Most of the campers along the Mamquam River Forest Service Road have moved out after the Squamish RCMP posted eviction notices on 16 tents.
But there are still a handful of campers – usually in the area temporarily for easy access to rock climbing – living deeper in the forest instead of on the side of the road.
“When people decide to go off in the backcountry and live there, it’s a big impact on the environment,” said Sgt. Jolaine Percival. “There are reasons [designated] campgrounds exist. They have washrooms, places to put garbage and other facilities.”
When handing out eviction notices, the RCMP officers gave the campers a list of authorized campgrounds in Squamish, but Percival was unsure if the campers decided to stay at one.
The tents along the road had been removed when The Squamish Chief visited the area, but some garbage, such as a derelict chair, open tins of food and discarded tarps, were left behind.
A rock climber, who was in the area and had previously camped there, said that most of the campers don’t leave behind garbage and that those who do give them all a bad reputation.
Some people, who can be seen from the road, have moved their tents into the forest. It’s possible that a number of them could move back to the road within a couple of weeks like they did last year.
As in previous years, most of the campers are from out of town and many drive cars with Quebec licence plates.
Illegal campers have also been spotted camping around the Stawamus River, Rose Park, Fishermen’s Park and other areas of Squamish.
Camping is not allowed in the district unless it’s in a properly zoned campground. It is, however, allowed on certain areas of Crown land, which the Mamquam River Forest Service Road is not a part of.
“Squamish is becoming frequented more and more as a visitor destination, so we are seeing more illegal campers who pose challenges around fire hazards, waste and wildlife attraction,” said Christine Moore, spokesperson for the District of Squamish.
With a fire ban in affect for all district and Crown land, the concern around illegal campers setting fires is heightened, said Percival.
She said the RCMP would return to the site if the bylaw department asks them to or if there are complaints from the public
