The vast landscapes of British Columbia invite adventure and discovery. It’s easy to have the urge to get out into the big outdoors while you’re in Vancouver because it’s surrounded by mountains and the ocean, but finding a location to pitch a tent is a bit more difficult. While there are no campgrounds in Vancouver itself, there are lots of excellent camping alternatives nearby. We’ve compiled a list of the top campgrounds around Vancouver to help you fulfil your desire for an outdoor experience.
All of these campgrounds are within two hours of the city, with some of them being only one hour away. The best match for you depends on your destination: you might drive up the Sea to Sky Highway to Squamish, take a ferry to the Sunshine Coast, or pack your belongings and go east to the Fraser Valley. The campgrounds on this list include a variety of frills and facilities. There are wilderness campsites on the other end of the spectrum that require a backcountry trek to reach. Many campsites, on the other hand, have RV sites with full hookups, laundry facilities, hot showers, and even Wi-Fi. It all depends on the kind of adventure you’re looking for.
Now Coming to Best Campsites, Here are the best Campsites and Campground in and around Vancouver
1. Golden Ears Provincial Park
Golden Ears Provincial Park is a popular destination for people seeking a dose of Mother Nature in Vancouver. There’s much to do, see, and discover in Golden Ears Provincial Park, which has a variety of treks for all degrees of difficulty, canoe and kayak rentals, swimming spots, and beaches for relaxing. An overnight camping excursion is much better than a day trip to the park. Camping is available in Golden Ears Provincial Park.
Vehicle-accessible camping is available in three locations: Gold Creek, Alouette, and North Beach. Campsites should be requested in advance (particularly during the summer), and bookings are restricted to 14 nights per calendar year per person, so don’t be greedy! Two group camping sites with a capacity of 15-50 persons are also available. There are many approved wilderness backcountry camping sites that may be accessible by hikers via path or by boaters on the lake, in addition to the three campsites listed above. There are just a few campsites available, and all campers must first get a backcountry camping permit before setting up camp.
2. Mount Seymour Provincial Park
You’ll have a hard time finding a campground closer to the city than Mount Seymour Provincial Park. If you’re seeking to car camp, this isn’t the place for you; but, if you’re looking to get out into the wilderness for a break from the city, Mount Seymour has lots of options. North of Brockton Point, campers can pitch a tent inside park borders. Although there are no legally designated campsites, campers should try to pitch their tents in places where they will not harm the ecosystem.
Because there are no formal campsites, there aren’t many amenities save the standard restrooms provided to all park visitors – and campfires are forbidden in the wilderness. Mount Seymour Provincial Park offers free backcountry camping, as well as a reservable group campground with amenities including a pit toilet, group shelter, picnic tables, and a fire pit.
3. Porteau Cove Provincial Park
Take beautiful Sea to Sky Highway and in 45 minutes from Vancouver you’ll reach Porteau Cove Provincial Park. Porteau Cove, which overlooks Howe Sound, is a popular destination for boaters and scuba divers seeking to get out on the water. It’s also an excellent choice for campers seeking to pitch a tent near to home, as it’s only a short car ride back to the city if tragedy strikes. Porteau Cove has 60 front-country campsites that may all be rented in advance. There are two Olympic Legacy Cabins available for rent, each of which has a kitchenette and en-suite bathroom and can accommodate up to four people.
There is also a solitary RV-friendly campground; prepare carefully if you want to get this lone spot. Though the campground is open all year, its closeness to Vancouver makes it particularly popular during the summer. As a result, a seven-day stay limit has been established to guarantee that everyone has the opportunity to camp. And, despite its proximity to the city, the campground is hidden away from the city lights; on a clear night, the absence of light pollution will show a beautiful starry sky, so make sure to pop your head out of your tent.
4. Sunnyside Campground
Cultus Lake has become a summer ritual for many Vancouverites, and with good reason: the wide-open lake, hidden among woods and mountains, is the ideal escape from the city. Cultus Lake is only a 100-kilometer trip from the city, yet it feels like an eternity away. Cultus Lake Park’s designated campground is Sunnyside Campground. It has 65 acres of campsites, some of which are directly on the river and many of which have breathtaking views.
The family-friendly campground is well located; you can leave your car and forget about it because the neighbouring water park, mini-golf course, hiking trails, and, most importantly, ice cream shops are all within walking distance. Hundreds of campsites are available, ranging from tenting sites to RV sites to group camping spaces. Boat rentals, playgrounds, laundry facilities, and much more are available at the campground. Even your four-legged pals are welcome – the lake even has pet-friendly bathing sections!
5. Alice Lake Provincial Park
Alice Lake Provincial Park has a large network of trails, four beautiful lakes, and a variety of other attractions, making it one of the finest spots to pitch a tent near Vancouver. A paved road goes straight to the 96 vehicle-accessible campsites, which are just a short distance from Alice Lake, which is ideal for swimming, canoeing, or paddleboarding. Eleven double campsites and two big group camping spaces are also available. Are you looking for a place to plug in your electronics? Electricity is available at one of the group sites and 55 of the ordinary campsites. All of the campsites are well-shaded, which is a welcome relief on a hot summer day.
From June through September, Alice Lake is a very popular tourist destination. Reservations are required in the summer, even though they are accessible all year. Don’t miss out on the campground, which is a popular home base for families, rock climbers, and mountain bikers who want to take advantage of everything Squamish has to offer.
6. Sasquatch Provincial Park
Sasquatch Provincial Park, located in Harrison Hot Springs, is a beautiful park noted for its lakes, which are popular for motorboating, canoeing, and fishing. Sasquatch Provincial Park has three separate campsites: Hicks Lake, Bench, and Lakeside, all of which are vehicle-accessible. Some locations can be requested in advance, while others are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Hicks Lake also has a group campground that can accommodate parties of 15 to 40 individuals. Depending on where you camp, amenities differ. Lakeside campsite, for example, has an adventure playground, a picnic area, and pit toilets.
7. Rolley Lake Provincial Park
Rolley Lake Provincial Park has 64 wooded campsites and is about an hour’s drive from Vancouver. The campground is within a few minutes from Rolley Lake, where campers (and day visitors) may swim and relax on the sandy beach, fish (with a permission, of course), and canoe. The location is blissfully quiet because no motorised craft are permitted on the lake. Each campsite has a campfire ring (but check to see if there are any fire restrictions in effect), as well as drinking water from faucets located around the park. Both flushing toilets and hot showers are available at Rolley Lake. A playground is also available for the children’s enjoyment. Since always, make a reservation in advance, as this campground fills up rapidly, especially during the summer.
8. Fort Camping
Langley’s Fort Camping is the place to go if you’re searching for a spot to camp with your RV. Fort Camping, which is located on the Fraser River, has 156 campsites, some of which are suited for big RVs with full hookups. All 156 sites include 30 amp electricity and water, as well as Wi-Fi for those who don’t want to be completely disconnected. There’s also a group campground with enough for up to 30 campers, as well as five big family tent cabins with room for five people each. Fort Camping has everything you need, including a camp store and on-site café, as well as laundry facilities and bike rentals. The campground is also close to walking trails and has beach access, providing for plenty of outdoor activities.
9. Vedder River Campground
Another wonderful camping is Vedder River Campground in Chilliwack, which is about 10 minutes away from Cultus Lake. Vedder River Campground, which is open seasonally from early June to early November and offers campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs, is located on the banks of the picturesque Vedder River. Laundry facilities, picnic tables, and an on-site store are just a few of the amenities available at the campground. The playground and a game of horseshoes will be a hit with the kids. The Fraser Valley Regional District hosts Vedder River Campground, which accepts bookings online.
10. Porpoise Bay Provincial Park
The Sunshine Coast is one of the finest locations to get away from the city: just 45 minutes by boat from Horseshoe Bay, it’s close enough to be handy yet far enough away to feel like a genuine holiday. Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, which has both car-access campsites and an open cyclist-only camping area, is one of the greatest locations to camp on the coast. One of the campsites is wheelchair accessible, and there is also a group campground with space for 15-50 people.
Drinking water taps, community fire pits, flush and pit toilets, and showers are all available at the campgrounds. Some campsites can be requested in advance, while others are only available on a first-come, first-served basis. The nicest thing about this park is how close it is to hiking trails, sandy beaches, and the Sechelt Inlet. There’s lots of room to spread out, run about, and spend some time outside.
We’re confident you’ll find one to add to your list among the over ten Campground/Campsite near Vancouver on our list. What is your go-to Campsite destination near Vancouver? Let us know in the comments section.