Lac le Jeune sees no lack of long weekend campers amid pandemic travel restrictions

KAMLOOPS — The Victoria Day long weekend is a popular one for camping, but with travel restrictions in place, there may be fewer out-of-towners at local campgrounds.

At Lac le Jeune Provincial Park, the campsites are full of people ready to enjoy the long weekend.

“We’re all kind of happy, just again to be able to enjoy our local lakes,” said Kamloops resident Carleen Dangerfield. “And also, as this pandemic is hopefully winding down, that we are still keeping safe.”

Dangerfield set up camp on Thursday (May 20), but she almost missed out on getting a spot when booking opened up.

“We had wanted to (book) months ago, but we missed out on getting a campground originally when they all opened up out here, so it was about three weeks ago when the restrictions had changed and the Lower Mainland people weren’t allowed to come that we noticed some spots opening up and we were able to book,” she said.

Non-essential travel is restricted by region until after the long weekend. While camping is not considered an essential reason for travel, some say it’s a safer activity than most.

Nick Pot and his family have travelled up from Langley.

“I feel like we’re out here camping, there’s not a ton of people here, we’re okay,” Pot said. “It beats going to Home Depot and being in the crowds there, right?”

With the campground full, many had stopped by Lac le Jeune for a pit-stop or a day of fun in the water.

Tom Stewart and his family were on their way back to Revelstoke Friday (May 21) after a work-related trip to the Hope area.

“I was working there all week and my brand new daughter, Evelyn, and partner, Julia, were staying with her parents, which are nearby,” he explained. “We were there for the week, and we’re travelling back. We encountered the road check at the Coquihalla Highway booth and cleared that.”

The message from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry for this long weekend is not to travel outside your local area, but it’s unclear how that messaging will change come Tuesday when B.C.’s circuit breaker restrictions are set to expire.