Parks Canada is going to be building a new campground in Mount Revelstoke National Park, near the start of the Meadows in the Sky Parkway.
Parks sent a letter, a copy of which was obtained by the Review, to local stakeholders on August 26 announcing the plans to offer 50 sites for tents, trailers and motorhomes in the park.
“We believe this campground will complement the existing tourism and recreation opportunities in the area, offering visitors more options to explore both the national parks as well as the surrounding region,” wrote Nicholas Irving, the Superintendent of Mount Revelstoke & Glacier National Parks.
The campground will be located at the park’s former staff housing area and will make use of the areas that are already developed.
The letter provides limited details on the plans and a Parks Canada spokesperson denied requests for an interview, saying an official announcement will be made shortly.
“Strict development limits are in place to ensure the protection of ecological integrity in Canada’s national parks,” writes Irving. “Parks Canada has a rigorous development review and environmental assessment process that ensures all new park development proposals comply with these limits and that the park’s ecological integrity is maintained.”
The letter says that campsite fees will range from $27.40 to $32.30 per night, depending on the site, and that a campfire permit will cost $8.80 per day. Campers will also have to purchase a parks pass.
In an additional email provided to the Review, Parks Canada says the campground is scheduled to open in 2019. There will be flush toilets and showers in a central building, and a kitchen shelter. There are currently no plans for water, sewer and electric hook-ups for RVs.
UPDATE:
Parks Canada sent out a news release about the plans on Wednesday, September 7. Here it is:
Canada’s national parks and historic sites belong to all Canadians. They represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell the stories of who we are. Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks are representative of the natural and cultural treasures that attract millions of visitors and support our local economies nationwide.
Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced close to $6 million in funding for various projects in both Mount Revelstoke National Park and Glacier National Park.
In Mount Revelstoke National Park, this investment will be used to create the parks first front-country campground, providing the opportunity for more Canadians, including youth and newcomers, to discover and enjoy the natural wonder of the park.
Additionally, upgrades will be made to the Rogers Pass maintenance compound – the headquarters for highway and avalanche operations in Glacier National Park – and new way-finding signs will be added in both Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks.
This investment will also support the Mountain Park Fire Management program in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks. This program helps both reduce the danger of wildfires and takes action to restore and improve ecological health of forest ecosystems in the parks that are important habitat for several species-at-risk, such as whitebark pine, olive-sided flycatcher and two bat species – northern myotis and little brown myotis.
Investments in infrastructure – such as visitor centres and campgrounds, as well as roads and bridges – will provide visitors with safe and high-quality experiences, and help maintain the ecological and commemorative integrity of national parks and national historic sites across Canada.