Camping

You won’t find any campgrounds in Vancouver [1]’s city center area, but a limited number dot the suburbs along the major approach routes. Before trekking out to any of them, ring ahead to check for vacancies. Unless otherwise noted, the campgrounds below are open year-round.

North

The closest campground to downtown is Capilano RV Park (295 Tomahawk Ave., North Vancouver, 604/987-4722, www.capilanorvpark.com [2], $44–56). To get there from downtown cross Lions Gate Bridge, turn right on Marine Drive, right on Capilano Road, and right again on Welch Street. From Highway 1/99 in West Vancouver exit south on Taylor Way toward the shopping center and turn left over the Capilano River. Amenities include a 13-meter (43-foot) pool, a big hot tub, a TV and games room, and a laundry.

South

Parkcanada (52nd St., Delta, 604/943-5811, www.parkcanada.com [3], $27.50 tents, $31.50–37.50 hookups) is convenient to the BC Ferries terminal at Tsawwassen, a 30-minute drive south of city center. The campground has a small outdoor pool, but next door is a much larger water park—perfect for the kids. Other amenities include a store with groceries and some RV supplies, laundry, lounge, and free showers. To get there, follow the ferry signs from Highway 99 and turn right off Highway 17 at 52nd Street. Take the first left, and you’re there.

Farther south along Highway 99 is Peace Arch RV Park (14601 40th Ave., Surrey, 604/594-7009, www.peacearchrvpark.ca [4], $32.50 tents, $39.50–45.50 hookups), which sprawls over four hectares (10 acres) between White Rock and Delta, 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the Douglas Border Crossing (take Exit 10 (King George Highway) north from Highway 99, then the first right, 40th Avenue). The well-tended facilities include a heated pool, playground and mini-golf, game room, coin-operated showers, and a laundry.

East

Adjacent to Burnaby Lake Regional Park, Burnaby Cariboo RV Park (8765 Cariboo Place, Burnaby, 604/420-1722 or 800/667-9901, www.bcrvpark.com [5], $39 tents, $52–59.50 hookups) offers luxurious amenities, including a large indoor heated pool, fitness room, hot tub, sundeck, playground, lounge, barbeque area, grocery store, and laundry facility. The campground offers 217 paved sites, each with full hookups, including 30-amp power, cable TV, telephone, and Internet access. The campground is 17 kilometers (10.6 miles) east of downtown. To get there, take Exit 37 (Gaglardi) from the TransCanada Highway, turn right at the first traffic light, take the first left, then the first right into Cariboo Place. The Production Way SkyTrain station is an eight-minute walk from this campground.

Farther east, Dogwood Campground & RV Park (15151 112th Ave., Surrey, 604/583-5585, www.dogwoodcampgrounds.com [6], $28 unserviced sites, $38 hookups) is 35 kilometers (22 miles) from downtown. It’s right beside the TransCanada Highway. To get there from downtown, take Exit 48 and cross back over the highway, turning left onto 154th Street. Eastbound travelers (heading toward the city) should take Exit 50, turn north over the highway and follow 160th Street north to 112th Avenue. Turn left and follow this street to the end. While facilities are basic, they are modern and adequate for most campers’ standards, and include a pool and laundry.