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It may be hard to think of the joys of camping in the great outdoors just yet.

But Parks Canada has set two dates in early January when it’ll be taking the first of online and phone bookings for popular West Coast camping sites.

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On Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 8 a.m., booking begins for the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, which has a mix of drive-in campgrounds and backcountry ones, including sites by the ocean at Sidney Spit and on Pender and Saturna islands.

In 2017, there was a 22-per-cent increase in camping in the Gulf Islands reserve, so would-be visitors are encouraged to secure popular, long-weekend times in advance.

Also available in some locations are oTENTiks, a cross between a tent and a rustic cabin, complete with beds and Wi-Fi, for those who prefer glamping in nature.

Fort Rodd Hill and the Fisgard Lighthouse sites on Vancouver Island, in particular, have oTENTiks with a spectacular location that will be taking reservations on this day.