Camping in British Columbia with wildlife watching

A vast wilderness of mountains, backcountry trails, temperate rainforests, and a sprawling waterfront.

94% (4000 reviews)
94% (4000 reviews)

Popular camping styles for British Columbia

Community favorites in British Columbia

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Under $50

12 top campgrounds in British Columbia with wildlife watching

93%
(177)

Tiny Secrets Farm & Retreat

16 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Halfmoon Bay, BC
Tiny Secrets Farm & Retreat is an Award-winning Glamping Nature Retreat. We are centrally located on the Sunshine Coast (only a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay) on a spectacular 10-acre ocean-view property. We run a small, organic farm and host guests in intriguing tiny homes and glamping tents. We have everything from a converted schoolie with a woodstove and an ocean view, furnished RV's with large decks, to gorgeous, furnished campsites in the woods. Check out our micro cabins, RV's, and assortment of glamping tents. Our property is a nature oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Just 20 minutes north of Sechelt, we're close to beaches and lakes. Enjoy our recreation area with a large pond (much smaller in the summertime), our small playground for young kids, and our small orchard with several small ponds. Explore our walking trails, visit our chickens, or sit near our seasonal waterfall. There are many spots on the property to sit and chill. We've also been Airbnb hosts for over 13 years.
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CA$34
 / night
74%
(70)

Golden Riverfront Campground

110 sites · RVs, Tents400 acres · Golden, BC
Golden Riverfront Campground offers a gateway to the wild beauty of British Columbia in a truly immersive experience. Spread over 400 scenic acres in Golden, BC, the campground is nestled near six stunning national parks, making it a prime base for outdoor enthusiasts. This campground brings you closer to nature with thoughtful, eco-friendly amenities designed to balance comfort with the great outdoors. Guests can choose from 56 RV sites with electric and water hookups, a range of tent sites, and a few cozy yurts. Each campsite is designed to respect the natural landscape, ensuring privacy and space, with features like picnic tables and fire pits for evening gatherings under the stars. The campground's convenience store is stocked with groceries, firewood, and camping essentials to enhance your stay. Golden Riverfront Campground provides direct access to the Columbia River, where guests can explore serene waters through kayaking, canoeing, or fishing, and even enjoy a swim on a warm day. The unique, eco-friendly pond, fed by the Columbia River, adds a tranquil touch and serves as a habitat for local wildlife, offering guests a rare chance to connect with nature. Beyond camping, the campground’s two-story event pavilion—with its commercial kitchen and games room—offers a versatile venue for celebrations, weddings, and gatherings, providing a memorable backdrop against the Columbia Valley's dramatic landscapes. Families and groups can gather here in harmony with the surrounding environment, creating lasting memories while minimizing their ecological footprint. Whether you’re an adventurer ready to explore BC's trails or a nature lover seeking peace by the water, Golden Riverfront Campground offers an authentic, eco-conscious retreat. Escape to a place where nature meets comfort and let British Columbia’s landscapes be the heart of your journey.
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CA$42
 / night
93%
(287)

Back Forty Vineyards

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Peachland, BC
Come camp on a 40-acre parcel backing onto crown land mountains and wake up in front of 10 acres of vineyard and a view of Okanagan Lake! There is a small cabin and two camp sites to choose from. Outhouse on the property, which is just a pit toilet. It is a working farm so will likely have various equipment around at times as well as workers at certain times of the year. You’ll likely meet our very friendly and very energetic Bernedoodle, Bernie. If you prefer to keep him out of your campsite just let us know and we can keep him closer. Otherwise, he thinks he has the run of the place! Please check to see if campfires are allowed (live in a high-risk fire zone) and firewood is available with an extra charge. If you need anything to better enjoy your stay, just let us know! Our property is located in Peachland, BC. Positioned midway between Kelowna and Pentiction, it is the perfect location to draw from both population centres and is well-positioned to act as a hub for popular wine and other agri-tourism activities. Peachland is within easy reach of over 200 estate wineries and microbreweries.
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CA$40
 / night
99%
(111)

Living Large on Chilliwack River

7 sites · Tents2 acres · Chilliwack, BC
Enjoy the beautiful acres right on the Chilliwack River! A wonderful family-friendly (including pets!) getaway with endless activities nearby. Our campsite is available in the spring and summer and is just 20 minutes from the city of Chilliwack, BC. We provide a fire pit and campfires are allowed as long as there is no fire ban. The sites are quite private but there will be other campers nearby. We try to keep a large amount of space between sites and some are separated by trees. We are a walk in tent only site- parking is very close, 30 second walk. We can also provide access to electricity so you can charge your phones or other devices if needed. There is no cell reception, but we do have wifi. Potable water is available. We supply natural spring water but you must bring your own jug. We live in an adventure playground! Activities nearby include hiking, white rapid river rafting, fishing, watching bald eagles, Cultus Lake water slides and adventure park, mountain biking, and more! The stargazing at night is beautiful as there is no light pollution here. We look forward to hosting you!
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CA$55
 / night
98%
(210)

theDoighouse Earthship

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Qualicum Bay, BC
Welcome to theDoighouse Earthship, an eco-retreat nestled in the forest, minutes from Qualicum Bay waterfront. Our location is a haven for adventurers and peace-seekers alike, offering easy access to the natural wonders of Vancouver Island. An hour north of Nanaimo, our property is an ideal base for day trips to Hornby, Denman, and Lasqueti Islands. Many of our guests stop here for a night or two on their way to and from the mainland to Ucluelet or Tofino for world-class surfing, or if skiing is your calling, Mount Washington is just a 45-minute drive away. Spend time discovering forest trails, a children's playground, and a bike park here in our neighbourhood. Lighthouse Country area teems with opportunities for exploration, from pristine beaches, including Sunny Beach and scenic Spider and Horne Lakes. Or if you climb, consider the Horne Lake Caves! If you're into hiking, use your All Trails App to discover the Lighthouse Country Trail (at our doorstep), including the Wilson Woodlot and Lost Runners Trails. Urban legend has it that the running shoes were lost, not the people wearing them! You can pitch your tent in our gardens, park your RV on the forest's edge, or stay in our cozy tiny cabins. Wander our gardens and check out a young permaculture food forest filled with fruit and hazelnut trees, berries, and good stuff! Have you ever imagined a house built from tires, dirt, pop cans and glass bottles? Our Earthship, currently under construction, is all about exploring a low-impact lifestyle, off-grid living in an energy-efficient dwelling built from recycled materials. Love for the planet and people and sharing of abundance make this project come alive, and why we don’t increase our rates for holidays and long weekends. Book a private Earthship tour where Tony will spend a couple of hours with you, sharing theDoighouse project and answering any and all questions you may have. We also offer workshops and other onsite activities. For more info, check out our website: www.thedoighouse.com/ On arrival, you will be greeted by Bentley (our standard poodle), Mabel (mouser extraordinaire) Come visit, tour, and stay. Susan and Tony Doig
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CA$35
 / night
99%
(339)

Blacksmith Landing Eco Camp

31 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Canal Flats, BC
Hosted by Berny and Stuart Moore, Blacksmith Landing Eco Camp is nestled in the majestic Rocky Mountain Trench in Southeastern BC, just a short drive from Lussier natural hot springs, hiking, boating, canoeing, golfing, breathtaking WhiteSwan Lake, Premier Lake, Findlay Falls and the Kootenay and Columbia rivers. Many people ask..”How far are we from Banff…2 hours of a beautiful drive that includes kootenay national park. Blacksmith Landing is a safe, spacious and peaceful camp where minimal environmental impact is encouraged. We are faithful stewards and respect our beautiful forested lands and animals Our expectation is that campers will also share this respect for our Eco systems in an environmentally friendly way. As we take this Hipcamp journey together, we are finding little things we can do to make your stay better…Like offering a complimentary table at your site should you require one…. or adjusting the site you booked to one that would perhaps fit your needs much better as we know it’s difficult to choose a perfect site on line. If you forgot something, we probably have one…. Feel free to ask.
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CA$35
 / night
92%
(269)

Hayward Farms

7 sites · Tents7 acres · Mission, BC
We have a 7 acre developing hobby farm currently with fruit trees, a garden, some chickens, a shepherd named Jack and a few cats. Our property backs onto Hayward Lake which is great for paddle boarding, kayaking and swimming. There are hiking trails to Ruskin Dam and around Hayward Lake. You can also enjoy fishing/floating across the street at the Stave River. You can also take a short drive (5 minutes) over the Ruskin Dam where there is a parking lot and a well groomed trail which takes you to a sandy beach area…perfect for children. Just be sure to get there early to secure a spot. Rolley Lake is also nearby…about a 10 minute drive, which is also great for having a picnic, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding. It has a large designated swimming area too. A little further, at the North end of Hayward Lake is Hayward Park. This is another perfect picnic area with a large sandy beach area and designated swimming area. There are change rooms, showers and bathrooms. Lifeguards are on duty. Please get there early to get a spot. 2 km down Hayward Street, headed south, is a Starbucks as well as a few gas stations, Subway, Triple O’s and a Beer and Wine Store. Mission City is a 10 minute drive from our property. Please note that the trails to the lake from our property are not OUR trails and we are not responsible for grooming them. They are in fairly good condition and is a forest hike. The hike to the lake is about a 5 minute walk. There is one steep section so please make sure you wear proper footwear. The water access is from the shore. There is no beach at this location. You simply access the lake and either swim or relax on your floatation devices. Our driveway is a narrow, winding, uphill, gravel driveway that is 3/4 km long. It does have a few potholes (which we maintain annually). There are a few hairpin corners which can make it difficult for inexperienced drivers and for larger vehicles. Four-wheel drive is recommended, but not necessary. Take the corners wide and avoid cutting the corners too tightly. Avoid stopping on the driveway and just go slow and steady. We have 7 campsites to choose from, we hope that you enjoy your stay! Site 1 - Is located on one of the deep, hairpin corners of the driveway. This is a future glamp site location. This site faces the Stave River (west) where you have gorgeous sunsets. Site 2 - Is located above Site 1 at the next hairpin corner of the driveway (about 300 feet away), also facing west. This is also a future glamp site location. PLEASE NOTE THAT SITES 1 AND 2 ARE JUST OFF OUR DRIVEWAY, SO PLEASE EXPECT SOME MINOR TRAFFIC. THESE SITES HAVE A ROUGH TOILET SYSTEM - 5 GALLON BUCKET WITH WOOD SHAVINGS AND SNAP ON TOILET LID. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN TOILET PAPER. Site 3 - Our WEE LITTLE CAMPSITE. This is our smallest campsite. It too is located on our driveway; just adjacent to the driveway. Late spring and early fall you get beautiful sunsets. This site is good for 2 adults only (NO KIDS). It is located just above a large downhill slope. It too has a Rough toilet system / compost toilet. Again, because it is on our driveway please expect some occasional traffic passing by. We can make arrangements for you to park your vehicle elsewhere if you find the site is too tight…just send us a message. Site 4 - Is a field site located at the top of the driveway, immediately to the right. This is currently our largest campsite. It is a good spot for larger groups. Has a compost toilet as indicated above. Again - bring your own toilet paper. Site 5 - Is located at the top of the property behind the stables. It shares a pit toilet with Site 6 which is nearby. Please bring your own toilet paper. Sites 5 and 6 are perfect to book together if you have a larger group. Site 6 - Is located at the top of the property, behind the stables. It shares a pit toilet with site 5, which is nearby. BRING YOUR OWN TOILET PAPER. These two campsites are perfect for larger groups. These two campsites are closest to the trail that leads to the lake. Please note that the trail is not our property and belongs to BC Hydro. Some of our other campers may be walking through to access the trail. Note that sites 4, 5 and 6 are in proximity to our neighbours house, however there are a number of trees that do block the view to the neighbours house. OVERFLOW SITE - This site is reserved typically for campers with small children as it is located in our fenced in yard. No pets are allowed in this area. This has a compost toilet so please bring your own toilet paper. Note that we get our water from our shallow well. This well typically runs dry in the summer months, so we do not have drinking water available. We do have non-drinking water available at the house which is good for washing dishes if needed. However it is best that you bring your own drinking water. We do have plans for a more permanent water system in the future. Given that we are a small hobby farm we do have some chickens and a rooster. The neighbours also have a rooster so do expect to hear them early in the morning…this is part of the camping experience. We are also about 5 km from the train tracks and you will hear the trains occasionally at night. Note that we do not allow smoking on our property simply to avoid the possibility of a forest fire. We do have two sit-on kayaks to rent if interested. If at any time you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us! We hope you enjoy your stay!
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CA$45
 / night
97%
(74)

Peacock Camping (Vancouver Island)

1 site · RV, Tent5 acres · Black Creek, BC
Learn more about this land:We are located on a beautiful farm with lots of animals to see! Our property is in Black Creek, BC. We have one private site available for tent and RV/trailer campers. The site is level and grassy and it can accommodate vehicles up to 30ft in length. We provide a picnic table, wifi, and potable water. Campfires are permitted when there is no fire ban.Black Creek is a small town located on the eastern shore of North Central Vancouver Island, home to stunning beaches and outdoor recreation. At nearby Saratoga Beach, the tide goes out for over a quarter of a mile, creating a hard-packed oceanfront playground perfect for children to safely explore. Miracle Provincial Park is close by with a picnic area overlooking the water and a series of lovely trails winding through lush forest. You can visit the Oyster River Hatchery, check out the seals and sea lions in Seal Bay Regional Park, do some saltwater fishing for salmon, or even rent a go-cart and race around the Saratoga Speedway, or just watch others do it.
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CA$40
 / night
95%
(91)

Surrounded by Nature!

3 sites · RVs2 acres · Victoria, BC
Please note: we can only accommodate RV's, no tents, roof top tents, or car camping. You need to be fully self contained as there are no bathroom facilities and no nature pees! We are situated on 2 private acres completely surrounded by Elk Lake Regional Park. There are 3 generations of family living here as well as 2 dogs, a one-eyed cat, and chickens! Our campsite is in a beautiful location situated 20 minutes from the Swartz Bay Ferry terminal and downtown Victoria. Access to great hiking just out your door at Elk Lake Regional Park (a 5 min walk to the beach for a swim, paddle, or fish at the nearby fishing dock) and Bear Hill Regional Park (20 min hike through fir and arbutus trees with beautiful views of the peninsula from the top). 10 minutes to Butchart gardens, with Butterfly Garden on the way. Ideal spot for campers looking to stay 1-2 nights. Great as a stopover to Tofino. Perfect for couples or groups of two, with a maximum of 4 campers. There are many wonderful farms and stands, wineries, coffee shops, and restaurants close by. Your site is a semi-private flat gravel area surrounded by fir trees. Easy access and plenty of turnaround room.
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CA$35
 / night
99%
(47)

Nile Point - Oceanfront Camping

5 sites · Lodging, Tents20 acres · Sunshine Coast, BC
Hi, my name is Dave. My family and I would like to welcome you to Nile Point, a secluded campsite located on 20 acres of privately owned, oceanfront property on Nelson Island, BC. I consider it the closest thing to paradise. The first you'll need to know about this property is that it's only accessible by boat. This is what makes the campsite so secluded and peaceful. Transportation to and from the island is included with your stay. The stunning 15 minute boat ride to and from Nile Point is one of the many things that makes this a truly unique experience. The second thing you'll need to know is that we offer TWO SITES on the property, a 10x16 TENT PLATFORM and a OCEANFRONT CANVAS TENT WITH ENSUITE (NEW!) with king size bed, in-tent ensuite bathroom and fully stocked outdoor kitchen with potable water, bar fridge and BBQ We have one canoe, one one-person kayak, and a paddleboard. Bring your own water exploring devices if you wish. Our beach is rocky (it ain't a sandy beach!), so bring your good water/rock shoes! This is a great place to stay and explore if you love the wild. It's off the grid, so if you want to unplug from devices and do nothing but relax or play in the ocean and explore the forest, it's perfect. That said, there is cell reception should you need it and a solar charger if you need to charge your devices. There's free parking at the pickup/drop off location in Egmont. Egmont offers a pub, a fancy restaurant, and a charming convenience store with wi-fi. We can take you in to town during your stay for an additional charge. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have about the property. We hope to see you this summer! Dave
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CA$126
 / night
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in British Columbia with wildlife watching guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping in Canada! If you're a wildlife enthusiast, you're in luck. We have over 1,100 options for camping and wildlife watching in beautiful British Columbia. Whether you prefer the lush forests or the stunning mountains, we've got you covered. With campsites like Hayward Farms (79 reviews), Back Forty Vineyards (64 reviews), and Dashwood Meadows (56 reviews), you can trust that you're getting the best experience. Plus, you'll find popular facilities like toilets, pet-friendly areas, and potable water to make your stay comfortable. And don't worry about breaking the bank, with options as low as $12 per night and an average price of $40, camping in British Columbia has never been more affordable. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable wildlife adventure!

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