Paddle camping to water-access-only spots is a fantastic way to get away from the crowds that flock to frontcountry campgrounds and explore the backcountry. Since your watercraft is carrying the weight, there is more leeway for how much you can carry compared with backpacking. And you are guaranteed to have an easy access to the water for more paddling whenever you want!
There are of course lots of logistical and safety considerations when planning a paddle camping trip. Having only done a couple of trips so far, I’m by no means an expert, so I will defer to other resources online for more credible information.
Here are our paddle reports on trips we’ve done.
Paddle Camping at Plumper Cove, Keats Island
From our various trips to the Sunshine Coast, I became aware of the small provincial marine park: Plumper Cove on Keats Island, just across the water from Gibsons Harbour. It features 20 campsites, pit toilets, and a pump for fresh…
Big Bro’s First Paddle Camping Trip at Widgeon Creek
Preamble When I first introduced the idea of paddle camping to my kids 3 years ago, Big Bro was instantly fascinated and wanted to join me right away. I set out 3 prerequisites before he can join me: After his…
Paddle Camping at Glacier Bay on Stave Lake
Returning to Stave Lake Since visiting Stave Lake in 2020 with a SUP group, I haven’t been back. The experience was rather underwhelming: a bumpy, dusty gravel forest service road, loud motor boats and party music, and the dirt bike…
Paddle Camping at Moyer Creek Marine Campsite in Golden Ears Provincial Park
After a 2-year hiatus from paddle camping since our unforgettable trips to Granite Falls and Sechelt Inlet, the stars aligned for Johnny and I to team up once again for another quick but impactful overnight paddling trip at Moyer Creek…
Paddle Camping in Sechelt Inlet
Since our successful, even transformative paddle camping trip to Indian Arm, Johnny and I have been eager to go again. We narrowed our destinations down to two options: Pitt Lake and Sechelt Inlet. After doing ample research on both, and…
To-do list:
- Widgeon Creek
- Twin Island
- Pitt Lake
- Alouette Lake
- Thormanby Island
Aspirational list:
- Desolation Sound
- Howe Sound
- Maligne Lake
- Gulf Islands