Camping on Salt Spring Island BC is one of the most popular things to do on this gorgeous island. There is potable water, pit toilets, fire rings, some great hiking trails and a popular disc golf course. Park at the office (part gallery, part nursery) to obtain a map of the labyrinth of letters and numbers indicating the campsites. If you are looking to rent a car in Vancouver, we highly recommend Discover Cars. 1136 North End Road
There are no straight lines at this terraced campground carved into the hillside. Unfortunately, your browser is outdated. If you have any concerns, you can always message your chosen Salt Spring Island campground ahead of time to make sure they can accommodate you. Three sites are reservable for groups, and there's a day use area for day-trippers and picnickers. V8K 1M1
Reservations recommended. Seals keep an eye on things, while seagulls, eagles, and ravens contribute their voices to the general cacophony of birdsong. showers), Mowhinna Creek Campground provides a good combination. Meanwhile, this amazing safari tent includes a queen bed, private garden, deluxe outhouse, kitchen, propane stove, outdoor terrace and BBQ. Address: 305 Rainbow Road, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Official site: https://www.gardenfaire.ca/. Extended stay bookings at reduced rates will not be begin again until November 1. Look for the sign that says Beaver Point Wharf and explains how early Salt Springers paddled to Victoria for supplies. Cedar Beach Resort is open year-round and they also host group gatherings and weddings. Salt Spring Island celebrates Ceramic Arts in BC, Artist in Residence Program on Salt Spring Island. Summer is also when most festivals and activities take place. 1998-2021 Shangaan Webservices Inc. All Rights Reserved. Go slow and observe as you approach the largest and perhaps most beautiful provincial campground in the Gulf Islands. In springtime, you'll be greeted by a field full of sheep with bleating lambs. Long-distance routes can be reserved in advance but inter-island ferries are first come, first served. Supplies and restaurants are available within walking distance at Montague Harbour and reservations can be made through the BC Parks Reservations website. It features amazing scenery, 15 kilometres of hiking trails and Ruckle Heritage Farm, a working traditional farm that dates back to Henry Ruckle in 1872. Some sites, such as #77 at the far end, are super scenic and private but quite a distance to haul everything needed for a short stay. There is a 2-night minimum stay and they do not allow pets. You can try broadening your search by changing some of the filters or move and zoom-out into the map to show more results. From hiking, kayaking and beachcombing to a vibrant arts-and-crafts scene, Salt Spring is the perfect place for an island getaway. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. However, the weather is fairly mild all year-round (7/2C in January) and some of the campgrounds are open year-round so a winter visit can make sense for those who prefer to enjoy nature without the crowds. Unlike some campgrounds where RVs occupy the most scenic waterfront locations, tenters have the edge at Ruckle Park, both in number of sites and location. There are wheelbarrows available to haul your gear to the walk-in sites, plus potable water, picnic tables, trash bins and pit toilets. The Salt Spring farmer's market, operating Saturday mornings and Tuesday afternoons, is only 1.4 kilometers away. 10 km from the Fulford Harbour ferry terminal along Beaver Point Road. Mount Maxwell the most impressive landmark on the island is a spectacular place to hike, picnic, and take panoramic pictures. The terraced slope provides safe driving access into the campground and adds charm to the sunny and forested landscape. The serpentine road leads to sites shaped like circles and swirls, underscored by the curve of an artfully chosen piece of driftwood. There are no more accommodations that exactly fit your criteria. It is one of the Southern Gulf Islands and is awash with outdoor activities and natural beauty. Of course, these days your choices arent limited to just the standard tent / RV / cabin list. Boasting a tremendous location down in the deep south of Salt Spring Island, they are just across the road from Weston Lake and not far from fantastic Ruckle Provincial Park, with some of the best hiking and scenery on the island. Phone: 250-537-2205
While there are hikes scattered throughout Ruckle Park, the excellent Ruckle Provincial Park Shoreline Trail is well-marked and hits all the top highlights, including lovely Kings Cove. In addition to the walk-in sites, there are eight sites in the forest for RV campers with the same amenities as tenters don't expect a serviced site or a dump station. Official site: https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/ruckle/, Mowhinna Creek Campground | Photo Copyright: Colin J. McMechan. Mowhinna is the best choice on Salt Spring for RV owners, especially if they own large rigs. V8K 2K1
Every post has been written by us based on our personal experience (no sponsored posts), and every adventure is our own, even the boring ones. Rent-a-tent site at Garden Faire | Photo Copyright: Colin J. McMechan, Two-thirds of the campground is for tenters, with two sites set up with tents-to-rent just bring your own bedding. You are welcome to bring your well-behaved pets with you. Only accessible by water, this is a truly amazing spot full of cute coves, rocky points and sandy beaches. Salt Spring Island is a wonderful destination and absolutely deserves to be visited. This is the system for BC Parks. Also close by are the Rainbow Road Indoor Pool and Rainbow Road Dog Park. We have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp and are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper community be inclusive. Once again, there are usually 1-2 ferries per day between Mayne Island and Salt Spring Island. Yurts are also known as gers in some parts of the world, where they have served as an important form of shelter for millennia. That's when Irish immigrant Henry Ruckle first homesteaded this area. The walk-in closet has been converted into a breakfast nook and still has room for hanging clothes. Much roomier and more comfortable than a tent but still rustic and homey, the round yurts hidden among the forests of the private, 2-acre Salt Spring Island Yurt Vacation offer a fascinating mix of comfort and eccentricity. Close to the Vesuvius ferry terminal, this delightful AirBnB rental offers a large Bell Tent nestled in beside a charming pond. Cedar Beach Resort is located on beautiful St. Mary Lake on Salt Spring Island. Either way, though, you should be able to find a pretty, private site at this friendly place just a few kilometres outside the town of Chemainus. Some sites are waterfront, others are set back in the shelter of the trees. Definitely the place if youre looking to tour the island on a scooter, though. There are picnic areas, a pit toilet and, well, thats about it. If you don't have any desire to preserve this delectable fruit into jam or jelly, chomp away on fresh berries from roadside bushes and load up at the stands. To reach the tent you have to navigate a short but rather steep dirt path so guests should be relatively mobile. There are shorter walking trails to a forested seasonal creek, and a field guests can saunter through. Galiano Island is one of the top adventure destinations on BCs west coast and its natural highlights are popular with hikers, bikers, kayakers and fishing groups. Indeed, you are. The entire campground is tucked nicely into the surrounding forest and there are some seriously whimsical decorations, some long-term sites that feature a wild mix of styles and it is hard to pass up the opportunity to try out the tree shower. This is the ferry you would use to head to Nanaimo and the northern areas of Vancouver Island. Or you can even extend the walk another kilometre or so to Yeo Point Beach. The entrance to the suite is from a shared deck overlooking the gardens. Ferry to Salt Spring Island from Vancouver. Salt Spring Island is a microcosm of everything that camping tourists love about the west coast of British Columbia. Ruckle goes the extra step to enhance the camping experience for tenters by providing wheelbarrows in the parking lot. The other alternative for Vancouver is to take the ferry from Fulford Harbour to Swartz Bay-Victoria (30 min) and transfer to a Tsawwassen ferry from there (1.5 hrs). The joy is in the details, from the central hub of Ganges to the charming little bohemia that greets you stepping off the ferry from Swartz Bay into the village at Fulford Harbour. The privacy "fences" might be furnished with large burlap coffee bags, rough-hewn slabs of cedar, or stockade-style poles. With stunning scenery, exceptional weather and more outdoor activities than you can shake a kayak paddle at, spending a few nights in one of the amazing Salt Spring Island campgrounds can be a truly memorable experience. Hummingbird Yurt is fully heated, has a loft, a pair of queen beds, full bath with clawfoot tub, heated outdoor shower and fully equipped kitchen. From here, you can access nature trails for a peaceful walk in the woods. Five flat sites on gravel pads offer full service (water, power, septic); 12 sites have water and electric only. Salt Spring Island camping and glamping options are far more extensive than the others, though, offering a surprising variety of styles and comfort levels. Serene Cedar Beach Resort is a 5-acre forest resort located on gorgeous St. Mary Lake in central Salt Spring Island. Our 5 acre resort offers 17 cabins and suites as well as 23 fully-serviced RV/camping sites. Its restaurants, cafs, and bakeries appeal to sophisticated palates, although island life tends to be as casual as camping clothes. Ferries between Fulford Harbour and Swartz Bay (near Sidney, for Victoria) go every hour or two throughout the day and take about half an hour. Every site has its own unique dcor: A round of cedar perched on a stump (to look like a toadstool), a built-in bench and a table that isn't part of any standard-issue picnic set. Long Harbour (for Vancouver and the other Gulf Islands). Salt Spring Island, BC
Others are more basic and some are set back in private locations in the trees. Guests are provided with a coffee maker and local farm provisions for breakfast, including homemade sour dough bread, eggs, yogurt, milk, granola and juice. As camping season progresses, you'll want to stop for yet another distraction: blackberries! Beach walks and swimming are also a must when visiting and enjoying the best Salt Spring Island camping cabins and with Vesuvius Bay right at your fingertips, you'll soon be feeling the silky sand between your toes. Try removing filters or zooming the map out and searching again. Meanwhile, Ruckle Provincial Park Campground features a phenomenal location right on the water and has a variety of sites, some sheltered in the huge cedar and Douglas fir trees while others sit perched on the bluffs on a grassy meadow overlooking Swanson channel where you can be entertained watching pleasure boats and the ferries pass by. Salt Spring Island , BC
Now there are many more interesting hybrids to choose from such as glamping (glamorous camping) tents and luxury yurts. The large, well-tended property with huge trees, lovely flowers and quaint gardens close to Ganges also features the Duthie art gallery and sculpture park. They also have a couple of tents already set up and available for rent if you dont have your own. When to Visit: Salt Spring Island Camping Weather, https://www.duthiegallery.com/gallery-glamp/. But the views, oh my. The campground offers tent sites and walk-in sites, and two small unfurnished sleeping cabins that sleep 2 adults and a child comfortably. For times when it's OK to burn wood, there are fire rings. The rest of the year you may be able to catch the same boat from Monday to Thursday when it doubles as school and public transportation. Camping here provides options for day trips or cozy days spent near the accommodation. The popular off-leash hiking trails of Mouat Park are right next door. Mayne Island Camping is the only place to set up a tent on the island and it offers 12 lovely walk-in sites next to a beautiful, rocky beach. Located 9 km northeast of Fulford Harbour, Ruckle Park features an interesting blend of easily-reached sites in a wooded setting overlooking Swanson Channel, with North Pender Island visible on the far shore. Here is a map of all the Salt Spring camping and glamping options. Biking has become increasingly popular on the island, although the roads dont have shoulders and can feel pretty narrow with a bike and two cars all passing each other at the same time. You might also see a covey of California quail scooting across the wheelchair accessible path. The pondside deck is perfect for lounging away warm summer evenings and the tent features a state-of-the-art heating/cooling fan. Ferry to Salt Spring Island from Victoria. Pender Island has a couple good camping options, both of which can be booked through the Parks Canada Reservations page. Don't be a hero use the wheelbarrow. Magic, the resident dog, leads the pack. There's internet service in the campground, so no need to relocate for Wi-Fi. It will leave you with a country feeling though only 7 minutes from Fulford, and 15 minutes from Ganges. Hear a scuffling on the ground? RV camping on Salt Spring Island is not quite as popular as tenting because of the narrow roads and generally smaller campsites. Look to the base of the giant trees reputed to have a calming effect on visitors and you'll see why fairies come to mind. This is the only place on Salt Spring Island with enough room for large RVs. For swimming, there's a suitable cove north of the picnic area. There's nothing better than this when you choose to come here to British Columbia. It's located less than four kilometers from the campground. 21 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Canada, 29 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Toronto, 13 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Niagara Falls, Canada, 12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do on Salt Spring Island, 16 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Victoria, BC, 6 Top-Rated Campgrounds near Victoria, BC, 10 Top-Rated Hiking Trails near Victoria, BC, 10 Top-Rated Things to Do in the San Juan Islands, WA, 9 Best Places for Camping in the San Juan Islands, WA, 10 Top-Rated Things to Do on Orcas Island, WA, 10 Top-Rated Things to Do in Friday Harbor, WA, 21 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Vancouver, BC, 13 Top-Rated Things to Do in Vancouver in Winter, 9 Top-Rated Things to Do in Vancouver with Kids, From Vancouver to Whistler: 6 Best Ways to Get There, From Vancouver to Victoria: 5 Best Ways to Get There, 22 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 20 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World, https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/ruckle/. While choosing a bouquet of flowers to brighten the table at your campsite, you might be reflecting on the good fortune that brought you to this magical place. This basic, friendly little place right in Crofton is very convenient to the Vesuvius ferry and feels like a slice of nature right in town. Shower from a spigot attached to a huge tree and don't be surprised to find pit toilets in the washrooms. If you're into scuba diving, you might see a giant Pacific octopus, the largest octopus in the world. Site #28 is so nestled away on its own, it is known as the "honeymoon suite." One hundred years later, the Ruckle family donated much of their choice land holdings to create a provincial park that has been popular with generations of families. As a result, Salt Spring has considerably more choice for tenters and explorations by biking and hiking, with an expanding network of trails for avid hikers. Please try again with another location or different dates. Only 10 of the walk-in sites and 4 of the vehicle sites are reservable through BC Parks and the rest are first come, first served. Book a stay at a Salt Spring Island accommodation today. Salt Spring Island has one of the nicest provincial park campgrounds on the BC Gulf Islands and a few private campgrounds and RV Parks. This is definitely a fanciful Salt Spring camping option. Just a short distance away you can also reach the sandy shores of Galiano Island. Read More. Walk-in sites, such as the first two located at the end of a driveway bordered by bowers of flowers, retain privacy with sunny overlooks of the campground. There are 1-2 ferries per day between Salt Spring Island and Galiano Island. Once again set in pleasant natural surroundings, Gallery Glamp offers another almost shockingly cushy Salt Spring Island glamping option. Villas, beach houses, vacation rentals and natural lodges. Ruckle Provincial Park covers 529 hectares of the nicest terrain on Salt Spring Island and is considered one of the best parks in the Gulf Islands. The bathhouses at Mowhinna are proudly displayed, and for good reason: The two coin-operated hot showers, five flush toilets, and sinks are absolutely immaculate. The island has narrow, winding roads that are not particularly suitable for large RVs, and with a few exceptions, camping options for motorhomes are limited. Extended stay bookings at reduced rates will not be begin again until November 1. Other BC camping guides you may want to check out: Gulf Islands BC: The Ultimate Planning Guide, Your email address will not be published. Salt Spring National Art Prize Award Winners 2017! There are no showers on-site but public pay showers are available at Sparkles Laundromat in Sturdies Bay. Fax: 250-537-5509
Hooks and cables are provided if you wish to enjoy the view from a hammock. Government of BC Advisoryon Travel and Covid-19. Views over the Swanson Channel between Salt Spring and Pender Island are exceptional and the rugged coastline offers endless hours of exploration among the rock formations and tide pools. The fastest way to get to the island is by air. It's not a bear (there are none on the island). The space has one queen bed and a sofa bed that converts to a comfy queen size bed. We also use third party cookies for advertising and analytics purposes. The ferry ride from Swartz Bay (Victoria) to Fulford Harbour wasn't that long, but you feel like you're in another world. Three day reservations are required for for holiday long weekends for all sites. Tidal pools at low tide are rich in starfish, mussels, limpets, and crabs, all of which you should not touch, especially if you have sunscreen on your hands. Just 10 of the walk-in sites and 4 of the drive-in sites are reservable, the rest are available only on a first come, first served basis. Beautiful Rainforest Camping Along the Cowichan River. Last minute booking.
One of two cottage sites has space for an RV and a tent. Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues. Salt Spring Island camping is one of the best ways to truly immerse yourself in the phenomenal natural attractions of this unique and historic Gulf Island. Youll probably need to have a vehicle, though, as the resort is roughly a 20-minute drive from the main town of Ganges. Mowhinna walk-in-campsite with post and cables for hammocks | Photo Copyright: Colin J. McMechan. Galiano Island: BCs Outdoor Adventure Playground. We are open for our regular season of camping. Ruckle farm stand, located within the park boundary, is closest to the camping areas and is well stocked with all these items, along with fresh coffee and lemonade. Known mostly as a resort of cabins and suites, a lot of people dont realize they also have 23 fully serviced RV and tenting sites in a wonderful setting among the trees. only allow same-day reservations within strict time limits. Montague Provincial Campground has 44 walk-in campsites, 23 vehicle-accessible sites and 1 group site. Email: cedarbeach@cbr-ssi.ca
There is a wood-fired sauna on-site (availability depends on current fire restrictions), as well as badminton, bocce ball, slackline and childrens kayaks. Add in the bevy of different options from basic tenting sites to luxurious yurts and glamping tents and it is easy to see why camping on Salt Spring Island should be on your summer priority shortlist. Your email address will not be published. Mowhinna Creek Campground is located in the heart of Salt Spring Island, 1 km south of Ganges. Firewood is sold, but don't be surprised if there's a fire ban during the summer, when the lack of rain turns the grass to the color of wheat and everything is tinder dry. If you didn't have a lot of time for shopping before you got on the ferry, or you forgot to pick up fixings for huevos rancheros, no need to worry. Salt Spring National Art Prize Award Winners 2019/20! The campground has been around for more than 20 years and is constantly upgrading and expanding, currently offering 40 campsites for people plus a few hideouts for sprites and leprechauns. For a much wilder and more exotic camping experience, head to Dionisio Point Marine Park on the far northeastern tip of Galiano Island. Notice the sign that reads Ruckle Heritage Farm, established 1872. They have a large variety of options from tenting sites to full-service RV spots to fully equipped cabins. It has the "wow factor" for gorgeous scenery, from forests and farms to mountains and an eclectic coastline of coves, cliffs, and beaches. Salt Spring Island is on its own unique and wonderful wavelength, evidence of which is that all the roadside retailers you passed (and possibly stopped at) typically operate on the honor system. There is just the one yurt. RV site at Mowhinna Campground | Photo Copyright: Colin J. McMechan. Not that you would want to. Website: www.mowhinnacreekcampground.com
Located just a couple kilometres south of Ganges, it is an easy 30-minute walk (or 2-minute drive) to all the shops and restaurants of town. You don't want to be in a rush as you make your entrance at Ruckle Park, a huge tract of 486 hectares that occupies the southeastern tip of Salt Spring Island. Website: https://www.duthiegallery.com/gallery-glamp/. Ganges
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