Canada turned 150 on July 1st, and we feel there’s no better time to sing the praises about one of Canada’s most beautiful, and varied provinces, British Columbia. BC is Canada’s westernmost province, and is an ideal playground all year-round. From skiing and cozy getaways in the winter, to all of the hiking, biking and outdoor adventures you can imagine in the summer, British Columbia is the ideal destination for any RVer who wants to live life to the fullest, while basking in beautiful scenery and enjoying some of the finest food and drink Canada has to offer.
Here’s our look at 5 must-visit destinations in beautiful British Columbia.
1. Haida Gwaii
Haida Gwaii, formerly known as The Queen Charlotte Islands, is located off of the North Coast of BC, and is one of Canada’s most scenic and idyllic locations. You will have to take a ferry from the mainland, but the extra steps are worth it. From sweeping oceanside views to incredibly tall, green and ancient forests, Haida Gwaii is the ideal spot to reconnect with nature. Haida Gwaii is also home to the Haida people, world renowned for their incredible art and rich culture. Enjoy beachside walks, fishing, canoe and kayak trips, and the famous “Blow Hole Boardwalk”.
Where to park your RV: Hidden Island Camping & RV Resort. With private, treed lots, showers, laundry and full hookups, Hidden Island is your ideal basecamp for all of the adventures that await on Haida Gwaii.
2. Whistler
Located a short-but-scenic two hour drive from Vancouver, Whistler is best known for it’s world class skiing and snowboarding. However during the spring, summer and fall camping season, Whistler makes for an ideal getaway full of magnificent mountains, outdoor adventures and top notch dining. Go for a ride on the incredible PEAK 2 PEAK gondola, fly high on a zip line or book a tee time on one of Whistler’s immaculate golf courses. See why the gorgeous locale is a favorite getaway for any outdoors enthusiast in BC’s Lower Mainland.
Where to park your RV: Riverside Resort – Whistler. Riverside Resort sits on 40 acres of nature in the heart of the mountains. There are shuttles running to shopping and dining destinations so you don’t have to break camp to explore, and it also features full and partial service sites, with laundry and heated washrooms.
3. Osoyoos
While British Columbia might call to mind huge mountains and forests, glaciers and roaring rivers, it’s also home to the Okanagan Valley, which at times almost feels like the hot climates of the Southwestern deserts of the United States. Osoyoos Lake is considered the warmest lake in Canada, and the entire region is teeming with lakes and bodies of water ideal for waterskiing, fishing, boating and any water-based outdoor adventure. It’s also officially the hottest place in Canada, which makes it ideal for fruit farms and wineries. Eat, drink and relax like royalty, all while enjoying glorious summer heat in a beautiful setting.
Where to park your RV: NK’MIP Campground & RV Park. NK’MIP is one of the largest RV parks in the Okanagan area, and offers full service hookups inside of a warm and friendly environment. The entire park has free WiFi and some sites even have their own phone hookups.
4. Penticton
Penticton is the hub of BC’s wine country, with over 120 wineries within an hours drive of the town. It’s also the fruit capital of British Columbia, going so far as to host the Penticton Peach Festival. The Penticton climate is classic Okanagan, hot and dry in the summer, enabling you to stay in shorts and t-shirts over your entire trip. Not as full of traffic and activity as places like Kelowna and Kamloops, Penticton is perfect for a quiet getaway in the Okanagan Valley.
Where to park your RV: Park Royal RV Park. With modern amenities like no-fee showers, WiFi, full hookup and large, pull-through sites, Park Royal makes for a perfect stopover or basecamp for Okanagan adventures. It’s located very close to the lake where you can swim, tan and sun just minutes away from your unit.
5. Revelstoke
Looking for a mountain adventure worthy of the pages National Geographic? Then Revelstoke is the destination for you. Featuring hundreds of miles of hiking trails, rock climbing and mountaineering opportunities, treetop high-rope adventures, dirt biking areas and some of the world’s best fly fishing, Revelstoke (known as “Revvy” to locals) is the playground of dreams for the active RVer. Revelstoke is also home to Mt. Begbie Brewing, one of the British Columbia’s premier craft breweries. Waking up in the mountains and evergreens, going on an adventure and relaxing with a hearty meal and a delicious pint is all in a day’s work in Revelstoke.
Where to park your RV: Williamson’s Lake Campground. Williamson’s Lake Campground is home to over 50 sites, ideal for both tenting and RVing. Like most of BC’s top of the line campgrounds, it offers full site hookups, WiFi, and laundry. It also boasts a mini golf course, canoe and paddleboard rentals as well as concessions.
A tip if you’re RV’ing in BC. Did you know that you can find more information on many BC campgrounds and even reserve sites from a single website? Head over to Travel British Columbia’s campground portal for more information.
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