British Columbians are surrounded by natural beauty, but the cost of exploring it is climbing.

Camping fees have nearly doubled in some provincial parks since 2001. The province has hiked fees three times over the past decade, making parks such as Alice Lake, Porteau Cove and Golden Ears $30 a night, up from $18.50 in 2001.

Combined with new fees for reservations and secondary vehicles, the cost of sleeping under the stars can be up to $48 per night.

“People are struggling in this economy, and one thing that’s nice to do is reconnect with nature and reconnect with your family,” said Gwen Barlee, policy director of the Wilderness Committee, a non-profit conservation group. “Once the cost goes over $25, people might not go out.”

The province raised camping fees in 2003, 2008 and 2010, amounting to a 40 per cent increase at some sites compared to 2001.

Statistics indicate the new expenses may be keeping campers away. Just over 2.35 million people stayed overnight in provincial parks in 2010, compared with 2.5 million in 2009 and 2.89 million in 1998, according to Ministry of Environment statistics.

And about 400,000 fewer people visited provincial parks for day trips in 2010 than in 2009.

Premier Christy Clark axed unpopular parking fees in provincial parks in May, but it’s too soon to tell whether the move has encouraged more day visitors, said Ministry of Environment spokeswoman Lauren Mulholland.

She said more than 82,000 campers used BC Parks’ new online reservation service this year. Booking online or by phone costs campers an extra $6 plus tax.

“Camping fees continue to be an important source of revenue for BC Parks,” she said, adding that they help pay for maintaining and upgrading campgrounds.

She said the ministry invested $11 million last year in 80 provincial-park projects, including $900,000 on a new water system at Manning Park and $350,00 for Olympic waterfront cabins at Porteau Cove.

Meanwhile, the budget for BC Parks, now at $29.9 million, has been slashed 25 per cent over the last decade.

Rob Fleming, NDP environment critic, said that while the B.C. Liberals have increased camping fees, they have reduced the number of year-round park rangers to 10 and closed many interpretive and educational programs.

“You pay more and you get less in BC Parks than you did 10 years ago,” he said.

Alberta’s parks budget, at $71.6 million, is more than double B.C.’s budget, to conserve sites that comprise 2.75 million hectares, or roughly one-fifth of B.C.’s more than 13 million hectares. With a population of 3.7 million, Alberta spends about $19 per capita on parks while B.C. spends just $6.50.

B.C.’s camping fees are steeper than other spots in neighbouring regions. Alberta charges a basic overnight fee of $5 to $23, Alaska $10 to $20 US, Montana $15 US and Washington state $19 to $24 US. The Yukon is the cheapest, at $12 a night with free firewood thrown in.

However, B.C. has established 65 new parks, 144 conservancies, two ecological reserves and nine protected areas since 2001, preserving more than 1.9 million hectares of additional land.

Backcountry camping is still cheap in B.C., but don’t expect a shower, toilet or drinking water. Recreation Sites and Trails BC boasts 1,319 recreation sites across the province, mostly free or costing between $5 and $15.