British Columbia offers some of the most breathtaking camping experiences in North America, where towering mountains meet pristine lakes and ancient forests stretch as far as the eye can see. From coastal beaches where you can fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves to alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers, BC’s camping destinations feel like nature’s own masterpieces. The province’s incredible diversity means you can wake up beside a turquoise glacier-fed lake one day and camp on warm sandy shores the next.
Whether you’re seeking family-friendly spots with full amenities or remote wilderness locations where your closest neighbor might be a curious deer, these destinations showcase the best of what BC has to offer. Here is a list of 20 scenic camping spots that will make your next outdoor adventure unforgettable.
Alice Lake Provincial Park
For over 60 years, families from all around southern BC have been flocking to Alice Lake Provincial Park for summer fun. The park is unique in that four freshwater lakes dominate the scene, providing an abundance of swimming opportunities and lots of hiking in between each lake.
The crystal-clear waters are perfect for cooling off after exploring the mountain bike trails that wind through old-growth forests. Kids love the playground and mini bike park, while parents appreciate being just a short drive from Whistler’s restaurants and shops.
Garibaldi Provincial Park
This alpine wonderland sits like a jewel in the Coast Mountains, where turquoise lakes like Garibaldi Lake reflect snow-capped peaks in their mirror-like surfaces. The backcountry camping here requires some effort to reach, but the payoff is camping beside some of the most photographed landscapes in Canada.
Think of it as nature’s reward system — the harder you work to get there, the more spectacular your bedroom view becomes.
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Golden Ears Provincial Park
Popular for hiking trails and large campsites close to Vancouver, this park feels like a wilderness escape that’s surprisingly accessible. The camping spots are spacious enough that you won’t feel like you’re living in your neighbor’s backyard, and the network of trails leads to everything from peaceful riverside walks to challenging mountain summits.
It’s become a favorite for Vancouver families who want to trade city lights for starlight without driving for hours.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Perfect for beach camping and surfing, this coastal paradise on Vancouver Island offers something completely different from BC’s mountain camping scene. The Long Beach area stretches for miles, giving you plenty of space to set up camp and listen to the Pacific Ocean’s endless symphony.
Imagine falling asleep to the rhythmic crash of waves and waking up to watch surfers catch their first rides of the day.
Wells Gray Provincial Park
Known for waterfalls and serene wilderness, this park feels like stepping into a nature documentary where every corner reveals another stunning cascade. The camping spots are surrounded by dense forest, creating a sense of peaceful isolation that’s hard to find in busier parks.
You’ll find yourself constantly reaching for your camera as you encounter everything from thundering falls to quiet meadows where wildlife comes to drink.
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Cultus Lake Provincial Park
Family-friendly doesn’t even begin to capture how perfect this spot is for creating childhood memories. The warm lake water makes it one of the few places in BC where swimming feels genuinely pleasant rather than like a polar bear challenge.
The camping area buzzes with families enjoying water sports, beach volleyball, and evening campfires where s’mores are practically mandatory.
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
Rathtrevor Beach (great for ocean views) offers something magical during low tide when the beach seems to stretch forever into the distance. The 347-hectare park features a two-kilometre-long stretch of sandy beach, a stand of old-growth Douglas fir trees, and 250 vehicle-accessible and 25 walk-in camping spaces.
The contrast between camping among ancient trees and playing on expansive sandy shores creates an experience that feels both intimate and grand.
Sasquatch Provincial Park
Hicks Lake campground is located just north of Harrison Hot Springs and is part of Sasquatch Provincial Park. Within Sasquatch Provincial Park, there are three main lakes: Hicks Lake, Deer Lake, and Trout Lake.
The park’s name alone gets kids excited about exploring, and the proximity to Harrison Hot Springs means you can combine wilderness camping with a relaxing soak in natural hot springs. It’s like having your adventure cake and eating it too.
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Fintry Provincial Park
Fintry Provincial Park is a very unique park compared to many of BC’s other Provincial Parks and the rest of the parks on our ‘Best Campsites in British Columbia’ list. With a rich history and fascinating geological composition, be sure to give yourself a few days to explore this park in full.
The park combines over 2 kilometers of natural sandy beach waterfront, canyons, and a series of waterfalls and deep pools with historic buildings from the old Fintry Estate, creating a camping experience that’s equal parts natural wonder and living history lesson.
E.C. Manning Provincial Park
This high-elevation camping destination transforms with the seasons, offering wildflower meadows in summer and snow-covered landscapes perfect for winter camping adventures. Manning Park offers family-friendly camping with lots of trails making it an ideal spot for introducing kids to backcountry exploration.
The park sits at an elevation where you can camp above the clouds on clear days, making sunrise views feel like you’re floating in the sky.
Strathcona Provincial Park
The oldest provincial park in British Columbia is on the edge of some rugged, gorgeous wilderness. There are car-accessible sites in the large campground, as well as walk-in sites in the backcountry at Croteau Lake. This park offers the best of both worlds — drive-up convenience for families and remote backcountry options for adventurers seeking solitude.
The ancient forests here have a cathedral-like quality that makes even the most restless campers speak in hushed, reverent tones.
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sẁiẁs Provincial Park
There have been some changes to this popular campground, but the great news is that it is still possible to reserve your piece of waterfront heaven in warm Lake Osoyoos. Located in Canada’s only desert climate, this unique camping experience feels more like Arizona than traditional BC wilderness.
When you’re camping at Haynes Point, cooling off means taking two steps from your tent into the lake because every site is waterfront property.
Shuswap Lake Provincial Park
This large family-friendly campground is located along the shores of beautiful Shuswap Lake, east of Kamloops. The lake’s warm waters and numerous hidden coves make it a houseboat capital, but camping here gives you front-row seats to all the aquatic action without the expense.
The sandy beaches and gentle slopes make it perfect for families with small children who want to experience lakeside camping without worrying about dangerous drop-offs.
Miracle Beach Provincial Park
Up-island, between Courtenay and Campbell River. Family-friendly large campground on spacious & sandy Miracle Beach. True to its name, this beach feels miraculous with its combination of calm ocean swimming, an amphitheater, and an interpretive center.
The kids’ adventure playground keeps little ones entertained while parents can relax and enjoy the ocean views without constant supervision duty.
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Mount Robson Provincial Park
Gateway to the Berg Lake Trail, this park sits in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies’ highest peak, creating camping experiences that feel both humbling and inspiring. The mountain dominates the skyline like a benevolent giant, and on clear days, the peak seems so close you could reach out and touch the glaciers.
Evening light turns Mount Robson into a glowing beacon that makes every sunset feel like a personal show.
Rolley Lake Provincial Park
Situated just 23 km northwest of Mission, BC, is a tranquil destination ideal for RV and tent campers, with 64 well-maintained campsites surrounded by lush second-growth conifers. This smaller lake creates an intimate camping atmosphere where you can paddle from one end to the other in a leisurely afternoon.
The forest surrounding the lake provides that perfect camping soundtrack of rustling leaves and distant bird calls.
Sx̱ótsaqel/Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park
This tongue-twisting name (locals just call it Chilliwack Lake) conceals one of BC’s most stunning alpine camping destinations, where the lake stretches like a blue ribbon between towering peaks. The water stays refreshingly cool even in summer, making it perfect for brave swimmers and excellent for keeping your camp beverages chilled.
The hiking trails here lead to viewpoints that make you feel like you’re standing on top of the world.
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Porteau Cove Provincial Park
Porteau Cove Provincial Park to the north on Highway 99 offers oceanfront camping with a dramatic backdrop of Howe Sound’s fjord-like landscape. The underwater marine park here attracts scuba divers from around the world, but surface dwellers can enjoy watching seals pop their heads up to check out the camping activity.
It’s one of the few places where you can camp beside the ocean while surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park
This Instagram-famous destination requires advance day passes due to its popularity, but the camping experience justifies every bit of planning required. Three of the busiest parks, Garibaldi Provincial Park, Golden Ears Provincial Park, and Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, require special passes because they’re simply too beautiful for theirown good.
The three turquoise lakes create a staircase of stunning alpine scenery that looks almost too perfect to be real.
Barkerville Historic Campgrounds
Step back into the BC Gold Rush days with a stay at one of 2 private campgrounds (Lowhee & Forest Rose) located in Barkerville, an 8-hour drive from Vancouver. This isn’t just camping — it’s time travel with a tent, where the whole family will love exploring the 1,130-acre park that is home to over 100 historic buildings and 200,000 historic artifacts.
Kids can pan for gold during the day and fall asleep dreaming of striking it rich while listening to coyotes howl in the distance.
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Where Wilderness Meets Memory
These camping destinations represent more than just places to pitch a tent — they’re where British Columbia’s wild heart beats strongest and where countless families have discovered that the best entertainment doesn’t require screens or wifi. From the gold rush miners who first explored these valleys to today’s families creating their outdoor traditions, these landscapes continue to shape stories and memories.
The beauty of BC’s camping scene lies not just in its stunning scenery, but in its ability to remind us that sometimes the most profound adventures happen when we simply step outside and sleep under the stars. Whether you’re planning your first camping trip or your fiftieth, these twenty spots prove that in British Columbia, your next great outdoor story is always just one reservation away.
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