Vancouver Island Private Campground - Our Guide To Some Of The Island's Best

Looking for a private campground vacation this year?

Each year, we explore private campgrounds on Vancouver Island. Some we add to our "Best of" list, and others just don't make it.

We've found the ones that we like the best here on Vancouver Island.

The private campgrounds that we report on generally come with all the "frills," like full or partial hook-ups (power, water, cable...), laundry facilities, etc.

We want you to have a great experience camping on Vancouver Island. So we've narrowed down what's out there, and pulled out some of the very best.

Here are the ones that made our list:

SOUTHERN ISLAND

Surprisingly, there's a lack of good private campgrounds on the southern tip of the Island - especially in greater Victoria. Your best bet? Head to one of the southern Island BC provincial campground parks instead, where you'll get trees, beach and some solitude.

• Westbay Marine Village & RV Park (Victoria)

  The closest camping you'll get to downtown Victoria. We'd really recommend this RV park for seniors; not one built for children. If you just want to park and sit with city views, this is it.

• Living Forest Oceanside Campground (Nanaimo)

  One of our favourites! Good campsites with lots of trees (some with ocean views) at this central Island campground. Games room and ice cream for the kids. Don't miss out on renting a canoe or kayak here. Good location too - close to Nanaimo and very easy in-and-out highway access.

• Bella Pacifica Campground (Tofino)

  Located on the Island's western coast, this campground is on gorgeous MacKenzie beach. Great place for kids to dig in the sand. A fantastic area for families or for couples wanting a romantic beach camping experience! Good variety of sites, and a good spot if you like to surf.

• Pachena Bay Campground (Bamfield)

  A Vancouver Island "hidden gem" campground on the western coast. A more secluded camping experience with great RV and tent sites in the trees. Incredible beach here! Hiking trails are super close, and an easy spot to launch a kayak. BE WARY...the ROAD to this campground is really bad. Potholes and washboard gravel will "rattle" you and whatever you're towing!

NORTHERN ISLAND

• Bates Beach Oceanfront Resort (Courtenay)

  A good 37-site campground right in front of the Pacific Ocean on the eastern coast. Located just north of the town of Courtenay. Right next door to Seal Bay Nature Park, which is a beautiful place for families to walk, bike and gently hike. Boat rentals available here too.

• Pacific Playgrounds Resort & Marina (between Courtenay & Campbell River)

  Nice (large) campground with 214 sites on Saratoga Beach, (eastern coast) that's well-priced. We like the river that runs parallel to the resort and the many trees. On-site general store, outdoor pool, and large playing field. Downside: If you want quiet, this isn't the place. LOADS of kids in this campground - especially July and August. Upside: If you want a family camping resort, this may be exactly what you want.

• Alder Bay Resort (Port McNeill)

  A 90-site oceanfront campground on northern Vancouver Island. Good RV spots and excellent tenting sites with full on-site amenities. Central to lots of north Island outdoor adventures. Our whale watching tour sailboat (Seasmoke) picked us up right here at the campground's marina. A short drive to the must-see village of Telegraph Cove.

  
  
  

  Have a great time this year on your Vancouver Island camping adventure!
  
  
  

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