Top-Rated Campgrounds Near Vancouver, Canada
In the southern regions of British Columbia Province, Vancouver conceals many cultural wonders, there are no campgrounds within the Greater Vancouver municipality. However, arrays of campgrounds can be found in the region’s variant landscapes; facilitated with electric stations, flush bathrooms, stores and occasionally laundromat, or non-provisioned camping at the humbleness of a wooden cabin and basic conveniences- there are camping destinations for all needs and wants.
Discover all the natural and historic attractions that North America’s third-largest park system has to offer with our guide to the top 15 campgrounds near Vancouver.
1. Mount Seymour Provincial Park
The citizens of the lower mainland have long been enjoying the mesmerizing beauty of the North Shore Ranges and the entire Mount Seymour Provincial Park, including its scenic campgrounds. Only a 30 minutes’ drive from Vancouver, it is virtually the closest camping site to BC’s capital city, offering an integral perspective of the cultured demeanor of Metro Vancouver.
In the north of Mount Seymour Parkway, sign panels lead the hand-curated paths to the camping ground. Tent sites and sanitary amenities are the amenity features of this modest backcountry campsite; additionally, the hiking trails to Lynn Valley and Deep Cove, and vistas of the bold summit of Mount Baker and shores of Indian Arm. Campfires are prohibited in the background for safety reasons and to avoid wildfire.
2. Indian Arm Park
Indian Arm, or Say, Nuth Khaw Yum, Park protects Indian Arm fjord, a few kilometers to the east of Mount Seymour. It was formerly home to the ancient indigenous tribes of Canada, who left behind their heritage. These archeological sites are sprinkled around hiking paths that continue in between the old-growth forests, a chain of high-altitude lakes, and thriving wildlife.
Campgrounds are found in the north of Twin Island and, in the vicinity of Granite and Silver Falls, Bishop Creek, marking the only two designated camping areas with vehicle accessibility, for the vans and caravans no longer than 5.5 meters.
3. Golden Ears Provincial Park
Within the boundaries of Golden Ears Provincial Park, the eastern valleys of Vancouver embrace one of the country’s most delightful campsites. On the shores of Pitt Lake, the park is renowned for its modern recreational facilities, while maintaining the serenity and integrity of surrounding wildlife. Encircled by rugged summits of Canadian Rockies and the coastal Hemlock forests, the lower mainlands’ groomed trails, campgrounds, and small dock harbors for boating and fishing sports- bring together an ultimate destination for the outdoorsy people.
It houses three campgrounds with slightly different purposes. Alouette is the first and largest of the camping stations, integrated with over 400 formal campsites, playgrounds, and sanitary facilities. Along with the other two humbler campsites at the Gold Creek with the world-famous East House National Recreation Trail, and the North Beach, overlooking the Fraser River.
Several locations on Alder Flats are regarded as free camping areas with no provided amenities; West Canyon and Golden Ear Trails, and the hike to Panorama Ridge, offer a night-sky shelter on the slopes of Mount Blanshard and the Maple Ridge.
4. Porteau Cove Provincial Park
The southernmost fjord in Canada, and North America, is protected by Porteau Cove Provincial Park, harboring one of the most scenic campgrounds in proximity to Vancouver. the park spans over the shorelines of Howe Sound, housing a waterfront campground. Other features include two posh camping suits, available only through prior reservations, tent sites, bathrooms, discharge pits, and other basic facilities. Vancouverites often visit the reserve as a serene refuge and away from the sound and light population of the cosmopolitan.
Besides camping, sporty recreations are the characteristics of this nature reserve; paved boating launches, windsurfing and kayaking, artificial reefs suitable for scuba diving, and swimming along with a comprehensive hiking network to discover the lush slopes of Mount Seymour. Please note that marine life at the mouth of the Strait of Georgia is protected by the reserve, and fishing or removing any marine species from Porteau Cove coasts is prohibited.
5. Sunshine Coast
With pristine beaches, spectacular vista, and splendid nature, Sunshine Coast lies a few kilometers opposite Porteau Cove and along the Strait of Georgia. In between the greenery of West Coast Mountain slopes, creeks, and shorelines, a number of campgrounds and campsites host the annual visitors.
At the Great Sandy National Park, Freshwater Camping Ground permits facilitated camping, while its neighboring campsite at Teewah Beach offers a rather simpler stay- amid the sand dune terrain of Sunshine Coast. Kenilworth Bluff Creek campground maintains a handful of campsites and other services as horseback rides and tour guides to nearby localities.
Other renowned campsites in the Sunshine Coast region are; Cotton Tree Holiday Park on the sandy coasts, the recreation-based Nine Mile Camping Grounds, Booloumba Creek campsite next to a series of falls.
6. Porpoise Bay Provincial Park
Enlisted with the wonders of Sunshine Coast, Porpoise Bay Provincial Park points to the most family-friendly destination, and yet enveloping a scenic landscape. Located on the soft shores of West Coast Range, the park is fabled for its sabulous coasts, grassy meadows, and views of the hidden grooves of Sechelt.
The park’s management has adapted around eco-tourism and supports recreational sports, housing several camping grounds; whether in need of electricity-geared vehicle campsites to group camping areas or tent sites. Fire pits, hot shower cabins, and flush bathrooms comprise additional amenities.
7. Cultus Lake Park
Distinguished as a jewel of Fraser River, the Park embodies the Cultus Lake and a thin stretch of its surrounding nature. Sandy coastlines, picturesque lake, and the ringing woodlands lure thousands of visitors each summer to Cultus Lake campgrounds. To accommodate the many admirers of the lake, both official campsites and privately owned campgrounds provide various camping options.
Sunnyside campground lies at the sandy center of the lake, the region’s only official campground with electricity, an abundance of scenic views, and a children Sunnyside campground. Clear Creek Campground near the idyllic seven sister trail, Delta Grove Campground with direct beach access, and the romantic woodland campsites of Honeymoon Bay- are other mentionable campsites.
Moreover, an entertaining water park and an adventure park are within reach from the shore and campsites marking this destination as a popular family campground through summers.
8. Alice Lake Provincial Park
A two hours’ drive from Vancouver, trans-highway Canada reaches the quaint town of Squamish and to the borders of Alice Lake Provincial Park. The glacier-fed lake illustrates outstanding shades of turquoise. Complemented with a lush forest and grass-covered laws, it portrays a scenery characteristic to Canadian highland lakes.
Besides the admirers of nature, photographers, and recreation enthusiasts, the park is an ultimate family destination each summer. Alice Lake Provincial Park’s official campground is one of the country’s best lakefront camping locations, with a whopping 108 composites, electricity, heated showers, and a play area. Due to the park’s popularity throughout the season, prior reservation is strongly recommended.
9. Harrison Hot Springs
The small resort town of Harrison Hot Springs perches on the southern shores of Harrison lake, one of Canada’s most popular destinations worldwide. Whether for hiking, biking, indulging in posh entertainments such as golf, Avant-grade spas or simply camping amid the untamed nature of Fraser Valley- Harrison hot spring offers something for all tastes.
At a walking distance from the sandy beaches to the proximity of the scalding spring pools, the stretch is dotted by several facilitated and basic camping grounds. Although the most notable campground is at the Harrison Country Club with high-quality camping amenities, occasional events, and exceptional management; who recommend pre-hand booking and favor long-term rentals throughout summer.
10. Kilby Provincial Park
Only twenty minutes from Harrison Lake and the unwinding thermal pools, Kilby Park is situated in Harrison Mills, binding together history and recreation. The park conceals the archaeological heritage of Fraser Society at the Historic site Museum, sided with long sweeps of sparkling beaches.
The entire area is relatively small, although illustrating astounding vistas and high-quality campground facilities. Kilby campground comprises its own beach, in the vicinity of a paved boat launch, an aquatic sports center, and a children’s playing area.
11. Sasquatch Provincial Park
Harrison Hot Springs is perhaps the most popular get-away from Vancouver, enfolded by spectacular landscapes of Sasquatch Provincial Park. A few kilometers to the north lies a chin of pocket lakes, birch forests, and the renowned Deer Lake, safeguarded within Sasquatch Provincial Park.
Bench Campground with over 60 equipped campsites is the main host of the reserve, together with Lakeside campgrounds around Deer Lake and Hikes lake campground with a kayaking and boat dock. Camping accommodations are available round-year here at Sasquatch provincial park.
12. Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
Exceptional marine, rugged coast of the Pacific Ocean, scenic hikes, and unique flora and fauna- the picturesque terrain of Juan de Fuca Provincial Park spans between Sooke and Port Renfrew coastlines. Marine life is colorful at the park’s coast, providing an optimum destination for a striking scuba diving experience, in addition to kayaking, swimming, water, and windsurfing.
Strenuous highland hikes, to picnic amid the uninhabited terrains, and furnished camping feature the inland activities. There are four camping grounds around the coastlines, out of which China Beach Camping is the only vehicle accommodating campsite. Botanical Beach and Marine Trail are the more scenic, yet least facilitated, together with day-use designated camp stations at China Beach.
13. E. C. Manning Provincial Park
Sitting at the heart of Cascade mountains, Manning Provincial Park extends to a driving distance from Vancouver, housing an all-season recreation destination. A premium winter ski resort, the park is renowned for outdoor activities through spring and summers, such as; hiking around the flower bloomed valleys and Pacific Crest Trail, and aquatic sports near the cerulean Lightning Lake and cragged creeks.
As a prominent family destination, it presents from vehicle-accessible and convenient camping to wilderness bivouacking; Lightning Lake Campground marks the largest with a playground and other immediate facilities. Coldspring river on the banks of Similkameen River, Mule Deer Campground at its proximity, and Hampton camping at the park’s entrance- highlighting other campsites.
Frosty Mountain and Buckhorn Trails are two of many backcountry campsites around the scenic trails of Manning.
14. Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park
Spanning between Canada and America, Chilliwack Lake provincial park protects the Canadian side of the lake’s biotope. The sparkling lake is encircled by the primary forests, rising on the slopes of Elk Mountain- noted as one of Canada’s most charming lakes. The southern shorelines are enfolded by open grasslands and soft shorelines, marking the recreation epicenter of the reserve.
Many hiking routes from coastal walks to challenging mountain hikes link the region’s natural treasures to the park’s official and fully equipped campground. The park boasts a number of scenic backcountry campsites with basic resources for a more adventurous camping experience.
15. Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park
A brief ferry ride from Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay, the ancient settlement of Saysutshun spots on Newcastle Island, safeguarded by its Marine Provincial Park. On the shores of the Saliha Sea, the reserve blends ancient heritage with the exceptional coastal landscape.
The natural beauty of the region is accompanied by the outlandish serenity of the island- marking this destination as the most serene campground on our list. The island is a car-free zone that contributes to its uncontaminated peace.
The campgrounds are linked to countless hiking routes and surrounding archeological wonders. In addition to the serene ambiance and Dark Sky at nights, the center provides heated showers, fire pits, and a variety of recreational sports. Prior reservations are too highly recommended for a peaceful and unforgettable experience on Newcastle Island.
While Vancouver’s cosmopolitan structure does not permit any camping stations within the municipality, there are numerous locations to visit and enjoy a few nights’ stays near Vancouver and amid the unique nature of British Columbia.
Nairn Falls Provincial Park sits on the rafting famous Green River, a few kilometers from the town of whistler, providing drive-in camping grounds, to basic backcountry campsites. Only a short walk from Nairn Falls, this camping destination is noted among the most scenic and admired campsites, with a charismatic landscape.
