Frontcountry campgrounds are designated camping areas that are easily accessible by two-wheel-drive city cars. They are usually maintained by park operators (which comes with fees), but some can be user-maintained and free of charge. The campgrounds can vary widely in terms of amenities, from very basic rustic ones with pit toilets and no running water, to luxurious private ones with laundry, electricity, and wifi.
Rustic Campgrounds
These frontcountry campgrounds have pit toilets and no shower facilities. Most but not all have a drinking water source and garbage collection.
Camping on Gabriola Island – Descanso Bay Regional Park
Quick Facts: Descanso Bay Regional Park website: https://www.rdn.bc.ca/descanso-bay-regional-park Access to water: very short walk to the water Obstructed views of the ocean Rustic amenities with pit toilets, no showers, and only one water tap far from campsites Activities: trails and…
Camping at Sasquatch Provincial Park – Hicks Lake Campground
Quick Facts: BC Provincial Parks website: https://bcparks.ca/sasquatch-park/ Access to water: walkable distance, with some sites with obstructed views of the lake Pit toilet, non-potable water source, garbage collection Activities: water sports, limited hiking Beach type: mix of sandy and pebbly…
Camping at Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park
Quick Facts: BC Provincial Parks website: https://bcparks.ca/sxotsaqel-chilliwack-lake-park/ Access to water: walkable distance from Paleface Loop, only pick-a-boo views of the water from campsite Pit toilet, drinking water source, garbage collection Activities: playground, water sports, hiking Beach type: mix of sandy…
Solo (Plus) Camping
When the weather forecast called for unseasonably warm temperatures across the region, Tina and I made an impromptu decision to book a camping trip for the weekend. Unfortunately, Middle Bro got a fever the day before our departure so Tina…
Camping at Cal Cheak Recreation Site
Quick facts: First-come-first-served, maintained RSTBC Rec Site 3 groups of campsites: Callaghan Camp, North Camp, and South Camp $15/party/night. Exact cash only. Party = 1 vehicle, max 6 people. Location: 15 mins south of Whistler Village, 2 minutes north of…
Camping at Ruckle Provincial Park on Salt Spring Island
Quick Facts: BC Provincial Parks website: https://bcparks.ca/ruckle-park/ Access to water: camp sites are on rocky outcrops unsuitable for launching a water craft. A day use area with a pebble beach is nearby for launching hand-carried water crafts. Pit toilet, drinking…
Nairn Falls Camping
Quick Facts: BC Provincial Parks website: https://bcparks.ca/nairn-falls-park/ Access to water: short drive or an easy hike to One Mile Lake just to the north of the campground Rustic facilities: pit toilets, pumped water, no showers Activities: nice hike to Nairn…
Gold Creek Walk-In Campsites at Golden Ears Provincial Park
Quite presciently, BC Parks added 65 campsites at the ultra popular Golden Ears Provincial Park in 2019. This undoubtedly helped with the COVID-19 Outdoor Rush of 2020 and 2021. Twenty of these new additions are walk-in sites at the Gold…
Deluxe Campgrounds
“Deluxe” frontcountry camping would include hot showers, flush toilet, garbage disposal service, and in many of them, playgrounds for kids.
Camping at Larrabee State Park
Quick Facts: Washington State Park website: https://www.parks.wa.gov/536/Larrabee Judd rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 Stienstra rating: 9 out of 10, Best for Wildlife Viewing and Best Waterfront Campgrounds Access to water: walkable distance, but no view of the water from…
Camping at Porteau Cove Provincial Park
Quick Facts: BC Provincial Parks website: https://bcparks.ca/porteau-cove-park/ Access to water: steps to the water’s edge Fantastic views of Howe Sound Deluxe facilities: flush toilets, hot shower in the loop. Activities: water sports, or just be mesmerized by the ocean views.…
Camping at Golden Ears Provincial Park
Quick Facts: BC Provincial Parks website: https://bcparks.ca/golden-ears-park/ Access to water: walkable distance down a winding trail (Campers Beach Trail) with gentle slope, about 300m from the closest campsite in Alouette Campground and 500m from the closest campsite in Gold Creek…
Camping at Dash Point State Park
Quick Facts: Washington State Park website: https://www.parks.wa.gov/496/Dash-Point Judd rating: 3 stars out of 5 Stienstra rating: 8 out of 10 Access to water: drivable distance to Dash Point Beach (or an uncomfortable 1km, downhill walk on the road from campsites)…
Camping at Birch Bay State Park
Camping in Washington State Parks From our home base in Vancouver, we’ve camped to the north along the Sea to Sky corridor and Sunshine Coast, west on Vancouver Island (ok, technically Victoria is more south than west from Vancouver, but…
Rolley Lake Camping
Quick Facts: BC Provincial Parks website: https://bcparks.ca/rolley-lake-park/ Access to water: quick drive to the day use beach. No views of the lake from campground. Deluxe facilities: flush toilets, hot shower, playground Activities: water sports, hiking Beach type: sandy beach Outdoor…
Camping at Goldstream Provincial Park
Goldstream Provincial Park features a campground just 25 minutes outside Victoria via Highway 1. It has what we call the “deluxe” facilities by provincial park standards: hot shower, flush toilet, deep sinks for dish washing, and even decent cellular reception.…
Lightning Lake Camping at Manning Park
Quick Facts: BC Provincial Parks website: https://bcparks.ca/ec-manning-park/ Access to water: walkable distance from Lightning Lake Campground, especially the Large Loop, only pick-a-boo views of the water from campsite Flush toilet, hot shower Activities: playground, water sports, hiking Beach type: mix…
Camping and Paddling at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park
Quick Facts: BC Provincial Parks website: https://bcparks.ca/porpoise-bay-park/ Access to water: slightly long but walkable distance of 200-300m from campsite to beach, water not visible from campsite Deluxe amenities Activities: playground at the day use area, water sports, beach-combing Beach type:…
Camping at Alice Lake Provincial Park
Quick Facts: BC Provincial Parks website: https://bcparks.ca/alice-lake-park/ Access to water: walkable distance Deluxe amenities Activities: playground, pump track, water sports, hiking Beach type: sandy but usually covered with goose droppings Outdoor Fam rating: 9 out of 10 The campground at…
Camping at Cultus Lake Provincial Park
Being so close to Vancouver, Cultus Lake Provincial Park is one of the most popular camping destinations in BC. There are ample recreational opportunities including a waterpark and an adventure park, boat and jetski rentals, and a privately owned Sunnyside…