With summer right around the corner and the BC Parks system heating up with activity, campers all over the province are getting ready to plan their next summer camping trip. From campsites tucked alongside quiet lakes or up on bluffs overlooking the sparkling waters of the ocean to more rustic sites found within dense forest, Vancouver Island is truly a camper’s paradise. Easily accessible by ferry from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen and surrounded by breathtaking ocean vistas, Vancouver Island is a premier vacation destination in British Columbia.
The main campsite reservation system for Vancouver Island is through BC Parks at camping.bcparks.ca. It is no surprise that the reservable campsites book up extremely fast, and unseasonably warm weather in May prompted many sites to sell out all the way to October. If you didn’t manage to secure a spot at a campground this summer, don’t worry, because the new 10th Edition of the Vancouver Island Backroad Mapbook features countless first-come, first-served campsites scattered across the island, as well as several backcountry campsites and private campgrounds to check out.
From oceanfront camping with amazing views of the Salish Sea at Kitty Coleman Provincial Park to the rustic and wild Schoen Lake Provincial Park, there is no shortage of last-minute camping opportunities available on Vancouver Island. Below we cover some of the most scenic and popular first-come, first-served camping spots on Vancouver Island, but be sure to check out the new 10th Edition of the Vancouver Island Backroad Mapbook for a more in-depth look at camping in this beautiful region.
Great Views Without a Reservation
A relatively undiscovered gem, Kitty Coleman Provincial Park offers beautiful oceanfront camp spots with a surprisingly low price tag. Located north of Courtenay on the eastern side of the island, this scenic provincial park features a sandy beach, old growth Douglas fir, and expansive ocean vistas. Best of all, the sites at this campground are all first-come, first-served. Moving onto the southwestern portion of Vancouver Island, the China Beach Provincial Park draws visitors from across Canada to explore the soft white sand, towering rock formations, and dense forest. From the campground, a short trail leads down to the beach and stunning ocean vistas. While China Beach campground does take reservations, about 15 sites are left as first-come, first-served.
Towards the middle of the island, Schoen Lake Provincial Park is a rustic and secluded gem accessed by a narrow and bumpy road. Perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness, there are 9 vehicle-accessible campsites, all of which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. North of Nanaimo, Englishman River Falls Park features stunning waterfalls, lush old-growth forest, and over 30 first-come, first-served campsites to enjoy.
Explore Other Areas
Whether the provincial and national park campsites are all fully reserved or you are looking for a campground with extra amenities such as a pool or hot tub, private campgrounds are a great option. Many private campgrounds offer some first-come, first-served sites, while others just don’t book up as quickly as some of the provincial campgrounds. Some of our recommendations for private campgrounds on Vancouver Island include the Crystal Cove Beach Resort in Tofino, which offers RV hookups, free WiFi, an adventure playground, and direct access to the famous beaches of Tofino, the Sooke River Campground which is located right on the banks of the Sooke River with a small boat launch, Alder Bay RV Park & Marina which is located on the rugged and wild northern portion of the island, and the Pachena Bay Campground which is located near Bamfield and features a pristine white sand beach backed by temperate rainforest.
Experience the Seclusion of Wilderness Camping
Did you know that about 94% of British Columbia is designated as “Crown land” which can be used by the public? This makes most wilderness camping legal and easy, and Vancouver Island is no different. From backcountry campsites scattered along hiking trails or next to rustic lakes to wilderness camping sites along logging roads, there are plenty of backcountry and wilderness camping opportunities on Vancouver Island if you know where to look.
With the 10th Edition Vancouver Island Backroad Mapbook in hand, explore backcountry campsites along one of the scenic Cape Scott Provincial Park trails, rest up at one of many free Regional Park campsites and rec sites found along gravel logging roads, or spend the night on a bluff overlooking the ocean during a paddling or boating trip in this beautiful region.
Make Trip Planning Easy
With clearly defined parks, campgrounds, rec sites, Crown land, and access roads including highways, secondary roads, and logging roads, the 10th Edition Vancouver Island Backroad Mapbook makes it easy to plan out a last-minute camping trip or find a place to stop for a night while on the go. From ocean vistas to forest-lined lakes, our Park Adventures and Recsite Adventures sections feature everything you need to know about camping on Vancouver Island, with park access, number of campsites, facilities, and unique symbols that clearly define activities that can be enjoyed.
Ready to start planning your Vancouver Island camping trip this summer? Check out the brand-new 10th Edition of the Vancouver Island Backroad Mapbook, which is available in both print and digital formats. For camping information right at your fingertips, be sure to try out our Backroad Maps App or Web Map, which can be downloaded straight to your smartphone, tablet, or computer. And, of course, make sure you tag us on social media at @backroadmaps or #BRMBLIFE on all your favourite Vancouver Island camping adventures!