By Patrick Grace, Parks Canada

This year, Parks Canada pitched a new tenting concept in eleven national parks across the country: oTENTiks. Playing off the French pronunciation of the word “authentique”, these tent-cabin hybrids offer unique overnight stays in natural settings, sleeping up to six people in each tent without the fuss of roughing it.

Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse, located in Greater Victoria, were the first of two national historic sites in BC to set up oTENTiks this spring. Five oTENTiks have been installed on the grounds, much to the interest of the general public.

“What we’re really doing is introducing people to a new way of camping,” said Fort Rodd Hill site manager Matthew Payne. “We’ve received a lot of interest from families, including grandparents looking to bring their grandchildren. Some even saw the perfect setting for their family reunion or birthday party. oTENTiks tents are spacious and comfortable with above ground bunk beds and real mattresses—something for everyone.”

At Fort Rodd Hill, oTENTik tents were strategically placed on the east edge of the main field by the aspen trees, to capture the “authentic” experience of the active militia and their families while staying at the fort during the summer. Facilities, including washrooms and access to food storage, are located within walking distance of the tents—exactly where they would have been in the early 1900s.

Campers have access to the entire site grounds after closing hours, creating a tranquil overnight stay within an historic and natural setting. Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites, commemorate both the national significance of the fort as a coastal artillery fortress and the lighthouse as the oldest on Canada’s west coast.

Both sites are located on 45 acres of Garry Oak forests, with unparalleled views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic mountain range. Wildlife abounds in open and protected spaces of the site, including river otters, bald eagles, and Columbian blacktail deer. “The local and national history that comes alive at the site, offered interactive lessons for all of us…” says a recent oTENTik guest. “This was luxury camping at its best, right in our back yard.”

For more information visit www.parkscanada.gc.ca/fortroddhill. To reserve your overnight stay, contact Fort Rodd Hill staff at 250-478-5135, or by e-mail at [email protected]. Reservations are open from May long weekend, and are being taken until Thanksgiving, October 14, 2013.