Strathcona Park, Vancouver Island
Top among the striking landmarks campers get to see in Strathcona Provincial Park are Golden Hinde, at 7,210 feet the highest peak on Vancouver Island, and Della Falls, the highest cascade in Canada tumbling 1,444 feet down a canyon wall. The latter requires an elaborate multi-day trek by boat and on foot, but the scenery around the Buttle Lake and Ralph River campgrounds (open April through October) is certainly no consolation prize. Whether you stick close to camp or embark upon day or multi-day hikes, campers admire numerous other waterfalls, rivers and lakes backed by soaring mountain peaks.
Liard River Hot Springs, Off the Alcan Highway
In the often-frigid far north of British Columbia and just off the Alcan Highway is the second-largest hot spring in Canada, Liard River Hot Springs, along with a vehicle-accessible campground. Campsites are available year-round and reservable from May through September, when they’re very popular with road-trippers heading to Alaska. The Alpha pool, open to the public for bathing, remains a steamy 108 to 126 degrees F year-round. The springs are within dense spruce forests and close to warm water swamps where moose graze, witnessed by visitors from boardwalks.
Yoho National Park, Southeast BC
The four campgrounds in Yoho National Park all promise incredible views of the Rockies, but each has its own scenic highlights nearby. Among these natural treasures is the 1,260-foot Takakkaw Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Canada. Also don’t miss Emerald Lake, whose name teases its jewel-like color; a natural bridge across the Kicking Horse River; and the hanging valleys, high cliffs and forest trails around Lake O’Hara.
Naikoon’s North Beach, Haida Gwaii
The Haida Gwaii archipelago off the northern coast of BC combines natural beauty with the intriguing aesthetics of historic Haida cultural sites. While it’s relatively remote, Naikoon Provincial Park on Graham Island welcomes thousands of visitors in summer, when its Misty Meadows and Agate Beach campgrounds fill quickly. Campsites are right on the oceanfront, steps from the wide, driftwood-strewn sands of North Beach and close to mossy trails through misty cedar forests.
Wells Gray Provincial Park, the Cariboo Mountains
Much of the Cariboo Mountain region in east-central BC is within Wells Gray Provincial Park, an expansive wilderness featuring extinct volcanoes and lava beds, springs and glaciers, alpine meadows, many waterfalls, and dense forests of cedar, hemlock, Douglas fir and lodgepole pines. Hiking and water sports are popular among campers, who have a choice of four seasonal campgrounds plus four more year-round backcountry campsites.
Tatshenshini-Alsek Park, the Far Northwest
Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park, close to the borders of BC with Yukon and Alaska and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, is considered one of the most spectacular river systems on earth. Few visitors pursue adventures in this remote and pristine wilderness, but those who do invariably camp (without facilities) in the backcountry. The rewards for such venturesome campers are breathtaking panoramas encompassing glaciers, wild rivers coursing through coastal mountains, alpine meadows and high peaks, including the tallest mountain in British Columbia, the 15,300-foot Mount Fairweather.
Mount Robson Provincial Park, in the Rockies
Mount Robson Provincial Park, bordering Alberta’s Jasper National Park, is named for the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. A string of lower peaks lie in its shadow, along with the mighty Fraser River. Abundant wildlife, including over 182 bird species, black bear and grizzlies, caribou and mountain goats, inspires visitors to quietly admire the beauty of nature. Three vehicle-accessible campgrounds (Lucerne, Robson Meadows and Robson River) take reservations from mid-May to mid-September, and year-round backcountry camping along Berg Lake Trail is available with a permit.
Bear Creek Provincial Park, Okanagan Lake
On the northwest shore of Okanagan Lake, just 7 miles from Kelowna, campers can score coveted lakeside sites in Bear Creek Provincial Park. Reservations are required during the late-March to early October season, and the campgrounds tend to be fully booked in summer. The reason: a delightful mixture of sandy beaches, rocky canyon slopes covered with ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests, and a canyon floor covered with maples, birches and wildflowers. See the beauty of all these microclimates from the footbridges, wooden staircases and viewpoints of Bear Creek Canyon Trail.
Whistler, in the Coast Mountains
The most-famous peak in the Coast Mountains is probably Whistler Mountain, known for its Winter Olympics-hosting ski resort. Camping is available on the mountain all year-round, although it’s naturally more popular in warmer seasons. The Riverside RV Resort and Campground is one of a handful of options. It overlooks Fitzsimmons Creek from its evergreen forest home, where, along with tent sites, you’ll find yurts, log cabins and RV sites. Next door is Lost Lake Park with miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Southwest BC
Temperate rainforests, rugged coastlines, beaches and bogs characterize the splendid scenery of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve’s three regions. Drive-in and walk-in sites are available at Green Point Campground in the Long Beach Unit, offering a stunning setting on a bluff above the beach and open from early March to early October. There’s also backcountry camping in the Broken Group Islands, accessible only by boat, and along the West Coast Trail.
Vancouver Island:
Wya Point
For scenery and solitude in one of the most popular outdoor destinations of Vancouver Island, Wya Point Campground is the place to go. Located just south of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve near Tofino, Wya Point is set on an isolated and beautiful beach. The surrounding black rock shoreline and offshore islands add to the scene. This campground is located down a dirt road, well off the main highway, and sites are set in a forested area offering plenty of privacy. Most sites offer vehicle access, but the oceanfront sites require you to park and walk a short distance to the sites. However, it’s worth it for the views. You can also rent yurts, which line the beach just a short distance from the campsites.
China Beach
If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful area to camp, where you can hike and enjoy long walks along the beach, China Beach Campground is the perfect destination. Located at the southern end of Vancouver Island’s wild west coast, the campground is located in one of the most scenic areas off Highway 14, which runs from Sooke to Port Renfrew. China Beach is the southern terminus of the Juan de Fuca Trail, and as a result, offers some great nearby hiking. The beach itself is a huge stretch of pebbles and soft sand, backed by enormous trees. The campground is set a short distance down the highway from the beach and is in the forest, not along the ocean. It’s protected form the predominant winds and makes a great base for exploring this area of the island. Campsites are large and set among giant pines and cedars, and they offer plenty of privacy. This 78-site campground is open from the middle of May to the middle of September. You can reserve sites but first-come, first-served sites are also available.
Rathtrevor Beach
Set on a wide swath of sand, Rathtrevor Provincial Park campground in Parksville attracts families who come to enjoy the seemingly endless beach. When the tide is at its lowest, the ocean recedes nearly a kilometer, and when the tide comes in, the water is warm and shallow. Campsites are sheltered among tall pines and large enough to accommodate families with excessive amounts of gear.
This is an extremely popular campground in summer, and sites are a reservable during this time frame, but first-come, first-served sites are available in the shoulder season. The majority of sites are accessible by vehicles but there are also 25 walk-in sites, although these are just a short distance from the park area. The campground has multiple showers and flush toilets. This is a year-round campground, but services are limited from mid-October to mid-March.
Goldstream Provincial Park Campground
Located just minutes from Victoria, Goldstream Provincial Park is a wonderful campground for a weekend or midweek getaway. Home to some of the best hiking trails around Victoria, you’ll find plenty of ways to fill your days before relaxing around a campfire in the evening. Although it isn’t far from the city, this campground is set in the forest and well off the highway, so you feel like you are camping in the woods and far from the city. It has the added convenience of being within easy driving distance of stores if you forgot groceries or other essentials.
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
While this campground is not right on the beach, it is the only campground in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and is just a short drive to the town of Tofino. Hiking and surfing are both within easy reach, and dining and shopping are just down the road. Green Point Campground is set in a heavily wooded area high above the ocean. Sites are very private. Tents and RVs are welcome, and the facilities include flush toilets and showers. The campground is open from early March to early October, and reservations are definitely recommended from May to September if you want to be assured of a campsite.
Living Forest Oceanside Campground and RV Resort
This large campground in Nanaimo has approximately 300 sites spread over 53 acres of prime waterfront and forest property. Sites vary widely and range from oceanfront and riverfront to forest, all with varying degrees of sun or shade. If you like to walk, the resort has many kilometers of paved trails available that wind their way around the property. Also on offer are beach volleyball, bocce ball, and a games room. The resort is located just a short drive from downtown Nanaimo, and shops are only a five-minute walk away. This is a full-service resort with 30 and 50 amp service, sewer and water, and showers. Tenters are also welcome and have their own section.
Jordan River Regional Park Campground
Kiteboarders can set up camp along Vancouver Island’s west Coast, less than an hour from Victoria, at Jordan River Regional Park Campground. The shallow beach here is a kiter hot spot, and the campground looks out over the ocean, offering immediate and unfettered access to the beach. In one area, RVs are set up along the oceanfront in what is really a wide parking lot. Beyond here are a number of campsites in the trees for tenters. All sites are first-come, first-served, and the campground is open year-round. Facilities are limited to pit toilets only.
French Beach Provincial Park Campground
If you just want an easy and peaceful getaway from Victoria, French Beach Provincial Park offers an inviting stretch of beach; incredible views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Olympic Mountains; along with a children’s playground, picnic area, and a couple of kilometers of walking trails. The campground is set among large trees, and sites are spacious and private. This campground will appeal to all kinds of campers, but families may find it quite enjoyable and easy. If you use this campground as your base, you can also explore some of the hiking trails and other beaches along this stretch of coast.
Pachena Bay Campground
Pachena Bay Campground is located at the northern terminus of the West Coast Trail, a multi-day hike along the rugged shores of the Pacific Ocean. This is one of the most famous hikes in BC and of course, one of the top hikes on Vancouver Island. Hikers can start or end their trek from the Pachena Bay Campground, just five kilometers from the town of Bamfield. The campground is tucked in the forest near a stretch of beach and can accommodate RVs, as well as tents. Sites have power and water hookup, and facilities include hot showers and flush toilets.
Butte Lake Campground, Strathcona Provincial Park
Located in North Central Vancouver Island, Strathcona Provincial Park boasts a mountainous landscape, with lakes and rivers, popular with hikers and mountain bikers. As the name suggests, Butte Lake Campground is set on Butte Lake, and campsites are mainly set in a forested area of Douglas firs, but some are lakefront. You can reserve a site in advance or take your chance with the first-come, first-served sites. All of the 85 sites are vehicle accessible.
Saysutshun/Newcastle Island Campground
Saysutshun Newcastle Island is a perfect family camping destination just a 15-minute ferry ride from downtown Nanaimo. The island is car-free, so you need to be prepared to walk approximately five minutes to one of the 18 campsites. Some sites line the waterfront, but a majority are set in among large trees. Since this is an island, you don’t have to worry about bears or cougars, however, there are raccoons who will be more than happy to pillage your cooler if it’s left unattended.
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