|
|
 |
Gordon Bay Provincial
Park on the Cowichan Lake east of Duncan
is a large park with 130 vehicle/tent sites. Reservations are recommended
in July and August, when the sun shines brightest on this southern
exposure. The lay of the land here traps heat, and daytime temperatures
are hot by coastal standards. The rewards for being here in April
and May in advance of the summer crowds include having your choice
of campsites and witnessing the spectacular display of wildflowers
that begin blooming in April.
Bamberton Provincial
Park is located just south of the Mill
Bay ferry terminal beside Hwy 1. The 47 vehicle/tent sites are
located just beside Johns Creek on the hillside above Sechelt Inlet.
Reservations are a necessity in summer, unless you are at the park
entrance at noon when a number of first-come spaces may be available,
depending on turnover. The one-two punch of a superb view and a sandy
beach makes this park a knockout for lucky visitors.
Ivy Green Park and Campground in Ladysmith was formerly a provincial
park and is now run by the Chemainus First Nations. The campground
enjoys a beautiful location on Ladysmith
Harbour, with a beach and shoreline nature trails.
There are five Forest Service recreation sites located on Cowichan
Lake and along the Nitinat Main Logging Road. Two small sites - Spring
Beach and Bald Mountain - are located on the north side
of the lake across from Gordon Bay Park and are limited to those campers
who arrive by boat, kayak or on foot. You could launch at Gordon Bay
or hike in from the Marble Bay entrance to the park. Two spacious
sites - Pine Point and Maple Grove - are situated on
the north shore of the lake, west of the town of Youbou, while a third
is located at Nixon Creek on the southwest side of the lake. All are
easily reached by following either the North or South Shore Roads
west of the community of Lake Cowichan.
The Forest Service recreation site at Nitinat Lake has the international
cachet that you'd also find in select places such as the Gorge in
Oregon or the Squamish Spit. Vans and trucks carrying board sailors
from around the world, and decked out with roof racks for windsurfing
equipment, occupy many of the rustic campsites beside the lake. You
don't have to brave the winds; just driving the logging roads west
of Cowichan Lake qualifies you to stay here. This campsite is busy
almost year-round. If it's not the windsurfers, it's the visitors
to nearby Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park.
Campsites are limited along the Sooke Basin section of the coast,
in part because of the rugged terrain, but also because of its location.
French Beach Provincial Park (69 vehicle/tent sites) is the place
many visitors head for camping. It's conveniently close to Sooke and
a good place to stage explorations to a number of beaches farther
north along Hwy 14. Campsites are well spaced and sheltered by a thick
rainforest canopy, as well as dense salal thickets above the beach.
Fairy Lake Forest recreation site is located a short drive north of
Port Renfrew on the Harris Creek Mainline Logging Road. Numerous rough
sites have been used for decades at Fairy Lake by holidaying forestry
workers and fishers. Weekdays are usually fine, but summer weekends
often get a little noisy if the rowdy crowds arrive. If you're reluctant
to take a chance, check out the Pacheedaht First Nations Campground
on the shores of nearby San Juan Beach. The campground is located
in Port Renfrew next to a
wide swath of log-covered beach. West Coast Trail hikers overnight
here before catching a ride to the trailhead. |
| |
 |
 |
Kayak with the Orcas (Orca Camp), Quadra Island |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Malahat Mountain Meadows RV Park, Malahat |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Pacific Playgrounds International, Black Creek |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Page's Resort and Marina, Gabriola Island |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Pedder Bay RV Resort & Marina, Metchosin |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Pioneer Inn & Riverside RV, Port Hardy |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Quatse River Campground, Port Hardy |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
RainforestNorth, Nanaimo |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Recreational Atlas, Victoria |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Riverside Resort & Campground, Qualicum Beach |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Sea Kayak in Desolation Sound, Powell River |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Strathcona Park Lodge, Campbell River |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge & RV Park, Quadra Island |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Ucluelet Campground, Ucluelet |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Vancouver Island Destinations, Port McNeill |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Village of Tahsis, Tahsis |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Beachcomber RV Park, Victoria |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Broughton Archipelago Paddler's Inn, Broughton Archipelago |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Canadian Adventure Rentals, Vancouver |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Cedar Beach Resort, Salt Spring Island |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Gorge Harbour Marina Resort, Cortes Island |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Heriot Bay Inn & Marina, Quadra Island |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Island West Fishing Resort, Ucluelet |
Listing Details |
|
|
| |
Kayak Johnstone Strait, Port Hardy |
Listing Details |
|
|
|
|
Web
Design by Sage
Internet Solutions.
