This summer, my family tried Vancouver camping. We had an awesome time visiting the Vancouver area! This bustling city is absolutely beautiful, and is definitely worth a visit, especially in late summer and early fall.Â
All that said, camping in Western Canada’s biggest city can be hard to come by. Luckily, you’ve found our helpful guide to RVing and camping in the Vancouver. This article has everything you need to know to have an amazing RV adventure in this must-see British Columbia destination.
The Best Time to Go Camping in Vancouver, B.C.
It’s no secret that Canada is brutally cold during the winter months. For this reason, we highly recommend avoiding Vancouver during the winter months, especially when traveling in an RV.
Instead, you should consider RVing to Vancouver in late spring, summer, or early fall. Of those, summer is our favorite time in Vancouver. The weather is sunny and warm and there is plenty of greenery found throughout the area. Additionally, if you visit during summer, you can take advantage of the many pools, water parks, and other water play areas in Vancouver and the city’s suburbs.
Where to Stay for Camping in Vancouver
Wondering where to park your RV during your Vancouver camping trip? As we said earlier, the camping options in the city are very limited. Even as you get further out from the city, there aren’t a whole lot of RV campgrounds in Vancouver and around the area.
Fortunately, there are some places to camp in and around Vancouver. Many of these options are quite nice! Here are some of the best RV destinations for Vancouver and around the area.
Capilano River RV Park
Located in the middle of Vancouver, Capilano River RV Park is the place to camp if you want to be close to all the action. This park offers camping for small campers, big rig RVs, and everything in-between. Guests will enjoy free Wi-Fi, a pool and hot tub, a playground, laundry facilities, and more.
Burnaby Cariboo RV Park & Campground
A little bit outside of town (but still close enough to reach the city in a matter of minutes), you’ll find Burnaby Cariboo RV Park & Campground. This park is awesome because it gives guests access to an indoor pool and hot tub that can be enjoyed no matter what the weather happens to do. You’ll also love the playground fitness room, arcade, onsite store, and other great amenities.
Derby Reach Regional Park – Edgewater Bar Campground
Hoping for a quieter escape into nature? You’ll have to go a little further from the city center, but Derby Reach Regional Park’s Edgewater Bar Campground is worth the drive. This regional campground is dry camping only, but is very well kept with fire pits, picnic tables, and pit toilets. On top of all that, the price really can’t be beat!
Birch Bay Thousand Trails
Prefer to stay on the US side of the border and day trip into Vancouver? Birch Bay Thousand Trails is an excellent place to do just that. This little park is included with a Thousand Trails membership, but is also open to non-members. The small, well-kept pool is lots of fun in the summer, and kids appreciate the two playgrounds found in the campground.
The Best Things to Do While RV Camping in Vancouver
Once you get settled into your Vancouver campground, the next step is to figure out what to do during your visit. Whether you choose to explore the city itself or head to one of the many attractions outside of town, you’re sure to find something that suits your fancy.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is, in our opinion, the very best thing to do in Vancouver proper. This enormous park offers walking trails, playgrounds, a gorgeous rose garden, an outdoor theater, and more. During the summer, the splash pad and swimming pool are popular places, and bike rentals are a fun way to explore the park all year long.
Science World
Want some hands-on fun for the whole family to enjoy together? Science World offers just that. This large science museum ranks up there with some of the best of them. The exhibits are informative and fun, and the staff are engaged and ready to help visitors understand each exhibit.
Note: This museum is included with the ASTC reciprocal membership.
Gastown Steam Clock
A unique attraction for sure, the Gastown Steam Clock won’t take long to check out, but is still worth seeing. Built in 1977, this clock sits on the corner of Cambie and Water Streets. It is one of only a few working steam-powered clocks left in the world, and is tons of fun to look at and take photos of.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, but that doesn’t mean you should skip it. This amazing park features the legendary Capilano Suspension Bridge, which guests can cross. The park also has the beautiful Treetops Adventure walk and the terrifying Cliffwalk.
Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
Want a less expensive (but perhaps less impressive) alternative to Capilano? Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is a fun little suspension bridge that guests can cross for free. The park also features some gorgeous hikes that really highlight the beauty of the Vancouver area.
Burnaby Village Museum
I’m a history nerd. Because of this, when I came across the Burnaby Village Museum and realized it was a totally FREE living history museum, I just had to go.
This museum is located just outside of Vancouver in Burnaby. It features a huge number of historic buildings as well as plenty of interpreters and docents to make the whole experience engaging and fun for everyone. Be sure to ride the historic carousel and watch a silent film in the old movie theater while you’re there!
Otter Co-Op Outdoor Experience
Admittedly, this particular attraction is pretty far outside of Vancouver, but it would be an easy day trip and was fun enough that I think it’s worth including.
Otter Co-Op Outdoor Experience is a city-run water park. It has water slides, a lazy river, a kiddie water play area (with smaller slides), a wave pool, and even a dry playground. The cost to enter was surprisingly cheap, but you do have to make reservations in advance.
As you can see, Vancouver camping is an excellent RV adventure that every RVer should take at one time or another. Why not head there now and see for yourself just how wonderful this part of Canada really is?
