Vancouver Island - South

Operator:

R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.

Operator website:

www.vislandcamping.com

BC Parks - Vancouver Island Camping

South Vancouver Island offers many more spectacular parks to visit. Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park is a luxuriously forested sanctuary with some of the world's largest spruce trees, some reaching heights in excess of 95 meters. At Goldstream Provincial Park you will find massive trees, majestic waterfalls, a meandering river that meets the sea, flowers, birds and fascinating fish, a mere 16 km from downtown Victoria. Juan de Fuca Provincial Park on the west coast of southern Vancouver Island offers scenic beauty, spectacular hiking, marine and wildlife viewing, and roaring surf in its course along the Pacific coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Bamberton

Size: 28 Ha
Facilities: 53 campsites and day-use area on beach.
Location: 45 km north of Victoria off Highway 1. Turn east off Highway 1 onto Mill Bay Road, near north end of scenic Malahat Drive. Bamberton Park is a 5-minute drive south of Mill Bay.
The 225-meter long sandy beach makes this park an ideal spot for families. Lounge in the sand and enjoy the view, while the kids frolic in the water. Campground open year round.

Carmanah Walbran

Size: 16,450 Ha
Facilities: Day-use area and wilderness camping.
Location: There are three access routes to the park via gravel roads from Lake Cowichan, Port Renfrew and Port Alberni.
This lush forested sanctuary is one of the most remarkable wild places on Vancouver Island. It contains diverse forest ecosystems, including a large Sitka spruce ecosystem that represents 2% of BC's remaining old-growth forest. It is home to some of world's largest spruce trees and 1,000 year-old cedars.

Cowichan River

Size: 1414 Ha
Facilities: 43 campsites at Stoltz Pool and 2 group sites - Stoltz Pool and Horseshoe Bend.
Location: There are 3 main access points off Highway 18 south of Duncan.
If it's outdoor recreation you're after, Cowichan River Park is the place to go. Great for swimming, canoeing, white-water kayaking, tubing, camping, fishing, and hiking. Also, it's a great place to take it easy in the sun; you're bound to find something to do in this "recreation corridor". Stoltz Pool is open year round.

French Beach

Size: 59 Ha
Facilities: 69 campsites (including one group site), large day-use area with playground, sani-station.
Location: Via Highway 14, 20 km west of Sooke. Directional signs posted.
The 1,600-meter beach is ideal for exploring and whale watching. Gray whales pass by in spring as they migrate north and then return again in fall. Roaming pods of resident killer whales, as well as otters, seals, sea lions can be seen offshore. Campground is open year round.

Goldstream

Size: 477 Ha
Facilities: 173 campsites, day-use/picnic area on Goldstream River, Freeman King Nature House (www.vislandcamping.com). 2 large group sites, hiking trails, including Mt. Finlayson, amphitheatre, sani-station, shower buildings, flush toilets.
Location: 16 km northwest of Victoria on the Trans Canada Highway.
Massive trees, majestic waterfalls, a meandering river to the sea, flowers, birds and fascinating fish are but a few of the attractions that draw people to Goldstream. The Goldstream Salmon Run is very popular in the fall. Campground is open year round.

Gordon Bay

Size: 51 Ha
Facilities: 134 campsites, group site, day-use area at beach, boat launch, swimming area, playground, amphitheatre, 2 shower buildings, flush toilets.
Location: 35 km northwest of Duncan. Access off Highway 1.
Gordon Bay, on Lake Cowichan, is family vacationing at its best! Warm lake/sandy beach makes for great summer family swimming. In Vancouver Island's sunniest valley, this area has the highest average temperature in Canada. Spectacular fishing in spring, fall, winter, with waterskiing and windsurfing in the summer. Campground open year round.

Gowlland Tod

Size: 1,219 Ha
Facilities: Day-use area with picnic area.
Location: East side of Saanich Inlet. 3 park access points: Tod Inlet, Mackenzie Bight, and Caleb Pike.
Gowlland Tod provides an excellent and extensive network of over 25 km of hiking trails, offering spectacular vistas, wildlife viewing, and opportunity for nature appreciation. In spring and early summer, moss-covered rocky knolls come alive with colourful, vibrant wildflowers. Tod Inlet provides boaters a view of the Butchart Gardens fireworks display in July and August.

John Dean

Size: 174 Ha
Facilities: Small picnic area, large trail system.
Location: Near Sidney. Access off Highway 17.
Hiking trails wind through forest across the south and east face of Mount Newton. In spring, the park comes alive with vivid display of wildflowers: blue camas lilies, common red paintbrush, sea blush, and shooting stars.

Juan de Fuca

Size: 1,528 Ha
Facilities: 75 campsites at China Beach, 6 camping locations along the trail. Beach camping: Mystic, Bear, China, Sombrio. Forest camping: Little Kuitche, Payzant Creek.
Location: Vehicle access points along West Coast Highway 14 between Jordan River and Port Renfrew. China Beach campground is adjacent to Highway 14 east of China Beach day-use area, 35 km west of Sooke.
Juan de Fuca Park offers scenic beauty, spectacular hiking, marine/wildlife viewing, and roaring surf in its course along the Pacific coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A 47 km trail from China Beach to Botanical Beach is used for hiking, camping, and surfing. It ranges from moderate to difficult, and features suspension bridges and spectacular views.

Koksilah River

Size: 210 Ha
Facilities: Day-use facilities only.
Location: West of Shawnigan Lake on Southern Vancouver Island.
Adjacent to Koksilah River, this undeveloped park offers hiking, picnicking, fishing and swimming opportunities. Camp at rustic campsites near parking area. *Park no longer managed by RLC Enterprize Ltd.

Sooke Potholes

Size: 7 Ha
Facilities: Day-use area.
Location: Off Sooke River Road, off Highway 4 west of Victoria.
he park provides access to series of deep, polished rock pools and potholes carved naturally into the sandstone bedrock of Sooke River. It is a favourite day-use destination for families who enjoy swimming, tubing and fishing.

West Shawnigan Lake

Size: 9 Ha
Facilities: Day-use area.
Location: Location: Off Hwy 1, north of Victoria; turn off onto Shawnigan Lake Road.
This popular summer recreation area offers many outdoor activities, including swimming, paddling, fishing, and picnicking. *Park no longer managed by RLC Enterprize Ltd.