The best camping near Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park adventure.

Mountain views, old-growth trees, ocean sunsets, and a wide sandy beach.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

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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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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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Forest Hideaway

1 site · RV, Tent3 acres · Duncan, BC

Hi! We’re your hosts, Seth, Jodie, and Megan Williams. Recently we decided to share our property that we love and have enjoyed so much for two reasons: to give others the opportunity to enjoy it and to put money away for university. Our parents, Mark and Sarah, got behind the vision and are excited to be part of this project with us. We would describe our property as: home…and a really fun place to grow up! Our parents thought that wasn’t descriptive enough for Hipcamp so they’ve helped us describe it more. We live in a quiet neighbourhood in a forest that has been a source of peace, relaxation, and fun for us in our growing up years. We’ve noticed that people who visit here say they feel the same way. With plenty of space for kids to explore and adults to relax, our 3 acre forest is perfect for down time with a book in the hammock or a nature walk before dinner. Amenities and service: A single, tidy campsite with picnic table surrounded by mature and gently manicured forest, as well as a hammock, and a new construction outhouse. (Go dad!) We love hospitality, so though we won’t always be around when you’re here, if we are and you need something you can simply ask and we’ll do our best to provide what you need. To help you feel welcome we provide a fresh, cool jug of drinking water and large container of fresh potable water as well as access to an outside tap to fill water containers if needed (upon request) , power to charge devices (upon request), and a campfire ring with firewood (sorry about the frequent fire bans. Huge bummer. We will post current fire ban status while you’re here.) Surroundings and local attractions: Our property is situated in a low traffic rural residential area within ¬ 3 km to Sandy Pool Regional Park (5 min) A family favourite! ¬ 10 km to the Cowichan Valley Museum (Duncan Totem Tour) (13 min) ¬ 14 km to the Pacific Northwest Raptor Center (15 min) ¬ 19 km to the Hand of Man Museum (20 min) ¬ 20 km to Lake Cowichan (16 min) for swimming, boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc Note: Lake Cowichan is also home to ‘The Tube Shack’ where you can rent tubes to float down the Cowichan River and catch the Tube Shack Bus back to your car. We do it every summer! Fun fact! It’s a 10-minute bike ride from our house to the Cowichan Valley Bike Trail. *(All destinations calculated from our dining table by Google maps) There are multiple well known hikes within 20 minutes (we suggest googling Stoney Hill Trail, Mt Tzouhalem, and Mt. Prevost.)

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Rejeanne's Forest on Salt Spring

3 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · BC

Gorgeous forested 5 acre property at the top of Eagle Ridge with a rugged walking trail throughout our land. See ocean glimpses from our trail, walk to Long Harbour in 20 minutes, drive to Ganges in 4 minutes, or cycle to town in 10 minutes. Enjoy all Salt Spring has to offer, by car, by bike or by bus. Come stay with us!

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Mountainaire Campground and RV Park

86 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Nanaimo, BC

Nestled on a beautiful 40-acre park, our Campground and RV Park provides a relaxed, natural atmosphere perfect for family fun. Conveniently located in the heart of Vancouver Island, just beside the Nanaimo airport (a 5-minute drive) and approximately 20 minutes by car from both ferry terminals connecting to Vancouver. Featuring 30 and 50 amp fully or partial-serviced sites, ample green spaces, and cozy on-site RV Glamping units and cabins tucked away in the woods, Mountainaire is your ideal starting point or departure spot for a Vancouver Island vacation. Enjoy our newly renovated bathrooms, warm showers, and on-site laundromat, along with the added convenience of an onsite store. Take a short hike through the rainforest to the breathtaking Crystal Bowl for activities like river swimming, cliff diving, kayaking, or even crayfish catching with your little ones. Young campers can bike down ramps, play in the playground, and witness the fascinating transformation of tadpoles into western toads (a species at risk). Don’t miss our renowned special events and unwind with a Friday night movie accompanied by free popcorn. PARK AMENITIES: Lots of mature trees, green space and ramps. Bring your bikes. Outdoor playground with loads of fun Convenience store and Arcade Washroom and showers Laundry room Rainforest trail to the Crystal Bowl of Nanaimo River Pond Horseshoe pits Beach volleyball court Outdoor stage

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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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Dashwood Meadows

3 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Qualicum Beach, BC

Welcome to Dashwood Meadows! We are located in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. This is a hobby farm with sheep, mini goats, donkey, dog and cat. We grow berries, plums, cherries, nuts and wildflowers. Child-friendly and family friendly environment. You can walk the labyrinth of forest trails nearby. There is a beach 9 km from the farm. Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, provincial parks, caves, golf courses, children's playgrounds and country markets, all within less than an hour's drive. In Qualicum Beach, you will find amazing sandy beaches, picture-perfect views, world-class biking and hiking trails, salt-tinged ocean air, and the small town charm of our communities. Seeing goats on a roof, exploring underground caves, strolling endless beaches at low tide, and walking among ancient old-growth forests are just some of the experiences you’ll be able to tell your friends about back home.

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Tyee Valley Farm

15 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Courtenay, BC

Join us on our family farm. We are happy to provide winter camping for self contained units at our site. Located a quick 30 minute drive from Mt Washington Alpine Resort and Strathcona Park, let us be your winter stay location. Our second season, we continue to enjoy hosting travelers from all over. Come join us and relax in the forest. Site 1 and 2 are drive-in sites. Site 3 is a tent-only site. Our newest Site 4 is a bit more open also for vans, campers, and tents, and we have a last-minute available Site 5 for vehicle camping. These sites will welcome you to recharge in nature. Dark night skies will open you to all the majesty of our solar system. Each standard campsite has a flat gravel surface suitable for tents, smaller RV's, shorter travel trailers, truck campers, rooftop tents, camper vans, and similar. Site 3 has a tent pad, well suited for cyclists or motorbikes. Small trailers up to 20 feet may be usable, but access may be tight. Please note, that while there is a campfire ban, camp stoves and propane fire pits are permitted. Easy access to Mt Washington and Strathcona Park, local beaches, rivers and more.

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Island Gertie

2 sites · Lodging1 acre · Gabriola Island Trust Area, BC

The Gertie Bus is located a 5 min walk to a beautiful white sand beach (at low tide). There are walking trails all around and lots of beach access. Tucked into the front of our property in the quiet of Gabriola island you’ll find the converted Gertie bus with all the amenities you need. The bus has a gas stovetop/oven, bar fridge and sink with grey water system. Equipped kitchen and sofa area to hang out. The standard queen bed is great for sleeping in and relaxing with that second cup of coffee. Mountain biking, hiking, swimming and whale watching are just steps away. There is beach access across the street through a private park with picnic tables, a very old eagles nest and a private access to a rocky beach perfect for sunsets. The home itself has a pottery studio on the main floor with a full time studio Practice. Give Paige a ring if you’d like a tour, she’s usually working away. Our family lives on the top floor. Outside the bus is are lush veggie gardens, fruit trees and a nice private outdoor dining area. A BBQ and solar lights also help with evening hangouts. Family friendly! Also we love animals but we ask that you clean up after your pet and keep any animals that aren’t so great with kids and other animals on leash. We have a dachshund on the property that is friendly and old ( barks at strangers but is all bark I assure you, he just wants to be friends)

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Riverside Mini Goat & Pony Farm

2 sites · RVs20 acres · Parksville, BC

Enjoy the tranquillity of our 20-acre farm, surrounded by the Little Qualicum River and old-growth forest. We have 2 riverfront campsites that feature their own beach, the remaining 2 sites are along a stunning tree line of old growth forest. These sites offer more shade than our river front sites and are a short walk to the river. Several of our sites can accommodate up to a 40 foot trailer. We are an RV site only as we currently do not offer rest room facilities. They are under construction currently. We will soon be able to offer an our door shower and flush toilets! The farm is a 5-minute walk to the beach, a 5-minute drive to town, as well as 5 minutes to the local golf course. The river has many wonderful places to float along, as well as some incredible swimming holes. It is a favourite place for river fishing during the fishing season. Our farm has mini goats, lambs, pigs, ducks, chickens, cows, turkeys and rabbits. we are happy to take you on a tour upon request. Our farm is on a natural breeding ground for bald eagles so it is near certain that you will see several of them each day. Our campground is for those who appreciate nature, enjoy private campsites, and support local farmers.

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Beautiful Rainforest Camping Along the Cowichan River

28 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · East Sahtlam, BC

In the heart of the Cowichan Valley and along the pristine Cowichan river this breathtaking acreage offers nothing short of an incredible experience. Explore our endless rainforest trails, with multiple beaches, tubing, fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, campfires, volleyball, swimming in the famous Robson pool and kicking back and enjoying nothing but the sound of water and birds.You may catch a glimpse of many of the local resident animals including semi-wild horses.We have 10 campsites available for tent campers. Amenities include a toilet, potable water and a picnic table.Campfires are permitted as long as there is no fire ban, pets are welcomeCowichan River Provincial Park is a 15-minute drive. If it’s outdoor recreation you’re after, Cowichan River is the place to go. Whether you want to go swimming, canoeing, white-water kayaking, tubing, camping, fishing or hiking, or just want to take it easy in the sun, you’re bound to find something to do in this “recreation corridor” south of Duncan.

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3 sisters ranch

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Parksville, BC

Close to all the amenities the Oceanside area of Vancouver Island has offered. Quick access to Parksville, Qualicum, Coombs, The amazing beaches of. Qualicum. Parksville and Rathtrevor 15 and 10 minutes away. 1:45 minutes to Tofino and our amazingly rugged and world renowned West Coast experience surfing amazing scenery. Epic Mountain biking at your doorstep. DH At Hamerfest is a 10 minute drive or a 45 minute pedal away cross country. Fine dining and all amenities including urgent care after riding is only 10 minutes away. Great hub to experience Vancouver Island from. While the fire ban is on, it is generated towards open fires. Propane fire pits and cook stoves are always welcome.

The best camping near Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park guide

Overview

About

Set on an old farm, the 347-hectare Rathtrevor Provincial Park has long been popular as a picnic site and holiday camping area. Families are drawn to the beach with its shallow water and vast, low-tide sandbar, while the playgrounds, bike track, interpretive programs, and easy walking trails are also popular. Over 250 campsites are split between group sites, walk-in tent sites, and drive-in sites, all of which offer basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hot showers. Rathtrevor Provincial Park is situated within the traditional territory of the Pentlach Band of the Coast Salish people.

Notable campgrounds

Best for big groups: The group sites are close to the showers and have a picnic shelter and dishwashing station.
Best for quiet: The Loop Campground is on the far edge of the park, away from most playgrounds and amenities.
Best for tents: The walk-in site is in a grassy field and has a nearby dishwashing station.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Reservations are available through BC Parks’ Discover Camping website and are required for all campsites from May 15 through September.
If visiting weekends or holidays (think Canada Day, BC Day, or Labour Day), you’ll want to secure a spot as far in advance of your trip as possible.
During the off-season from September to May, all campsites are first-come, first-served. These are easiest to get mid-week if you show up right after check-out time (11am).

When to go

Rathtrevor Provincial Park is open for camping year-round, though some services are unavailable outside of the regular May to October season. For the warmest water, visit in July or August (though this will also be the busiest time in the park).

Know before you go

This park is barrier-free, with wheelchair access to campsites, showers, the beach, and some walking trails.
The nearby communities of Parksville and Qualicum offer museums, shops, and restaurants.