@Taryn Eyton, thanks very much!

The bear boxes on the JDF do get full but that is mostly on sunny summer weekends. If you are hiking at other times it won’t be as busy. It is a good idea to bring a dry bag and some rope so you can construct a bear hang if the boxes are full.

Hi Steph. I hear you on the difficulty of booking popular spots like the Rockwall. Have you read through my guide to making backcountry reservations in BC? There are some tips in there. As well, if you don’t get a spot, it’s worth it to subscribe to a campground cancellation app – they send you a notification when someone cancels so you can scoop up their booking! I got a few sites that way this summer. I’ve got more details in my review of a few Camping Cancellation Apps

@Taryn Eyton, Thank you very much Taryn for your advice!

If you plan to arrive on a Monday and are ok settling for a sub-optimal campsite, I think you will be ok. Just keep an eye on the tides as you may end having to choose a site close to the high tide line.

My brother and I are going to do the JdF next week. We’re arriving at China Beach (with the bus) around 6:30pm, and are trying to decide if we should then hike 2km to Mystic and camp there our first night — or not hike and just stay in a front-country campsite at China Beach.

Mystic sounds lovely, but you said it’s small and we wouldn’t get there until 7-7:30pm… it would be unfortunate to find that there aren’t any spots available. (It’ll be a Monday night.)

Do you have advice – camp at Mystic our first night, or stay in China Beach?

Thank you!

The eastern half is a little harder because it has more hills. However, if your kids are capable I don’t think it would be too much for them, but it would definitely be a challenge. If you are looking for a good two night trip on Vancouver Island for kids, I would recommend the Kwai Lake Loop at Paradise Meadows in Strathcona. You can camp at Kwai for 2 nights and do a day hike to Circlet Lake and/or Cruickshank Canyon viewpoint on the middle day.