The BC Provincial Park system is one of our regions greatest natural treasures. Each year over 60% of our residents spend time enjoying the pleasures of a provincial park and we are joined by many visitors throughout the prime camping months of May through September. Although with our traditionally milder temperatures, you will find dedicated campers out enjoying the outdoor life year round. There are over 25 provincial campgrounds on Vancouver Island alone and many of them operate with a partial reservation system to assist with planning ahead for your camping holiday. Some of the most popular campgrounds fill up quickly on holiday weekends and throughout the summer months, so a reservation will ensure you are not disappointed.

Services and amenities vary by campground. Provincial parks generally have water and wood available (for purchase) on site and some even have shower facilities and flush toilets. Often private campgrounds and RV parks offer additional amenities such as power and waste hookups, laundry and even dining facilities.

Some favourite campgrounds (both provincial and private) include:

Just outside the urban hustle and bustle of BC’s capital city of Victoria you will find yourself descending into the green and quiet world of Goldstream Provincial Park. Goldstream is actually a river that runs from the mountains to the ocean with waterfalls, wonderful hiking trails and forests of Douglas Fir, cedar, hemlock and arbutus trees. In Fall, the park provides visitors with a front row seat to watch the return of thousands of salmon during the annual spawning run.

Near Chemainus, Country Maples belongs to an RV Resort network and offers such amenities as full hookups, a laundromat, mini-golf, a convenience store and a heated swimming pool.

In Nanaimo the Living Forest Oceanside Campground is very popular with the RV crowd. So much so that it has received Gold Medal status in RV West Magazine’s Reader’s Choice survey for the past three years. With nicely spaced sites among the trees, some with ocean views, there are activities from hiking and cycling, to swimming in the Nanaimo River or playing beach volley ball or bocce.

At Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park near Parksville, the campsites are nestled amidst a towering forest of Douglas fir trees, and you will find yourself just a short walk from one of the best sandy beaches to be found anywhere. During low tide in summer the warm sand stretches out forever and as the tide turns the ocean water warms, providing for a delightful saltwater swim. This park is sandcastle-making heaven for the kids and a walk along the beach or through the many forested trails will leave you ready for a cozy nights sleep in your tent or trailer.

Horne Lake Regional Park Campground is a premier example of another tier of accessible camping opportunities available. Along with provincial parks, regional parks exist in many communities, as do forest recreation sites maintained by the forestry companies operating on the Island. Horne Lake has wooded sites for tents and RV’s on the shore of a large freshwater lake perfect for boating, swimming and other paddling adventures. The park is also home to an award winning outdoor education facility and an incredible cave system that can be explored via guided tours.

Tribune Bay Provincial Park on Hornby Island is home to one of the most spectacular beaches in this part of the world. Unfortunately there is not a campground within the park, but there are a number of private options that will allow you access to this almost tropical looking expanse of white sand. The Tribune Bay Campground is walking distance to the park and provides grassy sites, nicely screened by small trees and shrubs. There are picnic tables and fire rings at each of their sites, a wash-house, coin-operated hot showers and outhouses. They are also walking distance to a fun and funky co-op and market in case you are in need of supplies. Also on the island Bradsdadsland is a family oriented campground with an emphasis on the quiet enjoyment of outdoor living.

Up-island, about half way between the cities of Courtenay and Campbell River in the small community of Black Creek, you will find the fully equipped Pacific Playgrounds. An RV park that will be of particular interest for campers with a boat in tow, it features a sheltered marina, and there is great access here to both saltwater and freshwater fishing.

As you move farther north on the Island, vehicle accessible campsites become fewer, but there are also more wilderness camping opportunities as well as forestry and regional district sites. Northwest of Campbell River Schoen Lake Provincial Park has only nine vehicle access campsites available, but the peace and quiet of this location make it worth the trip into the Nimpkish Valley. The surrounding old growth forest contains rivers and streams, flowered meadows, small lakes and wildlife viewing opportunities including sightings of the elusive Roosevelt Elk.

For the quintessential west coast experience, no story of camping on Vancouver Island would be complete without a mention of Pacific Rim National Park. Green Point Campground has drive-in and walk-in camping facilities that are carved out of a heavily forested area above a fabulous hard packed sand beach just waiting to be explored. To maintain camper safety and protect this exquisite natural environment, the campground operates under a Bare Campsite Policy to discourage attracting wildlife such as bears into the area. Outside of the park there are also private camping facilities including Bella Pacifica Campground with oceanfront and forested sites just steps away from the wonderful sand of Mackenzie Beach.

Whether you wish to set up camp in a forest or along the oceanfront, near the soothing sounds of a river or stream, or beside a freshwater lake, you will find the perfect location to get away from the stresses of everyday life and take some Island time for yourself in an Island campground. The lush green forests, fresh air and sights and sounds of local flora and fauna provide a wonderful opportunity to re-connect with the natural world here on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

Some websites to help you plan your next camping trip on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands

For information on Rathtrevor, Goldstream, Schoen Lake and other provincial parks explore…

• BC Parks
• Country Maples
• Living Forest Campground
• Horne Lake Regional Park Campground
• Tribune Bay Campground
• Bradsdadsland
• Pacific Playgrounds
• Green Point Campground in Pacific Rim National Park
  
• For reservations at Green Point
  
• Bella Pacifica Campground
  

Downtown Victoria is a fascinating collection of independent retailers and well-known chains within a picturesque setting that mixes heritage building styles with au courant shopping experiences. With an eclectic mix of dining, arts & cultural and shopping opportunities available as well as events and festivals scattered throughout the yearly calendar, the capital city’s downtown experience is varied and vibrant.

Ladysmith, too, is making the most of its rich heritage and the shopping experience there takes you down memory lane with charming storefronts, boutiques and cafés lining their historic First Avenue.

The downtown core of the Harbour City of Nanaimo continues to undergo dramatic changes with the addition of the Vancouver Island Conference Centre to compliment the Port Theatre and the new Nanaimo Museum. The downtown is divided into three distinct areas: The Arts District (with galleries and performance venues), The Old City Quarter (with a fascinating mix of boutiques and unique shops located in vintage, character buildings) and the Waterfront District (stroll the Harbourside Walkway to visit shops, the Fisherman’s Wharf and Farmer’s Market).

In the central Island’s Oceanside region, Qualicum Beach draws locals and visitors alike for an afternoon’s stroll through the quaint downtown to visit the boutiques, bookshops, antique stores and galleries. Spacious sidewalks lined with flowerbeds and hanging baskets add to the charm & beauty of this small-town shopping experience.

The village of Cumberland, founded in 1888 was once an active coal mining community where you now can explore the heritage buildings and remains of what was once one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. Today the area has a high concentration of artists and musicians giving visitors galleries to explore and performances to attend.

Downtown Courtenay combines the charm of locally owned shops with urban appeal. You can find everything here from antiques and handmade chocolates to contemporary home furnishings and Island designed clothing. Combine that with great cafés and restaurants and you have a picture perfect afternoon of shopping.

If you are out on the west coast, Tofino is definitely worth a poke around as you meander through galleries & studios, bookstores and surf inspired boutiques.

Wherever you are on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands take some time to explore the unique shops and absorb some of the local ambience of our downtowns both large and small.

Downtown in…

• Victoria
• Ladysmith
• Nanaimo
• Qualicum Beach
• Courtenay
• Cumberland
• Tofino
  

The Islands are accessible via ferry and other marine services. Quadra Island is the largest and most easily accessible with regular vehicle and passenger service aboard a vessel from the BC ferries fleet. Quadra is home to a vibrant community that consists of those who make their living in fishing and other resource industries, alongside artists & crafters, working professionals and a healthy population of retirees. Large numbers of local volunteers support events and festivals that bolster the numbers of visitors to the region.

From Quadra Island there is also scheduled ferry service (crossing time is 40 minutes) to Cortes Island named for a Spanish explorer who mapped the island in the 1700s. It is known for its beautiful lakes, forests and white sandy beaches. It is also considered the gateway to boating, kayaking and sailing adventures in Desolation Sound.

The smaller and less well known islands await with land and water adventures to be had and can be reached via private water craft or boat charters, sea kayak tours and floatplanes.

The Discovery Islands await, providing an accessible point of entry to incredible outdoor adventures from whale watching and wildlife viewing to sea kayaking tours, salmon fishing and luxury resort lodges complete with spas and gourmet dining.

A few sites to discover…

• http://www.discoveryislands.ca

On Quadra Island

• http://www.coastmountainexpeditions.com
• http://www.capemudgeresort.com
• http://www.dragonflysuites.com
• http://www.quadraislandvacationrentals.com
• http://www.islandadventurecentre.com

On Cortes Island

• http://cortesisland.com
• http://www.cortesislandvacationrentals.com
• http://www.taililodge.com
• http://www.cortesislandmotel.com

On Rendezvous Island

• http://www.rendezvouslodge.com
• http://www.solstuawest.com

On Sonora Island

• http://www.sonoraresort.com

Campfire S’mores
There are a few variations of this ooey, gooey treat, but generally it involves toasting a marshmallow over an open flame and when it is golden brown squishing it between two halves of a graham cracker, layered with a piece of chocolate—we like to use a Hershey bar, but others will do and we have even used chocolate chips in a pinch.

To streamline the process we sometime use two digestive cookies that are pre-dipped in chocolate on one side… it keeps the chocolate from slipping out and falling to the ground while performing the hot marshmallow maneuver. For another tasty variation pop a marshmallow and a strawberry onto stick creating a warm and fruity filling for your S’more.

And if you want to be able to sing while you indulge check out this ode to S’mores by Buck Howdy on YouTube…S’more song

BC’s Best Camping Adventures: Southwestern BC and Vancouver Island
By Jayne Seagrave
Heritage House Publishing

Seagrave has published a number of superb guides to camping in British Columbia. This one provides helpful information and tips on the camping experience to be enjoyed in provincial parks on Vancouver Island.

“A dedicated tent camper, Jaynes’ enthusiasm, joie de vivre, and charm come through in her writing.” — BC Books

Desolation Sound & the Discovery Islands
By Anne & Laurence Yeadon-Jones
Raincoast Books (2000)

From the Publisher…
A short cruise north from British Columbia's Gulf Islands there lies an area of spectacular natural beauty that delights more and more boaters each year. This cruising guide features informative, hand-drawn shoreline plans of more than 100 selected marinas and small boat anchorages. Numerous colour photographs show the area in all its splendor.

Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones are experienced sailors who have logged thousands of hours cruising B.C.'s coastal waters in their 36-foot yacht, Dreamspeaker.