Summertime is all about being outdoors. What better way to enjoy it than with a camping adventure? Soak in nature, enjoy relaxing summer days, and leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind while you spend a few days or weeks in a tent, van, boat, or RV.
The Sunshine Coast has access to beautiful outdoor locations, great summer weather, and a plethora of options for camping/outdoor adventuring. This includes a mix of small cabins, glamping tents, RV parks, and campsites. You can find them tucked back into the woods, dotting the coast, or deep into rugged terrain where you are truly off grid.
There are marine access only sites dedicated to kayakers and boaters. Alpine huts provide sheltered stays for those who love hiking excursions through the rugged terrain of the back country. Many serviced RV parks are located close to communities for those that want to have access to restaurants and shops. There are family-friendly provincial parks, private campgrounds, and plenty of provincial and regional recreation sites for you to enjoy your summer vacation.
The North Coast offers A-frame cabins in the woods at Rocky Valley Resort on Texada Island or campsites at Shelter Point Regional Park. SunLund has both an RV park and cabins in Lund. Seabreeze Resort has room for RVs, as well as camping sites. If you are looking for a place that is close to the city but still surrounded by trees, oceanside camping and RVing are available at Willingdon Beach Campsite in the heart of Powell River. Desolation Sound Marine Park has more than 60 km of shoreline and is water access only. There are places to camp for kayakers who visit, along with boat anchorage.
The South Coast has camping and modern rustic cabins at Strongwater in Egmont. Quaint cabins and glamping tents are found at Ruby Lake Resort. Unique geodesic domes are available at both The Backeddy in Egmont and Stay Wilder in Sechelt. The Garden Bay RV Resort has full-service RV sites as well as campsites, along with the necessary amenities.
While road trips and outdoor living conjure up the feeling of freedom, it’s also good to be prepared so you can let the fun happen. If you are set on your dates and a particular vacation site, then it is wise to reserve it beforehand. Some places save room for ‘freedom campers,’ but the spots can fill up quickly.
Stay informed about the weather and area wildfires. The Sunshine Coast can have long stretches of dry, hot weather that may cause wildfires, so summer campfire bans are common. Make sure you are clear on restrictions before you set out on your vacation. If your vacation dates fall on a wet week (rare, but it can happen) you can still have an amazing time, as long as you have your wet weather gear. It might even be more romantic?
Also remember, you’re not the only one looking to have an amazing time on your vacation. Be respectful of those around you, of the nature that you are visiting and the animals that may come across your path. While semi-rural campsites and parks have garbage containers available; the backcountry and wilderness areas do not. Pack out what you pack in. Whatever food you have packed in, make sure to be bear aware. Keep food away from your campsite and use bear caches or hang food from a tree that is inaccessible to bears.
The Sunshine Coast is filled with lots of choice for your next outdoor adventure this summer. Grab your cooler, food, drinks, and sleeping gear and get outside to enjoy the beauty of nature, the warmth of the sun, and your best person (or persons) to do it with. Wherever you find to lay your head at night, the Sunshine Coast will have the perfect place for your summer dreams.
