Best Wilderness Camping Locations on Vancouver Island

If you're up for some of the best wilderness camping, Vancouver Island has it all!

Mountains. Lakes. Lush valleys. Empty beaches.

If it's a backpacking adventure you want, there's plenty of remote tent camping on Vancouver Island. Some of the very best wilderness camping in Canada is right here on Vancouver Island.

Graeme's hiked all over Vancouver Island, and he's found his favourite hidden away spots. He calls them "spectacular."

Searching for tent camping on the beach? Secluded wilderness beaches on the open Pacific are on northern Vancouver Island - a hidden-away favourite spot for beach camping.

The best camping in BC is right here - so pack up your gear and come on out!

Graeme's Picks For Best Wilderness Camping on Vancouver Island

Located at the northern tip of Vancouver Island, Cape Scott is rugged coastal wilderness with breathtaking scenery. Head 65 kms west of the town of Port Hardy and follow the signs for access to the park. Cape Scott is a "hike-in" park.

Great place to pitch a tent is at San Josef Bay - about a 45 minute hike in. This is the place for some serious beach camping - and is, in my opinion, one of the best beaches in Canada. Enjoy the solitude of this place where it's inexplicably empty even during July and August (the best months to camp here).

More good camping within the park is Nels Bight. Approximately a 17 km (or 6 hour) hike northwest is where you'll find Nels Bight which offers more wilderness camping on Vancouver Island. Follow the trail signs to get there, however be prepared. The trail, although fairly flat, can get rough and very wet. Would be a good idea to have gaiters with you.

My Tip! The best plan for getting to both of these areas? Hike to San Josef Bay early on Day 1, camp overnight, then hike to Nels Bight on Day 2. Camp at Nels Bight at least 2 nights - allow a full day to hike to the Cape Scott Lighthouse and back. Last day, hike back from Nels Bight to the parking lot. (Note: July and August will be the driest - and best - months for camping at Cape Scott Provincial Park).

For more information on camping here, check out the Cape Scott Provincial Park website .

STRATHCONA PROVINCIAL PARK

(Note: This area comes under the category of "challenging wilderness hiking" on Vancouver Island. To get to the camping areas I recommend here, you'll need to be in good shape.)

Located on central Vancouver Island, I've found some of the best wilderness mountain camping spots in this park. Ruth Masters Lake is a great spot to hike into and set up your tent. Hike in from the Mt. Washington Ski Resort parking lot. Lots of solitude out here where you'll pitch your tent at the lake in a bowl surrounded by mountain peaks.

More great camping on Vancouver Island is located here in the park - Cream Lake. Roughly a 2-day hike in from the south end of Buttle Lake, this is an excellent backpacking adventure for hard-core wilderness campers. Hiking into Cream Lake will reward you with a secluded, mountain camping experience where the scenery is breathtaking. You'll never see stars come out at night like you will out here!

For more information on camping here, you should contact the Strathcona Park Lodge for details on trailheads and maps.

Enjoy your Vancouver Island wilderness camping!

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