Thinking about a camping vacation this summer?

For the first time ever, campers are now able to book up to three reservations at one time for their favourite BC Parks campground.

Reservation fees apply for each booking, according to a press release from the province.

Reservations for all frontcountry provincial campgrounds began on March 15, and reservations for group sites are available up to 12 months in advance.

Reservations for the Bowron Lake canoe circuit opened in January to accommodate international visitors' travel plans.

Also new this year is the addition of the Ralph River campground to Discover Camping reservations.

Ralph River is in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island.

Parking fees were eliminated from B.C.'s provincial parks last May, making them more accessible to families.

Discover Camping allows you to view the availability and amenities at more than 125 reservable campgrounds in 78 provincial parks across B.C. Whether you're hiking, camping under the stars or hauling an RV, the reservation service offers information about sites, maps and amenities so you can customize your camping vacation.

B.C.'s provincial parks are popular. As reported last fall, camping reservations in provincial parks were up eight per cent over 2010, and up an impressive 48 per cent for the last week of August.

Book your favourite spot through the interactive online reservation system at www. discovercamping.ca. The system also offers mobile web services so Smartphone users can easily make and change plans from the open road. For a surcharge of $5, reservations can also be made through a call centre at 1-800-689-9025.