The Rover-Landers of BC

Greeting to my fellow Van Island Roverlanders,

I am a recent transplant from Vancouver, WA to Chilliwack. Just joined a BCRovers Club a few months ago.

My family (wife, 3 sons, a mother-in-law and a dog) are planning a week-long vacation with our Class-C 29-foot RV and Disco on Vancouver Island. This will be our first vacation on Vancouver Island. We know of the usual urban tourist spots in Victoria. However, we are also looking to do some RV camping by nice beaches and perhaps some off-roading.... not too rough off-roading as the mother-in-law will be with us.

We have done our research on the Web and there is a plethora of information out there on RV and camping sites. Do you have any personal recommendation on must-see beaches or other outdoor adventures on the Isle?

Any info is much appreciated! Thanks!

How old are your sons? Rathtrevor is the most kid/ RV campsite I know of. Nice beach and great for younger kids (12 under). Up sooke way I would recommend French beach, I'm not rv savey but I know I've seen them at this campsite. Nice camp sites and beach to lounge on. For both these sites I would recommend you call ASAP as they fill up quickly (if not already)

Matt

My sons are 10, 8-1/2 and 6-1/2.

Thanks for the tips! I will check out these sites. Please keep the ideas coming :)

Depends how far you want to go but just a week isn't long. Matt has given the best of answers. Parksville/Qualicum (Rathtrevor Provincial Park) is great east coast of the Island, family oriented, vacation area. (Am I saying that just because we go there every July and have for the last 15 years?) There are other beach RV camping options too, or away from the beach, forested provincial parks like Englishman River PP or Little Qualicum Falls PP also in the Parksville/ Qualicum area. Lots of private spots and there is a big summer RV Campground that I think is the city of Parksville, right on the beach, right downtown. (Rathtrevor is the best if you can get in there, or else camp elsewhere and travel there for daytime activities.)

West Coast secluded RV camping, out past Sooke (French Creek is one) and continue the drive to Port Renfrew and into Lake Cowichan. It is all paved now but a bit slow and more than a few curves. My choice for easy to get to introduction to the west coast and I'd make sure to do the circle route before heading home. (Victoria, Sooke, Port Renfrew, Lake Cowichan, Duncan, Victoria)

Good suggestions Matt.

We like to spend time at Tofino, There are RV sites in the park and outside as well, it's best to check online to see what type of campsite appeals to you.

8) There is also Miricle Beach on the other side of Courtney/Comox. It has a beautifull beach and is very much family oriented. They also have childrens activities and such. There is Brannen Lake RV Resort and Campsite in Nanaimo which I've heard is pretty good and would put you central to Parksville/ Qualicum Beach/ Duncan. There is also Living Forest Oceanside Campground and RV Park just a few K's south of Nanaimo. It has been well written up by it's patrons. Lots of campsites here on our little island of paradise. Hope you have a grand holiday. Cheers
Derek N
'60 S2 88"
:2-3qtrpickup:
"Brutus"

Thanks to everyone for the info!

We checked out the Rathtrevor reservation site and it is all booked up. We ended going with the Paradise RV and Fun Park in Parksville. They have a spot for us on the same weekend when the sand castle building contest will be held. The place will be great for our young sons with easy access to the water park, mini golf and beach.

I will also be doing a business trip this week on the Island. Will be driving from Victoria to Campbell River with a few meetings along the way. I hope to have some free time to do some personal reconnaissance of the places which you mentioned on the east coast.

Thanks again!

acg wrote:... We ended going with the Paradise RV and Fun Park in Parksville. ...

That is right in the thick of things. Great place for mini golf. We have played there often. Walking distance to town and the sandcastles. We are generally in Parksville the sandcastle week. This year we are there July 20 to 27.

Also check out "North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre", "Coombs" (the whole place, "Goats on the Roof" especially) "Butterfly World" Often the "Coombs Rodeo" is around that time as well. "Qualicum Fish Hatchery", "Qualicum Museum", The "Quay" in Port Alberni. "McLeans Mill" in Port Alberni but make sure you get there by taking the train from town. The drive from Port Alberni to Cumberland is a good drive, about 60 km of gravel logging road, but you might be unlucky enough to get half way and find the gate shut, I never have (touch wood). Fishing and sight seeing outings are available from various charter boats. "French Creek Boat Basin". Lots of golf courses! Walk the trails through "Englishman River Park", take your swim gear and the family will love it. "Nanaimo Bath Tub Race", parties and fireworks are about the same time of July. "Saint Michael's Qualicum Annual Rummage sale" is the largest garage sale you've seen and is good to eat up an afternoon, (or all day). "Glass Blowing" demonstration at the studio in Qualicum. Scheduled kids activities "Everyday" at "Rathtrevor Provincial Park". "Nature tours" at Rathtrevor PP. "Kite flying on the beach." Your own or watch others. Good location to watch is at the beach in the park downtown (where the sand castles are).

You are welcome to find some other things as well! LOL We spend a good bit of time doing absolutely nothing but sitting on the beach.

BOOK NOW!!!

Rathtrevor is very nice but it is all "reservable" which means it fills fast. Englishman River has a beautiful trail that takes you to the falls and very chilly swimming hole. Little Qualicum is nice too, but Englishman a tad warmer. Bothe Englishman River falls POark and Little Qualicum Falls have first come spots available as well as reservable. Parksville Park community beach is the nicest on this side of the island. Huge and sandy. Lots of events there as well. If you want to escape "roughing it" Seaside RV resort has a pool and hot tub (ocean view), club house, and is close to town and beach.

Port Alberni has Sproat lake which is dusty but nice. we prefer the Parksville sites.

YOU MUST go to Tofino. It's an experience. First time I saw the beach and waves breaking there it was like seeing God. Just amazing for a former "inland" dweller. Tofino is pricey but worth it, even for just a couple days. Tacofino has awesome Fish Tacos by the way...

Miracle Beach is great. a different kind of beach than Parksville. It's close to Saratoga Speedway which can be a lot of fun. some other neat sites as well. Comox has a great military museum out at the Airport, and the Courtenay museum is a must if you like dinosaurs.

Nanaimo has a lot going on including Bungy jumping. A great seawall and the largest mall on the island. Living Forest Campground is nice. Forested and ocean view spots, an icecream store, and Wifi.


Any specific questions, just ask. I live in Nanaimo

B

Ah I see your booked lol... good. Paradise is pretty good. a bit crowded for me. The week before you make the journey check out

"Harbourliving.ca" for events happening up and down the island

Bill

THANKS to everyone for the great tips.

I had a chance to visit Vancouver Island this week. Meetings in Saanitch, Duncan, Lantzville, Parksville, Courtenay and Campbell River. It gave me a great appreciation for the beautiful place which you live.

We are booked for 4 days in Parksville for the RV. I had a chance to take a quick look at Paradise RV and Parks Sands. We are gong with Park Sands RV as it is easy access to the beack, plus a huge playground for my 3 sons. We will do a day trip to Port Alberni, Tofino and Pacific Rim Park.

We decided on the Beachcomber RV park in Saanichton for another 3 days. We will stage our visits to Victoria and Buchart Gardens from this location.

The entire family is looking forward to the vacation in July. Please give us a thumbs up if you see a red Disco with 2 hapless parents driving around the island amidst the screams of "are we there yet?".

Thanks again!