Photo: Trevor Rockliffe

Camping near Chase in 2011

For many families, the Canada Day long weekend means camping.

From coast to coast, the gear is stored, the tent, camper or RV is packed and everyone heads for the great outdoors.

This year for many in BC, the wet weather and cool temperatures of June have made summer seem a long way off. Unfortunately, the Okanagan weather forecast calls for more rain through much of the long weekend.

However, it appears more rain will not dampen those ready to let summer begin.

Parks BC is reporting provincial campsites are expecting a very busy weekend with the Okanagan, the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island expecting the heaviest loads.

Their Discover Camping website shows virtually all of its reserved camping at the more than 125 reservable campgrounds located in 94 provincial parks throughout BC has been booked through the weekend. For those who didn't plan ahead, many provincial parks have first-come, first-served campsites available.

Outside of the provincial park system, hundreds of commercial campsites and RV parks are gearing up for one of the busiest weekends of the year.

That list includes Todd's RV Park in Peachland which expects a great weekend.

"It's always beautiful in Peachland," says Park Manager Barb Fritsch. .

"Our tenting sites are booked up for the long weekend, but we do have some sites for smaller RV's or smaller trailers."

As well, the cool June may have actually helped.

"I find that when it rains, most people stop, they don't travel during a rainy day, they would prefer to just stop for a day or two and let the weather pass. So they had a tendency of just stopping in."

Fritsch also noticed that June saw a number of European travellers staying at Todd's, following what she calls "the route, " a path which brings visitors from the Lower Mainland, east through the Okanagan and on to Alberta and beyond.

In the South Okanagan, Chelsey Beierre at Wright's Beach in Penticton says June seemed a little quieter.

"We're a family campground, so usually our busiest time is when school gets out. But the numbers, I believe, have been down just because of the weather."

Beierre added they expect to be full up for the weekend.

To reserve a camping spot or to see where to camp click here.