Looking to get into camping this summer? If you’re new to the adventures of the outdoors, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the number of campgrounds available in the province. It’s important that before you embark on this journey, you consider a few things: how far you’re willing to travel, what kinds of activities and amenities you’d like to access, and what kind of experience you’re looking to have. In general, the farther away you get from the city, the more peaceful the experience will be, at the cost of those sites being far more rural. While it’s important to stay within your adventure limits, your right to peaceful relaxation is also important. Below are a few beginner spots around the province that may help determine your personal balance of adventure and comfort.
Rolley Lake Park – $35/night
Rolley Lake Park is a perfect place to start if you’re new to camping in BC. Located just east of Maple Ridge, or less than an hour outside of Vancouver, this park provides a beautiful forested escape from the busy city life. Within the campground are 64 drive-in sites, with most located along the edges being decently private. This park provides all the amenities: drinking water access, clean flush toilets, hot showers, and plenty of activities. A short walk from the campground are several beginner hikes, a picnic area, and a small, sandy beach perfect for swimming. Because of this park’s proximity to the city, it’s extremely popular with families and is often booked up weeks in advance.
Pros: Beautiful sights, bathroom/shower facilities, short travel distance, sand beach
Cons: Extremely popular spot, Park is cash only, facilities are typically dirty when busy
Top tip: Book your spot as soon as possible!
Rathtrevor Beach Park – $35/night
Thinking of exploring Vancouver Island? Rathtrevor Beach Park is a great spot for those beginners looking to pitch a tent a bit farther from bustling city life. Located in Parksville, this seaside park features a huge sandy beach complimented by a beautiful old-growth forest. The 226 sites within the park offer accessible drinking water, flush toilets, and showers; it even has a bike park and two playgrounds for young kids! Like Rolley Lake, Rathtrevor is a hotspot in the summer months, with reservations booking up quickly. However, due to the large beaches and decent privacy offered within the sites, this park still allows for peaceful relaxation even when fully booked. The park offers numerous activities, such as hiking, cycling, fishing, and canoeing. Because of its central location, this spot is perfect for those looking to explore the Island, with many alternative (and less popular!) campgrounds just a short drive away.
Pros: Plenty of space, sandy beaches, clean and well-maintained facilities, central to numerous activities
Cons: Extremely popular spot, requires travel by ferry, ocean water can be too cold to swim for some
Top tip: Watch the sunset from the beach at least twice, it’s beyond beautiful!
Lightning Lake Park Campground – $35/night
Located a few hours of driving from Vancouver and right in the heart of E.C. Manning Park, Lightning Lake is a great location for those beginners wanting to escape the city completely. Separated into two loops, this campground has the works: flush toilets, showers, a playground, and plenty of activities. Huge fir trees surround many sites and offer considerable privacy, even when fully booked. The large loop is the closest to the water, with sites 26 to 44 offering a lake view. When it comes to activities, the options are endless. Close by are dozens of hiking trails that offer beautiful sights of the Cascade mountains, boat rentals, biking and horse trails, and a lake perfect for swimming. Lightning Lake is an excellent do-it-all spot, and because of that, it is very popular. However, with 450 vehicle accessible sites over four separate campgrounds within E.C. Manning Park, there are plenty of alternatives a short drive away. A little bonus is the nearby resort grounds, which offer Wi-Fi, a restaurant, a gift shop, and adorable ground squirrels that can be seen scurrying around the park’s grassy fields.
Pros: Plenty of space and privacy, abundance of activities, bathroom/shower facilities, relatively short travel from city, park offers first come, first serve sites
Cons: Reasonably popular in the summer, spotty cell service, an hour away from any major municipalities
Top tip: Because of its higher altitude it gets quite cold at nighttime, even in the summer. So, pack warm!
