Enjoying a propane fire pit with a view of the ocean at Porteau Cove Provincial Park. Photo: Tourism Squamish
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in nature is to stay overnight. There are lots of options for camping near Vancouver from rustic tent sites to luxe RV parks and everything in between. And thanks to our mild climate, camping season extends into September and October, so you still have time to go.
Vancouver Camping Tips
Vancouver is a popular place so some campgrounds get booked up fast, especially on summer weekends. Make reservations as early as possible. Reservations for BC Provincial Parks campgrounds open four months before the first day of your stay. Check campground websites for booking information for other parks.
If you didn’t book months ahead, it’s still possible to go camping. You might be able to get a reservation on a weekday or in the less popular months of September, October, April, and May. You can also sign up for notifications on the BC Parks website to get an email when your chosen campground becomes available. If you plan to arrive early in the day, you can take advantage of first-come, first-served campsites available at some parks. (Check the park website to see if they offer these sites.)
You don’t have to have all of your own gear to go camping. There are lots of RV rental companies near Vancouver that can set you up with everything you need.
Check for campfire bans before your trip. During hot and dry summer weather, campfires are often not allowed.
Capilano River RV Park
The Indigenous-owned full-service Capilano River RV Park is located on the banks of the Capilano River under the Lions Gate Bridge, making it the closest campground to downtown Vancouver. The location is also a quick trip to Ambleside Beach, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, and Grouse Mountain. While they mostly cater to RVs, they have tent sites too.
Photo: Capilano RV Park
Porteau Cove Provincial Park
Porteau Cove Provincial Park is just a 45-minute drive north of Vancouver on the shores of Howe Sound. Many of the sites are right on the ocean, so they have great views. If you don’t want to rough it, they have log cabins for rent. The campground is open year-round so you can camp at any time of the year. However, this is the most sought-after campground in BC so it can be hard to book, even in the winter!
Photo via BC Parks/Porteau Cove Provincial Park
Alice Lake Provincial Park
The campsites at Alice Lake Provincial Park are nestled in the beautiful coastal rainforest and a short walk from the sandy beach at Alice Lake. You can also go for a hike on the easy Four Lakes Loop or mountain biking on the huge network of trails. And if you don’t feel like cooking, the town of Squamish is 10 minutes away and has lots of restaurants to choose from.
The beach at Alice Lake. Photo: Taryn Eyton/HappiestOutdoors.ca
Whistler Campground & RV Park
Where else can you camp at the bottom of a ski jump? Located at Whistler Olympic Park in the Callaghan Valley, Whistler Campground & RV Park opened in 2023. They have RV sites with full hook-ups as well as unserviced sites for tents or RVs. With hiking trails, a playground, laundry, and wi-fi on site, there is lots to do at the campground. But it’s also an easy drive to nearby Whistler to shop, eat, hike, and mountain bike.
Photo: Whistler Campground and RV Park/Justa Jeskova
Golden Ears Provincial Park
With three big campgrounds on the shores of Alouette Lake to choose from, Golden Ears Provincial Park east of the city is a favourite spot for local campers. All of the campgrounds are a short walk from the beach and lots of hiking trails. An easy and scenic option is the trail to Lower Falls, also called Gold Creek Falls. The day-use area also has kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals if you want to explore the huge lake.
Lower Falls in Golden Ears Provincial Park. Photo: Donna McL/Unsplash
Fort Langley National Historic Site
No tent? No problem. Book a stay in an oTENTik at Parks Canada’s Fort Langley National Historic Site. These unique tents are a cross between an A-frame cabin and a prospector tent and have bunk beds inside. Fort Langley is a recreation of a historic fur trading fort on the banks of the Fraser River east of Vancouver. During the day you can explore exhibits and talk to costumed interpreters about what life would have been like in the 19th century. But at night, you and the other campers will have the fort to yourself.
Photo: Destination BC/Local Wanderer
Sx̱ótsaqel/ Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park
Head east of Vancouver to the quiet wilderness of the Chilliwack River Valley to Sx̱ótsaqel/Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park. The campground sits near the shores of the large lake in a valley sheltered by towering mountains. There are lots of hiking trails nearby, including the short trail to beautiful Lindeman Lake. The Stó:lō Nation call the lake S⨱ótsaqel (pronounced skot-sakel) in the Halq’eméylem language, which means “sacred lake.”
Photo: Tourism Chilliwack/Jennifer Kleingeltink
