Free Camping in BC: Recreation Sites, Crown Land & How to Find It (2026)
Crown land covers about 94% of British Columbia, and most of it is open for free camping. Here is how the rules work, the best regions to head to, how...
This is the first Backroad Mapbook ever produced for Vancouver Island. Originally published in 1994, this inaugural island edition features 59 hand-drawn maps focused on logging roads, backcountry access, and outdoor recreation across coastal and inland regions. Designed to fill a major gap in available mapping at the time, it provided practical information for fishing, hiking, camping, and exploration where little detailed guidance existed.
The First Edition Mapbooks
The First Edition Backroad Mapbooks are where Backroad Maps began. In the early 1990s, brothers Wes and Russ Mussio set out to map the backroads they couldn’t find on existing maps. These books were hand-drawn, self-published, and printed on a small press in a garage in British Columbia.
The maps are simple and practical, showing logging roads, lakes, and access points, with short notes on fishing, hiking, and camping. These books were made to be used, not collected, and most of them were. That’s what makes surviving first editions rare today. What you’re holding is an original piece of backcountry history. Learn more about how it all started on our history page.
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The Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Saskatchewan (Lakes, Species & Hot Spots)
Many anglers overlook Saskatchewan, assuming it’s nothing but prairie, but they’re missing out on some truly exceptional fishing. The province is home to more than 100,000 lakes, a fact that...
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Backroads Saskatchewan: Hidden Outdoor Adventures You Didn’t Know Existed
From remote wilderness and scenic waterways to unique geological formations and abundant wildlife, Saskatchewan is full of “hidden gems” waiting to be discovered.
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Spring Bear Hunting in BC: Zones, Access Roads & Maps You Actually Need
Summary: This guide covers everything BC spring bear hunters need for 2026: when seasons open across key WMUs, which regions; Cariboo, Thompson, Fraser Valley, hold the best opportunity, how to...
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Crown Land Access in Canada: How to Find, Navigate & Camp It Legally (Province-by-Province)
Did you know 89% of Canada is crown land, and most of it is free to camp on? No reservations, no fees, no crowded campgrounds. But knowing where you're allowed...
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Best Provincial Parks on Northern Vancouver Island for Hiking, Camping & Paddling
From Cape Scott to Strathcona and the Broughton Archipelago, discover the best Northern Vancouver Island provincial parks for backcountry hiking, camping and sea kayaking.
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Best Recreation Sites on Northern Vancouver Island for Camping, Fishing & Paddling
Looking for the best Northern Vancouver Island camping? This guide covers top BC Recreation Sites and Forest Service campsites near Port McNeill, Gold River, Port Hardy and Campbell River, including...
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Top 3 Best Hunting Maps in Canada (2026)
This in-depth guide compares the Top 3 Best Hunting Maps for Canada in 2026: Backroad Maps, onX Hunt, and iHunter. It covers Alberta hunting zones maps, Ontario hunting area maps,...
