Sunshine Coast Archives - Dawn Outdoors

Backcountry Huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies

Taryn Eyton — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:08:28 +0000

Backcountry huts give hikers, climbers, and skiers a warm and dry place to sleep, eat, and chill out between adventures. Thankfully there are dozens of backcountry huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies.

In this post, I’ve got basic info for over 80 backcountry cabins in BC and Alberta. The listing for each hut includes the location, info on fees, and booking, and a link to make reservations or get more info. The backcountry hut listings are separated into six regions. Click the links below to jump to your area.

All info on backcountry huts in BC was up-to-date at the time of publishing. But booking policies, prices, and access can change without notice. Check the club and park links below for the latest info. And let me know if anything is incorrect so I can update it.

I’ve been to lots of the backcountry cabins on this list, especially the ones near Vancouver. But with over 80 backcountry huts in British Columbia to choose from, I haven’t made it to all of them… yet!

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

What kinds of backcountry huts are on this list?

The backcountry huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies on this list are geared toward self-propelled users and are operated by clubs and parks.

You won’t find ATV, snowmobile, or 4×4 club cabins on this list.

I also haven’t included private, for-profit lodges.

BC also has lots of “secret” un-sanctioned cabins and I haven’t included them. These unofficial backcountry huts are often illegal and increased traffic means they might get shut down. However, info on secret cabins is often widely available in local communities.

I also chose not to include emergency shelters which you shouldn’t plan to stay at – that’s why they have “emergency” in the name!

BC Backcountry Huts Map

To give you a general idea of where these backcountry cabins are located, I’ve put together a custom Google map of backcountry huts in British Columbia. Click through to zoom in.

Click the map zoom in

A Note on Hut Access

Some of these backcountry huts in British Columbia are easy to reach via well-marked trails. Others involve off-trail travel, route-finding, scrambling, glacier, travel, or rock climbing.

In winter, reaching many of the backcountry cabins is more complex and may take you through avalanche terrain.

As well, road access to trailheads can be complicated. It may involve rough logging roads that are unplowed or require 4WD. In some areas, it is common to use a snowmobile to reach trailheads where users switch to skis to reach the hut.

A few huts can only be reached by helicopter.

See the links to club and park websites for more access information.

Backcountry Hut Etiquette

In general, backcountry huts in British Columbia are for outdoor adventurers. Most huts are communal, so you will share space with strangers. We all need to work together to help these cabins in good condition for everyone to enjoy. These aren’t places to have a party.

Here are a few BC backcountry hut etiquette tips:

Research hut rules and guidelines before your trip. Know what to expect at each hut and pack accordingly. Some huts supply stoves, kitchen gear, and mattresses, but many do not.
Pack out everything. That includes your trash and trash that other groups have left. Please don’t leave extra food as it is unlikely to get eaten and will just attract mice.
Protect the water source. Don’t bathe, do dishes, or pee in the hut water source. In winter, there is often a designated pee area to avoid contaminating snow that will be melted for drinking water.
Keep the noise levels down. Many hut users may go to bed early to get an early start the next morning. Skip the music unless all hut users agree.
Leave your dog at home. Very few huts allow dogs.
Conserve firewood. Firewood is a scarce resource that can be expensive to supply. In most huts, it is only acceptable to use the wood stove in winter.
Keep your gear tidy and out of other people’s way. Don’t monopolize the drying rack.
Don’t wear boots inside the hut. This keeps dirt, mud, and snowmelt off the floor. Bring hut booties or sandals to wear indoors.
Keep the mice out. Mice are a problem at most huts. Keep the door closed and store your food and garbage inside a bin or hanging from the ceiling in a sealed bag.
Share the chores: Help out by restocking firewood, swapping outhouse barrels, or grabbing more snow to melt.
Clean up before you leave. Sweep the floor, wipe down the counters, and empty the grey water buckets.
Be nice. Be welcoming and friendly to other hut users. Communicate your plans so you can optimize the use of cooking areas and agree on quiet hours.

Backcountry Huts Near Vancouver

Elsay Lake Hut

Location: Elsay Lake in Mount Seymour Provincial Park, North Vancouver.

Operated By: Mount Seymour Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking

Sleeps: 4

Booking: None. All visits are first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free.

More Info: Mount Seymour Provincial Park and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Mountain Lake Hut

Location: Near Mount Sheer east of Britannia Beach.

Operated By: BCMC

Best For: Hiking, mountaineering, scrambling, ski touring

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 180 days before your trip.

Cost: $20/person/night for non-members, $10/person/night for members

More Info: BCMC

Watersprite Lake Hut

Location: At Watersprite Lake In the mountains east of Squamish.

Operated By: BCMC

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 60 days in advance.

Cost: $300/night for the entire hut

More Info: BCMC, Watersprite Lake Facebook group (for road and trail conditions), and my book Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Watersprite Lake Hut

Elfin Lakes Shelter

Location: At Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park east of Squamish

Operated By: Garibaldi Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 33

Booking: Reservations required. Book online three months in advance.

Cost: $15/person/night

More Info: My Elfin Lakes hiking guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Elfin Lakes Shelter

Tantalus Hut (Lake Lovely Water)

Location: Lake Lovely Water in Tantalus Provincial Park west of Squamish.

Operated By: ACC Vancouver and Tantalus Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering

Sleeps: 16

Booking: Reservations required. Book online in March in advance for non-members. Members can book in January. Open in June 1 to September 30 only.

Cost: $1700 for weekday 3 night booking (Mon, Tues, Wed nights) of the entire hut or $2000 for the weekend 3 night booking (Fri, Sat, Sun nights) of the entire hut. ACC members get a 10% discount.

More Info: ACC Vancouver, Tantalus Provincial Park, and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Tantalus Hut

Jim Haberl Hut

Location: On the edge of a glacier high in the Tantalus Range west of Squamish. Access requires glacier travel or helicopter.

Operated By: ACC Vancouver

Best For: Mountaineering

Sleeps: 12

Booking: Reservations required. Book online in March for non-members. Members can in January. Open March 1 to September 30 only.

More Info: ACC Vancouver

Helicopter landing next to Jim Haberl Hut. Photo: Andre Gaulin/Unsplash.

Brew Hut

Location: Near the summit of Mount Brew, west of the Sea to Sky Highway between Squamish and Whistler.

Operated By: UBC VOC

Best For: Hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 12

Booking: None. The hut is first-come, first-served but parties are encouraged to register online to avoid overcrowding.

Cost: $15/person/night

More Info: UBC VOC and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos
Advice for extending your trip
Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Sphinx Hut (Burton Hut)

Location: On the eastern shore of Garibaldi Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park between Squamish and Whistler. Summer access is via boat.

Operated By: UBC VOC

Best For: Ski touring, snowshoeing, mountaineering

Sleeps: 10

Booking: You must purchase a Wilderness Permit for Garibaldi Provincial Park by calling BC Parks. The hut is first-come, first-served, but parties are encouraged to register online to avoid overcrowding.

Cost: $15/person/night

More Info: UBC VOC

Kees and Claire Hut

Location: At Russet Lake in Garibaldi Provincial Park just outside Whistler. The hut sits at the south end of the Spearhead ski traverse.

Operated By: Spearhead Huts Society

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 38

Booking: Reservations required. Book online 60 days in advance for non-members. ACC and BCMC members can book 90 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. ACC and BCMC members get a discount.

More Info: Spearhead Huts Society, Garibaldi Provincial Park, my Russet Lake hiking and backpacking guide, and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Wedgemount Lake Hut

Location: At Wedgemount Lake in the northern part of Garibaldi Provincial Park near Whistler.

Operated By: Garibaldi Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online three months. You will actually need to make a reservation for the Wedgemount Lake campground as there is no separate booking for the hut. Spots in the hut are first-come, first-served amongst those with campground reservations.

Cost: $10/person/night

More Info: Garibaldi Provincial Park and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Wedgemount Lake Hut

Tenquille Lake Cabin

Location: Tenquille Lake, northwest of Pemberton.

Operated By: Pemberton Wildlife Association in partnership with the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua Nations.

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, ski touring

Sleeps: 12

Booking: Reservations required. Book online 60 days before your trip.

Cost: $25/person/night.

More Info: Pemberton Wildlife Association and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Tenquille Lake Hut

North Creek Cabin

Location: In the mountains on the north side of the Lillooet River valley west of Pemberton.

Operated By: BCMC

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 10

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 180 days before your trip.

Cost: $20/person/night for non-members. There are discounts for BCMC members.

More Info: BCMC

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Harrison Hut

Location: At the edge of the Pemberton Icefield above Meager Creek east of Pemberton.

Operated By: UBC VOC

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering

Sleeps: 15

Booking: None. The hut is first-come, first-served, but parties are encouraged to register online to avoid overcrowding.

Cost: $15/person/night

More Info: UBC VOC

Wendy Thompson Hut

Location: Near Mount Marriott on the west side of Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet.

Operated By: ACC Whistler

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 16

Booking: Reservations required. Book online 105 days before your trip. Members of the Whistler, Squamish, and Vancouver ACC sections can book 140 days in advance.

Cost: $25/person/night for non-members. $20/person/night for members of the Whistler, Squamish or Vancouver sections of the ACC.

More Info: ACC Whistler and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Wendy Thompson Hut

Keith Flavelle Hut (Keith’s Hut)

Location: Just north of Joffre Lakes on the east side of Highway 99 in between Pemberton and Lillooet.

Operated By: Keith Flavelle Hut Society and Nlháxten/Cerise Creek Conservancy

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 14

Booking: None. The hut is first-come, first-served and is often over capacity.

Cost: Free, but donations are welcome.

More Info: Keith Flavelle Hut Society and Nlháxten/Cerise Creek Conservancy

Brian Waddington Hut (Phelix Creek Hut)

Location: In the mountains near Birkenhead Provincial Park north of Pemberton.

Operated By: UBC VOC

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 25

Booking: None. The hut is first-come, first-served, but parties are encouraged to register online to avoid overcrowding. The hut is voluntarily closed from August 15 to October 15 for wildlife protection.

Cost: $15/person/night.

More Info: UBC VOC

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos
Advice for extending your trip
Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Backcountry Huts on the Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Trail Huts

Location: There are 14 huts spread along the length of the Sunshine Coast Trail between Saltery Bay and Lund. From north to south they are: Bliss Portage, Manzanita Bluff, Rieveley Pond, Inland Lake-Anthony Island, Confederation Lake, Fiddlehead Landing, Tin Hat, Elk Lake, Walt Hill, Golden Stanley, Mount Troubridge, Rainy Day Lake, and Fairview Bay.

Operated By: Sunshine Coast Trail/Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society

Best For: Hiking

Sleeps: Most huts sleep 10, but a few fit 3-6.

Booking: None. All huts are hut is first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free, but donations of $5/person/night are encouraged.

More Info: Sunshine Coast Trail and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

Confederation Lake Hut

READ NEXT: Best Hikes on the Sunshine Coast

Tetrahedron Provincial Park Cabins

Location: There are four cabins accessed from the same trailhead in Tetrahedron Provincial Park north of Sechelt: Batchelor Cabin, Edwards Cabin, Mount Steele Cabin, and McNair Cabin. Batchelor and Edwards Cabins are on my list of the best easy backpacking trips in BC.

Operated By: Tetrahedron Outdoor Club and Tetrahedron Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: Each cabin sleeps 12

Booking: None. All huts are first-come, first-served and are often over capacity on winter weekends.

Cost: $15/person/night for non-members, $10/person/night for Tetrahedron Outdoor Club members payable online, by mailing a cheque, or at Trail Bay Source for Sports in Sechelt.

More Info: Tetrahedron Outdoor Club, Tetrahedron Outdoor Facebook group (for trail and road conditions) Tetrahedron Provincial Park, and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Edwards Lake Cabin

Emma Lake Cabin

Location: On the South Powell Divide in the Eldred River Valley north of Powell River.

Operated By: Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association

Best For: Hiking, ski touring

Sleeps: 6-10

Booking: None. The hut is first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free, but donations of $20/person/night are welcome.

More Info: Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association

Knuckleheads Cabins

Location: The Knuckleheads Range north of Lois Lake near Powell River. There are three cabins: Vic Cole Lodge, E-Branch Cabin, and A-Branch Cabin (Chateau Rotary Cabin).

Operated By: Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association

Best For: Hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: Each cabin sleeps 8-12

Booking: None. All huts are first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free, but donations of $20/person/night are welcome.

More Info: Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association

Backcountry Huts on Vancouver Island

Hišimy̓awiƛ Hut (5040 Peak Hut)

Location: On the slopes of 5040 Peak east of Highway 4 between Port Alberni and Ucluelet. The hut’s name means “Gather Together” in the Barkley Sound dialect of the Ucluelet First Nation and is pronounced Hi-SHIM-ya-wit.

Operated By: ACC Vancouver Island

Best for: Hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 12 in 2 rooms with 6 bunks each

Booking: Reservations required. Book online three months before your trip.

Cost: Bookings are per room. $150/room/night for non-members. $120/room/night for members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada Vancouver Island and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Hišimy̓awiƛ Hut

Wheaton Memorial Hut

Location: In the Marble Meadows area of Strathcona Provincial Park. Access to the trail is via boat across Buttle Lake.

Operated By: BC Parks

Best for: Hiking, scrambling

Sleeps: 2-4

Booking: None. The hut is first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free.

More Info: BC Parks

Kludahk Huts

Location: Five huts (Meadow Cabin, Tower Cabin, Blueberry Cabin, Noyse Lake Cabin, and Tent Lake Cabin) spaced along the top of San Juan Ridge between Port Renfrew and Sooke.

Operated By: Kludahk Outdoors Club

Best for: Hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: Each hut sleeps 4-10

Booking: Reservations required. Only club members may use the huts.

Cost: A nightly per person fee is charged.

More Info: Kludahk Outdoors Club and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Tent Lake Cabin

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos
Advice for extending your trip
Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Backcountry Huts in the Kootenays

Bill Putnam Hut (Fairy Meadow Hut)

Location: In the Adamant Group of the Selkirk Mountains north of Glacier National Park. Access is via helicopter.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Scrambling, mountaineering, rock climbing, ski touring

Sleeps: 20

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Winter bookings are via a lottery.

Cost: $60 for non-members. $50 for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada

Ben Ferris (Great Cairn) Hut

Location: In the Northern Selkirk Mountains north of Glacier National Park at the base of Mount Sir Sandford. Access via helicopter.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60 for non-members. $50 for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada

A.O. Wheeler Hut

Location: Southwest of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 30

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60-70/person/night for non-members. $50-60/person/night for ACC members. Prices vary by season.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Glacier National Park

Asulkan Cabin

Location: At the head of the Asulkan Valley south of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 10

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60-70/person/night for non-members. $50-60/person/night for ACC members. Prices vary by season.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Glacier National Park

Sapphire Col Hut

Location: High on the Asulkan Ridge south of Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 4

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Glacier National Park

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Glacier Circle Cabin

Location: Below the Illecillewaet Neve in the Dawson Range of Glacier National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Glacier National Park

McMurdo Cabin

Location: North of the Spillimacheen Glacier in the mountains southwest of Golden.

Operated By: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Best For: Hiking, ski touring

Sleeps: 5

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 8 weeks in advance.

Cost: $85/whole hut/night

More Info: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Kingsbury Cabin

Location: Near the Headwaters of Bobbie Burns Creek in International Basin southwest of Golden.

Operated By: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Best For: Hiking, ski touring

Sleeps: 4

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 8 weeks in advance.

Cost: $90/whole hut/night

More Info: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Conrad Kain Hut

Location: In Bugaboo Provincial Park in the Purcell Mountains east of Radium Hot Springs.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, rock climbing

Sleeps: 35

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Reserve six months in advance. Open in summer only.

Cost: $25/person/night or $50/night/family of two adults and two children

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Bugaboo Provincial Park

Dave White Cabin

Location: In the Forester Creek valley near the Catamount Glacier west of Radium Hot Springs.

Operated By: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Best For: Hiking, ski touring

Sleeps: 4

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 8 weeks in advance.

Cost: $70/whole hut/night

More Info: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Olive Hut

Location: On the edge of the Catamount Glacier west of Radium Hot Springs. Access requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 4

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 8 weeks in advance.

Cost: $70/whole hut/night

More Info: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Jumbo Pass Cabin

Location: At Jumbo Pass along the Purcell Divide near Invermere.

Operated By: Columbia Valley Huts

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 8 weeks in advance.

Cost: $120/whole hut/night

More Info: Columbia Valley Hut Society

Kokanee Glacier Cabin

Location: At Kaslo Lake in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park near Nelson. Winter access is via helicopter.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 12-20

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Reserve 180 days in advance. Winter bookings are via a lottery.

Cost: $25/person/night or $50/night/family of two adults and two children.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.

Kokanee Glacier Cabin

Silver Spray Cabin

Location: In the northern part of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park near Nelson.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, mountaineering, scrambling

Sleeps: 10

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Reserve 180 days in advance. The hut is closed in winter.

Cost: $25/person/night or $50/night/family of two adults and two children.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.

Woodbury Cabin

Location: In the northern part of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park near Nelson.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Reserve 180 days in advance. The hut is closed in winter.

Cost: $25/person/night or $50/night/family of two adults and two children.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.

Backcountry Huts in the Canadian Rockies

Mount Colin Centennial Hut

Location: On the southwest side of Mount Colin in the northern part of Jasper National Park.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, rock climbing, scrambling

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Closed in winter.

Cost: $40/person/night.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Jasper National Park.

Jacques Lake Cabin

Location: Jacques Lake near Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. This hut is only open in winter.

Cost: $60/person night for non-members. $50/person/night for members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Jasper National Park.

Ramparts Hut (Wates-Gibson Memorial Hut)

Location: At Outpost Lake in the Tonquin Valley in Jasper National Park. (Psst! The Tonquin Valley is on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.)

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, rock climbing, ski touring

Sleeps: 24-26

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Closed in winter.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Jasper National Park.

Fryatt Creek Hut (Sydney Vallance Hut)

Location: In the Fryatt Valley in Jasper National Park.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, mountaineering, scrambling, ski touring

Sleeps: 12

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Jasper National Park.

Lloyd Mackay Hut (Mount Alberta Hut)

Location: On the shoulder of Mount Little Alberta in Jasper National Park. Access requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Scrambling, mountaineering, rock climbing

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $50/person/night for non-members. $40/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Jasper National Park.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Peter and Catharine Whyte Hut (Peyto Hut)

Location: The northern end of the Wapta Icefield near the Peyto Glacier in Banff National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 16-18

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Banff National Park.

Bow Hut

Location: On the Wapta Icefield west of Bow Lake in Banff National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 30

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Banff National Park.

Balfour Hut (Rob Ritchie Hut)

Location: On the toe of the Vulcan Glacier on the Wapta Icefield in Banff National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 16-18

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Banff National Park.

Scott Duncan Hut

Location: South end of the Wapta Icefield near Mount Daly in Yoho National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 12

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Yoho National Park.

Louise and Richard Guy Hut

Location: Just north of Yoho Peak in Yoho National Park on the Bow-Yoho Traverse. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Ski touring, mountaineering

Sleeps: 18

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Closed in summer.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Yoho National Park.

Stanley Mitchell Hut

Location: In the Little Yoho Valley of Yoho National Park. (Psst! The Yoho Valley is on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.)

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 22

Booking: Reservations required. Book online.Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance.

Cost: $60-70/person/night for non-members. $50-60/person/night for ACC members. Prices vary by season.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada, Yoho National Park, and my guide to the Yoho Valley Loop.

Elizabeth Parker Hut

Location: Near the shores of Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park. (This is one of the destinations on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.)

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing, scrambling, mountaineering

Sleeps: 20-24

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. In summer, bookings are by lottery.

Cost: $60-70/person/night for non-members. $50-60/person/night for ACC members. Prices vary by season.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada, Yoho National Park, and my guide to Lake O’Hara

Elizabeth Parker Hut at Lake O’Hara.

Neil Colgan Hut

Location: Above the Valley of the Ten Peaks at Moraine Lake in, Banff National Park. Access to the hut requires glacier travel.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Mountaineering, rock climbing

Sleeps: 18

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Closed in winter.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Banff National Park.

Castle Mountain Hut, Banff

Location: Halfway up the south face of Castle Mountain. Access to the hut requires scrambling and technical rock climbing.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Rock climbing, mountaineering.

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Closed in winter.

Cost: $60/night for non-members. $50/night for ACC members. Bookings are for the entire hut.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Banff National Park.

Elk Lakes Cabin

Location: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in the Kananaskis Valley south of Canmore.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, ski touring, snowshoeing

Sleeps: 14

Booking: Reservations required. Boo k online. Reserve six months in advance.

Cost: $25/person/night or $50/night/family of two adults and two children.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Naiset Huts

Location: A cluster of five huts at Magog Lake in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park southwest of Canmore. (Mount Assiniboine is on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.)

Operated By: Mount Assiniboine Lodge and Assiniboine Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: Each hut sleeps 5-8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online for summer starting in early January. Book online for winter starting in December.

Cost: $150-$240 per night for an entire hut

More Info: My huge guide to hiking in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park and Mount Assiniboine Lodge

Aster Hut, one of the five Naiset Huts

Queen Mary Lake Cabin

Location: At Queen Mary Lake in Height of the Rockies Provincial Park northeast of Fairmont Hot Springs.

Operated By: Height of the Rockies Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 8

Booking: None. All visits are first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free

More Info: Height of the Rockies Provincial Park

Connor Lake Cabin

Location: At Connor Lake in Height of the Rockies Provincial Park east of Canal Flats.

Operated By: Height of the Rockies Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling, mountaineering, ski touring

Sleeps: 6

Booking: None. All visits are first-come, first-served.

Cost: Free

More Info: Height of the Rockies Provincial Park

Fish Lake Cabin

Location: At Fish Lake in Top of the World Provincial Park northeast of Kimberley.

Operated By: Top of the World Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, scrambling

Sleeps: 14-18

Booking: None. All visits are first-come, first-served.

Cost: $15/person/night

More Info: Top of the World Provincial Park

Thunder Meadows Cabin

Location: Northwest of Fernie Alpine Resort near the Island Lake Lodge

Operated By: Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club

Best For: Ski touring

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Only club members may make bookings through the members-only section of the club website.

Cost: There are nightly fees charged for booking.

More Info: Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club

Tunnel Creek Cabin

Location: On the west side of Highway 3 between Fernie and Elko

Operated By: Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club

Best For: Ski touring

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Only club members may make bookings through the members-only section of the club website. The hut is closed in summer.

Cost: There are nightly fees charged for booking.

More Info: Fernie Trails & Ski Touring Club

Cameron Lake Cabin

Location: At Cameron Lake in the southwest part of Waterton Lakes National Park.

Operated By: Alpine Club of Canada

Best For: Ski touring, ice climbing

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online. Non-members can reserve 90 days in advance. ACC Members can reserve 180 days in advance. Closed in summer.

Cost: $60/person/night for non-members. $50/person/night for ACC members.

More Info: Alpine Club of Canada

Backcountry Huts in Northern BC

Plummer Hut

Location: In the remote Mount Waddington area on the central coast. Access is via helicopter.

Operated By: BCMC

Best For: Mountaineering

Sleeps: 8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online up to 180 days before your trip.

Cost: $10/person/night for non-members. Free for members.

More Info: BCMC

Hankin Lookout Cabin

Location: At the community-run, no-lifts Hankin-Evelyn ski area northwest of Smithers.

Operated By: Bulkley Backcountry Ski Society

Best For: Ski touring

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book online.

Cost: $60/whole cabin/night

More Info: Bulkley Backcountry Ski Society

Harold Price Cabin

Location: In the headwaters of Gramaphone Creek, north of Smithers.

Operated By: Bulkley Valley Backpackers Society

Best For: Hiking, ski touring

Sleeps: 6-8

Booking: Reservations required. Contact Ellen Anderson at 778-210-0625 or ellen.anderson59@gmail.com

Cost: $10/person/night, payable by etransfer

More Info: Bulkley Valley Backpackers Society and Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre

Joe L’Orsa Cabin

Location: Silverking Basin in Babine Mountains Provincial Park east of Smithers.

Operated By: Babine Mountains Provincial Park

Best For: Hiking, ski touring

Sleeps: 15-20

Booking: None. All visits are first-come, first-served.

Cost: $10/person/night payable in cash at the cabin.

More Info: Babine Mountains Provincial Park

Morice Mountain Cabin

Location: At the Morice Mountain Nordic Ski Club south of Houston.

Operated By: Morice Mountain Nordic Ski Club

Best For: Ski touring, snowshoeing, hiking

Sleeps: 6

Booking: Reservations required. Book by email: mmnsclub@gmail.com

Cost: $20/person/night for the first night and $10/person/night for each additional night.

More Info: Morice Mountain Nordic Ski Club

Ozalenka Cabin

Location: In the Boreal Valley north of Ozalenka Peak near McBride.

Operated By: Ozalenka Alpine Club

Best For: Hiking

Sleeps: 6-8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online.

Cost: $100/whole hut/night

More Info: Ozalenka Alpine Club

Eagle Valley Cabin

Location: In the Eagle Valley southwest of McBride.

Operated By: Ozalenka Alpine Club

Best For: Hiking

Sleeps: 6-8

Booking: Reservations required. Book online.

Cost: $80/whole hut/night

More Info: Ozalenka Alpine Club

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

So that’s my big list of over 80 backcountry huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies. Did I miss a BC backcountry cabin? Let me know in the comments and I’ll add it.

35+ Places to Go Backpacking in BC Without A Car

Taryn Eyton — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:28:15 +0000

British Columbia has tons of incredible places to go backpacking and multi-day hiking. Unfortunately, most of them require a car to get to. However, it is possible to go backpacking in BC without a car. I’ve got a list of over 35 car-free backpacking trips across BC.

You can get to these overnight and multi-day hikes by public transit bus, shuttle bus, ferry, or water taxi. I’ve done the legwork of figuring out how to get to these fabulous destinations. All info about transportation was correct at the time of writing, but things change, so please let me know if anything is out of date so I can update it.

This guide to backpacking in BC without a car includes:

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Map of Car-Free Places to Go Backpacking in BC

I made a custom Google Map for you that shows the location of each of the car-free backpacking trips I mention in this post. Click to zoom in.

Click the map to zoom in.

Tips for Backpacking Without a Car in BC

I’m not going to lie – it’s a lot easier to get around in BC if you have a car. Bus service here is not frequent and it’s often not cheap.

But it is definitely possible to go backpacking in BC without a car. Here are a few tips:

Leave a trip plan with a friend so someone knows where you are going and when you expect to be back. This is especially important when travelling by bus as you won’t be leaving a car at a trailhead, which otherwise would be a clue for search and rescue about where you went.
Check schedules carefully. Bus schedules change and some buses don’t run very frequently.
Book tickets in advance. Buses can fill up or they may not stop at some locations if they don’t know in advance that someone wants to be picked up there.
Be flexible with dates and times when booking on-demand shuttle services. Many shuttle companies will try to pair you up with other groups to make the per-person cost of the shuttle cheaper.
Be prepared for some extra kilometres. Without a car, you might have to walk a bit to get to the trailhead. I’ve included walking directions and distances for each backpacking trip on this list. The distance stat at the start of each trip includes any extra kilometres you will need to walk from the bus stop.
If the bus schedules don’t work for your trip, consider using a carpooling app like Poparide.
Look into renting a car. The cost split between three or more people can often work out cheaper than taking the bus. I use Discover Cars to search for car rentals since it compares prices across tons of different companies.
Make camping reservations in advance. Many of the backpacking trips on this list require advance reservation and sell out quickly. See my guide to BC backpacking reservations for more info.
Is this your first backpacking trip? Read my guide to Backpacking for Beginners. It includes a run-down on gear, trip planning, fitness, and key skills like navigation and bear safety.
Not sure what to pack? I’ve got a super-detailed Backpacking Gear Checklist that explains it all.
Worried about bears? If you are prepared and responsible, you don’t have to worry. Read my guide to Bear Safety for Backpackers.

Backpacking Trips Near Vancouver Without a Car

Howe Sound Crest Trail

Hiking near the Lions on the Howe Sound Crest Trail

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Very challenging

Distance: Up to 31.7 km one way

Elevation Gain: 660 m

Best Months: Mid-July to September

Fees and Reservations: Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Description: This tough backpacking trip in Cypress Provincial Park is best for experienced backpackers. The first part of the hike is on the well-worn trail to St. Mark’s Summit. But past there you will need route-finding and scrambling skills to stay on track as you follow the spine of the ridge over several summits. It is typically hiked as a one-way traverse from the Cypress Mountain ski hill to Porteau Cove, but you can bail out part-way on the trail to Lions Bay.

Getting There Without a Car: From downton Vancouver, take Translink bus 250 or 257 to Park Royal, then take the Cypress Mountain Shuttle to Cypress Mountain. (Note: The summer schedule is limited and some years it doesn’t run at all. If there is no shuttle, you can take a taxi from Park Royal.)

You can do and out-and-back trip from Cypress Mountain or do a one-way trip to Lions Bay or Porteau Cove. If you get off trail at Lions Bay, you can take bus Translink bus 262 to West Vancouver, and then bus 253 to to downtown Vancouver. To complete the whole route to Porteau Cove, you will need to arrange a taxi.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Elfin Lakes and Rampart Ponds

The backcountry campground at Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 22 to 42 km

Elevation Gain: 610 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required and fees are charged for both tent pads and the hut. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Description: This trip in Garibaldi Provincial Park takes you up into the subalpine to stroll along a ridge with incredible views. You can camp or stay in the hut at Elfin Lakes, which is a great place to base yourself for day hikes. Or continue further into the backcountry to say at Rampart Ponds campground. This hike is just a few minutes from my house in Squamish, so I’ve done it tons of times.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Squamish Connector buses to downtown Squamish or Garibaldi Estates. From there, Howe Sound Taxi can take you 30 minutes to the trailhead. (Call ahead to confirm that they will go up the gravel road to the trailhead – some dispatchers get confused as to where this is.)

You may also be able to get a ride with Shred Shuttle from downtown Squamish or Garibald Estates. It is a mountain bike shuttle service that stops about 0.5 km from the hikers trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my Elfin Lake hiking guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees and reservations, see Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Lake Lovely Water

Wildflowers on the shore of Lake Lovely Water

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Distance: 11 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 1135 m

Best Months: Late June to early October

Fees and Reservations: Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served. The hut requires reservations and fees.

Trail Description: The trail to Lake Lovely Water begins on the other side of the Squamish River, so crossing it by boat is your first obstacle. The trail is incredibly steep and rugged as it grinds uphill through the forest. Your reward is a gorgeous alpine lake ringed with mountains. You can stay at the backcountry campground or book the rustic hut. From there, take day hikes to meadows or scramble to the tops of the peaks. I spent a memorable birthday here one year and it was so pretty!

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Squamish Connector buses to downtown Squamish. From there, Squamish Watersports can shuttle you to the trailhead via jetski. Alternatively, you can take a taxi for 15 minutes to the Squamish airport, then take a helicopter or floatplane directly to the lake.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For hut reservations, see the Alpine Club of Canada Vancouver section.

Cheakamus Lake

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 7 to 14 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 50 m

Best Months: May to early November

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required and fees are charged for camping. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Description: This is one of the easiest trails in Garibaldi Provincial Park and one of the easiest places to go backpacking in BC without a car. The trail to the lake is flat and easy. The lake is an incredible turquoise colour. You can camp at the lake outlet or continue along the lakeshore to a second campground at Singing Creek.

Cheakamus Lake is one of my favourites since it has such a beautiful location but it’s an easy hike – it’s on my lists of the best spring backpacking trips in BC and the best beginner backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Epic Rides bus to Whistler. From there, you can take a taxi for 25 minutes to the trailhead.

If you are up for adding 8 km and 200 m of elevation gain each way, you can skip the taxi and take BC Transit bus 10 from Whistler Village to the stop on Cheakamus Lake Road just after to turnoff from the Highway. From there, take the Valley Trail south to the Cheakamus Lake FSR. For a nicer hike, use the Farside Trail instead of the road for the first 3km.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees and reservations, see Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos
Advice for extending your trip
Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Helm Creek

Helm Lake near Helm Creek campground

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 17 km return (plus more for day hikes from camp)

Elevation Gain: 700 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required and fees are charged for camping. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Description: The trail to Helm Creek provides a lesser-known backdoor route into the core of Garibaldi Provincial Park by leaving from the same trailhead as Cheakamus Lake. The trail switchbacks uphill through the forest to a subalpine campground. From there you can day hike to Panorama Ridge (14 km return), which has great views of Garibaldi Lake.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Epic Rides bus to Whistler. From there, you can take a taxi for 25 minutes to the trailhead. If you are up for adding 8 km and 200 m of elevation gain each way, you can skip the taxi and take BC Transit bus 10 from Whistler Village to the stop on Cheakamus Lake Road. From there, take the Valley Trail south to the Cheakamus Lake FSR. For a nicer hike, use the Farside Trail instead of the road for the first 3km.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees and reservations, see Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Russet Lake

Wildlflowers near Russet Lake in Whistler

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 25 to 29 km

Elevation Gain: 305 to 1280 m

Best Months: Mid-July to September.

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required and fees are charged for camping. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.) The hut also requires reservations and fees.

Trail Description: Tiny Russet Lake has a gorgeous backcountry campground and a beautiful new hut in the mountains above Whistler inside Garibaldi Provincial Park. There are two ways to get there: You can hike up the steep Singing Pass trail directly from Whistler Village. Or you can pay to take the Whistler Gondola, then hike along an undulating ridge on the High Note and Musical Bumps Trails. It’s also one of the easiest backpacking trips in BC to get to without a car.

This trip is one of my favourites since the views are so good – it’s on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Epic Rides bus to Whistler. Then walk through the village to the Singing Pass trailhead or the bottom of the Whistler gondola.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my Russet Lake hiking and backpacking guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. To make camping reservations, see Garibaldi Provincial Park. For hut reservations, see the Spearhead Huts Society.

Rainbow Pass and Hanging Lake

Rainbow Pass

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 20.6 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 890 m

Best Months: June to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Description: Hike up into the mountains on the west side of the Whistler Valley to gorgeous Rainbow Lake. From the lake, ascend to Rainbow Pass and find the campground at Hanging Lake on the other side. It’s a great spot to base yourself for day hikes up Rainbow Mountain or to nearby Ninja Lakes.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Epic Rides bus to Whistler. From there, you can take a taxi for 15 minutes to the trailhead.

If you are up for adding 3 km and 50 m of elevation gain each way, you can skip the taxi and take BC Transit bus 6 from Whistler Village to the stop on Crabapple Drive at Cedar Grove. From there, walk north then west on the Valley Trail to Rainbow Park. Then walk north on Alta Lake Road to the trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Wedgemount Lake

Summer wildflowers at Wedgemount Lake

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Very Challenging

Distance: 13 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 1160 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required and fees are charged for camping. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Description: This hike in Garibaldi Provincial Park is really steep, especially the final push to the top. But it’s worth it! The beautiful turquoise lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. And you can hike past the end of the lake right up to the toe of the glacier. See it while you can as the ice has retreated nearly half a kilometre in less than 30 years.

Wedgemount Lake is on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC thanks to the spectaclar scenery and the opportunity to hike to a glacier.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take the YVR Skylynx or Epic Rides bus to Whistler. From there, you can take a taxi for 15 minutes to the trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. To make reservations, visit Garibaldi Provincial Park.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos
Advice for extending your trip
Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Frosty Mountain

Hiking through golden larch trees in fall.

Duration: 2-3 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 29 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 1140 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees are charged. Reservations are required between late July and late October.

Trail Description: This trail climbs up the slopes of Frosty Mountain, the highest peak in Manning Provincial Park. You can camp at Frosty Creek, partway up, then head to the summit with day packs. Try to time your visit for the fall to see the larches change colour.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take Mountain Man Mike’s shuttle to the Manning Park Lodge. From there, hike 3.5 km on the Little Muddy Trail to the trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my Frosty Mountain trail guide and my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees see Manning Provincial Park.

Lightning Lakes

Lightning Lakes on the way to Strike Lake Camp

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 20 km round trip

Elevation Gain: none

Best Months: June to October

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees are charged. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Description: The easy trail along the shores of Lightning Lake is perfect for beginners or families. The flat trail has great views of the lakes. Leave the day hikers behind and camp at Strike Lake.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take Mountain Man Mike’s shuttle to the Manning Park Lodge. From there, hike 3.5 km on the Little Muddy Trail to the trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees see Manning Provincial Park.

Skyline Trail (Manning Park)

Ridge walking on the Skyline Trail

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 42 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 520 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees are charged. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Description: The views from this trail are incredible. You start the hike along the shores of Lightning Lake, then ascend to a ridge top viewpoint. From there, the trail follows the top of the ridge through wildflower meadows and you can look waaay down below you to the Lightning Lakes chain. Stay the night at Mowich Camp, which is often visited by deer.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take Mountain Man Mike’s shuttle to the Manning Park Lodge. From there, hike 5.5 km on the Little Muddy Trail, then the Lightning Lakes trail over the Rainbow Bridge to the trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. For info on camping fees see Manning Provincial Park.

Backpacking Trips on the Sunshine Coast Without a Car

Sunshine Coast Trail

The view from the top of Tin Hat Mountain

Duration: 7 to 12 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 178 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1300 m

Best Months: June to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping and staying in the huts is free and all campsites and huts are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The 178-km-long Sunshine Coast Trail is a great backpacking trip to do without a car. The hike includes 14 huts along the way, plus dozens of campgrounds so lots of itineraries are possible. The trail starts and finishes on the ocean, but the bulk of the hike is inland up and down mountains and alongside lakes. If the whole trail is too long for you, I also have some options for car-free backpacking trips on shorter sections of the Sunshine Coast Trail below.

The Sunshine Coast Trail is a bucket list hike thanks to the hut-to-hut experience. It’s on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: You can fly to Powell River from Vancouver or Victoria, then take the Sunshine Coast Shuttle bus to the north trailhead. You can also take BC Transit bus 12 from Powell River to the south trailhead.

If you don’t want to fly, take Translink bus 250 or 257 from Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay, then a BC Ferry from there to Langdale where you catch the Sunshine Coast Connector bus to Earl’s Cove to get your final BC Ferry to Saltery Bay. From there you can start the trail or take the Sunshine Coast Shuttle Bus to the other trailhead.

If you want to save some money, you can also take BC Transit bus 12 from Saltery Bay to Powell River, then the Sunshine Coast Shuttle bus to the trailhead.

If you are coming from Vancouver Island, you can take a BC Ferry to Powell River from Comox.

More Info: Get all the details on the Sunshine Coast Trail website.

Fairview Bay/Saltery Bay Loop

Fairview Bay Hut

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 12 km round trip or 18 km loop

Elevation Gain: 150 to 570 m

Best Months: April to November

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping and the huts are free and all campsites and huts are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The section of the Sunshine Coast Trail is easy to hike without a car since you start right at the ferry. You can hike along the ocean to Fairview Bay Hut. Or you can hike up to Rainy Day Lake, then back around via Fairview Bay to make a loop. If you want to go further, you can tack on the summit of Mount Troubridge for an extra 15 km round trip with 900 m of elevation gain. All three locations have campsites and huts.

I love the coastal views on the way to Fairview Bay – it’s on my lists of the best spring backpacking trips in BC and best easy backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take Translink bus 250 or 257 to Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, then take the BC Ferry to Langdale on the lower Sunshine Coast. From there, take the Sunshine Coast Connector Bus to Earl’s Cove ferry terminal. Take the BC Ferry to Saltery Bay. Once you get off the ferry, the trailhead is a few minutes walk away.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and on the Sunshine Coast Trail website.

Saltery Bay to Lang Bay

Trail to Fairview Bay

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 45.8 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1300 m

Best Months: June to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping and the huts are free and all campsites and huts are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The southernmost section of the Sunshine Coast Trail offers a good mix of terrain. You’ll hike to the top of Mount Troubridge, the highest point on the Sunshine Coast Trail. The section also includes one of the longest coastal sections between gorgeous Fairview Bay and the trailhead at Saltery Bay.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver, take Translink bus 250 or 257 to Horseshoe Bay, then take the BC Ferry to Langdale on the lower Sunshine Coast. From there, take the Sunshine Coast Connector Bus to Earl’s Cove ferry terminal. Take the BC Ferry to Saltery Bay. Once you get off the ferry, the trailhead is a few minutes walk away.

To finish the trail, walk along Dixon Road to the Sunshine Coast Highway, then catch the BC Transit bus 12 from Lang Bay back to the ferry terminal.

More Info: Get all the details on the Sunshine Coast Trail website.

Powell River to Lang Bay

Tin Hat Hut

Duration: 4 to 7 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 84.5 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1100 m

Best Months: June to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping and the huts are free and all campsites and huts are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The middle section of the Sunshine Coast Trail includes some of the most spectacular views on the entire trail from the summits of Tin Hat Mountain and Walt Hill Hut. Since it is an 84 km stretch, it’s a great way to take in a big chunk of the SCT if you don’t have time to do the whole thing.

Getting There Without a Car: You can fly to Powell River from Vancouver or Victoria, then take a BC Transit bus 1 to the trailhead.

If you are coming from Vancouver Island, you can take a BC Ferry to Powell River from Comox.

You can also take Translink bus 250 or 257 from Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay, then a BC Ferry from there to Langdale where you catch the Sunshine Coast Connector bus to Earl’s Cove to get your final BC Ferry to Saltery Bay. From there you can take BC Transit Bus 12, then Bus 1 to the trailhead in Powell River.

To finish the trail, walk out along Dixon Road to the Sunshine Coast Highway, then catch the BC Transit bus 12 from Lang Bay back to the ferry terminal or to Powell River.

More Info: Get all the details on the Sunshine Coast Trail website.

Sarah Point to Powell River

Manzanita Bluff

Duration: 3 to 4 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 50.2 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 370 m

Best Months: March to November

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping and the huts are free and all campsites and huts are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The low-elevation section at the north end of the Sunshine Coast Trail is a great car-free backpacking option for spring and fall. It has gorgeous views of the ocean from Manzanita Bluff and the campsite on Little Sliammon Lake is a great spot for a swim.

The hike to Manzanita Bluff was the first part of the SCT that I hiked and remains a favourite – it’s on my list of the best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: You can fly to Powell River from Vancouver or Victoria, then take the Sunshine Coast Shuttle bus to the Sarah Point Trailhead.

If you are coming from Vancouver Island, you can take a BC Ferry to Powell River from Comox.

From there you can take the Sunshine Coast Shuttle to the Sarah Point Trailhead. Or if you want to save some money, you can take a BC Transit bus 12 to Powell River, then the Sunshine Coast Shuttle.

The trail finishes in Powell River near the stop for BC Transit bus 1 which you can use to get back to the ferry at Saltery Bay.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and on the Sunshine Coast Trail website.

Backpacking Trips on Vancouver Island Without a Car

Narvaez Bay

The campground at Narvaez Bay

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 18 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 140 m

Best Months: Year-round

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required in the summer and camping fees are charged. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: This oceanfront campground is located in Gulf Islands National Park on Saturna Island. It’s an easy hike along a quiet road and then a short trail to the campground. Unfortunately, there is no water here so you will have to bring your own.

Narvaez Bay is a gorgeous spot – it’s on my lists of the best spring backpacking trips in BC and best easy backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Vancouver take Translink bus 620 to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, then take the BC Ferry to Saturna Island.

From Victoria, take the BC Transit bus 70 to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, then take the BC Ferry to Saturna Island.

Once on the island, walk along East Point Road then Narvaez Bay Road to the park. If you want to save some time, bring a bike for the road section.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. See Gulf Islands National Park Reserve for camping reservations.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Juan de Fuca Trail

Hiking on the Juan de Fuca Trail

Heads up: The Juan de Fuca Trail is closed in summer 2025 due to significant storm damage. It is not possible to hike the entire trail, but you can visit and camp at Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach.

Duration: 3 to 5 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 47 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 190 m

Best Months: Year-round

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees charged. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: Often considered the sister trail to the famous West Coast Trail, the Juan de Fuca Trail runs along the ocean at the southern end of Vancouver Island. It is a bit more rugged than the WCT with more inland sections and lots of hills. But it also has lots of beautiful beach campsites.

This trip is one of my favourites – I’ve done it twice! It’s on my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Victoria, you can take the West Coast Trail Express shuttle bus to all of the trailheads.

More Info: Read my Juan de Fuca Trail guide and see my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island for full details. For info on camping fees, see Juan de Fuca Provincial Park.

Kludahk Trail

Tent Lake Cabin on the Kludahk Trail

Duration: 3 to 5 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 51.2 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1000 m

Best Months: June to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: This little-known trail follows the crest of the San Juan Ridge through gorgeous old-growth forest and unique sub-alpine bog. There are lots of viewpoints and tiny lakes along the way. The Kludahk Outdoors Club built the trail and has a series of huts along the trail, which are only open to club members. However, members of the public are welcome to use the trail and stay at the campsites near the huts.

Getting There Without a Car: It’s possible to get to and from the Kludahk Trail using the West Coast Express bus from Victoria.

The bus stops at the intersection of Highway 14 and Parkinson Creek Road, the western trailhead for the Kludahk Trail.

It also stops at the entrance to the China Beach day-use area, which is a 1 km (0.6 mi) walk along the highway from the start of North Main FSR. From there it’s a 10.2 km (6.3 mi) walk with 660 m (2165 ft) of elevation gain on logging roads to the eastern trailhead.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos
Advice for extending your trip
Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

West Coast Trail

Climbing ladders on the West Coast Trail

Duration: 5 to 8 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 75 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 225 m

Best Months: May to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, trail fees, and National Park entry fees required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: The West Coast Trail is a bucket list hike and is on lots of lists of the best trails in Canada. The tough trail follows the coast with lots of sections of beach walking and some inland old-growth forest. You will also challenge yourself on lots of ladders, bridges, and cable cars. The campsites are all on gorgeous beaches.

I love this trail – I’ve done it twice and it’s on my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Victoria, you can take the West Coast Trail Express shuttle bus to all of the trailheads.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my West Coast Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For info on reservations, trail fees, and National Park fees, see Pacific Rim National Park.

READ NEXT: West Coast Trail Hiking Guide

Keeha Beach

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 7 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 45 m

Best Months: May to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, camping fees, and National Park entry fees required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: Remote Keeha Beach is located in Pacific Rim National Park just north of the West Coast Trail. It’s a gorgeous sandy beach with incredible views. The trail to get there is really rough, however, with tons of mud and slippery tree roots.

The beach here is so pretty – it’s on my list of the best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Victoria, you can take the West Coast Trail Express shuttle bus to the town of Bamfield. From there, you can take a taxi to the trailhead or walk 2 km on Bamfield Road and South Bamfield Road.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. For fees, and reservations, see Pacific Rim National Park.

Della Falls

The base of Della Falls

Duration: 2 to 5 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 32 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 540 m

Best Months: Mid-May to September

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: Della Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Canada with a total height of 440 m. The trail heads up a picturesque river valley to the base of the falls. From there, you can take a side trail up to Love Lake for an even better view.

This trip is one of my favourites – it’s on my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Tofino Bus to Port Alberni. From there you can take a taxi for 20 minutes to the Great Central Lake Marina to catch the Della Falls water taxi to the trailhead.

More Info: Get all the details in my Della Falls Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. Join the Della Falls Facebook group to get the latest trail conditions.

Wild Side Trail

Hikers on the Wild Side Trail near Tofino

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 22 km round-trip

Elevation Gain: 30 m

Best Months: May to October

Fees and Reservations: Trail fees charged. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: This is one of my favourite trails on Vancouver Island. Almost the entire trail is on beautiful sandy beaches. The campsite at Cow Bay has a spectacular view. The Wild Side Trail is an easy hike so it’s great for kids or beginners.

I’ve done this hike twice and it’s on my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, best easy backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Tofino Bus to Tofino, then catch a water taxi to the town of Ahousaht. The trail starts at the fuel dock in Ahousaht.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my Wild Side Trail guide and in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.. For info on trail fees and camping fees, see the Wild Side Trail website.

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos
Advice for extending your trip
Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Forbidden Plateau Loop

Hiking the boardwalks through Paradise Meadows

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 8.3 to 15. 4 km loop

Elevation Gain: 190 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees charged. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The easy trails starting at Paradise Meadows in Strathcona Provincial Park are a great option for a laidback backpacking trip. With two campgrounds (Lake Helen Mackenzie and Kwai Lake) you can choose to make a shorter or longer loop. There are also several great day hikes from the campgrounds.

I’ve hiked here four times since it’s so nice and it’s on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC and best easy backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Island Link bus to Courtenay/Comox. From there, take an Ambassador Transportation shuttle to the trailhead at the top of Mount Washington.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Circlet Lake and Mount Albert Edward

Hiking towards the summit of Mount Albert Edward

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Challenging

Distance: 31 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 980 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees charged. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: Mount Albert Edward is one of the highest mountains on Vancouver Island and one of the few you can summit without mountaineering gear. The trip up the mountain begins with a hike through the Paradise Meadows area of Strathcona Provincial Park. Stay overnight at tiny Circlet Lake and day hike to the peak from there.

I’ve hiked here twice – it’s on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Island Link bus to Courtenay/Comox. From there, take an Ambassador Transportation shuttle to the trailhead at the top of Mount Washington.

More Info: Find details on this hike in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

North Coast Trail

Hiking on the beach on the North Coast Trail

Duration: 5 to 6 days

Difficulty: Very challenging

Distance: 43 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 245 m

Best Months: mid-April to October

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees charged between May and September. (Otherwise, it is free.) All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: I’ve hiked a lot of coastal trails and I think the North Coast Trail is the toughest. The trail is muddy, rooty, and sometimes near vertical as it ascends coastal cliffs. But the beaches and old-growth forests are spectacular.

I’ve hiked this trail twice – it’s on my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Island Link Bu s to Port Hardy. From there you can take Cape Scott Water Taxi to the eastern trailhead. To get back from the trail, take the North Coast Trail Shuttle bus (operated by Cape Scott Water Taxi) from the Cape Scott trailhead to Port Hardy.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my North Coast Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. Join the Cape Scott Park Facebook group for the latest trail conditions.

Cape Scott

Beach on the way to Cape Scott

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 41.5 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 100 m

Best Months: Year-round

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees charged between May and September. (Otherwise, it is free.) All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: I love the hike to Cape Scott – I’ve done it 4 times. The trail heads through the wet and muddy rainforest before emerging on the coast. You can camp at several different sandy beaches. The highlight is the day hike to the lighthouse at Cape Scott, the northernmost point on Vancouver Island.

This is my favourite hike on Vancouver Island – it’s on my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Island Link bus to Port Hardy. From there you can take the North Coast Trail Shuttle bus (operated by Cape Scott Water Taxi) to the trailhead.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my Cape Scott Trail guide and my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island. Join the Cape Scott Park Facebook group the latest trail conditions. For camping fees, see Cape Scott Provincial Park.

San Josef Bay

Sea stacks at San Josef Bay

Duration: 2 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 5 km return

Elevation Gain: 45 m

Best Months: Year-round

Fees and Reservations: Camping fees charged between May and September. (Otherwise, it is free.) All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: The flat trail to San Josef is so easy that you can pull a wagon on it – and many people do. The beautiful sandy beach is a great place to camp. Be sure to allow extra time to explore the sea stacks at low tide. It takes a long time to get here, but this is a great beginner backpacking trip in BC without a car.

I’ve hiked to this beautiful beach twice – it’s on my lists of the best spring backpacking trips in BC and best easy backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: From Nanaimo, take the Island Link bus to Port Hardy. From there you can take the North Coast Trail Shuttle bus (operated by Cape Scott Water Taxi) to the trailhead.

Get My Book…

Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips

25 backpacking trips and 10 day hikes throughout Vancouver Island
Info about permits, reservations and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos
Advice for extending your trip
Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Backpacking Trips in Eastern BC and the Rocky Mountains Without a Car

Heads up: Some of the trips in this section are technically in Alberta, but they are so close to the BC border that it seemed silly not to include them.

Okanagan High Rim Trail

Duration: 3 to 4 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 59 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 800 m

Best Months: May to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: This trail makes a traverse through the mountains above the Okanagan Valley between Vernon and Kelowna. It’s a newer route that is gaining in popularity thanks to the many little lakes and great views. Easy access makes it one of the best backpacking trips in BC without a car.

This trip made it onto my lists of the best backpacking trips in BC, and best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: Take Ebus to Vernon from Kelowna or Vancouver. From there, you can take a taxi for 15 minutes to the northern trailhead. You can also take BC Transit bus 1 to the stop on Kalamalka Road at Bonavista Drive, then walk 2.8 to the trailhead. To finish the trail, take a taxi for 30 minutes back to Kelowna from Highway 33 at Philpott Road.

More Info: Get the details from the Okanagan High Rim Trail Association.

Okanagan Mountain Park

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Distance: 22 to 40 km

Elevation Gain: 200 to 1100 m

Best Months: Mid-March to October

Fees and Reservations: None. Camping is free and all campsites are first-come, first-served.

Trail Info: There are tons of trail options in this huge park south of Kelowna. There are backcountry campgrounds near the peak of Okanagan Mountain at Divide Lake and Baker Lake. Or you can choose from several campgrounds on the shores of Okanagan Lake, accessed via the Wild Horse Canyon Trail. It’s also possible to combine the two to make a big loop.

This trip is also on my list of the best spring backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: Take Ebus to Kelowna from Vancouver or Calgary or points along the way. From Kelowna, take a taxi for 25 minutes to the trailhead on Lakeshore Road.

More Info: See Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park.

Skoki Loop

Myotosis Lake on the Skoki Loop

Duration: 3 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 33.5 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,295 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, camping fees, and National Park admission required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: This lollipop-shaped loop trip heads into the mountains east of Lake Louise in Banff National Park. The route weaves between tall peaks and picturesque alpine lakes.

Getting There Without a Car: Take the Rider Express bus to Lake Louise from Calgary, Kamloops, or Vancouver, then walk 3.5 km to the trailhead.

More Info: See my Skoki Loop trail guide.

Psst! This trail is on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.

Egypt Lake

Egypt Lake, Scarab Lake, and Mummy Lake seen from the top of Pharaoh Peak

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 24.6 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 1,135 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, camping fees, and National Park admission required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: This trail climbs up through Healy Pass to Egypt Lake in Banff National Park. From there you can day hike to several stunning lakes. You can make your trip into a loop by taking the Sunshine Village gondola back to the trailhead.

Getting There Without a Car: Take the Rider Express bus to Banff from Calgary or Vancouver. From there take the Sunshine Village Shuttle to the trailhead at the base of the gondola.

More Info: See my Egypt Lake backpacking guide.

Mount Assiniboine

Sunburst Peak from the Nublet Peak at Mount Assiniboine

Duration: 4 to 6 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 55 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 480 m

Best Months: Mid-July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations and fees are required to camp in the park through BC Parks and to camp on the access trails through Banff National Park. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: The whole Mount Assiniboine area is stunning. There are several day hikes from the base camp at Lake Magog which lead to incredible viewpoints. There are two ways to hike to the core area – via Mount Shark trailhead in Kananaskis or via Sunshine Village near Banff. Only the Sunshine Village option is possible to backpacking without a car.

This trip is one of my favourites – it’s on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC. It’s also on my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies.

Getting There Without a Car: Take the Rider Express to Banff from Vancouver or Calgary. From there take the Sunshine Village Shuttle to the trailhead at the base of the gondola. Ride the gondola up to the top to the trailhead.

More Info: See my huge Mount Assiniboine hiking guide for more info. Make reservations on the Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. Join the Mount Assiniboine Facebook group. See Banff National Park for reservations for camping on the approach trails.

READ NEXT: Mount Assiniboine Hiking Guide

Lake Minnewanka Shoreline Trail

View from the Minnewanka Shoreline Trail. Photo: Filipe Freitas/Unsplash

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 15.6 to 57.8 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 300 m

Best Months: May to October

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, camping fees, and National Park admission required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: The easy trail along the shore of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park is a great option for spring or fall since it is in the valley bottom. There are six backcountry campgrounds along the route. Don’t miss the day hike to Alymer Pass, which has a spectacular view.

Getting There Without a Car: Take the Rider Express to Banff from Calgary or Vancouver. From there take Roam Transit bus 6 to Lake Minnewanka.

More Info: See Banff National Park.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Saturday Night Lake Loop

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 24.6 km

Elevation Gain: 480 m

Best Months: May to October

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, camping fees, and National Park admission required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: This easy trail starts right in the town of Jasper. The loop heads steadily but never steeply uphill, passing several lakes. There are two campgrounds along the trail both near picturesque lakes.

Getting There Without a Car: Take Sundog Tours bus from Edmonton or Ebus from Vancouver or Kamloops to Jasper. From there, walk 1.6 km to the trailhead.

More Info: See Jasper National Park.

Skyline Trail (Jasper National Park)

Crossing the creek in front of Tekarra Camp on the Skyline Trail

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 44.1 km one-way

Elevation Gain: 1330 m

Best Months: Mid-July to mid-September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations, camping fees, and National Park admission required. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: The Skyline Trail is one of the most popular backpacking trips in Jasper National Park. The trail is mostly above the treeline, so it has incredible views as it goes over mountain passes. Most people choose to hike from south to north since it has less elevation gain.

Getting There Without a Car: Take Sundog Tours bus from Edmonton to Jasper or Ebus from Vancouver or Kamloops to Jasper. Then take the Maligne Valley Hiker’s shuttle to the trailhead.

More Info: See my Skyline Trail hiking guide.

Berg Lake Trail

Enjoying the view above Berg Lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park

Heads up: The Berg Lake Trail suffered extensive damage due to flooding in late June and early July 2021. However, the full trail reopened in June 2025.

Duration: 2 to 4 days

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 42 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 800 m

Best Months: July to September

Fees and Reservations: Reservations are required and camping fees are charged. (See my guide to making backcountry camping reservations in BC for more info.)

Trail Info: Berg Lake is one of my favourite trails in the Rockies and a great place to go backpacking in BC without a car. It follows the Robson River uphill to the Berg Lake, named for the glaciers that send icebergs into the lake. Allow extra time for day hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

This trip is one of my favourites – it’s on my list of the best backpacking trips in BC.

Getting There Without a Car: Take Ebus from Edmonton, Vancouver or Kamloops to the Mount Robson Visitor Centre. Then walk 2.2 km to the trailhead.

More Info: Get details on this hike in my Berg Lake Trail guide. For reservation info, see Mount Robson Provincial Park.

READ NEXT: Berg Lake Trail Hiking Guide

Get My Books

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover BC’s best backpacking trips

40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
35 backpacking trips and day hikes on Vancouver Island
Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos

Get the books

Final Thoughts

With over 35 car-free backpacking trips in BC on this list, I’m sure you’ll find one that works for you. Do you have other suggestions for places to go backpacking in BC without a car? Leave them in the comments.

MORE BC BACKPACKING TRIP LISTS:

BC BACKPACKING RESOURCES:

The post 35+ Places to Go Backpacking in BC Without A Car appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

23 Weekend Getaways from Vancouver

Taryn Eyton — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 22:08:17 +0000

While Vancouver is a beautiful city with lots to offer, sometimes you just want to get out of town. Living here my whole life, I’ve been on more weekend trips from Vancouver than I can count. I’ve put together a great list of over 20 weekend getaways from Vancouver.

There’s something for everyone on this list from city-breaks to beach town chill-outs, to adventurous mountain towns, to foodie destinations, to luxurious glamping.

Since, I’m an outdoorsy person, most of the trips have an adventure focus, but there are lots of options for less sweaty activities too. All of these trips are a few hours away, and some of them you can do without a car.

So here are my picks for the most beautiful weekend getaways from Vancouver.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Map of Weekend Getaways From Vancouver

Here’s a custom Google Map I made for you. It shows all of these beautiful weekend getaways from Vancouver, plus a few of the attractions, restaurants and attractions that I recommend.

Click on the map to zoom in

Bowen Island

The lighthouse at Cape Roger Curtis on Bowen Island

Tiny Bowen Island is just minutes from Vancouver but feels worlds apart. This Howe Sound island is mostly forested, with lots of small beaches, which makes it a great place for kayaking and hiking. My favourite spot is Cape Roger Curtis on the west side of the island.

The village of Snug Cove at the ferry dock has a few restaurants to choose from, but the pizza at Tuscany Restaurant is amazing. If you have a sweet tooth, check out Cocoa West Chocolatier for incredible handmade chocolates. Yoga and meditation are also really popular here, with several retreats on the island.

My guide to Bowen Island has lots of other suggestions for great things to do.

Where to Stay on Bowen Island

Artisan Suites: This all-suite hotel is located in Artisan Square just a few minutes from the ferry terminal. It’s the in same complex as tons of cute boutiques and Cocoa West Chocolatier. Check rates.

Cabin Rentals: There are lots of really cute cabins on Bowen Island for rent. The Wildwood Cabins are gorgeously rustic and get amazing reviews. Check rates.

Squamish

The majestic Stawamus Chief seen from the Squamish River estuary. The town is hidden behind the trees and out of the frame to the left.

For the last three years I’ve lived in Squamish, known as the adventure capital of Canada and one of the best small towns in Canada. It sits at the head of Howe Sound sandwiched between mountain ranges. It has world-class hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and kiteboarding.

For less heart-pumping adventures, ride the Sea to Sky Gondola up to a gorgeous mountain viewpoint, visit Shannon Falls, or swim at one of the lakes. My list of the best things to do in Squamish includes lots more recommendations.

Where to Stay in Squamish

Sunwolf Riverside Cabins: We stayed in these adorable cabins on a winter trip to Squamish. Bonus: Fergie’s Restaurant is on the property so getting the best breakfast in town is easy! Check rates.

Executive Suites Hotel: This all-suite hotel has great access to hiking and biking trails and is my number 1 pick on my list of the best hotels in Squamish. Check rates.

Alice Lake Provincial Park: This large campground is on my list of the best campgrounds in Squamish. It has a great swimming lake and lots of trails. Check availability.

Whistler

The suspension bridge at Whistler Peak. You can see the town amongst the lakes in the valley below.

Whistler is a great weekend trip from Vancouver at any time of year. In the summer you can ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola up the mountain for amazing views, go swimming in the lakes, stroll through the village, or hit up the famous mountain bike trails. One of the main reasons I love Whistler is because it has some of the best hiking trails around.

In the winter you can downhill ski and snowboard of course, but there are also has plenty of beautiful snowshoeing trails. Read my guide to the best things to do in Whistler in winter for even more ideas.

Where to Stay in Whistler

The Westin Resort and Spa: If you want to splurge, this is the place. My now-husband took me here to impress me when we were first dating. Check rates.

Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel: Apartment-style suite hotels are really popular in Whistler. This one is right in the village and gets great reviews. Check rates.

Camping: My guide to camping in Whistler has details for 18 campgrounds near Whistler.

Pemberton

The view of Upper Joffre Lake from above. The hike is a short drive from Pemberton.

Pemberton often gets overshadowed by Whistler, its flashier neighbour to the south. But Pemberton makes a great weekend getaway from Vancouver. It’s a chill, small town surrounded by mountains with lots of hiking and mountain biking trails. (Nearby Joffre Lakes is gorgeous.)

But it also has a strong farming and ranching history. Head to North Arm Farm for u-pick berries, a produce stand, and a cafe. Or book a horseback ride – Pemberton has more horses per capita than any other place in BC!

Where to Stay in Pemberton

Pemberton Valley Lodge: Highly rated all-suite hotel near downtown Pemberton and an easy walk to the One Mile Lake trails. Check Rates.

Cabins: There are lots of cute cabins and tiny houses for rent near Pemberton. This cabin the woods is luxe but rustic and has a hot tub. Check Rates.

Sechelt and the South Sunshine Coast

The view from the pier in Sechelt

Sechelt is located on the Sunshine Coast, a short ferry ride from Vancouver, making it the perfect weekend trip. Make sure you also check out the nearby villages of Gibsons, Roberts Creek, and Halfmoon Bay. There are tons of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking. But lots of people prefer to book a stay at a cabin or resort with a water view, then just chill out.

The Sechelt area is also an emerging destination for foodies and artisans with weekend farmer’s markets in Sechelt, Gibsons, and Roberts Creek. With lots of new craft breweries, distilleries, cider houses popping up, the area now has its own Sunshine Coast Ale Trail. My husband loves the beer at Persephone Brewing near the Langdale ferry terminal.

READ NEXT: The Best Things to do in Sechelt

Where to Stay in Sechelt and the South Sunshine Coast

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort: This one has is special for me since it’s where I got engaged! The luxury tent cabins are unreal and worth the splurge! Check Rates.

Cabins: There are tons of cute cabins for rent on the Sunshine Coast. This cute cabin in Madeira Park has its own private beach! Check Rates.

Powell River and the North Sunshine Coast

Standing on top of Tin Hat Mountain on the Sunshine Coast Trail near Powell River. That’s Powell Lake below me.

Sleepy Powell River is a bit more off the beaten path than Sechelt to the South. It’s a logging town with tons of outdoor adventure possibilities. The 180km-long Sunshine Coast Trail runs through the outskirts of town, making Powell River a great jumping-off point for day hikes if you don’t have time for the whole thing.

The historic downtown is home to Townsite Brewing. On my last visit, we spent a fun couple of hours there tasting beer before heading to Costa del Sol in downtown Powell River for some tasty Mexican food. Don’t miss a trip to the cute village of Lund 30 minutes north of Powell River. Head to Nancy’s Bakery on the waterfront to get one of the famous cinnamon buns.

Where to Stay in Powell River and the North Sunshine Coast

The Magical Dome: This quirky rental cabin near Lund looks like a hobbit house. It has been on my list for a long time! Check rates.

Cabins: These glamping pods have incredible views and are right on the beach in Seal Bay. Check rates.

Harrison Hot Springs

You can see tons of eagles in Harrison in the winter

Harrison Hot Springs is a small resort community in the Fraser Valley. The main attraction is the hot springs, which are piped into a series of pools at the Harrison Hotsprings Resort as well to a public community pool. (Did you know we have lots of other amazing hot springs in Canada?)

I also love it as a winter destination for cozy cabin time and chill hiking. But the best part about visiting in winter is the eagles – you can see hundreds of bald eagles at once in nearby Harrison Mills.

And it’s less than an hour away, making it one of the closer weekend getaways from Vancouver.

Where to Stay in Harrison Hot Springs

Sandpiper Resort: I loved my stay in the cabins at this cute riverside property in Harrison Mills. Check rates.

Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa: Staying at this hotel gets you exclusive entrance to their deluxe hot springs pools. Book now.

Bramblebank Cottages: Cute cabins with a hot tub, fire pit, and canoes. Check rates.

Fraser Canyon

Welcome to the Fraser Canyon

The Fraser Canyon is a off-the-beaten-path, literally. Since the Coquihalla Highway was built in the 1980s, a tiny fraction of the traffic between Vancouver and BC’s Interior goes along Highway 1 past Hope to Lytton.

The Fraser Canyon makes a great short road trip with beautiful hikes, lots of viewpoints, historic sites, and quirky, old tourist attractions like the Hell’s Gate Airtram. My Fraser Canyon road trip guide has lots more recommendations.

Where to Stay in the Fraser Canyon

Windsor Motel: I spent two nights at this recently renovated hotel in Hope. It is basic, but super clean and affordable. The location in downtown Hope made it easy to walk to shopping and dinner. Plus, it was quiet at night. Check prices.

Kumsheen Rafting Resort: I arrived early for my river rafting trip, so I walked around their campground just outside of Lytton. They have really cute teepees and glamping tents with real beds and amazing Fraser River views. I would definitely stay here next time I’m in the area. Check prices.

Manning Park

Incredible wildflowers on an alpine hiking trail in Manning Provincial Park

E.C. Manning Provincial Park is one of BC’s most popular parks. In the winter it has a ski resort and lots of snowshoeing trails. In the summer it’s one of my favourite places to hike with kilometre upon kilometre of wildflower meadows.

You can also go canoeing on Lightning Lakes, walk nature trails, and spot wildlife. The ground squirrels are particularly cute. The resort has cabins and a restaurant, so you don’t have to rough it.

Where to Stay in Manning Park

Manning Park Resort: The only lodging in the heart of the park, they have cute cabins and a pool. Check rates.

Manning Provincial Park: There are four campgrounds in the park, but the nicest sites are at Lightning Lake. Check availability.

Parksville

Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville

Parksville is a beach town just north of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. With kilometres of sandy beaches, it’s one of the best weekend getaways from Vancouver. In summer they have an incredible sandcastle competition.

And there are gorgeous waterfalls if you head inland: check out Englishman River Falls and Little Qualicum Falls. The quirky Old Country Market in Coombs is also a short drive away. (It’s the place that famously has goats on the roof!)

Where to Stay in Parksville

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort: I know people who return to this beachfront resort year after year. Their Grotto Spa also looks really cool. Check Rates.

The Beach Club Resort: Located right on the beach and an easy walk to the shops and restaurants in Parksville. Check Rates.

Tofino

The cabins at Ocean Village on MacKenzie Beach in Tofino

Tofino on Vancouver Island’s West Coast is a popular weekend getaway from Vancouver and one of the best small towns in Canada for outdoor adventures. Explore the long sandy beaches, go for a hike in the lush rainforest, or hit the waves at Canada’s most famous surf spot.

While you might think of a beach town as a place to visit in the summer, I actually prefer visiting Tofino in winter. It’s quieter and more affordable. And the storm watching is really cool.

If you’re looking to get a bit off the beaten path, head a bit south to the neighbouring town of Ucluelet, which is much quieter and just as cute. Or take a water taxi to the old-growth trees on Meares Island or the sandy beaches of the Wild Side Trail on Flores Island.

Don’t miss the Tacofino food truck for some of the best tacos in BC. If you’re looking for sit down dinner, head to Shelter Restaurant. My husband and I had a great dinner there for our anniversary a few years ago.

Where to Stay in Tofino

Ocean Village: These adorable gothic-arched cabins are right on the water at Mackenzie Beach. Check Rates.

Island Village at Fred Tibbs: We stayed at these waterfront condos on a recent trip. They’re right downtown Tofino so you can walk everywere. Check Rates.

Southern Gulf Islands

Hiking Mount Galiano on Galiano Island

The Gulf Islands are a group of over 200 small islands between Vancouver Island the mainland of British Columbia. Each island has its own personality, but they all offer beautiful ocean views, beaches, forest hikes, farmer’s markets, and artisan studios.

Saltspring is the largest and most populated island, so it has the most things to do. Galiano is a bit smaller and a little more sleepy. Pender, Mayne, and Saturna have fewer shops, restaurants, and services than Saltspring and Galiano, so do a bit of research before you go to find out what’s available.

Where to Stay on the Gulf Islands

Poets Cove Resort and Spa: I stayed at this waterfront resort on Pender Island once for a wedding and it’s gorgeous! Check Rates.

Cabins: Over the years we’ve stayed at some great cabins on Saltspring and Galiano Island. This log cabin on Galiano has a killer cliff top view. Check Rates.

Victoria

Victoria’s harbour is gorgeous

Victoria is British Columbia’s capital city, but it’s not a stodgy government town. It has a beautiful harbour, interesting museums, historic buildings, a foodie scene, and easy access to beaches and trails. I’ve visited Victoria countless times because I have several good friends who live there.

One of my favourite things to do in Victoria is to bike the flat, scenic, and quiet Lochside and Galloping Goose trails. I also love walking in Beacon Hill Park or along the Waterfront Trail on Dallas Road.

For indoor activities, I like the Royal British Columbia Museum and Craigdarroch Castle. Victoria’s compact downtown also is a great place to shop. I can’t go to Victoria without going to the fabulous Silk Road Tea store. If you want amazing baking, head to Fol Epi in Vic West. The croissants are sooo good.

Where to Stay in Victoria

Abbeymoore Manor: I’ve stayed at this historic B&B a few times since my friends used to live around the corner. It’s a beautiful house. And breakfast is included! Check rates.

Hotel Zed: This renovated motel has an amazing and photogenic retro vibe. It looks like an awesome place to stay on a budget. Check Rates.

Pacific Marine Circle Route

Exploring a hidden waterfall at Sombrio Beach on the Pacific Marine Circle Route

The Pacific Marine Circle Route is a 260km-long loop road trip on Southern Vancouver Island. It’s the perfect length to drive over a weekend. The route starts and finishes in Victoria.

The first half of the route travels along the coast past Sooke. You can stop for hikes in the rainforest, waterfalls, or visits to wilderness beaches. Spend the night in Port Renfrew, my favourite small town, and visit Avatar Grove, home of Canada’s tallest trees and the starting point for the famous West Coast Trail.

On the second half of the route, drive inland past more giant trees to Lake Cowichan and the farms in the Cowichan Valley. Finish the trip by heading back to Victoria along the Malahat Highway.

Where to Stay on the Pacific Marine Circle Route

Wild Renfrew: We stayed at these gorgeous waterfront cabins in Port Renfrew. They even have patios with fire pits. Check Rates.

Prestige Oceanfront Resort: A luxury resort right on the water in Sooke and a short drive to lots of the sights on the southern side of the Pacific Marine Circle Route. Check rates.

Kamloops

The view of Kamloops from the Panorama Inn. Photo credit: Destination BC/TanyaGoehring

I have family in Kamloops, so I’ve spent a lot of time in the area. It has an incredible network of hiking and mountain biking trails, many of which are right in the city. Sun Peaks Resort is also nearby, with its great hiking and mountain biking in summer and skiing in winter. The beaches along the riverfront are a great place to go for a swim or head out of town to the nearby lakes.

Kamloops has also gotten into the craft beer scene lately, with five breweries and two taphouses in town. With its sunny climate, a weekend in Kamloops can be just what you need to escape the rains in Vancouver in spring and fall.

Where to Stay in Kamloops

Fairfield Inn and Suites: I’ve stayed at this hotel a few times recently while visiting family. It’s a newer hotel so the rooms are really nice, but the prices are quite reasonable. Plus it includes breakfast. Check Rates.

Sandman Signature Kamloops Hotel: This new hotel has a fabulous location right on the riverfront. Check rates.

The Okanagan

Vineyards in Summerland in the Okanagan

The Okanagan is a big region, stretching from Sicamous in the north to Osoyoos in the south. Several lakes run through the middle of the valley, perfect for boating and with great beaches. Explore some of the cute small towns like Vernon and Penticton or check out the many things to do in Kelowna.

The hot and dry climate is also ideal for orchards and vineyards. There are over 200 wineries to visit, but I like the smaller organic ones near Summerland, which are easy to visit by bike. Don’t miss everything apple at Davison Orchards – it’s one of the best things to do in Vernon.

The Kettle Valley Rail Trail runs through the Okanagan. It’s easy biking, especially on an e-bike, and has great views of the lakes and vineyards. My favourite sections are are in Penticton (there’s a tunnel!) and Vernon.

Where to Stay in the Okanagan

Penticton Lakeside Resort: Great rooms right on the lake in downtown Penticton. Walking distance to the beach, kayaking, farmer’s market, breweries, etc. Check Rates.

Predator Ridge Resort: This resort has a great ridge-top location with great hiking and mountain biking trails and restaurants on site. Check rates.

Hotel Zed: Like their sister location in Victoria, this budget motel in Kelowna has an incredible retro look. Check Rates.

Wells Gray Provincial Park

Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray provincial park. This viewing platform is an easy 5-minute walk from the parking lot.

Wells Gray Provincial Park is located in British Columbia’s interior north of Kamloops near the town of Clearwater. It’s a huge park with giant lakes and lots of hiking trails. But it is famous for its waterfalls. There are 8 waterfalls easily accessible from the main park road, plus dozens more in the backcountry. Don’t miss 141m-high Helmcken Falls. It’s the 4th-tallest waterfall in Canada.

The park is in ranch country, so if you want to live like a cowboy, there are tons of lodges nearby where you can go horseback riding or have a cook-out. Wells Gray is definitely one of the best under-the-radar weekend getaways from Vancouver.

Where to Stay in Wells Gray

Nakiska Ranch: This Western-style property has great cowboy vibes since it is located on a working ranch. Check Rates.

Across the Creek Cabins: These cute cabins are nestled in the forest inside the park. Book now

Revelstoke

Tandem paragliding above Revelstoke. It was both amazing and terrifying

Revelstoke is the ultimate Canadian small town: it has world-class mountain biking, incredible hiking, skiing, and paragliding from the highest launch in North America. I liked it so much I went two years in row. It also has one of my favourite things: hot springs! There are several hot springs a near town, including the gorgeous undeveloped Halfway River Hot Springs.

Revelstoke also has a surprisingly robust culinary scene for such a small town with a little farmers markets, great restaurants, micro-breweries, and not one but TWO distilleries! Check out my guides to things to do in Revelstoke, the best hikes in Revelstoke, and the best things to do in Mount Revelstoke National Park to plan your trip.

Where to Stay in Revelstoke

The Regent Hotel: We stayed at this somewhat upscale, family-run hotel on our first trip to Revelstoke. It was nice without being pretentious. Check Rates.

Boulder Mountain Resort: I spent two nights at these adorable cabins just outside of Revelstoke last summer. They even come with fleece robes! Check Rates.

Bellingham, Washington

Fairhaven neighbourhood of Bellingham. Photo credit: Tourism Bellingham

Bellingham, Washington is more than a place to do some cross-border shopping or buy cheap groceries. It’s actually a cute college town on the ocean with a historic district called Fairhaven. Bellingham is also a craft beer haven with 16 micro-breweries, many of which are gastro-pubs as too.

One of the best things to do is cruise along Chuckanut Drive, a twisty road along the coast through the forest with some great views. There are also lots of hiking and mountain bike trails, quiet country roads for road biking, and kayaking in sheltered bays of Puget Sound.

Where to Stay in Bellingham, Washington

Hotel Leo: The rooms at this downtown hotel have really cool modern decor. Check Rates.

Cabins: There are lots of cute rentals in Bellingham and on Chuckanut Drive. This waterfront cottage has beach access. Check Rates.

Whidbey Island and Deception Pass, Washington

The Deception Pass bridge on Whidbey Island from a hiking trail at Lighthouse Point in Deception Pass State Park

Tucked into the north end of Puget Sound, the Deception Pass area is strikingly beautiful: tiny tree-covered islands, swirling currents, and sea cliffs. I love hiking in Deception Pass State Park or enjoying the view from the famous bridge.

Long and narrow Whidbey Island has lots of other pretty spots too including Ebey’s Landing, WWII era defences at Fort Ebey and Fort Casey, wineries, farmers markets, whale watching tours, and sleepy historic towns.

Where to Stay in Whidbey Island and Deception Pass, Washington

Captain Whidbey Inn: This historic house is now an amazing B&B right on the water near Coupeville. Check Rates.

Cabins: There are tons of vacation rentals on Whidbey Island. Lots of them are right on the water too. This beach house has a great view. Check Rates.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle’s skyline is pretty spectacular. That’s Mount Rainier in the background

Seattle is a gorgeous city, sitting between the waters of Puget Sound and the snowy peak of Mount Rainier. Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, the world’s first Starbucks, and the Museum of Pop Culture are all must-sees. Lots of visitors on a weekend getaway from Vancouver take in Seahawks football game too.

To get a bit more off-the-beaten-path, I recommend the Underground Tour, where you’ll learn a bit about the city while walking through historic underground tunnels.

This is also a great car-free getaway. It’s easy to take the bus from Vancouver to Seattle, and once you’re there, you can walk or take public transit.

Where to stay in Seattle

Ace Hotel: This hipster spot is in Belltown, a trendy neighbourhood close to downtown. Check Rates.

Vacation Rentals: Seattle can be a pricey city, but you can usually find good deals on rental apartments. This cool loft is right downtown. Check Rates.

Book a Cozy Cabin

Incredible cabins near Vancouver. Photos via VRBO.

Spend the weekend chilling out in nature at a cozy cabin. There are tons of adorable cabin rentals near Vancouver. Wake up deep in the forest, high in a treehouse, right beside the ocean, or in a luxury glamping tent.

I’ve stayed in a bunch of beautiful cabins – check them out on my list of the best cabins near Vancouver.

Go Camping

Camping is a great weekend getaway from Vancouver

One of the cheapest ways to go on a weekend getaway from Vancouver is to go camping. There are lots of amazing camping spots fairly close to town. You can camp on a lake, by the ocean, or in the mountains. However, camping is popular so make a reservation in advance to make sure you get a spot. Below are some of my suggestions for the best campgrounds near Vancouver.

I’ve got a whole post with a big list of over 40 places to go camping near Vancouver. It includes options in the Sea to Sky, Fraser Valley, near Hope, in Washington State, and reachable via a short ferry on the Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands, and Vancouver Island.

Final Thoughts

With over 20 weekend trips from Vancouver on this list, I’m sure you’ll find one to add to your list. What is your favourite weekend getaway from Vancouver? Tell me in the comments.

More posts you’ll like:

The post 23 Weekend Getaways from Vancouver appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

60 Cozy Cabins Near Vancouver for a Weekend Getaway

Taryn Eyton — Fri, 31 May 2024 16:44:18 +0000

There’s something special about escaping to a cabin in the woods… or by the ocean…or by the lake… or… you get the picture! Renting a cabin is my preferred way to spend a weekend chilling out in nature. Thankfully there are tons of amazing cabins near Vancouver.

I’ve lived in the Vancouver area my whole life and have stayed at tons of cabins over the years. Here are my favourite cabin rentals for a weekend getaway from Vancouver. I’ve included options in the Sea to Sky, Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, Okanagan, and Interior. I’ve also got cabins in Washington state just over the border.

I’ve stayed at a bunch of these and the rest are definitely on my cabin vacation wish list!

Where do you want to go?

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

Vancouver-Area Cabins

You don’t have to go far from the city to find adorable cabins near Vancouver. You can stay on the ocean, on a lake, on a river, or in a log cabin. Here are my picks for the best Vancouver cabins.

Sandpiper Resort, Harrison

Some of the newer cabins lit up at night at the Sandpiper Resort

The cabins at Sandpiper Resort have incredible hygge vibes. I stayed in one of their classic rustic cabins. It had a huge stone fireplace and an incredible view of the river. During my late November stay we watched hundreds of bald eagles feast on salmon in the river.

The resort also has some newer, more modern cabins. Some of them even have Japanese-style ofuro soaking tubs on the patio.

Check availability.

Sasquatch Mountain Log Cabin, Harrison

This gorgeous log cabin is located at Sasquatch Mountain Resort. It’s a great spot for a ski vacation in the winter, but in the summer you can go hiking, enjoy the views, or just chill out. There’s a big fireplace, lots of games, and a BBQ too.

Check availability

The living room of the Sasquatch Log Cabin. Photo: VRBO

Cabin on the Mighty Fraser River, Hope

Find this rustic cabin on the banks of the Fraser River just north of Hope. It has great views of the surrounding mountains and the owners say it’s common to see wildlife on the banks of the river including bear, deer, eagles, and otters.

Check availability

Fraser River Cabin. Photo: VRBO

More Vancouver Area Cabins

Deep Cove Retreat: Sunny cottage with loft in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove neighbourhood.
The Nest Tiny Home: Beautiful scandi-style tiny home on Sumas Mountain in Abbotsford.
Bramblebank Cottages: Adorable cluster of cottages in Harrison Hot Springs.
Camperland Bridal Falls Resort and Cabins: Cute cabins at the campground in Bridal Falls, between Chilliwack and Hope.
Check out my guide to the best places to camp near Vancouver.

Sea to Sky Cabins

The Sea to Sky corridor is a great place for a weekend getaway – I liked it so much I moved to Squamish three years ago! There are lots of cabins in Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton to choose from. And the drive up there makes a great road trip from Vancouver. (Read my Sea to Sky Highway guide for full details.)

Here are my picks for the best Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton cabins:

Porteau Cove Olympic Cabins, Lions Bay

These adorable log cabins in Porteau Cove were built as a legacy project from the 2010 Olympics. They are located next to the ocean in Porteau Cove Provincial Park. It’s a great spot to soak in the ocean views from the beach during the day or star gaze at night.

Check availability

Porteau Cove log cabin. Photo via Sea to Sky Parks

Sunwolf Riverside Cabins, Squamish

These charming cabins in the Brackendale neighbourhood of Squamish are super cozy with fireplaces and the sound of the rushing river right outside your door. My hometown of Squamish is one of the best small towns in Canada for outdoor adventures and these cute cabins make a great base for hiking, biking, or snowshoeing adventures.

Bonus: Squamish’s best brunch spot, Fergie’s is also on site. This is definitely one of my favourite cabins near Vancouver and I have fond memories of a winter trip a few years before I moved to Squamish.

Check availability

Sunwolf Cabin in winter. Photo via Sunwolf

Riverside Resort, Whistler

Riverside Resort is one of the best places to camp in Whistler. But they also have adorable log cabins and cute little yurts. The yurts are nestled in the forest right next to the rushing waters of Fitzsimmons Creek. The resort is a right on the Valley Trail, a multi-use paved trail for biking or walking that leads everywhere in Whistler.

Check availability

Riverside Yurt in Whistler. Photo via Riverside Resort.

More Sea to Sky Cabins

West Coast Modern Cabin: Beautiful post and beam cabin with views in Britannia Beach.
Waterfront Cottage: Three bedroom cabin on secluded Levette Lake near Squamish.
Squamish Valley Cottage: Cute cottage on a private acreage near the Squamish River.
Curtisy Cottage: Retro A-frame cabin near Alta Lake in Whistler.
Check out my guides to the best places to camp near Squamish and the best places to camp near Whistler.

Bowen Island Cabins

Bowen Island is a short ferry ride away from West Vancouver, which makes it a perfect weekend cabin getaway. (Use my guide to find the best things to do on Bowen Island.) Here are my picks for the best cabins on Bowen Island:

Evergreen Cottage: Two bedroom cabin with a view hat is walking distance from the ferry terminal.
Hummingbird Hut: Adorable vaulted ceiling cabin with a wall of windows and nearby hiking.
Woodlands Cabin: Cute and modern cabin with a fire table and big deck.

Sunshine Coast Cabins

The Sunshine Coast is easy to get to, but has a completely different feel than nearby Vancouver. With ocean views and a West Coast rainforest setting, staying in a cabin on the Sunshine Coast is the perfect way to spend a chill weekend. (Use my guide to find the best things to do on the Sunshine Coast).

Read on for my picks for the best cabins in the Gibsons, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour, and Powell River areas.

Rockwater Secret Cove Cabins, Halfmoon Bay

Rockwater Secret Cove Oceanside Resort has rustic timber cabins and luxurious tent cabins linked by gorgeous wooden boardwalks through the forest. With a spa and fine dining restaurant on-site, it makes a great romantic getaway. (I should know: I got engaged there!)

Check availability

Tent cabin at Rockwater Secret Cove Resort. Photo: Rockwater Secret Cove Resort

Moon Dance Cabin, Pender Harbour

The cute Moon Dance cabin is right on the water in the Madeira Park neighbourhood of Pender Harbour. The loft bedroom feels a bit like a treehouse, surrounded by forest. There’s a great soaker tub too. Enjoy great views from the deck or try out some of the nearby hikes.

Check availability

Moon Dance Cabin. Photo via Moon Dance Travel

The Stonewater, Maderia Park

Tucked into the forest in the Maderia Park neighbourhood of the lower Sunshine Coast, The Stonewater has just added four adorable tiny-home style cabins to their resort. Each little A-frame has a cozy queen bed and skylights that are perfect for star gazing. They also have a spa on site with a cedar hot tub, barrel sauna, and cold plunge pool.

Check availability.

Inside one of the adorable A-frames at The Stonewater. Photo: The Stonewater

Backeddy Resort, Egmont

The Backeddy Resort is tucked away in the tiny village of Egmont, which is the starting point for the must-do hike to the rapids of Skookumchuck Narrows. The resort has a mix of accommodation options including waterfront cabins and bucketlist-worthy geodesic domes.

Check availability

The view from the geodesic domes at Backeddy Resort. Photo: Backeddy Resort

Magical Dome, Lund

A stay at this unique dome house has been on my wish list for a long time. The Magical Dome in Lund is a rustic cedar dome-shaped house set in the rainforest near the Sunshine Coast Trail. The interior is full of quirky spaces, railings made of branches, and the cutest loft bedroom.

Check availability

The Magical Dome. Photo via the Magical Dome

More Sunshine Coast Cabins

Halfmoon Haven: Beachfront cottage in Halfmoon Bay with lots of outdoor space.
The Aerie: A modern treehouse in Halfmoon Bay with tons of windows and a hot tub.
Frolander Bay Tiny Cottages: A cluster of tiny homes with a hot tub near the beach just outside Powell River.
Rustic Cedar Cabin: Beautiful window-filled cedar planked cabin near Powell River.

Gulf Islands Cabins

The Gulf Islands are a handful of islands sprinkled in the Strait of Georgia between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Each has its own laid-back personality and they all make an ideal weekend getaway. With so many Gulf Islands cabins to choose from, it can be hard to pick.

But let me help you out – my favourite cabins on the Gulf Islands are below.

The Cottages on Salt Spring Island

These lakeside cottages are rustic yet luxe with cozy kitchens and big bathrooms. Each cottage has a patio with a great view of the lake. The Cottages on Salt Spring Island are just outside the town of Ganges, which makes it easy to head over to the farmers market, restaurants, and cute boutiques.

Check availability

Lake view cottage on Salt Spring Island. Photo via The Cottages on Salt Spring Island

Ocean View Cabin, Pender Island

Watch for whales from the deck of this ocean view cabin high on the cliffs above Swanson Channel on Pender Island. It has incredible views of the ocean, the mountains of Vancouver Island, and the ferries cruising past on their way to Victoria. There’s a hot tub too!

Check availability

Ocean view cabin on Pender Island. Photo via VRBO

More Gulf Islands Cabins

Orchard Cabin: Quaint cottage with a loft near the town of Ganges on Saltspring Island.
Cozy 2 Bedroom Cabin: Rustic cabin on North Pender Island near Gulf Islands National Park.

Vancouver Island Cabins

Vancouver Island is known around the world for its rugged beauty and gorgeous coastline. Head to the West Coast to stay in a cabin in Tofino or Ucluelet. Drive the Pacific Marine Circle Route to adorable cottages in Sooke or Port Renfrew. Or chill out at a resort cabin in Parksville with a spa on site. You’ll love each of my choices for the best cabins on Vancouver Island.

Owl’s Perch Treehouse, Sooke

This is one of the most unique cabins on Vancouver Island – it’s a treehouse! The cabin is attached to four huge trees! Sleeping in the cozy loft bedroom is like sleeping in the forest canopy. There is also a huge deck for relaxing and forest bathing without leaving the cabin.

Check availability

Owl’s Perch Treehouse cabin in Sooke. Photo via VRBO.

Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages, Port Renfrew

I stayed at the gorgeous Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages on my Pacific Marine Circle Route road trip. They are right on the water and have cozy fire pits that make a great place to relax after exploring nearby Avatar Grove – the old-growth cedars are giant! (The covered decks are great for rainy days.)

Check availability

Seaside cottages at Wild Renfrew. I stayed at the one on the far left. Photo via Wild Renfrew

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort, Parksville

The cozy log cabins at Tigh-Na-Mara are set in a gorgeous forest a short walk from a beautiful sandy beach. The famous Grotto Spa is onsite for massages or a relaxing soak in the mineral pool. It’s easy to see why these are some of the most popular cabins on Vancouver Island.

Check availability

Log cabin at Tigh-Na-Mara. Photo via Tourism Vancouver Island/Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort

Peace Cabin, Ucluelet

Friends of mine own this Scandi-style cabin. It is nestled in the woods has seriously relaxing vibes. The window-filled space is tucked into the rainforest near Ucluelet, so it feels like you’re outside even when you’re inside.

Peace Cabin has everything you need to chill out: a full kitchen, board games, a BBQ, and a covered deck with an outdoor fireplace. But the town of Ucluelet and the trails of Pacific Rim National Park are just a few minutes away.

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Photos: Peace Cabin/Kamil Bialous

Mackenzie Beach Resort, Tofino

I recently spent a long weekend staying in an adorable tiny house at Mackenzie Beach Resort in Tofino during a winter visit to Tofino – my fave time to go. The tiny house was cozy and had everything we needed. There was even a big patio with an outdoor shower, which I used after we went surfing.

They also have really cool restored vintage Airstream trailers you can stay in. The resort property was great with an on-site cafe. And it is right on Mackenzie Beach.

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The inside of our adorable tiny house at Mackenzie Beach Resort. The wall behind me was all windows.

Ocean Village, Tofino

Tofino is one of Canada’s best outdoor adventure small towns for surfing, beaches, hiking, and more. Ocean Village in Tofino is a group of charming beehive-shaped cabins right on Mackenzie Beach in Tofino. Built in 1976, this is Tofino’s original oceanfront resort.

The rustic cabins have modern upgrades but still have a retro vibe. They’re also committed to sustainability with on-demand hot water and recycling and composting programs. It’s a great place for a Vancouver Island cabin getaway.

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The view of Ocean Village cabins from Mackenzie Beach in Tofino

Brown’s Bay Resort, Campbell River

Brown’s Bay Resort is just north of Campbell River. It’s right on the water and has a mix of cabins, glamping tents, and campsites. It even has a floating restaurant. It’s a great location for fishing and the famous Ripple Rock hike is a few minutes away.

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Waterfront cabin at Brown’s Bay Resort near Campbell River. Photo: Brown’s Bay Resort

More Vancouver Island Cabins

Lakefront Cabin: Huge A-frame with tons of windows and beachfront on Lake Cowichan.
100-Year-Old Farm Cottage: Adorable vintage cottage near the beach near Nanaimo.
The Cabins at Terrace Beach: Gorgeous high-end cabins in Ucluelet.
Tofino Surf Cabin: Cute cabin with a surf theme tucked into the old growth forest.

Interior and Okanagan Cabins

BC’s Interior has many different sides. Book a cabin in the Okanagan wine country to enjoy vineyard views and lakes. Or head to a cabin Wells Gray Park or Manning Park for great hiking or snowshoeing. Mountain bikers, skiers, and hikers should book a cabin in Revelstoke – it’s my favourite BC mountain town. Here are my picks for the best cabins in the Okanagan and BC’s Interior.

Manning Park Resort, Manning Park

In the summer, hike right from your front door. When the snow falls, snowshoe or cross-country ski next to the cabin. Manning Park is a short drive from Vancouver and the Manning Park Resort has lots of cute cabins.

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Inside one of the cabins at Manning Park Resort. Photo: Manning Park Resort.

Utopia Feels Botanical Glampground, Vernon

Located just outside Vernon, Utopia Feels Botanical Glampground is an incredible escape. Sleep in a luxurious glamping tent on the grounds of a sustainable micro-farm that includes lots of mature trees and farm animals.

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Photo: Utopia Feels Botanical Glampground

READ NEXT: 30+ Things to Do in Vernon, BC

Tin Poppy Cabin, Salmon Arm

Get off the grid at the Tin Poppy Cabin in the Larch Hills outside of Salmon Arm. The cabin is actually a converted travel trailer decked out in retro style and fueled by solar power. Enjoy the views from the huge screened-in porch or go mountain biking or fishing nearby.

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Tin Poppy Cabin near Salmon Arm. Photo via VRBO.

Cedar Haven Resort, Wells Gray Provincial Park

Stay in a cozy log cabin or a luxe glamping tent at the Cedar Haven Resort in Clearwater, BC. It’s right next to Wells Gray Provincial Park, home to some of BC’s tallest waterfalls.

If you’re into the cowboy thing, there are also several dude ranches nearby. After a day of activities, relax in the sauna or roast marshmallows around the campfire.

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Luxury glamping tents at Cedar Haven Resort in Wells Gray. Photo via Cedar Haven Cabins and Resort

Boulder Mountain Resort, Revelstoke

I stayed in an adorable cabin at Boulder Mountain Resort for a couple of nights on my most recent trip to Revelstoke, one of the best small towns in Canada. The cabins feel like a cozy wood tiny house… without the tiny. There’s a king bed, a big couch, a huge walk-in shower, and a well-stocked kitchen. There were even cute checkered bathrobes.

It’s a great place to base yourself for hikes near Revelstoke or a visit to Mount Revelstoke National Park. They have glamping tents too!

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Tiny house cabins at Boulder Mountain Resort in Revelstoke. Photo via Boulder Mountain Resort

More Okanagan and BC Interior Cabins

Sunshine Valley Resort and Cabins: Cute mini cabins at a campground near Manning Park.
Mid-Century Waterfront Rancher: Cute retro cottage right on the lake is Osoyoos.
Shuswap Sky Dome: Unique geodesic dome and wood-fired hot tub with views of Shuswap Lake.

Washington Cabins

If you have a passport, Washington state is a great getaway from Vancouver. And there are lots of cute cabins in northern Washington to explore.

Gingerbread Cottage, Point Roberts

Point Roberts is a geographic anomaly – a peninsula-shaped piece of Washington State that you can only access from British Columbia. The quite border in Tsawwassen makes crossing a breeze.

Stay in this adorable Gingerbread Cottage tucked into the cedar forest. It has a solarium and a great deck. The cottage is located next to a park and a short walk from the beach and shops.

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Gingerbread Cottage. Photo via VRBO

Oceanfront A-Frame, Birch Bay

Located just across the border, Birch Bay is a great place to find cabins near Vancouver. The oceanfront A-frame has cute modern decor and incredible beach views. The loft bedroom is accessed via a fun spiral staircase.

Outside you’ll find a fire pit, grill and 400 square foot deck. Stairs lead down the bank to the beach.

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Oceanfront A-frame. Photo via VRBO.

Charming Cedar Chalet, Mount Baker

The Mount Baker ski area is a short drive from Vancouver. It’s a great year-round destination with fabulous skiing and snowshoeing in winter and hiking in the summer.

You’ll find lots of cabins clustered in the nearby communities of Glacier, Warnick and Maple Falls. The Charming Cedar Chalet is an adorable shingled cabin with a sleeping loft, woodstove, and private hot tub.

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Charming Cedar Chalet. Photo via VRBO.

Oceanfront Cabin, Whitbey Island

Whitbey Island is one of my favourite places in Washington. I love the little towns, quiet coastline, and the drama of Deception Pass State Park.

Stay at this oceanfront cabin in Penn Cove near the town of Coupeville. It has a huge sun-drenched deck, a quiet beach location, and a retro wood paneled interior.

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Oceanfront cabin on Whitbey Island. Photo via VRBO

More Washington Cabins

Heron House: Three bedroom waterfront cottage on Penn Cove near Coupeville on Whidbey Island.
Camano Cabin: Enjoy mountain and water views from this cabin on Camano Island near Mount Vernon.
The Treehouse: Cabin perched in the forest near Lake Whatcom outside of Bellingham.

With over 60 tiny houses, glamping tents, and cottages on this list, I bet you’ll find your perfect cabin rental near Vancouver. How many of these cozy British Columbia and Washington cabins are going on your wish list? Tell me in the comments.

Read Next:

The post 60 Cozy Cabins Near Vancouver for a Weekend Getaway appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Camping Near Vancouver, BC: 40+ Best Campgrounds

Taryn Eyton — Fri, 05 May 2023 21:56:31 +0000

I grew up in Vancouver and went on my first camping trip at age five. Since then, I’ve been camping more times than I can remember. In this guide, I’ve got everything you need to know to find the best camping near Vancouver, BC.

Sometimes you want to go on a big road trip/camping vacation. But other times you just want to go on a quick and easy camping trip close to home. That’s what this post is about – the best campgrounds close to Vancouver.

All of the campgrounds in this post are within a three-hour drive of Vancouver. (Of course, if you live in in the far reaches of the Vancouver area, some campgrounds will be a bit further, but you get the idea.)

I’ve got picks for the Sea to Sky region, the Fraser Valley, and the Hope area. I also have a few picks from the Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island and Washington since even with a ferry ride or border crossing you can still squeak in under that three-hour limit.

I’m mostly a tent camper so the campgrounds in this post are geared mostly toward tent camping or RVing without hookups. You won’t find any parking lot-style deluxe RV parks in this post.

Instead, you’ll find picks for family-friendly campgrounds, mostly at parks. If you are up for a more rustic experience, I’ve also included a few recreation sites with fewer amenities and rough approach roads.

I’ve camped at many of the campgrounds on this list and visited lots more of them on day trips to go hiking or hit the beach. This list represents the best camping options near Vancouver. I’ve left off campgrounds that don’t get good reviews or ones that are closed.

In this massive guide to camping near Vancouver you’ll find:

A map of campgrounds near Vancouver that shows the exact location of every campground I mention in this post
My picks for camping in the Sea to Sky Region between West Vancouver and Pemberton
My picks for camping in the northern Fraser Valley from Maple Ridge to Harrison Hot Springs
My picks for camping in the southern Fraser Valley from Langley to Chilliwack
My picks for camping near Hope, including the Fraser Canyon and Highway 3
My picks for camping on Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands, and Vancouver Island that aren’t too far from the ferry terminal
My picks for camping in Washington State that are close to the border
Where to go backcountry camping near Vancouver including 40 destinations
Vancouver camping FAQ to answer all your questions about camping near Vancouver

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Map of Campgrounds Near Vancouver

With so many great campgrounds near Vancouver, it can be hard to visualize where they are all located. I made this custom Google Map for you. It includes all the places to camp I mention in this post. Click through to zoom in.

Click the map to zoom in and see all the places to camp near Vancouver.

Where to Camp in the Sea to Sky Region

The Sea to Sky corridor is a popular place to camp thanks to easy access from Vancouver on Highway 99. The area is known for spectacular scenery, hiking, and mountain biking. Stop in the towns of Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton for supplies.

Porteau Cove Provincial Park

Located right on the shores of Howe Sound and just 45 minutes from downtown, Porteau Cove Provincial Park is one of the most popular places to camp near Vancouver. Many of the 60 sites are right on the ocean with incredible views. It has flush toilets and showers too. They have cute log cabins for rent too. Reservations required.

Psst! Porteau Cove is popular can get booked up really fast. One of the best ways to get a spot is to use an app like Campnab or Schnerp. Read my guide to camping cancellation apps to find out how they work and which one I recommend.

Don’t want to sleep in a tent? My list of the best cabins near Vancouver has over 75 adorable cabin rental options.

The view from the pier at Porteau Cove Provincial Park

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park

The shaded Stawamus Chief Provincial Park campground is located at the base of the Stawamus Chief mountain just outside Squamish, perfect for hikers and rock climbers. Most of the 59 campsites are small walk-in sites. The campground has covered picnic shelters and pit toilets. All sites are first-come, first-served.

View of Squamish from the top of the Stawamus Chief

Alice Lake Provincial Park

Alice Lake Provincial Park in Squamish is one of my favourite Vancouver area campgrounds since it is the first place I went camping at age 5 and these days I live just down the road. It has 108 campsites. The lake has two sandy beaches with swimming docks and you can also rent a kayak or SUP. There are flush toilets and showers too. Reservations required.

South Beach at Alice Lake on a calm day

Cat Lake Recreation Site

The 48 walk-in sites at Cat Lake Recreation Site just north of Squamish are very popular. The small lake is fairly warm and there are three different swimming docks. The campground has pit toilets but no drinking water. All sites are first-come, first-served and fill up very fast on weekends.

The doc at Cat Lake on a fall day.

Squamish Valley Recreation Sites

If you’re willing to rough it, there are lots of rustic campgrounds in the Squamish River Valley. Most are right on the Squamish River. You will need to drive on bumpy logging roads to reach them, but 2WD cars will usually be fine. Heads up: Most of these sites don’t have toilets or other facilities. All sites are first-come, first-served and free. The best options are Squamish Riverside, High Falls, Hideaway, Squamish-Elaho, and Molson Memorial.

Want more camping options in Squamish? Check out my Squamish camping guide. It includes 22 campgrounds.

Cal-Cheak Recreation Site

The Cal-Cheak Recreation Site is located just south of Whistler, but somehow it is still a bit under the radar. It includes three separate camping areas with 55 total campsites on the Cheakmus River and Callaghan Creek. The sites are rustic with pit toilets and no water. All sites are first-come, first-served.

Nairn Falls Provincial Park

I love the campground at Nairn Falls Provincial Park even though it is right at the edge of the three-hour drive from Vancouver zone. It’s a short drive to both Whistler and Pemberton and there is a great hiking trail to a beautiful waterfall. You can also hike (or drive) to nearby One Mile Lake to go swimming. The campground has 94 campsites, pit toilets, and a water pump. Reservations required.

Nairn Falls

Want more camping options in Whistler? Check out my Whistler camping guide. It includes 17 campgrounds.

Where to Camp in the North Fraser Valley

If you’re looking for a campground really close to Vancouver, the ones in the northern part of the Fraser Valley are great options. There is great camping near Maple Ridge, Mission, and Harrison Hot Springs.

Golden Ears Provincial Park

There are three big campgrounds at Golden Ears Provincial Park in Maple Ridge with over 400 campsites. It is one of the most popular places to go camping near Vancouver since it is so close. All three are on the shores of Alouette Lake and have access to a beach and nearby hiking trails. Alouette and Gold Creek campgrounds have showers and flush toilets. North Beach Campground has pit toilets. Reservations required.

Heads up: Day passes are required at Golden Ears Provincial Park in summer. However, if you have a camping reservation, you don’t need a day pass.

Psst! Golden Ears is popular can get booked up really fast. One of the best ways to get a spot is to use an app like Campnab or Schnerp. Read my guide to camping cancellation apps to find out how they work and which one I recommend.

Gold Creek in Golden Ears Park

Rolley Lake Provincial Park

Rolley Lake Provincial Park is a small park with 65 campsites near Stave Falls in between Maple Ridge and Mission. It has a small warm lake with an easy hiking trail around it. There is also a short spur trail to a waterfall. The campground has flush toilets and showers too. Reservations required.

The waterfall at Rolley Lake Provincial Park

Stave Lake Recreation Sites

If you are looking for more rustic camping, check out the recreation sites near Stave Lake. Some campsites are on the huge lake while others are on smaller lakes or creeks. You will need to drive on bumpy gravel roads to get there, but most sites are 2WD-accessible. All of the campgrounds have pit toilets and no water source. The best options are Rock Creek (48 sites), Kearsley Creek (65 sites), Rocky Point (18 sites), and Sayres Lake (37 sites), all managed by Stave West Camping. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

Kilby Park Campground

The Kilby Park Campground is located at Kilby Provincial Park, which is home to a historic museum that shows what life was like at a rural general store in the early 1900s. The 41-site campground has great views and sandy beaches since it is at the confluence of the Fraser and Harrison Rivers. The campground has pit toilets and water taps. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

Harrison Lake Rec Sites

There are lots of rustic campsites on Harrison Lake and the nearby Lakes. The roads to access the sites are rough and I recommend AWD or 4WD. All the campgrounds have pit toilets and no water. On the west side of the lake, you can stay at Chelahis River (100 sites), Grace Lake (10 sites), Twenty Mile Bay (51 sites), Weaver Lake (37 sites), and Wood Lake (28 sites), all managed by West Harrison Camping. The Cascade Peninsula (24 sites), Bear Creek (40 sites), and Cogburn Beach sites are managed by Harrison East Camping and are located on the east side of the lake. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

Sasquatch Provincial Park

Located near Harrison Hot Springs, Sasquatch Provincial Park is a popular campground near Vancouver. The park has three campgrounds (Hicks Lake, Bench, and Lakeside) with a combined 178 campsites on two different lakes (Hicks Lake and Deer Lake). The lakes are small so they have warm water for swimming. There is also a day-use area on nearby Harrison Lake. All of the campgrounds have pit toilets and water taps or pumps. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

Where to Camp in the South Fraser Valley

The southern part of the Fraser Valley has lots of options for camping. You can camp on the Fraser River in Fort Langley, at Cultus Lake, in the Chilliwack River Valley, or at popular Jones Lake between Chilliwack and Hope.

Fort Camping

One of the most unique places to camp in Vancouver is at Fort Camping. It is located in Brae Island Regional Park, which is on a small island right next to Fort Langley. You can walk from one of the 156 campsites right into the village to shop or eat, then head back to your wooded campsite and go for a hike. This campground has all the facilities including flush toilets, showers, laundry, and wi-fi. Reservations required.

Sunnyside Campground

Sunnyside Campground is a huge, family-friendly, private campground on the shores of Cultus Lake in Chilliwack. It has over 350 sites, access to a great beach, and is close to popular attractions like the waterslides, mini golf, and adventure park. It has tons of amenities including flush toilets, showers, laundry, playgrounds, and boat rentals. Reservations required.

Cultus Lake Provincial Park

Heading to Cultus Lake is a popular summer tradition for Vancouverites. Cultus Lake Provincial Park is on the east side of the lake, so it feels quieter than the busy main beach area. It has four campgrounds (Entrance Bay, Clear Creek, Delta Grove, and Maple Bay), with over 300 campsites, all of which have access to beaches. The campgrounds all have flush toilets and showers. Reservations required.

Chilliwack River Recreation Sites

If you prefer to be a bit more off-the-grid, check out the Recreation Sites along the Chilliwack River. Most of the sites have paved road access, but some are on gravel roads that can be bumpy. All of the campgrounds have pit toilets and no water. Chilliwack Valley Campsites manages Tamihi Rapids (10 sites), Riverside (15 sites), Thurston Meadows (76 sites), Tamihi West (88 sites), Tamihi East (17 sites), Chipmunk Peninsula (22 sites), and Rapids (23 sites) campgrounds. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

S⨱ótsaqel / Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park

The large campground at Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park is divided into five loops so the 182 campsites all feels quiet. All loops are a short walk from the beach and boat launch on Chilliwack Lake. There are also lots of hiking trails nearby. In Halq’eméylem, the language of the Indigenous Stó:lō people, the lake is called S⨱ótsaqel (pronounced Skot-sakel) which means “sacred lake”. The campground has pit toilets and water taps. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

Chilliwack Lake

Jones Lake Recreation Area

Jones Lake is a BC Hydro reservoir between Chilliwack and Hope. It is a popular place for rustic camping since it is on a gorgeous mountain lake. The road to get there can be rough – a 4WD vehicle is required. There are three campgrounds on the lake. The two main areas are on the north side of the lake at Boulder Creek (37 sites total). There is another campground on the west side of the lake (18 sites). All three areas have pit toilets but no water. All sites are first-come, first-served.

Where to Camp Near Hope

The tiny town of Hope sits at the eastern edge of Greater Vancouver. There are several good campgrounds nearby, both in town, on Highway 3, and in the Fraser Canyon.

Silver Lake Provincial Park

Silver Lake is a bit off-the-beaten-path. It’s a short drive from Hope on the gravel Silver-Skagit Road. The small lake is great for fishing and swimming. The campground has only 25 sites, so it’s pretty quiet. There are pit toilets and water pumps. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

E.C. Manning Provincial Park

I love camping at Manning Park. It’s only 45 minutes from Hope, but since it is over a mountain pass, it can be much warmer and less rainy than Vancouver. The park has a great beach at Lightning Lake (even though the water is cold) and some of the best hiking in BC. There are 373 campsties spread across four campgrounds (Cold Spring, Hampton, Lightning Lake, and Mule Deer) as well as an RV park (Skyview). Skyview, Lightning Lakes, and Hampton have flush toilets and showers. Cold Spring and Mule Deer have pit toilets. All campgrounds have water taps or pumps. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available. If you’d rather stay in a cabin, Manning Park Resort has lots.

Psst! Lightning Lake is popular can get booked up really fast. One of the best ways to get a spot is to use an app like Campnab or Schnerp. Read my guide to camping cancellation apps to find out how they work and which one I recommend.

Lightning Lakes at Manning Park

Don’t want to rough it? Check out my list of the best cabins near Vancouver. It has dozens of options.

Coquihalla Campground

The private Coquihalla Campground is right on the banks of the Coquihalla River and within walking distance of downtown Hope, making it a great option for camping near Vancouver. The campground has over 100 campsites and lots of amenities including showers, flush toilets, laundry, wi-fi, a playground, and a BBQ shelter. Reservations required.

Emory Creek Provincial Park

This small park is 15 minutes north of Hope on the Fraser River. It’s not well-known, so it doesn’t get too busy. The riverside location makes Emory Creek Provincial Park great for fishing, but the water is too fast and cold for swimming. The park has 35 campsites, cold water taps, and flush toilets. All sites are first-come, first-served.

Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands, and Vancouver Island

If you don’t mind catching a short ferry, it’s possible to get to a campsite near Vancouver in under three hours… including ferry time. In this section I have picks for campgrounds on the Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands, and near Victoria and Nanaimo.

Roberts Creek Provincial Park

This small 21-site campground is a great base for exploring the Sunshine Coast. Roberts Creek Provincial Park is a quick drive to the towns of Gibsons or Sechelt. Or you can walk 20 minutes down the hill to the beach and day-use area. The park has pit toilets and water taps. All sites are first-come, first-served.

Porpoise Bay Provincial Park

Porpoise Bay Provincial Park is one of my favourite places on the Sunshine Coast. When I lived in Gibsons, I loved coming here. The campground is on the quiet waters of Sechelt Inlet and has a beautiful sandy beach with shallow water. It is also a quick 5-minute drive to Sechelt. There are 94 campsites, showers, flush toilets, and water taps. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

A kayaker in the calm waters of Porpoise Bay

Looking for things to do on the Sunshine Coast? I used to live there so I’ve got a huge guide to the best things to see on the Sunshine Coast.

Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park

This campground on Galiano Island has a beautiful setting. My sister used to live nearby and I loved walking on the beach here. Montague Harbour Provincial Park has a great swimming beach and a beautiful short hiking trail. Most of the 44 campsites are walk-in and a few are right on the water. The park has pit toilets and water taps. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

Beach walking at Montague Harbour

I love hiking and biking on Galiano Island. Read my guide to the best outdoor adventures on Galiano Island for the details.

Prior Centennial Campground

Prior Centennial Campground is located on sleepy Pender Island. It’s part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. The small, 17-site, forested campground makes a great base for exploring the island’s beaches and hiking trails. There are pit toilets and water taps. Reservations required.

Ruckle Provincial Park

Salt Spring Island’s Ruckle Provincial Park is one of my favourite places to go camping near Vancouver. Most of the 90 sites are walk-ins, set in a meadow with a view of the ocean. The park also has great oceanside hiking trails. And you can make the short drive into the town of Ganges to visit the farmer’s market on Saturdays. The campground has water taps and pit toilets. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

Camping at Ruckle Provincial Park on Salt Spring Island

SMONEĆTEN (McDonald) Campground

This 49-site forested campground is located near the Swartz Bay ferry terminal on Vancouver Island’s Saanich Peninsula. SMONEĆTEN (McDonald) Campground is part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. It’s a quick drive to the town of Sidney or you can bike the nearby Lochside Trail. The campground has pit toilets and water taps. In the language of the Indigenous W̱SÁNEĆ Nation, SMONEĆTEN (pronounced smaw-nich-ton) means “place of pitch” as it was a good place to collect pitch from Douglas fir trees. The pitch (also called sap) was used for starting fires and sealing canoes. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

Goldstream Provincial Park

Find Goldstream Provincial Park on the outskirts of Victoria at the entrance to the Malahat Highway. It’s a large park spread out on both sides of the highway. The campground with 173 sites is in the quiet southwest corner of the park. You can hike right from the campground, or make the short drive to the Lower Goldstream Trail and Nature House. The campground has flush toilets, showers, and water taps. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

Hiking at Goldstream Provincial Park

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

The huge beach at Rathtrevor Provincial Park is one of the nicest beaches on Vancouver Island. At low tide, there is nearly 1 km of sand. The park is near the town of Parksville, about 30 minutes north of Nanaimo. The campground is huge with 250 sites, but they are all a short walk to the beach. There are showers, flush toilets, and water taps. Reservations required.

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

The campground at Englishman River Falls Provincial Park is set in a beautiful forest 45 minutes north of Nanaimo. Hike to the waterfall, swim in the chilly river, or drive into nearby Parksville for dinner or a visit to the beach. The campground has 104 site, flush toilets, and water taps. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

The swimming hole at Englishman River Falls Provincial Park

Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park

Located 45 minutes north of Nanaimo near Coombs, Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park includes spectacular waterfalls in a tight canyon and lots of hiking trails. It’s a short drive to the sandy beach at Qualicum Beach or the day-use area at Cameron Lake. The 96-site campground has flush toilets and water taps. Both reservable and first-come, first-served sites are available.

Where to Camp in Washington State

If you’re willing to drive across the border, there are lots of great campgrounds in Washington State within 3 hours of Vancouver. Many of campgrounds are right on the ocean too!

Birch Bay State Park

This beachfront state park is just 15 minutes south of the border. Birch Bay State Park has a huge rocky beach that is great for low-tide exploring or digging for clams. The campground has 169 sites, flush toilets, showers, water taps, a playground, a basketball court, and wi-fi. Reservations required.

Larrabee State Park

Larrabee State Park is located along Chuckanut Drive, which is one of my favourite scenic drives in Washington as it curls through the forest above the ocean. It is also close to Bellingham which has great shopping and restaurants. The 122-site campground is a short walk from the beach and there are also great hiking trails in the hills nearby. There are showers, flush toilets, and water taps. Reservations required.

Rasar State Park

This park is a bit of a hidden gem, nestled beside the Skagit River on Highway 20 on the way to North Cascades National Park. Rasar State Park has lots of hiking trails through the forest and alongside the Skagit River, which is great for fishing. The campground has 49 campsites, flush toilets, showers, and water taps. Reservations required.

Bay View State Park

Bay View State Park is a small park right on the ocean with 76 campsites. It is located near some of my favourite small towns in Washington: Mount Vernon, La Conner, and Anacortes, all of which are worth exploring. There are showers, flush toilets, and water taps. Reservations required.

Deception Pass State Park

I love camping at Deception Pass State Park. It’s my favourite place to camp in Washington. There are 311 campsites across three campgrounds: Bowman Bay, Quarry Pond, and the main campground, which includes Lower Loops A and B as well as Forest Loop. Bowman is my favourite since it is the closest to the beach, but the main campground is nice too. The hiking is outstanding with lots of super-picturesque coastal trails that aren’t too hard. You also can’t beat the view from the Deception Pass bridge. All of the campgrounds have flush toilets, showers, and water taps. Reservations required.

The view of Deception Pass bridge from the hiking trails

Fort Ebey State Park

Fort Ebey State Park is another camping option on Whidbey Island, a few minutes past Deception Pass. The park was a fortified gun station during WWII and the tunnels are fun to explore by flashlight. The coastal setting is gorgeous with great hiking and a beach. The 50-site campground has showers, flush toilets, and water taps. Reservations required.

Fort Casey State Park

This is another WWII historical site a little further south on Whidbey Island. Today you can explore the bunkers and visit the lighthouse. Fort Casey State Park is also next to the ferry to Port Townsend, which makes a fun day trip. The park has 35 campsites, showers, flush toilets, and water taps. Reservations required.

Camano Island State Park

This quiet state park is located on Camano Island between Everett and Bellingham. It has a rocky beach and some short hiking trails. There is also a dock that is great for crab fishing. Camano Island State Park campground has 79 campsites, flush toilets, and water taps. Reservations required.

Backcountry Camping

If you are prepared to hike in all of your gear, there are lots of great places to go backcountry camping near Vancouver. You can hike to glacier lakes, mountain peaks, and gorgeous river valleys.

The backcountry campground at Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park

I actually wrote an entire book called Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia. It includes details on 40 backpacking trips near Vancouver.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos
Advice for extending your trip
Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Camping Near Vancouver FAQ

What is the closest provincial park campground to Vancouver?

Porteau Cove Provincial Park to the north on Highway 99 and Golden Ears Provincial Park are the closest provincial park campgrounds to Vancouver.

Where can you camp for free near Vancouver?

A few of the rustic recreation sites in the Squamish Valley are free, but they don’t have any toilets or water. All other campgrounds are paid. You also camp for free on Crown Land. However, this usually means camping on a rough logging road that may require a 4×4 vehicle to access. If you camp on Crown Land, please pack all garbage out with you and dig a hole to go to the bathroom in. You are not allowed to camp near cities or towns or on the side of non-logging roads.

How much does it cost to camp near Vancouver?

Most provincial park campgrounds cost $25-35 per night. Recreation sites are typically $15-20 per night. Private campgrounds usually cost $35-55 per night without hookups.

Do you need reservations to camp near Vancouver?

In most cases, you need to make a reservation during the summer months. Some campgrounds have a small number of first-come, first-serve sites available but they fill up fast. Don’t expect to show up on a Friday or Saturday and get a site without a reservation.

What can I do if I can’t find a campsite reservation for my dates?

Keep checking the reservation website because people cancel their trips and sites become available. Or you can pay a service like Campnab or Schnerp to automatically scan for cancellations for you, then send you an alert the minute something becomes available.

Are there bears at campgrounds near Vancouver?

Yes. Most campgrounds on this list are in bear country. Keep a clean campsite by storing all food and scented items in your car or RV. Don’t put them in your tent or leave them out on your picnic table. Read more about bear safety for campers.

When is the best time to go camping near Vancouver?

Most campgrounds are open between May and September. A few are open in the spring and fall or even year-round. The weather is warmest and driest in July and August. Weekends can be very busy in summer so be sure to make a reservation well in advance.

What are the types of campgrounds near Vancouver?

Most of the Vancouver campgrounds are in provincial parks, managed by BC Parks. There are also lots of Recreation Sites, some of which are managed by private companies on contract. Parks Canada also manages a few places to camp in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. You can also camp at a few private campgrounds. And south of the border, there are lots of campgrounds in Washington State Parks. Each agency has its own rules, fees, and reservation policies so be sure to do some research while planning your trip.

Can you have a campfire when you camp near Vancouver?

Most campgrounds near Vancouver allow campfires as long as there is no fire ban. Most campsites have their own fire pit or fire ring, but at some campgrounds, you will have to share. During forest fire season (typically mid-July to early September) there may be a campfire ban province-wide. If there is a fire ban, you can still use propane-powered fire pits.

Do campgrounds near Vancouver have flush toilets?

Some campgrounds near Vancouver have flush toilets (about half of the campgrounds on this list). However, they may only have flush toilets in one central building and pit toilets (outhouses) in the rest of the campground. All of the campground descriptions above state whether a campground has flush toilets or pit toilets.

Do campgrounds near Vancouver have showers?

In the past, very few places to camp near Vancouver had showers – you mostly had to go to private campgrounds and RV parks. However, that is changing and several provincial parks now have showers. All of the campground descriptions above state whether a campground has showers.

Where can you camp with your dog in Vancouver?

Dogs are allowed at all campgrounds in Vancouver, however, they have to be on a leash except in designated off-leash areas. Dogs are not allowed at some backcountry (hike-in) campgrounds.

What can I do if the campground is fully booked for the days I want to go?

Use an app like Campnab or Schnerp to let you know the minute there is some availability. My guide to camping cancellation apps explains how they work and which one is better.

Now that you have all the info for over 40 campgrounds near Vancouver, have fun planning your camping trip. Do you have questions about camping near Vancouver? Or is there an awesome Vancouver campground that you think should also be on this list? Leave them in the comments.

READ NEXT:

The post Camping Near Vancouver, BC: 40+ Best Campgrounds appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations

Taryn Eyton — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 20:48:10 +0000

With lots of people stressing about backpacking reservations in BC, you might feel like you have to book backcountry camping months in advance if you want to go on a trip. But that’s totally untrue – there are tons of places to go backpacking in BC without reservations.

I’ve been backpacking in British Columbia for almost 20 years and have done dozens of trips, most of them without reservations. I know that sometimes it’s just not possible to plan ahead – you want to wait for good weather, plans change, or you didn’t get that coveted reservation.

Don’t worry! In this guide to backpacking in BC without reservations, I have all the info you need to plan a last-minute trip including:

Which BC backpacking trips DO require reservations (Spoiler: It’s not very many places!)
What is a BC Parks Backcountry Permit (Spoiler: It’s not a reservation and they don’t sell out!)
The best places to go backpacking in BC without a reservation – my picks for over 50 trips around the province
How to find even more places to go backpacking in BC without reservations
Tips for backpacking without a reservation including how to beat the crowds

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

BC Backpacking Trips That DO Require Reservations

Very few places in BC require reservations to go backpacking. My BC Backpacking Reservation Dates post has an overview of each place along with info about how to make reservations. And my How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC post shows you how to book.

The places in BC that require backpacking reservations fit into a few categories:

National Parks in BC That DO Require Reservations

All national parks in BC require reservations for backpacking. There are six national parks in BC where you can go backpacking.

Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island is home to the West Coast Trail and Keeha Beach – you need to make reservations for both of those trails.
Gulf Islands National Park has several backcountry campsites that require reservations. Most are water accessed but you can backpack at Narvaez Bay on Saturna Island.
Mount Revelstoke National Park has backcountry camping at Eva and Jade Lakes, both of which require reservations.
Glacier National Park has reservable backcountry camping at Hermit Meadows.
Yoho National Park has a few backcountry campgrounds including Lake O’Hara and campsites on the Yoho Valley Loop along the Iceline and Whaleback Trails. They all require reservations.
Kootenay National Park is home to the Rockwall Trail, which requires reservations.

Descending from Numa Pass to Floe Lake on the Rockwall Trail in Kootenay National Park – one of the few backpacking trips in BC that requires reservations

Provincial Parks in BC That DO Require Reservations

Most Provincial Parks in British Columbia do NOT require reservations. However, there are five exceptions. These are all very popular provincial parks.

Garibaldi Provincial Park near Squamish and Whistler requires reservations for all backcountry campgrounds in the park.
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park near Pemberton requires reservations to stay at the backcountry campground at the third lake.
Campsites along the Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park near Jasper require reservations.
Buckhorn, Kicking Horse, and Frosty Creek Campgrounds in E.C. Manning Provincial Park near Hope requires reservations. (All other backcountry campgrounds in the park are first-come, first-served.)
Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park near Canmore requires backcountry reservations.
Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit in Bowron Lakes Provincial Park in Northern BC near Quesnel requires reservations.

Enjoying the view of Garibaldi Lake from the top of Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park. This is one of only five BC Parks that require reservations.

Popular Recreation Sites in BC That DO Require Reservations

So far, only two recreation sites under the jurisdiction of Recreation Sites and Trails BC require reservations. Both are very popular destinations:

Watersprite Lake near Squamish requires reservations to camp starting in 2022
Tenquille Lake near Pemberton requires reservations to camp starting in 2022

Watersprite Lake near Squamish

Backcountry Huts That DO Require Reservations

There are several dozen backcountry huts in BC. Most are administered by a park or by a club and require reservations. See individual hut websites for info on reservations. Read my guide to Backcountry Huts in BC for more info.

Where to Go Backpacking in BC Without A Reservation

There are literally hundreds of places to go backpacking in BC without a reservation. These can be divided into places in BC Parks that have Backcountry Permits and those without. Not clear on the difference? I’ll explain it to you!

Backcountry Permits at Provincial Parks in BC

Currently, 29 BC Provincial Parks require you to purchase a backcountry permit to go backpacking. Here are some quick facts about backcountry permits:

Backcountry permits are essentially just a way of saying you need to pay camping fees – they are NOT a reservation
Each person in your group needs a backcountry permit
Fees vary by park but in general, are usually $5-$10/person/night
Buying a backcountry permit does not guarantee you a campsite or tent pad – all campsites and tent pads are first-come, first-served
There are unlimited numbers of permits available for each park – they don’t sell out.
You can purchase a backcountry permit on the BC Parks website up to 2 weeks before your trip. Some parks also have in-person registration with envelopes you can leave money in, but this is becoming less common.
You can find a list of parks where backcountry permits are required on the BC Parks website.
Carry a copy of your backcountry permit on your trip (either a print out or a screen shot on your phone. If you meet a park ranger they may ask to see it.

Still not clear on the difference between BC Park reservations and backcountry permit registrations? Check out How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC – it has a handy chart that breaks it down.

Hiking on the Juan de Fuca Trail – a BC Backpacking trip that doesn’t require reservations – but does require a BC Parks backcountry permit

Places Without Backcountry Permits

There are tons of backcountry campsites in BC Parks that don’t require backcountry permits or reservations. There are also hundreds of BC Recreation Sites and informal campsites on Crown Land. These sites are free and you don’t need a reservation or a permit.

Below, I’ve got a list of my recommendations of places to go backpacking without backcountry permits, as well as tips on how to find even more backpacking destinations you don’t have to book in advance.

Best Places to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations

As you might realize by now, there are loads of places to go backpacking in BC without reservations. It’s impossible to list them all here. Instead, I’ll give you a list of a few dozen that I recommend. I’ve backpacked quite a few of these, but lots are still on my some-day list. Some of these trips require backcountry permits.

Southwestern BC Backpacking Trips Without Reservations

Note: The trips in this section are all in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Semaphore Lakes near Pemberton
Hanging Lake near Whistler
Lake Lovely Water in Tantalus Provincial Park near Squamish (requires canoe or water taxi to reach the trailhead)
Howe Sound Crest Trail in Cypress Provincial Park near West Vancouver
Elsay Lake in Mount Seymour Provincial Park in North Vancouver
Dennett Lake and Widgeon Lake in Pinecone Burke Provincial Park (Widgeon Lake requires a canoe to reach the trailhead)
Viewpoint Beach, Halfmoon Beach, Alder Flats, and Panorama Ridge in Golden Ears Provincial Park (requires backcountry permits)
Lindeman, Greendrop, Flora, and Radium Lakes in Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park (requires backcountry permits)
Tikawalus Heritage Trail in the Fraser Canyon near Yale
Lower Stein Valley in Stein Valley N’lakapamux Heritage Provincial Park near Lytton
HBC Heritage Trail near Hope
Falls Lake in Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area
Little Douglas Lake Recreation Site near the Coquihalla Summit
Skagit River Trail, Heather Trail, Strike Lake, Skyline Trail, and Poland Lake in E.C. Manning Provincial Park (requires backcountry permits) – Note: Buckhorn and Kicking Horse Camps on the Heather Trail and Frosty Creek on the Frosty Mountain Trail in Manning require reservations but all other campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Cabins in Tetrahedron Provincial Park near Sechelt
Sunshine Coast Trail between Lund and Saltery Bay

Hiking near the Lions on the Howe Sound Crest Trail in Cypress Provincial Park – you don’t need reservations for this trip!

Vancouver Island Backpacking Trips Without Reservations

Note: The trips in this section are all in my book, Backpacking on Vancouver Island.

Juan de Fuca Trail in Juan de Fuca Marine Provincial Park near Port Renfrew (requires backcountry permits)
Wild Side Trail on Flores Island near Tofino (requires a water taxi to reach the trailhead)
Forbidden Plateau Core, Bedwell Lakes, Elk River Trail, and Arnica Lake in Strathcona Provincial Park (All require backcountry permits except Arnica Lake.)
Della Falls Trail in Strathcona Provincial Park near Port Alberni (requires a water taxi to reach the trailhead)
Nootka Trail on Nootka Island near Gold River (requires a water taxi or floatplane to reach the trailhead)
North Coast Trail, Cape Scott Trail, and San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park near Port Hardy (requires backcountry permits, North Coast Trail requires a water taxi to reach the trailhead)
Tatchu Trail on the west coast (requires water taxi or float plane to reach the trailhead)
Raft Cove in Raft Cove Provincial Park near Port Hardy (requires backcountry permits)
Carmanah Valley in Carmanah-Walbran Provincial Park (requires backcountry permits)

Hikers on the Wild Side Trail near Tofino

Interior and Eastern BC Backpacking Trips Without Reservations

Trophy Meadows in Wells Gray Provincial Park near Clearwater (requires backcountry permits)
Cathedral Lakes Provincial Park near Keremeos (requires backcountry permits)
Okanagan High Rim Trail near Vernon and Kelowna
Spectrum Lake in Monashee Provincial Park near Cherryville (requires backcountry permits)
Gwillim Lakes in Valhalla Provincial Park near Slocan
Kaslo Lake in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park near Nelson (requires backcountry permits)
Earl Gray Pass in Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park near Kaslo
South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park near Lillooet

Backpacking at Kaslo Lake in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park

Northern BC Backpacking Trips Without Reservations

Hunlen Falls in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park near Bella Coola (requires backcountry permits)
Monkman Memorial Trail in Monkman Provincial Park near Tumbler Ridge
Wokkpash Valley and McDonald Creek in Stone Mountain Provincial Park near Fort Nelson
Mount Edziza in Mount Edziza Provincial Park near Dease Lake

How to Find More Places to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations

British Columbia has thousands of trails and hundreds of backcountry campgrounds. And if you’re willing to go without facilities like toilets and bear caches, there are even more places to go backpacking. (But if you go that route, brush up on the Leave No Trace principles first!)

Be sure to check if camping is allowed at the park or trail before your trip. In some environmentally sensitive areas and popular destinations, backcountry camping is not allowed or is restricted to established campsites.

Here are some ways to find even more places to go backpacking in BC without reservations:

Check BC Parks

Visit the BC Parks website to find a list of BC Parks. Or use the map view to find ones in your area. You will need to click through to the individual parks pages to find info on whether there are places in that park to go backpacking or not.

The BC Parks websites aren’t very well organized, so this info can be a bit tough to find.

Tip: Scroll down to the “Camping” section and then see if there is a “Walk-in/Backcountry/Wilderness Camping” section.

You can also check the “Activities” section and read the information about hiking trails in the park.

Lastly, also check the “Park and Activity Maps” section to view a park map that may show backcountry campsites.

Check Recreation Sites and Trails BC

Many people aren’t aware that there is a separate set of campgrounds and hiking trails besides those inside BC Parks. They are administered by Recreation Sites and Trails BC, a separate government agency. These sites are usually much more basic, have little to no funding, and are often maintained by local volunteer groups and clubs.

They also have a map that shows the location of recreation sites and trails. Keep in mind that many of these sites are drive-in campsites on logging roads. You can also use their Search by Activity page to find sites with camping and hiking, which might help you find backpacking destinations. You can also filter by region.

The info on these rec site listings is really basic and often isn’t enough to plan a trip so you will likely need to consult some of the other sources below.

Use a Hiking Guidebook

Hiking guidebooks are a great way to find curated information on hiking trails. You can be sure that the author actually hiked the trail and collected all the info you need to plan a trip.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many guidebooks that cater to backpackers. However, I’ve got a few British Columbia-specific guidebook suggestions for you:

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia by Taryn Eyton – Shameless plug: I wrote this one. It includes 40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver. And 31 of the trips do not require reservations.
Backpacking on Vancouver Island by Taryn Eyton – Okay, I wrote this one too. It includes 25 backpacking trips on Vancouver Island. And 22 of them do not require reservations.
Exploring Strathcona Park by Philip Stone – A great guide to everything in this Vancouver Island park including several great backpacking trips. None of them require reservations.
Okanagan Trips and Trails by Judie Steeves and Murphy Shewchuk – More of a backroad explorer’s book, but has some good ideas for backpacking. None of them require reservations.
Coquihalla Trips and Trails by Murphy Shewchuk – Similar to above, but for the Coquihalla. None of the trips require reservations.
Where Locals Hike in the West Kootenays by Kathy and Craig Copeland – An opinionated guide that focuses mostly on long day hikes, many of which can be backpacking trips. None of the trips require reservations.
Mountain Footsteps by Janice Strong – A guidebook for the East Kootenays that includes lots of backpacking options, none of which require reservations.

Get My Books

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and Backpacking on Vancouver Island

Discover BC’s best backpacking trips

40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
35 backpacking trips and day hikes on Vancouver Island
Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos

Get the books

Ask on Facebook Groups

The British Columbia outdoor community has several great Facebook groups where members share info on their hikers or post questions asking for help finding hikes. Most of the groups are full of beginners and focused on day hikes, but a few are good for backpackers.

Backpacking Trips in BC – I admin this one. Over 21k members share backpacking-specific info.
Vancouver Island Backcountry Hiking – A smaller group focused on off-the-beaten-path adventures.
BCR – Backpacking in the Canadian Rockies – Full of really knowledgeable folks who know lots of places to backpack in the Rockies, including lots outside the National Parks so you won’t have to worry about reservations.
Hyper-regional groups – Try searching Facebook’s groups section for hiking groups in a region or town. You’ll find lots of great locals willing to share info about backpacking destinations in the area.
Trail or park-specific groups – Many longer trails like the Della Falls Trail, Cape Scott Park, or Juan de Fuca Trail have dedicated groups.

Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group

Use Apps

Most hiking and mapping apps aren’t great at isolating day hikes from backpacking trips, especially when a long day hike has a backcountry campground and can be done over two or more days. However, it is worth checking these apps to find backpacking trips.

In All-Trails, narrow down the region you are looking in, then filter by activity to select backpacking.

In Gaia GPS turn on the public tracks overlay to see where others are hiking. You can do the same thing with the heat map in Strava.

Tin Hat Hut on the Sunshine Coast Trail. The hut and campsite here don’t require reservations.

Tips for Backpacking in BC Without Reservations

Once you’ve chosen a backpacking destination, there are a few things you should keep in mind when backcountry camping without a reservation.

Check to make sure camping is allowed. Find out which jurisdiction the trail or campground is in (Parks Canada, BC Parks, Recreation Sites and Trails BC, other local parks) and see if there are any rules about camping or if you need to pay fees or get a Backcoutnry permit.

Popular spots can get very busy, especially on long weekends. If possible, plan to arrive on Thursday or Friday rather than Saturday and set up camp by early afternoon.

If you are in a group with more than one tent, try to fit two or more tents on each tent platform or tent pad so you leave room for others.

Some campgrounds have overflow campsites, but many do not. That means that in some places you might have to hike to another campground or return to the car if there isn’t room for you. When choosing an overflow campsite, pitch your tent on bare dirt, rocks, or snow. Avoid fragile vegetation.

If the campground has a food cache or hang it may get full, especially on weekends. Cache your food early in the evening or be prepared to construct a bear hang in a tree. You can also carry a bear canister or Ursack instead.

Trailhead parking lots can fill up and some are prone to theft. Arrive early to get a spot. Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.

Check trail and road conditions. Less popular destinations receive little to no maintenance. Some roads require 4WD to access. Trails may be storm damaged or impassable. Backcountry campground facilities like toilets or bear caches may be missing or damaged.

Read through my list of things to do before every hike for a great checklist to get you prepped to go backpacking.

So that’s everything you need to know to go backpacking in BC without reservations. Do you have questions about planning a backpacking trip in BC? Leave them in the comments.

READ NEXT:

Guides for BC Backpacking Trips Without Reservations:

The post How to Go Backpacking in BC Without Reservations appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Best Small Towns in Canada for Outdoor Adventures

Taryn Eyton — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 18:29:02 +0000

Canada is a big country with fantastic scenery. Thankfully, there are tons of cute small towns in Canada for outdoor adventures. I asked fellow travel writers to recommend their favourite Canadian towns for hiking, kayaking, beaches, mountain biking, skiing, and more.

In this post, you’ll find personal recommendations for 22 small towns across Canada along with outdoor adventures that will inspire you to pack your hiking boots and go.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Curious about where all these Canadian adventure towns are located? I made this handy google map that shows you where to find them.

Click to open in Google Maps

Best Small Towns in the Atlantic Provinces for Outdoor Adventures

Cavendish, Prince Edward Island

Cavendish is a small town in Prince Edward Island. Public transport is limited, so the only way to get to Cavendish is to self-drive. From PEI’s capital city of Charlottetown, it’s a 35-minute drive via Highway 224 and Highway 13. There is typically a shuttle from Charlottetown to Cavendish if self-driving is not an option – check in advance if this is operating.

There are lots of great things to do in the town of Cavendish – it is the perfect place for an outdoor adventure in PEI. One of the most popular things to do is go to Cavendish Beach, which is a white sand beach in Prince Edward Island National Park. Spend some time swimming in the ocean or kiteboarding!

At Cavendish Beach, you can also go hiking trail on the Dunelands Trail. It is a short, 2.3 km out and back trail that is relatively flat and leads to Cavendish Beach East. The Dunelands trail itself takes about 35 minutes round trip to complete, but Cavendish Beach East is a unique, red sand beach and a beautiful place to explore.

Recommended by Kat from endlesswonder.ca

Cavendish Beach. Photo: Kat from endlesswonder.ca

Wolfville, Nova Scotia

If you’re looking for a small town with big outdoor adventures, look no further than Wolfville, Nova Scotia. This beautiful town is located on the Bay of Fundy and is home to stunning hiking trails, kayaking spots, and more.

Wolfville is easily reached from Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia, making it the perfect weekend getaway spot. In just 1 hour by car, you can be enjoying all that this charming town has to offer. With an airport located in Halifax, you’ll be able to get to Wolfville and be strapping on your hiking shoes within 2 hours of touching down!

One of the best things to do in Wolfville is to hike up to Blomidon Provincial Park. This park offers incredible views of the Bay of Fundy and is a great place to see some of Nova Scotia’s wildlife. Several easy hiking trails wind through the park, making it the perfect place to explore on a sunny day.

Don’t forget to visit in the fall for apple picking and leaf spotting on hiking trails in nearby Annapolis Valley. In the spring, you can also check out local wineries after a morning of kayaking on the Minas Basin.

Recommended by Nina from Nina Out and About

Apple picking in the Annapolis Valley near Wolfville. Photo: Nina from Nina Out and About

READ NEXT: 16 Things to do Before a Hike

St. Andrews, New Brunswick

St. Andrews by-the-Sea is one of the most popular places in New Brunswick. Nestled beside the Bay of Fundy, the town of St. Andrews is about one hour west of Saint John on Route 1. Whether you’re planning a quick trip or a longer vacation, this historic location is the perfect destination.

One of the best hikes nearby is Sam Orr Pond in the Caughey-Taylor Nature Preserve. This 3.5-km loop takes about an hour and is perfect for families or solo adventurers. If you’d prefer a longer hike, continue to Berry Point for views of the Passamaquoddy Bay. You can visit this nature preserve in winter, too.

In addition, St. Andrews is only 40 minutes from New River Beach Provincial Park and just over two hours to Fundy National Park—lots of options for hiking and camping.

There’s nothing like spending time on the Bay of Fundy. And whale watching is one of the most popular things to do in St. Andrews. However, if you want an eco-adventure, take the ferry to Deer Island to go kayaking. You can spend a couple of hours or head out for a whole day of guided paddling.

Finally, don’t leave St. Andrews without strolling through the quaint downtown. You’ll find plenty of artisan shops and restaurants to try. Once you’re finished shopping, comb the beach at low tide or drive across the ocean floor to Minister’s Island. Or visit the Pendlebury Lighthouse just outside of town. And if you’re wondering where to stay, The Algonquin Resort is an iconic and charming hotel.

Recommend by Thomas Coldwell from outandacross.com

Downtown St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Photo: Thomas Coldwell

Best Small Towns in Quebec for Outdoor Adventures

Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec

Baie Saint-Paul is a beautiful small town in Charlevoix, Quebec. It takes just above one hour to get to Baie-Saint-Paul from Quebec City, depending on the season.

Baie-Saint-Paul is a year-round destination. In the winter, you can go skiing at one of the nicest ski resorts on the east coast. Le Massif de la Petite-Rivière-Saint-François is only 30 minutes away from Baie-Saint-Paul. It offers lots of snow and ski trails. Plus, the view is simply breathtaking. On some slope, you’ll feel like you’re skiing down into the Saint Lawrence River.

In the summer, don’t miss Le Festif festival which features live music and lots of outdoor activities.

But autumn is by far the most beautiful season to visit Baie-Saint-Paul where you’ll experience the foliage season. From green to yellow to bright red, the changing colors in the trees is in itself a reason to visit the region. But be sure to do some hiking.

Try Mont-du-Lac-des-Cygnes Trail in Grands-Jardins National Park. It’s a 9.2 km out-and-back trail with 439 m elevation gain. If you have more time, the Acropole des Draveurs in the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park (which is an hour away from Baie-Saint-Paul) is worth the trip. It’s a 10.6 km out-and-back trail with 885 m elevation gain. Both hikes offer beautiful summit views.

Other than hiking and skiing, the town of Baie-Saint-Paul is really charming. It has many little local stores and art galleries. Le Germain Hotel & Spa is a great option for accommodation. They also have a public spa to relax after a long day outside.

Recommended by Emilie from Love Life Abroad

Driving through fall colours near Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec. Photo: Emilie Brillon

Val-David, Quebec

Val-David is a small town about 1.5 hours north of Montreal that is big on adventure. Located in the Laurentian Mountains in Quebec, Val-David is an all-season destination for people who love the outdoors.

In the summer, Val-David has world-class rock climbing and bouldering. It is said that Val-David’s granite cliffs were the birthplace of climbing in Quebec. All levels of rock climbers will find routes suitable for their experience. Additionally, the woods around Val-David are strewn with sizeable glacial erratic boulders. There are endless boulder problems to attempt on these massive stones.

You can kayak or canoe on the Rivière du Nord that flows right through the village. Or if cycling is more your thing, bike on the P’tit Train du Nord, a 235 km rail trail that travels from Mont Tremblant to the outskirts of Montreal. There are also 60 km of hiking trails surrounding Val-David.

Equipment rental for many outdoor sports is available in town.

Val-David is also known as a winter mecca. The P’tit Train du Nord Linear Park near Val-David is transformed into a groomed cross-country ski trail. There’s nothing like skiing through a charming village with the snow lightly falling. Also don’t miss snowshoeing on the regional trails, especially up to Mont Condor to see the ice caves.

Other nearby winter sports include downhill skiing at the local hill, Valle Bleu. There are many other ski hills in the Laurentians to visit, including Mont-Tremblant for big mountain skiing and snowboarding. There is also a lighted skating rink in the center of town.

Recommended by Karen of Outdoor Adventure Sampler

Cross country skiing on P’tit Train du Nord in Val-David, Quebec. Photo: Karen of Outdoor Adventure Sampler

Mont-Tremblant, Quebec

When it comes to outdoor adventure in Quebec, the town of Mont-Tremblant is THE place to be. This famous Québecois haven is a short 1.5-hour drive from the big city of Montréal via Highway 15.

The outdoor activities are endless in Mont-Tremblant; skiing, biking, dog sledding, tubing, and riding panoramic gondolas, sleigh rides, zip lining and whitewater rafting just to name a few! In the summertime, it’s easy to fall head over heels for this photogenic Laurentian town with breath-taking views of the Mont-Tremblant mountains and an enchanting European-inspired pedestrian village.

Hiking is one of the most popular activities in Mont-Tremblant. A great trail for the more advanced hikers is the Vertigo, which goes from the base of the Mont-Tremblant to its summit at 3.3km away and takes 1.5 hours to complete.

Another thrilling activity to add to your bucket list is a downhill ride on the Skyline Luge. Start your journey in the pedestrian village, then ride the chairlift up through the Laurentian. At the top, get on board the luge cart to experience an adrenaline-pumping ride down the 1.4km track!

And if you’re stopping by the good ole city of Montreal on your way back, be sure to pay a visit to one of the city’s finest Mediterranean restaurants for some true local gastronomy!

Recommended by Palo of Moons and Roses

Mont-Tremblant village. Photo: Palo of Moons and Roses

Best Small Towns in Ontario for Outdoor Adventures

Gananoque, Ontario

Considered the “Canadian Gateway to the Thousand Islands,” Gananoque, Ontario has a ton of hiking trails and waterways waiting to be explored.

The closest airport is in Ottawa, and from there it’s an hour and a half drive to Gananoque. If coming from Toronto (3 hours away) or anywhere in Southern Ontario, hop onto Highway 401 E and head straight into the area.

Gananoque has its own trail system that includes walking paths and waterfront trails located right in town. However, if you are looking for some awesome hikes with epic views, head over to Thousand Islands National Park located just 20 minutes outside of town.

Landon Bay in Thousand Islands National Park offers several trails that are easy to manage, yet reward you with spectacular views. The Donevan Trail circles around the park. At 4.3 km, this incredibly scenic route will take you about 1.5 hours to complete.

But the Lookout Trail which detours off the Donevan Trail has the best views. At only 500 m from the parking lot, the top of the Lookout Trail presents you with breathtaking views of Landon Bay and the Canadian Thousand Islands.

The Jones Creek Trails at the Thousand Islands National Park are another fabulous place for some incredible hiking. These flat but scenic trails are filled with old-growth forests, wetland habitats, and gorgeous views of the surrounding waters.

Recommended by Marianne from The Journeying Giordanos

Hiking in Thousand Islands National Park near Gananoque, Ontario. Photo: Marianne from Journeying Giordanos

Huntsville, Ontario

Huntsville, Ontario is one of the best small towns in Canada for outdoor adventures. And while there are plenty of things to do, hiking is one of the most popular.

One of the most famous hikes in Huntsville is the Lions Lookout Trail. It’s a short, but steep 1.3km trail, ending at a lookout that offers spectacular views of Fairy Lake.

Another popular trail is Hunter’s Bay Trail. This 4.6km trail is an easy hike but very scenic and takes around 1.5-2 hours to complete. Starting at the Center Street bridge, the trail follows the lake towards the highway and has sections of floating boardwalk.

Arrowhead Provincial Park is another great spot to hike in Huntsville. There are several trails from 1km to 7km in length but the most popular is the Stubb’s Falls trail. The circular trail is 2km long and takes about 45 minutes to hike, passing Stubb’s Falls before heading back through a forested path. It’s an easy hike, but a bit more technical than the ones mentioned above.

For those looking for longer hikes, Limberlost Forest is just a short drive from Huntsville and offers trails ranging from 4km to 13km, all with varying difficulty. This is a perfect way to get out and experience the beautiful scenery that Huntsville has to offer.

Recommended by Erin from Wanderlustwithkids.com

Hunters Bay Trail in Huntsville, Ontario. Photo: Erin from Wanderlustwithkids.com

Sheguiandah, Manitoulin Island, Ontario

Sheguiandah is a small town on Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron. Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island in the world, so it’s easy to see how this is one of the best small towns in Canada for outdoor adventures!

Located approximately six hours from Toronto, the most common method of transportation is driving. There are two main routes to the island – either by road around Georgian Bay or by ferry from the Bruce Peninsula. Both are very scenic.

Sheguiandah is known for being home to the Cup and Saucer hike, atop the Niagara escarpment with 70-meter cliffs that began to form 450 million years ago. It also attracts history and geology enthusiasts with its beautiful rock formations that tell stories of Indigenous history. Check out the optional Adventure Trail section which includes ladders and caves.

Bridal Veil Falls is a fun place to cool down after a hot day of hiking – you can swim under the waterfall and walk behind it.

Bebamikawe Memorial Trail is another popular hiking trail that gives spectacular views and is slightly easier and more suitable for children.

Plus, the fish are plentiful especially in Lake Kagawong, Lake Manitou, and along the shores of the Georgian Bay. You can rent a motorboat or paddle a canoe.

Use this three-day Manitoulin Island itinerary to get the most out of your visit.

Recommended by Candace from ajourneyinspired.com

Hiking on Manitoulin Island. Photo Candace from ajourneyinspired.com

Best Small Towns in the Prairie Provinces for Outdoor Adventures

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Located in the middle of the prairies, Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan is a surprising destination for most. You’ll find Moosejaw located about 45-minutes west of the city of Regina. Although small in size, there are plenty of fun outdoorsy things to do in Moose Jaw – you just have to know where to look!

Surrounding the town is the Moose Jaw River – perfect for exploring the great outdoors. Jump in a canoe or kayak on the river, or take a guided paddling tour.

One of the best places to visit for hiking is Pound Provincial Park, a 20-minute drive away. Here, you can find over 30 kilometers of trails that are perfect for both hiking and biking. In the winter, the trails are groomed for cross-country skiing. The main attraction of the park is the opportunity to see bison that you can see here. You can also camp in the park.

For wildlife lovers, you simply must visit the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Center. Here you can see the cute, very small, burrowing owl that is famous in the prairies. While the center offers educational exhibits and captive owls, it’s also easy to spot the wild owls in the grasslands outside.

Another unique activity is the open-air trolley that will take you around town. This historic trolley is picture-perfect and a good way to get around while learning about the history of the area. Dress for the weather as this is an open-air experience.

Recommended by Bailey from Destinationless Travel

The iconic moose in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Photo: Bailey from Destinationless Travel

Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

Prince Albert is one of the best places to visit in Saskatchewan. It is located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River and is home to Prince Albert National Park. This small town is easily accessible from Saskatoon, which is a 1.5-hour drive way.

Prince Albert several of historic buildings, including the Prince Albert Historical Museum, and Diefenbaker House. But many flock to Prince Albert for its National Park.

The park is known for its stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. The park is home to bears, wolves, elk, deer, moose, and many other animals. There are also plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping.

Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of activities, or simply relax and take in the natural beauty of the area, you will particularly like the shores of Waskesiu Lake for a stroll or a summer picnic.

Prince Albert National Park is also great for camping. Pick Beaver Glen Campground for an overnight stay.

This park is a great place in the summers, but it is open year-round. In the summer, visitors can enjoy hiking and fishing in the park’s many trails and waterways. In the winter, the park is a popular destination for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing.

Recommended by Mayuri from Canada Crossroads

Elk in Prince Albert National Park. Photo: Mayuri from Canada Crossroads

Canmore, Alberta

The small town of Canmore, Alberta is located in the Canadian Rockies a 1.5-hour drive west of Calgary. You can drive yourself or take an airport shuttle. Canmore is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise and there are many types of activities for different tastes and skill levels.

Since Canmore was the host city for nordic events during the 1988 Calgary Olympics, the cross country skiing facilities are truly world-class. The Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park offers over 60 km of groomed trails, for both classic and skate skiing. Part of the trail system is illuminated so you can keep on skiing until 9 pm. Other amazing winter activities include backcountry skiing and sled dog rides.

In the warmer months, Canmore offers some of the most amazing hiking adventures for every skill and difficulty level. All the hikes in Canmore reward you with spectacular mountain views and clean forest air. The trails might take you through bridges, by a creek, or to the shores of the Bow River. But no matter what you must come to the shores of the little Quarry Lake for the most beautiful and peaceful scenery.

If you’re looking for a challenge, go on a guided hike to the summit of Ha Ling Peak.

Recommended by Bea from PackYourBags

Bow River near Canmore. Photo: Bea from PackYourBags

Banff, Alberta

Nestled amongst one of the most beautiful national parks in Canada is the small mountain town of Banff. About a 90-minute drive from Calgary it is easily accessible – rent a car or take one of the regular shuttle buses between Calgary and Banff.

Banff is one of the best small towns in Canada for outdoor adventures. There is a lot to do just around the town. Or you can use it as a base to explore Banff National Park by car.

A short but rewarding hike within the town is the 4.3km Tunnel Mountain hike. A steep trail leads to some of the best views over the town. Guided hikes are also available. Or take a scenic bike ride through the town to Vermillion Lakes where a 4 km road gives wonderful vistas of Banff’s mountains as well as some potential wildlife spotting opportunities.

If you have more time in the area, and access to a car, Banff National Park is home to some of the most stunning lakes in Canada. Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka are both only a 15-minute drive from Banff; Moraine Lake and Lake Louise are about 45 minutes to an hour away. All are well worth the drive.

Recommended by Emma from Forever Lost In Travel

Downtown Banff. Photo: Emma from Forever Lost in Travel

Jasper, Alberta

The small town of Jasper is the gateway to the beautiful Jasper National Park. It offers charming boutiques, hip restaurants, and cozy hotels to enjoy between your outdoor adventures. The closest big city is Edmonton. But you can also get to Jasper from Calgary. Along the drive, you’ll pass right by Banff and Yoho National Parks on the Icefields Parkway, making this a popular Canadian Rockie road trip.

Many of Jaspers Jasper’s most incredible sites are along the Icefields Parkway. Plan a hike along the 1.4 km out-and-back Athabasca Glacier Trail, where you can walk right up to the glacier’s leading edge and marvel at the massiveness (up to 300 metres thick!) of part of North America’s largest icefield. You can walk ON the glacier as part of a guided tour.

For a more intense hike, consider the 8 km out-and-back Wilcox Pass trail, which provides breathtaking vistas of the glacier’s tongue- and an excellent spot for seeing bighorn sheep!

If you’d rather get your adrenaline pumping, you can book a white water rafting tour in the summertime, like the Class III+ rapids along the Sunwapta River (which literally translates to “turbulent waters”).

Visiting in the wintertime? Ski or snowboard on any of the 91 runs at the Marmot Basin ski resort, all with the dramatic Canadian Rockies as your backdrop.

Recommended by Jessica from Uprooted Traveler

View from the Wilcox Pass Trail. Photo: Taryn from Dawn Outdoors

Best Small Towns in British Columbia for Outdoor Adventures

Revelstoke, British Columbia

Revelstoke is my favourite Canadian mountain town. Located in eastern British Columbia, it’s a 6-hour drive from Vancouver or 4.5 hours from Calgary. The nearest airport is in Kelowna, 2.5 hours away.

In the winter, Revelstoke is most famous for snowmobiling and skiing – Revelstoke Mountain Resort has the highest vertical drop of any ski resort in North America!

But there are lots of things to do in Revelstoke in the summer. It’s a great destination for mountain bikers, with lift-accessed trails at the ski resort and lots of other trails around town. Extreme sports junkies can also go white water rafting or paragliding. Halcyon and Halfway River hot springs are also nearby.

Mount Revelstoke National Park is right on the edge of town. Be sure to drive the Meadows in the Sky Parkway for amazing views of the surrounding mountains and valley below. In mid-summer, the wildflower display is unreal.

Make time to go hiking in Revelstoke. If you’re looking for a short walk, check out the easy 0.5 km trail to Sutherland Falls in Blanket Creek Provincial Park. For something more challenging, head to Eva Lake in Mount Revelstoke National Park. It’s a 12 km round trip that takes about 6 hours.

Recommended by Taryn from Dawn Outdoors

Downtown Revelstoke with the Monashee Mountains in the background. Photo: Taryn from Dawn Outdoors

Squamish, British Columbia

My hometown of Squamish bills itself as the adventure capital of Canada. It’s located on the famous Sea to Sky Highway in between Vancouver and Whistler. The easiest way to get there is by car (1.5 hours from Vancouver), but you can also take a shuttle bus.

Squamish is world-famous for rock climbing, especially on the Stawamus Chief, a 700-meter-tall granite monolith. But you don’t need a rope and harness to climb to the top. A steep and challenging 11-kilometer-long trail for hikers scrambles up the backside to three different peaks where you can peer straight down the sheer face. It’s one of the best hikes in Squamish.

Garibaldi Provincial Park is just outside Squamish is one of BC’s best hiking destinations. Get details on the hike to picturesque Garibaldi Lake or the beautiful views of Elfin Lakes in my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia.

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos
Advice for extending your trip
Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

You can also check out off-the-beaten-path local favourites like the hike to Mount Crumpit (named after the Grinch’s home) and Brohm Lake. Or walk the easy trails at the topic of the Sea to Sky Gondola. In the winter, Squamish has great snowshoeing trails.

Squamish also has hundreds of kilometres of mountain bike trails. Beginner-friendly trails crisscross the valley floor and expert routes descend rock slabs on nearby hills and mountains. Beginners can sign up for a guided mountain bike tour that includes instruction.

Recommended by Taryn of Dawn Outdoors

On the summit of the Stawamus Chief. Photo: Taryn of Dawn Outdoors

Gibsons, British Columbia

While it’s a bit under-the-radar, I think Gibsons on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast is one of the best small towns in Canada for outdoor adventures. It is is a short 40-minute ferry ride from Vancouver. I lived there for five months and enjoyed exploring all the things to do on the Sunshine Coast. It’s a cute waterfront town with lots of boutiques, restaurants, and craft beer.

The quaint harbour is a great place to launch kayaks and paddle to nearby Keats Island. The town is also home to several beaches. Bonniebrook Beach on the north end of town is the best since it’s over two kilometres long and has lots of sand. Mountain bikers will love the huge trail network on the forested slopes above the town.

Some of the best hikes on the Sunshine Coast are in Gibsons. Don’t miss the trail to the top of Soames Hill for great views. It’s only 2 kilometres long, but it’s a steep climb with stairs. I also love the easy trails in nearby Cliff Gilker Park since they wind through the forest to several waterfalls.

Recommended by Taryn of Dawn Outdoors

View from Soames Hill in Gibsons. Photo: Taryn from Dawn Outdoors

Tofino, British Columbia

Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino is a popular weekend getaway from Vancouver. It’s a three-hour drive from the ferry terminal in Nanaimo. You can also get there by floatplane.

The town is famous for its sandy beaches, lush rainforest, and quaint shops. It also has some of the best surfing in Canada. It’s beginner-friendly, with lots of shops offering surf lessons and rentals, which include warm wetsuits for the cold water.

Tofino is also one of the easiest places to access Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Beginners should try the easy Rainforest Loop trail. There are two loops, each one km long. The trail goes through incredible scenery with lots of moss, ferns, and towering trees.

There are also several beach hikes, including the 6.8 km long Nuu-chah-nulth Trail between the Kwisitis Visitor Centre and Florencia Bay. It features interpretive signs about the local Nuu-chah-nulth Indigenous people.

Catch a water taxi in Tofino to access even more adventures. Kayak in Clayoquot Sound. Go backpacking on Flores Island’s Wild Side Trail. Hike amongst giant trees on the Big Tree Trail on Meares Island. Or go for a soak in the remote springs at Hot Springs Cove.

Recommended by Taryn of Dawn Outdoors

Hikers on the Wild Side Trail. Photo: Taryn from Dawn Outdoors

READ NEXT: 22 Weekend Getaways from Vancouver

Best Small Towns in Northern Canada for Outdoor Adventures

Dawson City, Yukon Territory

Dawson City is a historic Gold Rush town in the Yukon. The town is best accessed by road on a Yukon road trip. You can get there by the Top of the World Highway (from Alaska) or via the Klondike Highway.

This outdoor destination is famous for being a popular site that contributed to the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1800s. It is also the second-largest town in the Yukon with a population of just under 1400 people.

There are some fantastic hiking and biking opportunities here in the summer. Near the town is the beautiful 8.4 km trek that will take you from Dawson City to Midnight Dome.

Many of the most stunning hikes are in Tombstone Territorial Park. One of the most rewarding hikes is the Goldensides Mountain, which is just 3.4 km but provides excellent views. You should expect to complete this hike in under 1.5 hours.

If you decide to tackle the trails on a mountain bike, we suggest the Dome Climb which has some paved sections.

Recommended by Natasha from The World Pursuit

Paddlewheeler on the Yukon River in Dawson City. Photo: Natasha from The World Pursuit

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Located on the north bank of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife is the capital city of Northwest Territories and has a population of less than 20,000. The best way to get there is to take a flight from major cities like Vancouver, Toronto, or Calgary.

Yellowknife is famous for its viewing of magnificent northern lights. It is one of the best places in the world to experience this amazing and magical natural phenomenon on earth. Many factors determine your chance to see the Northern Lights, but statistically, the area offers a 90 percent chance of sighings between mid-November and March.

The long, cold winter and minimal light pollution in Yellowknife mean there is an extended period of darkness on winter nights. Don’t be surprised to see the Northern lights as early as 7 pm outside your hotel! For a complete viewing experience, stay in the city for three to four days, sign up for a guided tour, visit an aurora village, and then drive to an open area yourself once you have a better idea of where and how to see the lights.

To explore nature during the daytime, head to the Ingraham Trail that extends to Tibbitt Lake and check out Cameron Falls. It is an easy hike that’s suitable for any type of traveler and the views of the lakes and forest are breathtaking. Guided hikes are also available.

Recommended by Kenny from Knycx journeying

Northern lights in Yellowknife. Photo: Knycx journeying

READ NEXT: The Best Canadian Adventure Books

Fort Smith, Northwest Territories

Fort Smith is located just north of the border between the Northwest Territories and Alberta. You can get there by plane, but many visit as part of an epic road trip thanks to Highway 5. It’s about a 9-hour drive from Yellowknife but it’s certainly worth the trek!

The town is the gateway to Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada’s largest national park and the world’s largest dark sky preserve. Camping at Pine Lake is a popular activity that allows you to see a large part of the park, though many head to the Switchback Trail where you’ll find the only salt plains in Canada.

As the area is a dark sky preserve, check out the Fort Smith Star Park and Observatory. Run by the Thebacha and Wood Buffalo Astronomical Society (TAWBAS), they will happily allow access to their telescopes so that you can catch a glimpse of the Milky Way. There is also a chance of catching the Northern Lights, though your best time to visit is between August and April!

If you’re an avid paddler, you’ll want to mark Fort Smith on your bucket list and see how you fare against the area’s white water rapids! Every year, Fort Smith hosts the Slave River Paddlefest where locals and visitors alike tackle the rapids and make memories you’ll never forget. If you’re unable to visit for the festival, the Fort Smith Paddling Club is always happy to show visitors the ropes since white water is not to be taken lightly!

Recommended by Lindsay from I’ve Been Bit

Wood Buffalo National Park. Photo: Lindsay from I’ve Been Bit

Iqaluit, Nunavut

To residents of Nunavut, Iqaluit is distinctly a city – it’s the epicentre of life at the top of the country. But by most Canadians’ standards, Iqaluit’s 8500 permanent residents put it firmly in the ‘town category’. Despite its size, you’ll be surprised how much activity can be found in the ‘New York of the North’.

Iqaluit lies on the southeast side of Baffin Island and is the capital of Nunavut. Any community north of 60 might seem inaccessible, but Iqaluit is actually only a 3-hour flight from Ottawa.

Once in Iqaluit, there are a ton of things to do depending on the season. In the spring, while the sea ice is still frozen, you can go snowmobiling over the arctic ocean, dog sledding on the tundra, try your hand at ice fishing, or chase the northern lights.

In the summer and fall, you can go hiking. The Apex Trail provides constant ocean views and is 5 km long. It ends at a tall hill which you can climb for even better views. Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park has another fantastic hike, offering views of the bright blue glacial river, which is roughly 6 km long. In addition to hiking, you can also explore the tundra by ATV or go kayaking on Frobisher Bay.

Due to the remoteness (and the occasional polar bear sighting), most activities require the support of a local guide or outfitter. Inukpack Outfitting and Arctic Kingdom are the two primary outfitters.

Recommended by Mikaela of Voyageur Tripper

Kayaking in Iqaluit. Photo: Mikaela from Voyageur Tripper

How many of these Canadian towns have you visited? And which of these small towns in Canada for outdoor adventures are on your bucket list? Tell me in the comments.

READ NEXT:

The post Best Small Towns in Canada for Outdoor Adventures appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

The Best Things to do on the Sunshine Coast, BC

Taryn Eyton — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 21:27:59 +0000

British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast is only 40 minutes by ferry from Vancouver, but it feels worlds apart. The quiet coastline is dotted with cute towns, beautiful beaches, gorgeous hiking trails, and lots of great boutiques and cafes. In this post, I’ve got a big list of all the best things to do on the Sunshine Coast, BC.

Over the years, I’ve made numerous trips to the Sunshine Coast to go hiking, camping, and snowshoeing. And I actually lived in Gibsons for five months in 2020/21. So I’ve got lots of locals insider info including where to stay, what to eat, and what to see on the Sunshine Coast.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Sunshine Coast Basics

Where is the Sunshine Coast?

British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast is a short ferry ride from Vancouver. Although you have to take a boat to get there, it’s not on an island (and locals will get a bit cranky if you suggest it is.) The Sunshine Coast is on the mainland, but it doesn’t have a road connection to the highway system since there are several huge fjords in the way.

The Sunshine Coast region stretches along the side of the Strait of Georgia and is bounded by Howe Sound in the south and Desolation Sound in the north. Jervis Inlet splits the coast in the middle – there’s a small ferry to make the connection between the two parts of the coast.

The towns of Sechelt and Gibsons are on the South Sunshine Coast, along with the villages of Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay, and Pender Harbour. You’ll find the town of Powell River on the North Sunshine Coast along with several small hamlets.

Pro tip: There is also a very famous region called the Sunshine Coast in the Australian state of Queensland. Be careful when googling things about the Sunshine Coast, BC to make sure you aren’t getting results for Australia!

Sunshine Coast, BC Map

I made a custom google map for you that includes everything I mention in this post. Enjoy! This map of the Sunshine Coast is all you’ll need for your trip.

Click to open in Google Maps

How to Get to the Sunshine Coast

There are two main ways to get to the Sunshine Coast: ferry or fly. Several companies offer scheduled floatplane service to Sechelt and Powell River from Vancouver and Victoria.

But the most common way to get to the Sunshine Coast is to take a ferry. From Vancouver, it’s a quick 45-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal to Langdale on the South Sunshine Coast. From Vancouver Island, the ferry from Comox to Powell River takes 1.5 hours.

You can walk on to the ferry as a foot passenger or take your car. If you’re going by car, I recommend making a reservation with BC Ferries as it can get booked up, especially on summer weekends.

How to get around on the Sunshine Coast

Highway 101 stretches from the south end of the Sunshine Coast at the Langdale Ferry terminal all the way to Lund past Powell River. It’s the main thoroughfare for the region.

Getting Around By Car

The easiest way to get around the Sunshine Coast is with a car. That will give you the freedom to set your own schedule and travel a bit off the beaten path.

Getting Around By Bus

A car-free trip to the Sunshine Coast is fairly easy, but will take some planning. You can take public transit to the ferry terminals in Comox or Horseshoe Bay, then walk on to the ferry. Once you are on the Sunshine Coast, BC Transit has bus service from Langdale to Halfmoon Bay and in the Powell River area.

To get between the south and north sections of the Sunshine Coast including to and from the Earl’s Cove and Saltery Bay ferry terminals, you can take the Sunshine Coast Connector Bus. It runs in the summer only.

Getting Around by Bike

Bike touring on the Sunshine Coast is very popular. I have several friends who have done bike tours in the area, either as an out-and-back trip from Vancouver or on a loop route that includes both the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.

If you choose to see the Sunshine Coast by bike, be prepared for rolling hills and narrow shoulders. There are bike shops in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, and Powell River if you need a mechanic.

Pender Harbour from above

Sunshine Coast Weather

The Sunshine Coast has a similar climate to Vancouver with average summer temperatures between 11 and 24C. May through August are the driest months. Although it is often gorgeously sunny here, it also rains frequently, especially in the spring, fall, and winter. Pack a rain jacket just in case.

READ NEXT: The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

Indigenous context

The area around Gibsons and Roberts Creek is the traditional territory of the Squamish Nation. Shishalh Nation territory stretches from Roberts Creek to Saltery Bay. The North Sunshine Coast is the traditional territory of the Tla’amin Nation.

Indigenous people have lived on the Sunshine Coast since time immemorial and continue to live here today. Visit the tems swiya Museum in Sechelt to learn about indigenous history and culture. Be respectful of indigenous land as you travel through their territory.

Things to do in Gibsons

Gibsons is a cute town just a few minutes from the Langdale Ferry terminal. It’s one of the best small towns in Canada for outdoor adventures. The town is split into two parts: Upper Gibsons is along the highway. Lower Gibsons, also known as Gibsons Landing, is down the hill on the ocean. Here are the best things to do in Gibsons.

Explore Gibsons Landing

Gibson’s Landing is tucked against the shoreline down the hill from the highway. Take a walk along the long pier to enjoy views of nearby Keats Island and the mountains of Howe Sound. Or stroll along the waterfront walkway to Armours Beach in the north or the Gibsons Marina in the south.

Wander along Marine Drive, Molly’s Lane, and Gower Point Road to discover lots of cute shops. Try the olive oil at Sunshine Coast Olive Oil or browse the racks at Starlet Vintage. Don’t miss the Gibsons Public Market a few blocks south. Vendors there sell amazing cheese, meat, bread, chocolate, veggies, and more.

Of all the small towns in the region, I think Gibsons is the cutest (and not just because I used to live there!) Exploring Gibsons Landing is one of my top picks for things to do on the Sunshine Coast.

The view across Howe Sound from the pier in Gibsons.

Enjoy Beachcomber’s Nostalgia

The Beachcombers was a Canadian TV show about life in a gritty but quaint coastal town near Vancouver that ran for 18 years on CBC Television. (You can find some old episodes on Youtube.) It was set and filmed in Gibsons, so the residents are pretty proud of it. See how many Beachcomber’s legacy sights you can see around Gibsons.

Grab a meal at Molly’s Reach, the famous cafe from the show. Take a photo with the Persephone, the boat that the lead character Nick drives. It’s parked on Gower Point Road. (Persephone Brewery is named after the boat!) Grab a coffee at Beachcomber Coffee Company – it’s named after the show.

Or take a stroll around town to spot some Beachcombers-themed street names: Relic’s Lane, Adonidas Lane, Beachcomber Lane, Jesse’s Lane, Molly’s Lane, Gerussi Lane, and Persephone Lane.

Drink Craft Beer, Cider and Spirits

The craft beer and cider scene is thriving in Gibsons.

Visit Persephone Brewing near the ferry terminal to experience their farm to keg brewery – they grow their own barley as well as lots of fruits and veggies too.

I love Gibsons Tapworks in Lower Gibsons for their incredible patio, but my husband thinks they have the best beer in town. He likes the One Sailing Wait IPA best.

In Upper Gibsons, The 101 Brewhouse + Distillery has craft beers and a small restaurant. They are also the Sunshine Coast’s first craft distillery, making small-batch gin and vodka.

If beer isn’t your thing, Sunday Cider can help you out. They make small batch craft cider at their cider house in the forest just north of town. Their classic Sunday Sesh Cider is great.

And if you’re craving spirits, head to Bruinwood Estate Distillery. They’re a little bit north of town on the way to Roberts Creek. Visit their tasting room to sample their more adventurous spirits including Earl Grey Gin, Creme de Cassis, Spirited Horchata, and Akvavit.

Perspehone Brewing in Gibsons. Photo: BC Ale Trail

Visit an Art Gallery or Studio

Gibsons (and the Sunshine Coast in general) is a haven for artists. A great place to start is the Gibsons Public Art Gallery in Lower Gibsons. They have new exhibitions monthly and a great gift shop.

The Kube in Upper Gibsons is also worth a visit. It’s a combination gallery/boutique that features work from Sunshine Coast artists as well as from other parts of Canada.

You can find listings for tons more artists in Gibsons and throughout the Sunshine Coast through the Purple Banner Art Map. (Note: Many artist studios require appointments.)

Best Beaches in Gibsons

Tiny Armours Beach in Lower Gibsons is a great place for a swim. There’s a cordoned-off swimming area for safety, grassy areas, and picnic tables up the banks.

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of town, head to Georgia Beach. It’s in a residential neighbourhood on the bluff in Lower Gibsons. It has a small pebble beach and a bit of grass. Be careful of the current here.

I think Bonniebrook Beach north of town is the best beach in Gibsons. It has sections of sand and sections of pebbles, but it’s over 2km long so there is lots of space to spread out. It’s also a great place to go for a walk. However, parking is limited so arrive early and respect private property. (Tip: the best sand is near the end of Ocean Beach Esplanade.)

Walking along Bonniebrook Beach

Best Hiking Trails in Gibsons

After living in Gibsons for five months, I’ve hiked most of the trails nearby. Langdale Falls is a nice hike through the forest to a waterfall. But my favourite is Soames Hill for its incredible views. I think it’s the best outdoorsy thing to do in Gibsons.

For more nearby trails, see my guide to the best hikes on the Sunshine Coast.

Soames Hill and Langdale Falls

Where to Eat in Gibsons

If you want something light, coffee and a doughnut at Beachcomber Coffee Company is my go-to. For quick sandwiches, Black Bean Cafe is great. For a sit-down meal, I recommend Molly’s Reach, Lunitas Mexican Eatery, Smitty’s Oyster House, and Sushi Bar Nagomi.

Beachcomber Coffee in Lower Gibsons

Where to Stay in Gibsons

Bonniebrook Lodge: A historic lodge right near the beach. The fabulous Chaster’s restaurant is on-site. Check prices.

Gibsons Harbour Retreat Apartment: Fully equipped 2 bedroom apartment with a hot tub and patio in the heart of Gibsons Landing. Check prices.

Things to do in Roberts Creek

Roberts Creek is a little hamlet alongside a creek near the ocean. It’s a tiny place but has a relaxed, hippy atmosphere. Read on for my picks for the best things to do in Roberts Creek.

Visit the Pier and Mandala

The heart of Roberts Creek is the old pier. Before the ferry and roads were built, this pier was the only link to the outside world. Today’s it is no longer used for boats and makes a great place to walk.

Don’t miss the Roberts Creek Mandala next to the pier parking lot. Each July the community comes together to create a massive art project by painting a new mandala. Local artist Robert Marion dreams up a new design and creates the outline, then anyone who stops by can fill in a section. The mandala is one of the most unique things to see on the Sunshine Coast.

Roberts Creek Mandala and Pier

Explore the Shops

Roberts Creek may be tiny, but it has a cluster of adorable boutiques. Exploring the shops is my pick for the best thing to do in Roberts Creek. There’s a well-stocked health food store, a cute garden boutique, a yoga studio, and a bike store. For a real feel of what Roberts Creek is really about, head to Eco-Freako for eco-friendly products and local art.

Hit the Farmers’ Markets

Roberts Creek hosts two farmers’ markets every Wednesday afternoon, year-round. The food-only Farm Gate Market in the Masonic Hall near the highway is “beyond organic” – they are local, ethical, and free from GMOs, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, and synthetic fertilizers. Next door you’ll find the Roberts Creek Community Farm Market at the Roberts Creek Community Hall. They have lots of food as well as crafts.

See the Waterfalls in Cliff Gilker Park

This small forested park near the highway is home to a network of trails and was one of my regular haunts when I lived on the Sunshine Coast. Two creeks wind through the trees, creating lots of cascades and waterfalls. Use my Cliff Gilker Park hiking guide to take an easy 1-hour walk through the park.

For more nearby trails, see my guide to the best hikes on the Sunshine Coast.

Waterfalls and walkways in Cliff Gilker Park

Where to Eat in Roberts Creek

The Gumboot Cafe is an iconic part of Roberts Creek. They’ve been dishing up healthy soups, pizzas, and salads for over 20 years. They have beer and coffee too.

For a less casual (but still authentically Roberts Creek) experience, head next door to the Gumboot Restaurant. They have an amazing patio and a varied menu that includes burgers, salads, Buddha bowls, and Roberts Creek originals like Curried Perogies.

Where to Stay in Roberts Creek

Shades of Jade Inn & Spa: A serene forest retreat with a spa on-site. It’s a short walk to the beach too. Check prices.

Up the Creek Backpacker’s Lodge: Located right in Robert’s Creek, this funky hostel has dorms, private rooms, and a shared kitchen. Check prices.

Roberts Creek Provincial Park Campground: This 21-site campground is centrally located and is a 15 minute walk to the beach. No reservations. More info.

Things to do in Sechelt

Sechelt is the biggest city on the Sunshine Coast, but it’s still a pretty laid-back place. The town sits on a narrow strip of land that separates Sechelt Inlet from the Strait of Georgia. The name Sechelt comes from shishalh, the name of the local Indigeneous people.

Explore Downtown Sechelt

Sechelt has a small downtown along Cowrie Street, just one block from the Sunshine Coast Highway. There are lots of cute little shops. Get coffee and a snack at The Basted Baker, then go for a stroll. Don’t miss Fresh from the Coast on Trail Ave – they have great local art and gifts. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, be sure to check out the Farmers Market.

Stroll Along the Sechelt Waterfront

There’s a lovely oceanfront pathway in Sechelt. It starts at Friendship Park off Wharf Avenue and finishes less than a kilometre later at Snickett Park. Stop to enjoy the view from a bench or walk out to the end of the pier. It’s one of the prettiest walks on the Sunshine Coast and my choice for the best thing to do in Sechelt.

Walk out onto the pier at Friendship Park for a great view of the Sechelt Waterfront

Go Paddling

The calm waters of Sechelt Inlet are a great place to go for a paddle. Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard from Halfmoon Kayaks on Anchor Road. You’ll launch directly into Porpoise Bay and can paddle along the quiet coastline.

Hit the Beach at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park

One of the best beaches on the Sunshine Coast is at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park just north of Sechelt. It faces Sechelt Inlet, which has very calm water and has a sandy bottom – much nicer than the pebble beaches found elsewhere. The park has lots of picnic areas, a playground, and a popular campground. A swim at Porpoise Bay is a must-do on my list of the best things to do on the Sunshine Coast.

Drink Craft Beer and Cider

Bricker Cider Company has a cute tasting room next to their orchard up the hill in West Sechelt. Their Brickers Original cider is dry and delicious, but don’t forget to try some of their unique flavours like Earl Grey or root beer!

I didn’t have time to visit Batch 44 Brewery and Kitchen in downtown Sechelt, but they are the first craft brewery in town and I’ve heard their beers are great.

Walk Along Davis Bay Beach

This stretch of coastline is one of my favourite places to walk on the Sunshine Coast. There’s a one-kilometre-long pathway beside the ocean and a pier that’s a great place to fish for crabs or watch the sunset. Head across the street to soak up the sun on the patio at the Wobbly Canoe or Gourmet Girl.

Davis Bay waterfront on a windy day with lots of surf.

Learn about Indigenous Culture

Visit the shíshálh Nation’s tems swiya Museum to learn about local Indigenous culture. Unfortunately, the museum was closed due to the pandemic when I lived on the Sunshine Coast, so I haven’t been yet. But I’m eager to visit as it has lots of historical artefacts including 3500-year-old mortuary stones.

Go Skiing or Snowshoeing

If you’re visiting Sechelt in the winter, you can’t miss cross country skiing or snowshoeing at Dakota Ridge. It’s a community-run ski hill and snowshoe trail network in the mountains above town. I had a season pass when I lived on the Sunshine Coast and went up nearly every weekend.

Read my guide to skiing and snowshoeing at Dakota Ridge to learn more.

Snowshoeing and cross country skiing at Dakota Ridge

Best Hikes in Sechelt

There are several fun short hikes near Sechelt. My favourites are the easy walk to Burnett Falls or a meander through the old-growth trees at Hidden Groves.

For more nearby trails, see my guide to the best hikes on the Sunshine Coast.

Burnett Falls and Hidden Grove

Where to Eat in Sechelt

For baked goods, my go-to is The Bakery on Wharf Ave downtown. Strait Coffee in Wilson Creek (near Canadian Tire) has coffee, fabulous sandwiches, and the best cheesecake on the Sunshine Coast. For burgers and comfort food The Wobbly Canoe in Davis Bay is good. If you’re looking for something more upscale, eat at Shift Kitchen and Bar.

Where to Stay in Sechelt

Tranquility Bay Waterfront Inn: Located on quiet Sechelt Inlet north of town, this gorgeous resort has a spa, a hot tub, BBQs, and a private beach. Check prices.

Davis Bay Bed & Breakfast: This charming B&B is right across from the beach in Davis Bay. Reviewers say the breakfast is great. Check prices.

Porpoise Bay Provincial Park Campground: With over 80 campsites steps from a sandy beach, this is the best place to camp on the Sunshine Cost. Make advance reservations.

Things to do in Halfmoon Bay

Halfmoon Bay is a small seaside residential area just north of Sechelt. It’s a great place to hike, relax by the ocean, or just chill out at a cute cabin. Secret Cove a few minutes north is another picturesque spot. Here are the best things to do in Halfmoon Bay.

Best Beaches in Halfmoon Bay

Sargeant Bay Provincial Park has a great gravel beach in a sheltered bay. The lagoon behind the beach is a great place to watch for wildlife, especially birds.

Cooper’s Green Park is a beautiful oceanfront park with a grassy lawn and a pebble beach. It’s a great place for a swim on a hot day. If you rented a kayak in Sechelt, the boat ramp here makes a good launching point.

Best Hikes in Halfmoon Bay

Halfmoon Bay is my go-to spot for hiking on the Sunshine Coast. The huge trail system in Sargeant Bay Provincial Park and Welcome Woods in between Highway 101 and Redroofs Road has seemingly limitless loop hike possibilities. A good destination to get you started is Triangle Lake.

The hike to Smuggler’s Cove is one of the most popular hikes on the Sunshine Coast, and I’d argue it is one of the most scenic too. It’s a short walk to several beautiful coastal viewpoints. A visit to Smuggler’s Cove is definitely the best thing to do in Halfmoon Bay.

For more hikes in Halfmoon Bay, see my guide to the best hikes on the Sunshine Coast.

Triangle Lake Trail and Smuggler’s Cove

Where to Eat in Halfmoon Bay

Food options are pretty limited in Halfmoon Bay. The Halfmoon Bay General Store is currently working on a cafe to open in late 2022. Welcome Woods Market also has a little deli. There are also two food options in nearby Secret Cove: Upper Deck Cafe at the Secret Cove Marina and the in-house restaurant at the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort.

Where to Stay in Halfmoon Bay

Nestledown B&B: This cute bed and breakfast is a short walk from Sargeant Bay Provincial Park. It has a kitchenette and a hot tub too. Check prices.

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort: I actually got engaged at this dreamy waterfront resort. Splurge on the tent cabins – they’re worth it. Check prices.

Tent cabins at the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort. Photo: Destination BC/Dolf Vermeulen

Things to do in Pender Harbour and Egmont

Pender Harbour is a loose collection of small communities (including Garden Bay and Madeira Park) spread around small bays and peninsulas. The village of Egmont is a few minutes north on the shores of Sechelt Inlet. It’s a sleepy area, perfect for chilling out and spending time in nature. These are my picks for the best things to do in Pender Harbour and Egmont.

Skookumchuck Narrows

The hike to the tidal rapids and whirlpools at Skookumchuck Narrows in Egmont is one of the most popular things to do on the Sunshine Coast. Be sure to time your visit to coincide with the tide change. Use my hiking guide to Skookumchuck Narrows to plan your trip.

Hiking the Skookumchuck Narrows Trail

Explore the Lakes

The area around Pender Harbour is home to lots of gorgeous lakes where you can go for a swim. Garden Bay Lake, Mixal Lake, and Hotel Lake are all located on the north side of Pender Harbour. You’ll find little Katherine Lake here too. Don’t miss it as it has the warmest water around.

Head a little further north along Highway 101 to Sakinaw Lake and Ruby Lake. They are both great places to launch a boat. (Ruby Lake has kayak and SUP rentals.) You can also go for a swim at the sandy beach at Dan Bosch Park on Ruby Lake.

Go Paddling

The quiet waters of Pender Harbour are perfect for kayaking. There are so many islands and little coves to explore. Rent kayaks at Alpha Adventures. (Many resorts have kayak rentals too.)

Best Hikes in Pender Harbour and Egmont

The hikes in Pender Harbour and Egmont have some of the best views on the Sunshine Coast. Of course Skookumchuck Narrows is a classic, but there are lots more to choose from. Pender Hill has my favourite viewpoint, but nearby Mount Daniel is great too. I also love the oceanfront walk at Francis Point Provincial Park. Get details on all of these hikes in my guide to the best hikes on the Sunshine Coast.

Pender Hill and Francis Point

Where to Eat In Pender Harbour and Egmont

Pender Harbour has a few good food options. If you want something a bit more luxe, head to the Lagoon Restaurant at the Painted Boat Resort. For more casual fare, check out Harbour Pizza or Badabing Burgers. In Egmont check out the Skookumchuck Bakery Cafe and the Backeddy Pub.

Where to Stay in Pender Harbour and Egmont

Painted Boat Resort: This beautiful waterfront resort in Pender Harbour has great views, plus an outdoor pool and a spa. Check prices.

Backeddy Resort: Stay in a cute and cozy A-frame cabin or a futurists geodesic dome overlooking Sechelt Inlet in Egmont. Check prices.

Things do in Powell River

Powell River is the main city on the northern Sunshine Coast, but there are also small communities in Saltery Bay, Lang Bay, and Lund. The area is a bit quieter than the southern Sunshine Coast. Read on for the best things to do in Powell River.

Explore the Historic Townsite District

Powell River is split into two parts: the main part of town along Marine Avenue near the ferry terminal and the historic Townsite district a few minutes north. Pick up a map at the visitor centre to take a self-guided tour of the old buildings. Don’t miss the spectacular Patricia Theatre, dating back to 1913 and Townsite Brewing inside the old post office. A visit to the Townsite District is my pick for the best thing to do in Powell River.

The Patricia Theatre in the historic Townsite District in Powell River. Photo: Destination BC/Andrew Strain

Visit Lund

The tiny village of Lund at the end of Highway 101 is the northernmost settlement on the Sunshine Coast. Lund is the jumping-off point for kayaking in Desolation Sound or the Copeland Islands, hiking the Sunshine Coast Trail, or trips to nearby Savary Island. But the scenic waterfront is a worthy destination in itself. Don’t miss the legendary bakery.

Go Paddling

The Powell River area is a prime destination for paddlers. Nearby Desolation Sound and the Copeland Islands are popular for kayaking. It’s also the starting point for the multi-day Powell Forest Canoe Route that loops through several large lakes behind the town.

Experience Savary Island

Located near Lund, the white sands and warm waters of Savary Island feel more like the Caribbean than coastal BC. The entire island is off-the-grid and has no cars so you’ll need to get around on foot or by bike. Book accommodation well in advance if you plan to stay the night. Get there via water taxi from Lund.

Looking down to the sandy beaches of Savary Island from Manzanita Bluff on the Sunshine Coast Trail. Photo: Destination BC/Andrew Strain

Best Beaches Near Powell River

Willingdon Beach is located right next to downtown Powell River. It’s got a big grassy area and lots of sand, so it’s pretty popular. If you’re looking for a quieter beach, Gibsons Beach north of town or Saltery Bay Provincial Park near the ferry terminal are good options. If you’re rather swim in freshwater, head to Mowat Bay Beach on Powell Lake.

Hike the Sunshine Coast Trail

The most famous hike in the area is the Sunshine Coast Trail. It is 175km long and runs from the ferry terminal in the south, through Powell River, and ends north of Lund. It crosses lots of roads so you can access many different sections.

My book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia has info on how to do day hikes or short backpacking trips on the best parts of the trail. If you’re a hiker, hiking the Sunshine Coast Trail is one of the best things to do on the Sunshine Coast.

Parts of the trail are snow-free year-round, which is why they made my list of the best spring backpacking trips in British Columbia.

Tin Hat Mountain and Manzanita Bluff along the Sunshine Coast Trail

Get My Book…

Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia

A one-stop resource for backpackers in beautiful British Columbia.

40 backpacking trips within a few hours of Vancouver
Info about permits, reservations, and campground facilities
Detailed maps and photos
Advice for extending your trip
Points of cultural and natural history

Get the book

Where to Eat in Powell River

Powell River has lots of great restaurants. It has a great Belgian-style craft brewery in the heritage part of town called Townsite Brewing. We loved the Mexican food at Costa del Sol. Hikers love the Shingle Mill Pub since the Sunshine Coast Trail goes right past the front door. In Lund, be sure to get a cinnamon bun at Nancy’s Bakery.

A flight of beer at Townsite Brewing. Photo: Destination BC/Local Wanderer

Where to Stay in Powell River

The Magical Dome: This amazing dome-shaped house near Lund has a quirky interior with a cute loft bedroom. Check prices. (It’s also on my list of the coziest cabins near Vancouver.)

Higgin’s Inn: This quiet inn near Lang Bay has apartment-style suites. It’s a short walk to the beach or an easy drive to Powell River. Check prices.

Saltery Bay Provincial Park Campground: Locate near the ferry terminal, this forested campground has 42 sites and a nearby beach. No reservations. More info.

Now you have all the info you need to head to the Sunshine Coast. What is your favourite thing to do on the Sunshine Coast, BC? Tell me in the comments. And as always, send me your questions as I’m happy to help answer them.

More Sunshine Coast info:

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Skookumchuck Narrows Hike on the Sunshine Coast, BC

Taryn Eyton — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 19:15:10 +0000

The hike to Skookumchuck Narrows is one of the most popular things to do on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. It’s an easy trail through a beautiful rainforest to an ocean viewpoint where you can watch the tide rush into and out of a narrow inlet, creating huge whirlpools and rapids.

I spent five months in the winter of 2020/21 living in Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast. So I was able to time my visit to Skookumchuck Narrows to make sure I hit a time with some of the biggest whirlpools. It was so crazy to watch. And the roar of the water was so loud!

If you are visiting the Sunshine Coast, don’t miss the hike to Skookumchuck Narrows near Egmont. It’s one of the most popular hikes on the Sunshine Coast (for good reason!) I’ve got everything you need to know to visit.

In this post you’ll find:

Info on the best times to view the whirlpools and rapids at Skookumchuck Narrows
A detailed map of the Skookumchuck Narrows hike
The meaning of the word “Skookumchuck”
Detailed hiking directions for the Skookumchuck Narrows Trail

Skookumchuck Narrows Basics

Skookumchuck Narrows sits at the entrance to Sechelt Inlet. The narrows and hiking trail are in Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park.

Since the opening to the inlet is so narrow, and the inlet is so big, when the tide changes, a huge volume of water rushes through the narrows, forming whirlpools and rapids.

The water is so powerful that it can flow as fast as 33 kilometres per hour (20mph)! The water level can be up to 2 meters (6’7″) higher on one side of the rapids than the other!

The viewpoints at North Point and Roland Point are popular places for hikers to watch the rapids. But whitewater kayakers and surfers love to play in the rapids during flood tides too. Check out this video of kayaking and surfing at Skookumchuck.

Bring binoculars for close-ups of the whirlpools and rapids. You can also spot lots of wildlife here including eagles, surf scoters, cormorants, and seals. Binos are also helpful for watching the kayakers surf the rapids.

Skookumchcuk Narrows Trail Info

Distance: 8 km return

Elevation Gain: 90 m

Time: 2-2.5 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Season: Year-round

Toilets: There’s an outhouse at the trailhead and another one near the North Point viewpoint.

Dogs: Allowed on-leash

Rules: Since this is a provincial park, alcohol, smoking, vaping, and cannabis are not allowed. While the trail is wide and flat, bikes aren’t allowed.

What Does “Skookumchuck” Mean?

Skookumchuck Narrows is on the traditional territory of the Shíshálh. The word “Skookumchuck” comes from Chinook Jargon, a pidgin indigenous language used as a trade language between indigenous groups and sometimes with European settlers. The language was used on the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Oregon during the 1800s. In Chinook Jargon skookum means strong or powerful, and chuck means water.

Best Times to Hike to Skookumchuck Narrows

The best time to see rapids and whirlpools at Skookumchuck Narrows is when the tide changes and the flow of water switches directions. You can use a tide table to calculate the time in between high and low tides and aim to visit then.

But the easiest way to figure out the best time to hike to Skookumchuck Narrows is to use this handy Skookumchuck Narrows calendar from Sunshine Coast Tourism. It lists the best viewing time(s) for each day along with a prediction on how “big” the whirlpools or rapids will be.

If you want to see whirlpools, hike to Skookumchuck Narrows on an ebb/outgoing/”-” tide. They are best viewed from North Point. If you want to see rapids at Skookumchuck, go on a flood/incoming/”+” tide.

The best times to see the Skookumchuck rapids are often early or late in the day, so don’t forget to bring a flashlight or headlamp in case you are on the trail in the dark!

Skookumchuck best viewing times calendar

Skookumchuck Narrows Map

The Skookumchuck Narrows hike is pretty straightforward, with signs at all the major intersections. But I also made you a custom Google map that shows you the key points along the hike.

Click to open in Google Maps

How to Get to Skookumchuck Narrows

Driving to the Skookumchuck Narrows trailhead is pretty easy. From Sechelt head north on the Sunshine Coast Highway for about 53km.

Turn right onto Egmont Road and follow it for 5km. Look for the Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park sign on the right-hand side near the intersection with Doriston Highway. Total driving time from Sechelt is about 1 hour.

There is lots of angle parking on the gravel shoulder here. You can also park in the Egmont Heritage Centre Museum parking lot across the road. There’s an EV charge station there too!

Click here for Google Maps driving directions.

Skookumchuck Narrows Hiking Directions

The trailhead is located a few meters down Doriston Highway. There’s an outhouse here along with an info kiosk. The first 10 minutes of your hike will be along this gravel road.

There is no public parking or public access to the road, so you have to park in the designated parking area on Egmont Road and walk along Doriston Highway.

From the trailhead, walk along the gravel Doriston Highway to a bridge. On the other side of the bridge, you’ll find the Skookumchuck Bakery and Cafe. It’s open from spring through fall, and I hiked the trail in the winter, so unfortunately I didn’t get to visit.

The bakery was closed on my winter visit to Skookumchuck Narrows

From what I’ve heard, it’s a super-cute little cafe. They have coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches, and everything is made on-site. Plan to stop here on your way back from the hike!

Continue along the gravel road, passing several private residences. The road ends at a large turn-around area with lots of no parking signs. A wide trail heads into the forest straight in front of you. The trail is a former logging road, so it’s quite flat. (In fact, it’s flat enough to push a stroller all the way to North Point.)

The start of the trail where it leaves the gravel road.

Follow the trail through a beautiful forest with lots of sword ferns, moss, and big cedar trees. About 2km from the trailhead, the forest opens up as you approach the shores of Brown Lake. This quiet lake has great reflections on calm days.

Flat forest trail

Brown Lake

Stay on the trail as it curves around the lake and heads back into the forest. The next section has a few ups and downs as the path makes it’s way closer to the coast. You may even be able to hear the roar of the rapids through the trees.

Arrive at a junction about 3.5km from the parking area. Turn left if you want to head to North Point, which is best for whirlpools on an ebb tide.

It’s just another minute to the North Point viewpoint from here. It is on a wide rocky bluff and has two benches. There’s a chainlink fence along the cliff edge for safety. The view of the tiny islands in Skookumchuck Narrows is fabulous. However, you will also get a great view of the gravel mine on the other side of the inlet, and it’s not so pretty.

Views of the whirlpools at ebb tide from North Point

If you want to reach Roland Point, which is best for rapids on a flood tide, go straight at the intersection. If you need to use the toilet, there is an outhouse on the left side of the trail just a few steps past the junction.

The trail from the junction to Roland Point is much rougher, with lots of roots, rocks, and uneven sections. Follow the trail as it descends close to sea level and crosses a small creek, then continues along the coastline above some small cliffs.

The trail to Roland Point gets rougher past the junction

The trail ends at Roland Point, a rock outcropping jutting out into Skookumchuck Narrows. You are right at the water level here, so be careful near the edge. The water here is really clear – look for tons of sea stars and anemones below the surface.

Views from Roland Point during ebb tide (there would be rapids here if I visited at flood tide)

When you have finished enjoying the Skookumchuck rapids and whirlpools at the narrows, retrace your steps back to your car.

So that’s everything you need to know to plan a hike to Skookumchuck Narrows near Egmont on BC’s Sunshine Coast. Do you have questions about the trail or the Skookumchuck Rapids? Let me know in the comments. I’m always happy to help.

READ NEXT:

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How to Snowshoe and Ski at Dakota Ridge on the Sunshine Coast, BC

Taryn Eyton — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 00:39:17 +0000

Dakota Ridge near Sechelt is the best place to cross-country ski or snowshoe on the Sunshine Coast. It’s a community-run ski area with a network of fun trails through the forest.

I lived in Gibsons for one winter. My husband and I bought season’s passes for Dakota Ridge and headed up there weekly to snowshoe. We also took cross-country ski lessons and explored the ski trails a little bit.

I’ve explored all the snowshoe trails in the park, skied the beginner-friendly ones, and driven the snowy road at least a dozen times. That means that I’m able to give you a local’s insider info on everything you need to know to visit Dakota Ridge.

In this post you’ll find:

Dakota Ridge basics including rates, rentals, lessons, weather, and more
Detailed driving directions to the trailhead and what kind of car you need
An overview of the snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails

Dakota Ridge Basics

Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area is a small cross-country ski and snowshoe area near the town of Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia. It is run by the Sunshine Coast Regional District with the help of volunteers who sell tickets, groom the trails, and do ski patrol. There is also a small sledding hill for kids.

Dakota Ridge is on the traditional land of the Shíshálh and Skwxwú7mesh peoples. Each of the trails in the area has both an English and a Coast Salish name. Check them out on the Dakota Ridge Trail Map (below).

Balsam Loop

Ridge Walker

Rates and Passes

You might be wondering, how much does it cost to ski or snowshoe at Dakota Ridge? It’s surprisingly affordable.

Day Pass	Adult	Senior	Youth	Child	Family
Ski	$15	$10	$6	Free	$30
Snowshoe	$8	$8	$4	Free	$16

Dakota Ridge is cash-only and you need exact change. You can pay the volunteers if they are on duty, or self-register at the cash box on the info board.

You can also pre-purchase passes at Alpha Adventures, an outdoor store on Field Road. You’ll pass it on the way to Dakota Ridge. They are also cash-only, but they will give you change.

Seasons passes are also available if you buy before December 31. You need to visit at least nine times to make the pass worthwhile.

Rentals

There are no on-site rentals at Dakota Ridge. But you can rent skis or snowshoes from Alpha Adventures. Book in advance as they do sell out.

Lessons

You can book cross-country ski lessons at Dakota Ridge through Alpha Adventures. I took a half-day lesson with them and it was SO helpful. I definitely learned a lot to improve my technique.

Locals with kids may want to join the Dakota Ridge Nordics. They have kids’ ski lessons every Sunday morning.

Facilities

Warming Hut: There is a small rustic warming hut near the parking lot. It has a wood stove and is volunteer maintained. It is open from dawn until dusk. There are also a couple of picnic tables and ski racks outside the hut.

Food & Drink: There is no food for purchase – you have to bring your own.

Toilet: There is an outhouse near the parking lot and warming hut, but no other facilities. It is usually well-stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer though.

Garbage: There are no garbage cans on site. Please bring everything home with you.

Sledding Hill: There is a small sledding hill next to the warming hut, near the parking lot. It’s not very steep, so it will mostly appeal to younger children. Sledding is included with ski or snowshoe tickets. But you can also use the hill if you pay $6 per car.

The warming hut at Dakota Ridge

Dogs

Dogs are allowed on all snowshoe trails at Dakota Ridge as long as they are under control. They do not have to be on a leash. Dogs are also allowed on the 1.5 km-long Sechelt Main cross-country ski trail. Dogs are not allowed on any other cross-country ski trails.

Dakota Ridge Weather

The trails at Dakota Ridge are at elevations of 1000 to 1160m, which gives the area a mountain climate. It is much colder than sea level, and it is usually windier and snowier too.

There are no Dakota Ridge weather forecasts. However, Dakota Ridge usually has very similar weather to the Cypress Mountain ski resort near Vancouver. It’s at the same elevation and is only 30km away. This mountain weather forecast for Cypress is the best forecast to use for Dakota Ridge. Use the mid-mountain elevation since it’s the closest to Dakota Ridge.

Dakota Ridge Conditions

Volunteers regularly post conditions updates on the official Dakota Ridge Facebook page. These usually include new snowfall, current weather, grooming updates, and road conditions. They post on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and sometimes during the week too. Conditions updates are usually posted between 8 and 10 am.

You can also find user-submitted conditions information, photos, and questions on the Dakota Ridge Facebook group.

There is a conditions board near the warming hut that is updated with each day’s grooming report.

The info board near the warming hut with trail conditions updates

Dakota Ridge Trail Map

The snowshoe and ski trails are easy to navigate, with signs at all junctions. There is also a large trail map at the info board near the warming hut. Below is the official trail map.

Dakota Ridge Trail Map

How to Get to Dakota Ridge

Dakota Ridge is located 14 kilometres up a gravel forest service road. You can drive yourself (if you have an appropriate vehicle – details below) or book a shuttle through Alpha Adventures.

The road is a bit bumpy and steep in places and usually very snowy or icy. If you go slowly and have good winter tires or chains, it’s a fairly easy drive in good conditions. Be sure to pull over to let others pass. Downhill traffic has the right of way.

The road is plowed regularly, but it can still be very slippery. There is a designated chain-up area on the right-hand side of the road just before a bridge about 12km in. But depending on conditions, you may need to find a pull-out lower down and chain up.

The road also passes through active logging areas, so expect to encounter big logging trucks or machinery on any day of the week.

Check conditions online ahead of time to get an idea of what to expect. Or pay attention to vehicles coming down as you’re driving up. If they have chains on, it’s probably time to pull over and put yours on!

What Kind of Car Do You Need?

Official information from the Sunshine Coast Regional District says that you need a 4-wheel drive vehicle with chains to get to Dakota Ridge. In some conditions, that is definitely true. I’ve been up there when it’s been an absolute ice rink, with cars in the ditch.

However, if you have all-wheel drive and chains, you should be fine as long as you are comfortable with winter driving. In good conditions, you don’t need chains at all – we have made it up there with just snow tires and have seen lots of small cars up there too.

Check conditions online before you go, and make conservative decisions. If you get stuck, you’ll be blocking dozens of others trying to go up and down the road!

Driving Directions to Dakota Ridge

From Sechelt, head east on Highway 101 to Field Road. From Gibsons, head west on Highway 101 to Field Road.

Go north (uphill) on Field Road, past the Field Road Plaza (where Alpha Adventures is). Continue to the end of Field Road at a T-junction 1.5km later. Turn right onto the gravel Dakota Ridge Forest Service Road. Continue on the Forest Service Road for 14km. Ignore all side branches. When in doubt, look for signs or follow the road with the most wheel tracks.

The parking area can get busy on sunny weekends. Park close to other cars so there is enough room for everyone.

Click here for google maps driving directions to Dakota Ridge.

Snowshoeing at Dakota Ridge

The viewpoint on Balsam Loop

There are three main snowshoe trails at Dakota Ridge: Eagle Lookout, Balsam Loop, and Ridge Walker. You are not allowed to snowshoe on the cross-country ski trails.

Eagle Lookout: An easy 1.8km loop through the forest. There’s supposed to be a lookout point at the apex of the loop… but I’ve never gotten much of a view from here.

Balsam Loop: An easy/moderate 2.3km loop that visits the best viewpoint at Dakota Ridge. You can look down to the ocean and across to the backside of Mount Elphinstone. You can even glimpse Mount Baker/Koma Kulshan on clear days. The west half heads gradually uphill through a section of beautiful old-growth forest. The east half parallels a cross-country ski trail, then heads up a short, but steep hill. I prefer to do this loop clockwise since the climb is less steep.

Photos from Balsam Loop

Ridge Walker: A moderate 2.8km loop that heads uphill through the forest, then meanders through some clearings that are actually frozen ponds and marshes. This trail branches off from the Balsam Ridge trail at two points, so I usually combine the two. Note: The official map lists this as an “advanced trail” but it’s not difficult – it just heads further into the wilderness than the other snowshoe trails.

Cross-Country Skiing at Dakota Ridge

Skiing on Sechelt Main

Dakota Ridge has over 25 kilometres of cross-country skiing spread across 12 trails. There is a good mix of green, blue, and black trails and lots of loop options. The trails are groomed on most days, including some groomed for skate skiing. Since I’m a beginner, I haven’t skied very many of the trails.

The trails all have signs at each junction, but it can still be a good idea to bring a copy of the trail map (above) to plan your route.

Beginners (like me) should head left from the warming hut onto the Sechelt Main trail. The easy (green) Wren, Chickadee, and Grouse Trails branch off from here. The kids’ learning area is located along this trail too.

More experienced skiers can turn right at the warming hut to explore the blue Squamish Loop and Yellow Cedar Trails. Many skiers also enjoy the backcountry challenge of a long loop route on the Blueberry and Hemlock Trails. There are also a couple of black trails located towards the end of the Sechelt Main trail.

So that’s everything you need to know to cross-country ski, snowshoe, or sled at Dakota Ridge near Sechelt on BC’s Sunshine Coast. Do you have questions? Let me know in the comments. I’m always happy to help.

Sunshine Coast Archives - Dawn Outdoors

Backcountry Huts in British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies

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