Frequently Asked Questions
Roads & Access
Harrison East Forest Service Road is an active industrial road. It is gravel and has bumps and potholes. It can be muddy after heavy rain and dusty during the dry season. Good tires are recommended to avoid flat tires.
Cascade Peninsula has a new campsite entrance road that has less steep of a grade then the old hill into the site. Bear Creek and Cogburn Beach are 2wd access.
Forest Service Roads (FSRs) are not maintained by us. It is up to the logging companies to maintain and repair these roads
The sites vary greatly in size and shape, and it depends on how good you are at maneuvering your vehicle. We recommend that if you are unsure about fitting in a site or unsure about the road conditions and suitability of your rig that you drive up and look for yourself.
We have divided the site sizes into three categories, but it is difficult to specify if you can fit due to the range of factors involved.
Small site - trailers up to 18' in length
Medium site - trailers up to 24' in length
Large site - trailers above 24' in length
Go to the campground pages on this website and see the maps of the campsites. Click on each site number for more information about the size and other site specifics.
There is no boat launch at Bear Creek or Cogburn.
Cascade has a rustic boat launch that is usable after the water levels recede on Harrison Lake, typically around the start of July. There are no docks at the campsites.
Site Services
There are no flush toilets at the campsites, there are pit toilets for washroom facilities.
These are rustic campsites, none of the sites have electricity, sewer or any type of water tap. You must bring your own water.
There is no running water at the campsites. You will have to bring your own water to the sites.
These are rustic campsites, none of the sites have electricity, sewer or any type of water tap. The sites have pit toilets for washroom facilities.
You can bring clean firewood to the campsites. No pallets, wood with nails or screws, painted wood, plywood, pressure treated wood, or oversized pieces.
Leave your giant log rounds at home, you cannot split them, and then the Host is left to deal with them. Take your wet firewood home with you.
We try to supply firewood for sale at the campsites, but we do get sold out sometimes.
There is no cell phone service at the campsites. Sometimes at 9km on Harrison East forest service road there is spotty service at the lookout. It is not reliable.
Garbage cans are for Food Waste Only, Pack it in - Pack it out. This means that you must pack out all your garbage except food waste and toiletries. These items only can be deposited in the bear proof garbage bin located near the Host site.
Do not leave garbage at your site or in the firepit. You risk losing camping privileges if you leave garbage at your site.
YOU PACK IT IN - YOU PACK IT OUT
Reservations
Bear Creek - TBA
Cascade - TBA
Reservations can be made NO MORE than 30 days in advance of your arrival date
Reservations must be made not less then 7 days prior to arrival date.
Cascade Peninsula and Bear Creek have dedicated RESERVED sites and dedicated FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED sites
If a reserved site is not occupied, you should look at the reservations sign to see what date the next camper is arriving. You can occupy the site until the morning of the next arriving reservation.
A one time reservation fee is charged per reservation. This is in addition to your regular camping fees.
The reservation fee is $18 per single site, $28.00 per double site, $36.00 per triple site. Reservation fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
You cannot make a change to your reservation. You can cancel your reservation and re-book.
Please review the reservation policy for cancellation information.
You must be camping and your site must be occupied overnight.
Reserved and First Come First Served sites must be occupied, starting on the arrival date. If no one is occupying your reserved site it will be forfeited at 10pm of your arrival date. You cannot just setup a tent or park a trailer and then come back days later. Sites must be occupied by an adult the entire duration of the reservation.
You cannot hold a site for someone else. Holding a site for someone or leaving a tent or trailer in a site unattended overnight is NOT permitted even if the site is paid for.
Forest Recreation Regulations:
A person who brings a tent or recreational vehicle to a recreation site and does not camp, is in contravention of the Forest Recreation Regulations 20 (1)(c); as per below:
Limitations on occupancy and use
20 (1) A person who camps at a recreation site where a fee for camping is required under section 22 must
(a) camp in a campsite;
(b) occupy only one campsite;
(c) not leave personal property on a campsite unless the person is camping, under the authority arising from payment of the camping fee, at that campsite, or has been authorized to leave the property on the campsite by a recreation officer.
Any personal property or recreational vehicles that are left on site for the purpose of site-claiming may be removed or towed, at the owners expense.
Any camping fees paid, will be considered forfeit and no refund will be provided.
Reservations are non-transferable. If you arrive to the campground and want to switch from your reserved site to a different available site, you can switch to that site, but you will have to pay the camping fees again for the new site.
You will not get a refund for your fees paid on the site you had reserved. Your reserved site will be rented to first come first served campers.
Yes, however upon signing in with the Host you will be required to show picture ID to prove that you are the reservation holder. The name on your picture ID must match the reservation holder. The Host will update your permit upon check in.
The reservation system is online and is available 24 hours a day. The reservation system goes live at midnight rolling forward for each new day.
Yes. The no more than thirty days in advance of your arrival applies to your check-in date only. Campers may enjoy their stay up to a maximum of 14 days.
Please use the calendar BELOW the dates to select your Arrival and Departure Dates, or manually enter your dates.
Do not use the calendar beside the dates (it will not allow you to book an end date past 30 days, we are sorry for the inconvenience).
Recreation Sites and Trails BC has a NO Show Policy with regards to reservations (this is a government policy).
Reservations are held until 10pm of the scheduled check-in date. If the reservation holder does not arrive by 10 pm on the arrival date, the entire reservation will be forfeited. No refund will be provided and the site will become available to first Come first Served (FCFS) campers.
If you arrive after 10 PM or the following day and wish to camp your reservation will no longer be valid, if a site is available you will have to pay to camp as a first come, first served camper.
In addition to us not being permitted to hold sites when a reservation does not show up, the public is aware of this policy and often they are waiting in line for these sites.
No exceptions will be made.
We cannot make any changes to your reservation. As long as your camping party does NOT exceed the maximum occupancy limit for your reservation, it is ok if you originally selected for less than the allowable limit for that chosen site. Please advise the camp attendant upon check in so they can update your camping permit to correctly reflect the number of guests in your camping party.
CAPACITY LIMITS - Single Campsite (includes one vehicle) max site occupancy 6 people on campsite
Double Campsite (includes two vehicles) max site occupancy is 12 people on campsite
Triple Campsite (includes 3 vehicles )max site occupancy 18 people on campsite
Extra vehicles are $18 per night (cash only accepted on site)
Motorized Recreation
Registered campers may idle in/out with your off road vehicle into Bear Creek and Cascade Peninsula. You must have insurance and a helmet and follow all provincial regulations. The campsites are not for cruising around though, so you are limited to riding into your campsite and out of your campsite to access the logging roads.
IDLE IN IDLE OUT
If you are causing a disturbance the Host will revoke your privileged and you will not be able to ride in and out of your campsite any longer. You will have to trailer your ORV in and out.
If you are not camping at the campsite you will not be allowed to drive your ORV through the site to take a look. It causes to much noise, dust and stink. You will be able to park near the Host site and walk around to take a look.
No off road vehicles allowed on the beach at Cogburn
Long Weekend minimum charge
3 Night Holiday Rate applies to All Long Weekends for First Come First Serve and Reservations.
If you are making a reservation and only reserve 2 nights on a Long Weekend, the system will automatically charge you the 3 night Holiday Rate. This will NOT automatically change your reserved dates. Your reservation is only for the dates you choose, regardless of how many nights you are charged for due to minimum charge requirements.
Long Weekend Holiday Rate applies to the campsite itself (First Come First Serve and/or Reservations).
Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) recognizes the need to manage our recreational sites for the recreating public. Due to the increased pressures associated with long weekend camping availability, the Chilliwack Forest District RSTBC has chosen to implement a 3 Night Holiday Rate for All Long Weekends (as outlined below) regardless if you stay all 3 nights or not.
- When the Statutory Holiday falls on a Friday, the 3 Night Holiday Fee will be for Thurs, Fri and Sat nights.
- When the Statutory Holiday falls on a Monday, the 3 Night Holiday Fee will be for Fri, Sat and Sun nights.
- When a statutory holiday falls on any other day than a Friday or a Monday, no 3 Night Holiday Fee applies.
For recreational campsites, the 3 Night Holiday Rate applies to the following holidays for each calendar year:
| New Year’s Day | Canada Day | Thanksgiving |
| Family Day | BC Day | Remembrance Day |
| Good Friday | Labour Day | Christmas Day |
| Victoria Day |
Other Questions
Harrison Lake water levels rise and fall each season during the freshet (snowmelt). Some of our campsites get flooded out during this part of the season. We have blocked out particular sites at Bear Creek and Cascade from May 19th and onwards to avoid conflicts with high water. Adjustments will be made depending on freshet.
You will not be able to reserve these sites during the blocked out period.
We cannot predict the lake levels as they change from year to year so if you reserve one of these sites outside of the blocked out period and a conflict with high water still exists we will work to move you to a different site or provide a refund.
Your campsite fee includes one vehicle and six persons (including adults and children)
The host is allowed to restrict the number of people or vehicles in a site if they think that it is overcrowded or to noisy.
Pets are allowed. They must be leashed. Pets must be well behaved, not loud, under control and in close proximity to their owners at ALL times.
The Host can direct you to leash your pet and/or direct the removal of your pet from the recreation site if the rules are not being followed or your pet is aggressive. Owners are responsible for their pets and their behavior. You must clean up after them. Dog waste bags can be deposited in the bear proof bins located at the Host site. Please do not throw pet waste bags in the forest or on the flora, it is a major attractant to bears and other dangerous wild life.
Do NOT leave your pet unattended at your campsite, other campers don't want to hear your dog barking all day. This behavior will result in an eviction.
Campsites vary in size and shape, all your camping gear including tents must be on the developed area of your campsite and not blocking roadways or trails. We do not charge per tent.
Check out time is 12:00, Check in time is 2:00pm
You must respect the peace and quiet of others at ALL times. If you are disturbing another campers experience with loud voices, loud music, prolonged running of a generator ect, then you are being too loud. Please remember sound travels further at night. Most of our campsites are popular with families and have small children. They have a right to a good nights sleep just as you do. Be respectful. Let the sound of nature prevail.
Designated quiet time is 10 pm to 8 am and is strictly enforced. Those who choose to disrupt others will be evicted with no refunds.
Tip: Walk to the front of the next site closest to you, if can hear music and loud voices coming from your site than you are being too loud.
Please see Recreation Sites and Trails BC Covid 19 Health and Safety Guidelines, updated October 13th, 2021 by clicking the link below:
Campers and visitors are required to follow any and all Provincial Heath Officer orders and guidelines that are in place at the time of their stay/visit at all of our campgrounds, even if those numbers are less than our maximum campsite site allowance.
Bring your own "Clean Trip Kit." A clean trip kit includes hand sanitizer, gloves and toilet paper
Remember to bring exact change for onsite payments to limit touch contact with Host
The Public role plays an integral and imperative part, that we do not leave garbage or food source/attractants out for bears, cougars and wildlife.
We have a strong mandate that eviction follows for any infraction that leads to feeding bears and furthers their endangerment. This is non negotiable.
The Host on site is well trained on Bear Awareness and can provide you with any further information you may require. Report bears, cougars and any dangerous wildlife to the Host on site.
Bears have an incredibly acute sense of smell and can smell the smallest item of food at great distances.
Bears are attracted to:
- Anything that has been cooked or your are about to eat
- Seed and seed/peanut shells (bird seed, sunflower seed shells etc...)
- Dirty barbecues or camp stoves
- Any item associated with food prep or clean-up (dish rags, scrubbers, pots, pans, etc.)
- Dirty dish water and cooking grease. Do NOT dump in the bushes. There are bear proof bins located at the Host site for food waste, toiletries, diapers and dog waste bags.
- Garbage, wrappers, empty bottles, cans, condiments, or anything that has been in contact with food.
- Containers for gas, oil, or other petroleum-products
- Pet food/bowls
- Do not put any food items in your tent or smelly attractants including tooth brush and tooth paste.
- Keep all food and coolers locked in a vehicle or trailer
- Coolers (regardless if they are empty)
- Bears have long memories, your campsite may be clean now but if a bear received a reward there earlier, possibly by another user, it may be back so always be vigilant.