The wildlife viewing in such areas is remarkable.
The BC Forest Service has also created some canoe routes and hiking networks. There is a system of trails through the South Chilcotin as well. Some are very amenable to almost everyone but there are some routes that require some experience for self guided expeditions.
Remember to pack out everything that you pack in. Also make sure to properly address sanitation. Use existing fire rings when possible, and try to leave your campsite cleaner than when you arrived. It sucks to find a great place littered with someone else’s garbage. On the other hand, it’s nice to find a camp with a small supply of ready cut wood. Some back country camps are outfitted with some of the heavier articles that make life more comfortable, like frying pans and grills. If you find them in a camp, use them, but leave them when you go.
There is a danger from bears, and other wildlife can pose challenges. Keep your camp clean and be bear aware. It’s a good idea to keep food away from where you sleep, or hung in trees, especially if you’re unarmed or in a small party. Searching for bear spray in the middle of the night while a bear is trying to get into your tent is a memorable experience. In contrast, seeing a bear from camp during the day with a bunch of other people is very different. Common sense is the order of the day. In truth, mind you, you’ll have more problems with mice pilfering food than with bears.
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