Vancouver Island

Ted

Ted

Magellan
Site Team
Joined
Dec 27, 2006
Messages
2,781
Location
East of Sacramento
Good people,

We are planning to do a road trip to Vancouver Island next summer. Will probably have 5-7 days on the island itself. Doing some reading but would like to hear from anyone with first hand knowledge.

We know this is the high season. Is boon docking an option at all? If not, how early should we make campground reservations? They start taking reservations 6 months in advance. For many places here in California the reservations can be filled withing days of that advance. Is it similar for V.I.?

Whales, bears, and natural beauty are what we are after. Any particular locations or must see spots for those?

Thanks in advance. Ted
 
Ted, I don’t have answers about boondocking or reservations. We have stayed at the RV park at Telegraph Cove where you can go on whale and bear watching tours, but typically stay on our boat in the Broughton Archipelago. Do leave your car at Port McNeill and take the ferry to Alert Bay, then walk down to the Umista Centre (https://www.umista.ca). It is well worth the visit. Fantastic First Nation artifacts that were confiscated by the government, and are now being returned to the people. Active carving is ongoing there as well.
 
PART 1

One of the great things about The Island is the abundance of logging roads giving loads of recreation access to lakes, dirtbiking etc. The kicker is, thanks to the long ago E&N Railway grant, the public was sold out and currently lockout out of huge tracks of land. You'll find gates across most of the south island and much of the east, up to mid island. Sometimes the gates are open, sometimes not.

We've never done reservations. Or many Parks CGs in the south Island. I expect some get very busy.

Whale watching is a big tourist attraction out of Victoria. Never done it myself. But might one day if it (and the Orcas) are still around
https://globalnews.ca/news/4640383/washington-state-whale-watching-boat-ban/
 
Part 2

If you go to that Cultural Centre WS posted, try to go when there is a Traditional Dance. Would be more worthwhile.

That area is North Island and a long drive from Victoria, so you'll have to pick and choose where to go.
 
This isn't about camping spots exactly, but if you end up in Tofino, hit up Sobo's for the cornbread! Also Wildside Grill for lunch. Caveat it is a summer destination ( I was there in April ) and judging from the website it looks like Sobo's has gotten a ilttle fancy-ish. But 8 years later I'm still thinking about Sobo's cornbread with their soup! Lots of nature activities in that area. Saw a lot of eagles!
 
I have one of those cans, but from the Scepter gas can description: "Triple handle design allows you to carry 2 cans per hand." With fuel? Ummm, not my hands. :)
 
Hey Vic

Do you know anywhere that sells similar cans but for water.....and not $80 ?

What other treasures does Princess Auto hold ?

Thanks

David Graves
 
Ted said:
Good people,

We are planning to do a road trip to Vancouver Island next summer. Will probably have 5-7 days on the island itself. Doing some reading but would like to hear from anyone with first hand knowledge.

We know this is the high season. Is boon docking an option at all? If not, how early should we make campground reservations? They start taking reservations 6 months in advance. For many places here in California the reservations can be filled withing days of that advance. Is it similar for V.I.?

Whales, bears, and natural beauty are what we are after. Any particular locations or must see spots for those?

Thanks in advance. Ted
Click to expand...
Ted, I have been there many times, and lived in Comox for a few. Visit Long Beach if you can but reserve early and be aware that the weather can be hit and miss in that area. All the ideas in answer to your post are good and remember Gas is more expensive, though California prices are dear. Also when you do decide on dates reserve your Ferry to the Island also especially if its a weekend.
Cheers
 
If you pass by Bellingham on the way north, you can camp at our place for free. We used to have a campground before we were shut down by neighbors but we can have friends stay. It is nothing fancy, just a quiet place to park with a porta potty. Just PM me if this appeals to you.
 
Go on out to Scott Cove at the tip of Vancouver Island. You can visit Port Alice - fishing village. Also a trip to Alert Bay - great Kwakiutle cultural & totem park. Take hwy 19A vs Island Highway. Quatse River Fish Hatchery in Port Hardy has a campground and a science center. There's good wildlife and whale watching out of Telegraph Cove.
We spent almost 25 summers going up the BC coast. Lots of fond memories.
 
If you like to fish that campground on the Quatse River is a great spot when the salmon are running.
I think about 12+ sites are on the river.
Fun place.Great to watch the black bears catch the salmon.
Camped there a few nights.
Frank
 
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