After experiencing an "unacceptably high level" of illegal and back-road camping over the last two summers, communities on Vancouver Island's west coast are collectively urging visitors to make reservations and only stay at authorized campgrounds.

After experiencing an "unacceptably high level" of illegal and back-road camping over the last two summers, communities on Vancouver Island's west coast are collectively urging visitors to make reservations and only stay at authorized campgrounds.

Representatives from the districts of Tofino and Ucluelet, the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District, local First Nations and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve issued a joint statement last week calling on campers to stop their "disrespectful behaviour."

The communities say illegal camping "has had a negative impact" on Indigenous lands and surrounding ecological areas, as well as increasing wildfire risk and putting first responders in danger.

The communities note that available reservations at west coast campgrounds tend to become fully booked quickly, and they advise campers who don't have a reservation to find alternative accommodations or delay their trips.