RVwest Insider

Want to camp for the long weekend but don’t know where to go?

Truck pulling a trailer parked at a pristine, clear lake.
How can you find a camping spot at the last minuge? — Photo courtesy istock/thinkstock

Looking to camp this upcoming long weekend but don't have anywhere to go?  

BC Day long weekend is approaching quickly and this summer's record breaking warm weather has definitely heated up campground occupancy. Joss Penny, Chair of the Camping and RV BC Coalition, says "typically we see an increase of campers during the long weekends and it can be challenging to secure a spot at your favourite campground. We recommend planning ahead, however we understand human nature and for last minute travellers we have compiled a list of over 35 campgrounds with availability throughout the province, so act fast. For campers who want to camp at a first come, first serve campsite at a Recreation Site or Provincial Campground arrive as soon as you can, even as early as Wednesday to get a site".

Or skip the buzz of the crowds during the long weekend altogether and instead, hit the road September 11-12. Campgrounds across Canada will participate in the Fall Camping Appreciation Weekend as thank-you to campers for camping in British Columbia, offering a special rate of two nights (Friday and Saturday) at $50.00 + GST. To view participating campgrounds click here.

Campgrounds with availability for the long weekend:

(Please note that all listings were submitted on July 28, 2015.  Campground availability can change quickly and property listings will be updated to the best of our ability.)

Vancouver Coast and Mountains:

Dogwood Campgrounds (reservation recommended)

Beautiful  treed tenting sites, large RV sites with 30 amp service, water, sewer as well as cable television and wi-fi, plus a heated pool. Dogwood Campground is centrally located providing easy access to the many attractions and services within the Greater Vancouver Region.

Address: 15151 112 Avenue, Surrey, BC

Phone number: 604-583-5585

RV and Tent Sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Cal-Cheak Recreation Site (first come, first serve)

Located 3km North of Brandywine Falls Provincial Park, on HWY 99, just past Callaghan Road Turn-off, turn right, cross the train tracks. This is the beginning of the Daisy Lake Forest Service Road (AKA Cal-cheak FSR). Travel about 100m to the first campsite. There are three groups of sites, the first one is called “”Callaghan Camp””, then the North and South Sites located another 200-500 m further.

This site is heavily treed with 3 large clusters of campsites along the Cheakamus and Callaghan rivers; drive-in sites. The Sea to Sky-Trans Canada Trail runs through this site and over the suspension foot bridge down to the Brandywine Falls Provincial Park. This site is within the Resort Municipality of Whistler, so check municipality fire bans. Beware of bears on site. Never leave food or garbage unattended for any length of time. RV sites but no hook-ups.

For more information click here

Manning Park Provincial Park (reservation recommended)

E.C. Manning Park is a focus of outdoor recreation that is unique in British Columbia. Located in the heart of the Cascade Mountains it is within a three hour drive from either the Lower Mainland (Vancouver) or the Okanagan.

Address: Located 26 km east of Hope (western portal) and 52 km west of Princeton (eastern portal)

Sites available Coldspring, Hampton and Mule Deer, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Vancouver Island:

Cedar Springs Ranch (reservation recommended)

Located 15 miles north of Victoria, 50 miles south of Nanaimo on the scenic Malahat Drive. Amongst towering cedars and firs, family-friendly, kids under 5 free. Heated outdoor pool, one and two room bunkhouses.

Address: 230 Trans Canada Hwy, Victoria, BC
Phone number: (250)-478-3332 or 1-844-578-3332

Sites available, as of  July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Nanoose Creek Campground (reservation recommended)

Unlimited open or treed space for tenting or individuals not requiring full service hookups.

Address: 212 Island Highway East, Nanoose Bay, BC
Phone number: (250) 468-7186 , Cell: 250-951-8338 or email: [email protected]

RV and tent sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Ucluelet Campground (reservation recommended)

Unique sites that range from harbour and mountain views to semi-private forested sites spreading over 15 acres. Village location. Hiking, kayaking, fishing, tours, restaurants, aquarium, groceries, beaches.

Address: 260 Seaplane Base Road, Ucluelet, BC
Phone number: (250) 726-4355 or email: [email protected]

Sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Surf Junction Campground (reservation recommended)

Beautiful woodland setting between Ucluelet and Long Beach. Private forest campsites, large full-service RV sites, showers, flush toilets, hot tub, sauna, espresso bar, covered picnic area, firepits, surf rentals and lessons (for guests only).

Address: 2650 Tofino-Ucluelet Hwy
Phone number: (250) 726-7214

Overflow sites and first come, first serve sites, non-reservable sites are available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Fair Harbour Marina & Campground (reservation recommended)

Fair Harbour is the gateway to Kyuquot Sound. The area is renowned for kayaking, wildlife viewing, fishing and camping. Fair Harbour is the perfect place to stage your remote west coast adventure from.

Address: #1 Fair Harbour/Zeballas Forest Service Road
Phone number:( 250)-483-3382

Sites available, as of July 28,2015
For more information click here

Salmon Point RV Resort & Marina (reservation recommended)

A super, natural, oceanside vacation spot for the entire family or as a base camp while you enjoy the many activities the area has to offer. Salmon fishing, whale watching, golfing, horseback riding, caving and hiking.

Address: 2176 Salmon Point Rd
Phone number: 1-866-246-6605

Sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Telegraph Cove Resort (reservation recommended)

Sheltered scenic ocean views located on Northern Vancouver Island. Situated in the picturesque boardwalk village of Telegraph Cove. 16 km off Hwy 19 at Telegraph Cove turnoff. Easy access to excellent salmon and bottom fishing. Summer home of the Killer Whale.

Address: Box 1, Telegraph Cove
Phone number: (250) 928-3131 or 1-800-200-4665

Sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Alder Bay Resort (reservation recommended)

Relax and enjoy the fabulous North Island scenery.  Experience spectacular sunsets, watch eagles soar and whales swim by your doorstep. Salmon fishing and bottom fishing are minutes away.

Address: 1 Alder Bay Road (off Beaver Cove Road, 10 km south of Port McNeill on North Vancouver Island)
Phone number:  1- 888- 956-4117 or (250) 956- 4117 Email: [email protected]

Non-service sites available, as of July 28, 2015
Click here for more information

Oceanside RV Resort (reservation recommended)

Award-winning and upscale RV resort is open year round and offers long-term, seasonal (high and off-season) and overnight voyageur sites. The resort has full service, partial service, and tent sites available. Located  a short 10 minutes from Sidney, 20 minutes north of Victoria, and 15 minutes from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.

Address: 3000 Stautw Road, Saanichton, BC
Phone number: (250) 544-0508  or email: [email protected]

Limited sites available as of July 28, 2015.
For more information click here

Owl Creek Recreation Site ( first come, first serve)

From Pemberton, drive North through Mount Currie, past the turn off for Lillooet. Stay on the Old Portage Road. The site is 4km passed mount Currie on the right hand side. Watch for HWY sign indicating when to turn off-just after the bridge over Owl creek. Pemberton, BC.

An open dry forest site, medium-sized, nestled in between the Birkenhead River and Owl Creek. Once a homestead, a small orchard of apple trees remain-watch for bears. Popular fishing spot. Usually not too busy. Large open sites, good for RVs.Tables, fire rings, garbage pick up and outhouses on site. A Site operator will be by in the evening to collect camping fees and will have firewood for sale.

For more information click here

Thompson Okanagan

Jandana Ranch (reservation recommended)

Safe, quiet family-oriented lakefront RV park located only 25 mins. from Kamloops on paved road. Fishing, swimming, hiking. Catch a good time.

Address: 3352 Pinantan Pritchard Road, Pinantan Lake, BC
Phone number: (250) 573-5800 or 1-800573-5881

Sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Knutsford/Kamloops RV Campground (reservation recommended)

Campground is clean, green and serene.Take Exit 368 to Hwy 5A. South of Kamloops. Sites are large, quiet and shaded. Clear mountain stream.  No pit-bulls allowed.

Address: 2721 Hwy 5A South, Kamloops, BC
Phone number: 250 372-5380 or 1-866-777-1954

Serviced and non-serviced sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Logan Lake Municipal Campground (reservation recommended)

On Logan Lake, beside Meadow Creek golf course, Copper Ridge disk golf and bike skills park. 1 km. from downtown, hiking on nature trail. Clean quiet. Reservation Fee $6.

Address: 600 Campground Ave, Logan Lake, BC
Phone number: 250 523-6283

4 sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Bel Air Cedar Resort (reservation recommended)

Friendly clean resort in orchard setting. Large shady grassed sites. Pull-thrus, 30/50 amp, cable, wireless internet, laundry, washrooms, picnic tables, heated pool, hot tub,club room, seasonal rates. Motel/cabins also available.

Address: 5650 Hwy 97 S, Oliver, BC
Phone number: 1-800-801-0999

One cabin, some rooms, RV sites and cabanas available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Desert Gem RV Park (reservation recommended)

Modern clean, friendly 5-star RV resort. Full hook-ups, long pull-thrus, 30/50 amp, cable, WiFi, guest laundry, sparkling washrooms. Restaurants and shopping next door. Wineries and golf courses are nearby. Off-season rates/ Snowbird deals. Good Sam Park. Big Rig Friendly.

Address: 5753 Main Street, Oliver, BC
Phone number: 250 498-5544

RV sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Okanagan RV Park (reservation recommended)

Large landscaped lots. Fresh fruit grown onsite. Close to attractions, golf, wineries and lake. Easy access to Hwy 97. Fenced and secure. Big Rig Friendly.

Address: 1865 Ross Road, Kelowna, BC
Phone number: 250 212-0937 or email [email protected]

RV sites available as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Brookside Campsite (reservation recommended)

A family-friendly campground with shaded, pull-thru sites, heated pool, free showers & WiFi, 9-hole golf course adjacent, full & partial hookups, group camping, No Trains. Firepits, super washrooms, sani-dump, basketball, arcade. Can accommodate big rigs. ATV trails nearby. Pet friendly, no charge.

Address: 1621 East Trans Canada Hwy, Cache Creek, BC
Phone number: (250) 457-6633

Partial service (water, 15 amp, power), no service RV sites and tent sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Shuswap Lake Motel & Resort (reservation recommended)

Family-oriented, well-treed and grassy level areas. 30 amp partial hookups. Super clean washrooms, free showers, firepits, playground. Motel and Resort also onsite. CP $50 nonrefundable deposit. Nightly pet fee $5, pets on leash

Address: 1185 Passchendaele Rd & Hwy 1, Sorrento, BC
Phone number: 1-888-587-0514

Motel rooms available, 3-day minimum over long weekend), as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Cedar Falls Campground (reservation recommended)

True wilderness camping at its best; large treed, private sites with firepits; near town, golfing , beaches; closest campground to Silver Star Mountain Provincial Park and BX Falls hiking/biking trail; hot showers, flush toilets; services available; seasonal store; laundromat. Campsite is nicely treed. Our elevation on Silver Star Mountain keeps the camp cooler than town, but only 10 mins. from Hwy 97.

Address: 7063 Tillicum Road, Vernon, BC
Phone number: ( 250)-558-1559

Limited sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Salmon River Motel & RV Park (reservation recommended)

On Trans Canada Hwy. 20 full-service gravel and grass sites, some beside river with small beach area (in season), large pull-thrus with easy ingress/egress. 5 mins. to Shuswap Lake. 2.5 kms to downtown Salmon Arm. Free showers.

Address: 910 40 St SW, Salmon Arm, BC
Phone number: (250) 832-3065

No campsites, 2 motel rooms available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Heritage Campsite at Monte Lake (reservation recommended)

Lovely Monte Lake views and natural forest park setting. Clean and friendly campground. Full, partial and unserviced sites. Shaded and grassed sites.

Address: 3961 Hwy 97, Monte Lake, BC
Phone number: (250) 375-2434

RV and tent sites, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Cariboo and Chilcotin Coast

Fraser Cove Campground and Guest Cottage (reservation recommended)

Fraser Cove Campground is a small campground situated on the quiet banks of the Fraser River offering a beautiful view and sandy beach. The unique riverfront property offers campers the opportunity to try their luck at gold panning, sturgeon fishing or simply relaxing on the beach. The campground has full hookup sites, (water, power and sewer), hot showers and flush toilets.

Address: 1234 Davis Road, Lillooet, BC
Phone number: (250) 256-0142

Sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Canyon Creek Campground & RV Park (reservation recommended)

BCs hidden secret. 18 acres of lush treed and green space. Eco trail, gold panning, Hixon Falls. Full services. Located halfway between Prince George and Quesnel. Perfect stop for circle route or to Alaska.

Address: 39035 Hwy 97 South
Phone number: (250)-998-4384

Sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Northern British Columbia

Beaverview RV Park & Campground (reservation recommended)
2 km east of McBride on Hwy 16 between Prince George and Jasper. Beautiful, quiet, all grass RV Park with majestic mountain views.

Address: 2435 Hwy 16 E, McBride, BC
Phone number: (250) 569-2513

Sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

MamaYeh RV Park (reservation recommended)

A beautiful provincial parklike RV park is nestled in a private 145 acres pristine forest setting. 10-mins. to Prince George city centre. Big rig friendly with extra large green buffers inbetween sites. Passport America Members welcome.

Address: 5235 White Road, Prince George, BC
Phone number: 1-778-899-1688 or 1-866-961-6828

Sites available as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Pipers Glen Resort (reservation recommended)

Its just viewtiful! Overlooking Fraser Lake with lakeview sites and cabins. Tent sites, full and partial hookups, long pull-thrus, firepits, carved bear, free showers. Located between Fraser Lake and Fort Fraser on Hwy 16.

Address: 14108 Hwy 16 E, Fort Fraser, BC
Phone number: ( 250) 690-7565

RV sites available as of  July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Moricetown RV Park (reservation recommended)

Prime location for sport fishing on the Bulkley River. Showers, washer and dryer. Cultural Museum and confectionary items available onsite.

Address: 163 Telkwa High Road, Moricetown, BC
Phone number: 250 847-1461

Sites available as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Kootenay Rockies

Castlegar Cabins, RV Park & Camping (reservation recommended)

Stay at one of the prettiest RV parks in the Kootenays. Friendly hospitality, entertainment,shopping, restaurant, fuel and propane services nearby. WiFi, phone, hiking trails. Coin laundry/showers. We have an off-leash pet area. Pet charge $2. Ask about our Park Models and Get-Away cabin for your Kootenay Vacation Stay.

Address: 1725 Hwy 3, Castlegar, BC
Phone number: 1-866-687-7275

4 RV sites, 1 Park Model available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Lemon Creek Lodge & Campground (reservation recommended)

Nestled between Kokanee & Valhalla Provincial Parks, Lemon Creek offers a wide variety of activities nearby. Try tubing down the Slocan River. There is canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, fishing and golfing  for your enjoyment. A post & beam European-style lodge with licenced fine dining & Finnish sauna. Full facility cabin rentals & a 26 site campground with hot showers & wireless internet included. As guests, we can pre-arrange at no extra charge, any of the existing activities.

Address: 7680 Kennedy Road, Slocan, BC
Phone number: (250) 355-2403 or 1-877-970-8090

Tent sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here

Howser Recreation Site (first come, first serve)

From the community of Meadow Creek head north on Highway 31 for 8.3 km. After crossing over the Lardeau River, turn right at Howser Station Road. Follow this road through Howser for 2.0 km to a fork. The road to the left takes you 0.3 km to the Howser Recreation Site. The road to the right will take you 0.3 km to Glayco Beach day-use area.

These sites are on the shore of Duncan Lake. There are good viewing and fishing opportunities here. Good cement boat launch adjacent to camping area. RV sites available with no hook-ups.
For more information click here

Stevens Creek Recreation Site(first come, first serve)

Whatshan Lake is a boating and popular fishing lake with more to offer than just big fish. In summer the lake warms up to very pleasant swimming temperature. Stevens Creek is very scenic. Whatshan Peak is directly across the lake and the Pinnacles loom in the distance. Large white pine trees shade level campsites. Some of the sites are clustered together, making them perfect for group camping. There is a day use area for picnicking and enjoying the pea gravel and sand beach. No RV Sites only tenting.

For more information click here

Fort Steele Resort & RV Park (reservation recommended)

18 km NE of Cranbrook (Hwy 93/95) across from Fort Steele Heritage Town (daily activities). Log cabin for rent. Enclosed area with kitchen for large groups and family reunions. WiFi available. Beautiful mountain views. Big Rig Friendly.

Address: Hwy 93/95, Fort Steele, BC
Phone number: 250-489-4268

2 sites available, as of July 28, 2015
For more information click here 

 

Related Articles

Close-up of Jensen audio equipment.
RVwest Insider

ASA Electronics® unveils two-way speaker for RV market

ASA Electronics has been designing and manufacturing mobile electronic products for the marine, RV, powersports, agricultural, construction, commercial vehicle, and bus industries since 1977.

Picture of camper on a ferry.
RVwest Insider

Eastern snowbirds encouraged to take the ferry

Welcome aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and take a break from the ordinary!

 

>