Kimberley council has approved a proposed development permit to add five new walk-in tent campsites and more parking spaces at 500 St. Mary Lake Rd., commonly known as Riverside Campground.
Each additional site will include a 12-by-12-foot tent pad, a picnic table and a fire pit. These new sites are designed for non-service camping, meaning there will be no direct hookups for electricity, water or sewage.
The planned parking expansion will bring total capacity for walk-in campers to 12 parking spots. The spaces, located next to the campground’s washroom, will also support nearby “Trappers’ Tents.”
The developments are considered a low-impact way to improve campground capacity. Planning technician Max Garvey said no major servicing upgrades are needed at this time, aside from some tree and shrub removal.
“The area development is in the lower section of the campground adjacent to the municipal park lands. The proposed tent sites will be low impact with only some minor clearing of vegetation required. Parking will be provided nearby on private land, and campground amenities will be available to the users,” said Garvey.
The new campsites and parking spaces are intended to help meet demand for affordable, simple camping options, particularly for cyclists and backpackers in the region.
Council approval of the development is expected to increase campground capacity, boost tourism in Kimberley and provide more options for visitors passing through the area.
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