It has been five years since the Witset RV Park and Campground successfully completed extensive facility upgrades and opened as B.C.’s first accessible campground in 2018 on the edge of Widzin Kwah Canyon in Witset. The campground was originally constructed in the 1980s and after many years of enjoyment by travelers from around the world, it needed modernizing upgrades to ensure it was a welcoming place to stay.
“The Witset RV Campground and Museum has put itself on the map since having received the latest improvements” said Brenda Shaffer and Jimmy Thomas, caretakers, Witset Campground and Museum. “The accessibility for more adaptive campers is wonderful, the flat level and well-manicured sites make it easier to park, enjoy and move without obstruction. Including the accessibility of the museum, tourists are able to include cultural storytelling and visualize the living history of Witsets people, cultural and beauty.”
Witset First Nation invested over $160,000 to design and install 32 full-service sites with updated electricity, build a new, fully accessible washroom building, purchase and install 40 firepits, purchase and install 50 accessible picnic tables, renovate and upgrade the laundry room and strategically place directional signage on the highway and in the campground. Northern Development contributed $137,605 to improvements at the campground, helping build a key attraction along Highway 16 and the western route from B.C. to Alaska.
Witset First Nation began the project by intentionally thinking of how they can best welcome people and share their rich culture with guests. As travelers continue to visit the campground and its strong reputation builds, the local community is also benefiting.
“The benefits to Witset go beyond esthetics and improve the quality of life for the community,” said Shaffer. “There are daily increases in visits to the area for walks and a dynamic playground for children and youth. There is an area for picnicking and the campground is an ideal place to invite the family. The campground also provides alternative work placements for students who are interested in tourism and hospitality and there are full-time seasonal employment opportunities. The increase of international visitors demonstrates how a rich and diverse experience can be enjoyed in a world-class setting.”
Witset First Nation received a grant through Northern Development’s former Economic Diversification Infrastructure program. Through the current funding programs offered by the Trust, this same project would be eligible for funding through the Recreation Infrastructure program.
