Kalamalka Provincial Park, reopened today, May 14.

(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

If you've exhausted all your local hiking trails and you're keen to get back into the wilderness, you'll be glad to hear that B.C.'s Provincial Parks reopen today for day use only.

While the majority of B.C. Parks across the Thompson-Okanagan have reopened to visitors for day use - camping resumes May 25 - some parks still remain closed and it's best to check before heading out to your favourite wilderness location.

Most facilities in the parks have reopened and visitors will have access to pit toilets, toilet buildings, picnic tables, benches, trails, viewpoints, beaches, docks and boat launches. However, visitor centres and concession buildings will only be reopened on a case by case basis.

B.C. Parks also wants people to stay close to home and only visit parks near to where they live.

As the animals that live in the parks have had a rest from human activity since the province closed the parks April 8, B.C. Parks says visitors should be aware that wildlife patterns and activity may have changed and that people may experience more interaction than they have done in the past.

B.C. Parks advises people to be careful, and remain aware of your surroundings at all times.

The B.C. government closed the parks April 8, citing that people were congregating in larger groups and not practicing physical distancing.

B.C. Parks says some parks still remain closed as they experience high visitor volumes which result in crowded facilities that do not easily allow for physical distancing.

Those wanting to go camping will have to wait until June 1 before the province opens up campsites. Reservations for campsites reopen May 25.

For more information and to check which parks are open go here.

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