Camping on Vancouver Island
British Columbia is an indisputable paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors. And many British Columbians think camping on Vancouver Island is the ultimate outdoor experience in their province.
If camping on Vancouver Island intrigues you, there's a unique book you absolutely must own: Camp Free in B.C. It offers precise directions to hundreds of free campgrounds throughout British Columbia, including those on Vancouver Island.
41 pages of Camp Free in B.C. are devoted to camping on Vancouver Island. The book conveniently divides the Island into the 13 areas you're most likely to visit: Victoria to Port Renfrew, Port Renfrew to Cowichan Lake, Cowichan Lake, South of Port Alberni, West of Port Alberni, West of Campbell River, West of Strathcona Park, Northwest of Campbell River, Northwest of Sayward Junction, South of Woss, Woss to Port McNeill, Southwest of Port McNeill, and North of Port Hardy.
Long, spectacular lakes afford a wealth of recreation when you're camping on Vancouver Island. It's definitely worth a special trip to visit the campgrounds that Camp Free in B.C. says are vacation destinations. Others don't justify a journey all the way from the Mainland, but they're fine if you're already traveling the Island.
Before planning a trip specifically to go camping on Vancouver Island, bear in mind...
- There are more pay campgrounds on the Island than in any other region of British Columbia. That's because vandalism and partying are prevalent. Many campgrounds near towns used to be free but now charge fees. This revenue is essential, they say, to cover the cost of caretakers to keep the peace and to pay for maintenance required after rowdies get out of hand.
- The Island has been clearcut mercilessly. Witnessing this is upsetting yet instructive. It's a powerful reminder to conserve the world's few remaining ancient forests. Still, cutblocks are not visible from every campground on the Island. Beauty remains abundant and readily available here, though not to the same awesome extent as in the Mainland's numerous, world-class mountain ranges.
Go to http://www.hikingcamping.com/camp-free-bc.php to learn more about Camp Free in B.C., the source for everything you need to know about free camping on Vancouver Island.