Campground Rules

Check In / Check Out

Check-in time is between 1 p.m. - 8 p.m. All campers must register at the Office upon arrival.

Check-out time for all campers is 11 a.m. Ensure that your site is clean upon departure and that all garbage and recycling is properly disposed on in the receptacles provided.

During the camping High Season, Park gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.

Site Occupancy

Maximum 4 adults (19 years and over) per site (8 people total). Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Maximum one (1) vehicle with a trailer; or one (1) RV; or one (1) vehicle with up to two (2) tents.

Vehicles and Parking

One vehicle with trailer or towed vehicle permitted per campsite. Not more than one RV per campsite. All vehicles staying beyond 10 p.m. must have their own registration permit.

All vehicles must always be parked in designated parking areas or campsites. No parking on any campground lanes or park roads.

Park speed limit: 10km/ hour

Campfires and BBQs

Campfires are only permitted in registered campsites. Fire rings are provided and must remain in place. Firewood can be purchased from the Park Operator or you can bring your own. Do not leave your campfire unattended. It is a serious offense to do so.

While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Campfire bans and smoking bans may be implemented. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking. Check here to see if a ban in in place.

Propane campfires are permitted during campfire bans and can be rented from the Park Operator for $15 per night plus propane.

BBQs, hibachis, and camp stoves are permitted in campsites and day-use areas. Please protect picnic tables and the ground by placing aluminum foil under your BBQ, camp stove or hibachi.

Water:

Cold, potable water is available from a tap at the Registration Office. Please do not wash at the water taps, leave taps running, or wastewater. NO RV water fill up facilities are available.

Please note that the sodium levels in the park water are higher than those recommended in the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines for persons on a severely sodium-restricted diet. For the average person, sodium levels are well within acceptable limits.

Toilets

Outhouses are located within a short walk of all campsites and group sites. There is no Sani Dump Station at the park.

Quiet Time

Quiet Time is from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am. Please respect this and your fellow campers. Excessive noise is not permitted at any time. Remember that sound travels further in open air, especially music and loud talking. Generator run time is limited to a maximum of four hours per day, between the hours of 10:00 am-5:00 pm.

Alcohol / Cannabis

Alcohol/cannabis consumption by persons of legal age is permitted in registered campsites only. Be considerate of your neighbours. Disturbances could result in an eviction. Please note that smoking or vaping cannabis is not permitted during smoking bans. Check here to see if a smoking ban is in place.

Pets

Pets must always be leashed and under control, including in individual campsites. Leashes not to exceed 2m in length. Electric dog restraints are not permitted in lieu of a leash. You are responsible for your pets behaviour and for properly disposing their waste into a garbage receptacle.

Swimming

Swimming in the ocean is commonly enjoyed by park users. Please be aware that no lifeguard service is provided.

Trees and wildlife

The trees and wildlife are a part of what makes this place beautiful. Park flora and fauna are protected. Please leave the trees, plants, flowers, seaweed and shells as they are - they are not surplus but each performing an important role in the park's ecosystem. Please refrain from damaging trees by placing nails, screws, axes etc. in them. Do not gather branches or twigs from the park. It is an offense to do so.

Payment

Visa, Mastercard, Travellers Cheques, and cash are all accepted at the Park. U.S. dollars are accepted at par. GST must be added to all Park fees. Park users who have not paid a required fee will be charged double the regular rate.

Park Use Regulation

Descanso Bay Regional Park is governed by RDN Park Use Regulation Bylaws 1399 and 1399.01.