For the first time, visitors will be able to book some of the most popular camping sites in Garibaldi Provincial Park.

The park is very popular for backcountry enthusiasts and due to growing demand, many popular sites will be available under the provincial reservation system. Beginning at 7 a.m. on June 22, 2016, those looking to stay overnight at select campgrounds in scenic Garibaldi Provincial Park, nestled in the heart of the Coast Mountains along the Sea-to-Sky corridor, can reserve a spot through BC Parks' Discover Camping Reservation Service.

Campgrounds at Garibaldi Lake, Taylor Meadows and Elfin Lake, as well as the Elfin Lake Shelter, will be available for reservations. Reservations can be made with arrival dates from June 29 to Sept. 30, with the exception of the Elfin Lake Shelter, which will continue to be reservable on a three-month rolling window throughout the year.

Other backcountry campgrounds in Garibaldi Park, such as Helm, Cheakamus Lake (Singing Creek), Cheakamus, Singing Pass, Rampart Ponds and Wedgemount, will still be available for backcountry registration, but the payment will not guarantee a campsite. As these campgrounds are not currently experiencing the same demand as our busiest destinations in Garibaldi Park, they will still be offered on a first-come, first-served basis for the 2016 season.

BC Parks is transitioning from a registration system to a reservation service for its high-use campgrounds during the summer season in Garibaldi to help address the increase in visitor demand currently experienced in the Sea-to-Sky corridor. These changes will also help protect sensitive ecosystems, such as Heather Meadows, by ensuring campers remain on the limited designated tent pads.

During non-peak periods (Oct. 1 to the last week of June), campers can still register and pay for their backcountry registration at Garibaldi Lake, Taylor Meadows and Elfin Lake. However, the Elfin Lake Shelter will remain reservable year-round.

Please note all self-registration stations will no longer be available at the trailheads; park visitors who wish to stay overnight must pre-pay for their permits using the online registration system or the reservation service, depending on their destination and the time period for their visit.

In 2015, more than 158,000 reservations were made through Discover Camping, an increase of almost 19 per cent from 2014.