Discover the best waterside campgrounds near Castlegar, British Columbia with a private bathroom

Canada
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British Columbia
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Castlegar

98% (88 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Castlegar

Dog-friendly getaways

3 top waterside campgrounds near Castlegar with a private bathroom

98%

(60)

Valhalla Pines Campground

14 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents7 acres · Vallican, BC

This is a quiet forested residential area in Sinixt territory. Recommended activities include floating down the river, canoeing the lake, hiking or climbing in Valhalla Park, soaking in Halfway Hot Springs or indulging in Nelson. We are surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers. This valley has many outdoor activities and events and a very interesting history and culture including Sinixt, Doukhobor, Cannabis and Conscientious Objector. Nelson, Castlegar and Slocan Lake are all a half hour drive away. There are many other special places nearby such as the Goddess Pools and the Emerald Pools. Supplies and services are available nearby including firewood, toiletries, dog day care, massage, bike and canoe rentals, life jackets, rubber dingys and paddles etc. Let us know if you would like a referral to any of these services. There are many guides available for activities in the area including (water sports, climbing, skiing, hiking, artist tours, events, geology, mining, mushrooms, cannabis, garden tours and native history). There is a particularly valued native storyteller here that can also provide a walking tour to a nearby village site with a full scale replica of an aboriginal kekuli (earth house). Please call ahead for recommendations on booking guides or storytellers. You don't need one to get here, but its good to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for some of the logging roads that are worth visiting. Roof and/or bike racks can also come in handy. The Vallican Whole community center also has events nearby.

West Kootenay Adventure

3 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Salmo, BC

The property sits at an elevation of 900m. Located in the southern tip of the West Kootenay region just 2km from the American border. The site is a quiet mountainous setting surrounded by babbling creeks and fresh mountain springs. There are numerous hiking trails with views down 2 valleys. Rosebud Lake and nature reserve is a short 3km bike ride. Thete is a secluded and scenic camping area set up for guests and can accommodate vehicle combinations up to 50ft in length. There are no hookups or cell service. However there is mountain spring water, Wifi and an outhouse at the site. Pets welcome, campfires permitted when no fire ban. Located a short 20-minute drive from the historic village of Salmo, BC. Walk or bike to Rosebud lake and wildlife sanctuary, go boating in the Ponderille. Or explore one of many private swimming holes on the Salmo River. A 2WD vehicle takes you to the top of Kootenay Pass (Stagleap Provincial park) at 1750m where world class hiking and ski touring exist. Fishing, whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding, canyoning, golfing, disc golf ect. There are endless opportunities to explore the rich history in the area. There are bicycles, a mobile woodfired sauna and luxury canvas Belle tent on site which can all be added to your rental for a small cost.

Barrel Cabins on Organic Farm

7 sites · Lodging142 acres · BC

Learn more about this land:These unique barrel cabins are situated overlooking our gently sloped South-facing valley, rural organic farm and (soon) nano-brewery, 1.6km from Jewel Lake outside of Greenwood BC. There are shared outdoor kitchen, gravity feed ambient temp shower facilities and composting toilet outhouses at the cabins as well as more facilities and WiFi at the main house. Gourmet meals available if book ahead of time and at additional cost. We speak English and German. Family friendly. The cabins are simple and comfortable as well as unique, they are also rustic. Besides a comfortable bed and small convertible seating area in each one, they are bare bones. No power or water. There is a propane heater available for colder season bookings. The heaters work off of normal BBQ propane tanks (20lbs) or 1lbs disposable tanks. We have clean, dry composing outhouses beside each cabin. There is a propane BBQ on site. No smoking inside any cabin or house and only in designated area. Butts must be disposed of into garbage. Dogs are permitted but must be controlled at all times as this is a working farm with livestock. All dogs must be cleaned up after.

Waterside camping near Castlegar with a private bathroom guide

Overview

Castlegar, known for its Doukhobor heritage, has several campgrounds and RV parks, as well as nearby provincial parks. Twenty kilometres (12.5 miles) west of town, Syringa Provincial Park has two vehicle-accessible campgrounds on Lower Arrow Lake, while Nancy Greene Provincial Park, 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of Castlegar, where Highways 3 and 3B meet, is convenient for road-tripping campers.

When to go

Summer and fall are the nicest seasons for camping in Castlegar and British Columbia’s Kootenay Mountains. From July into mid-October, there’s normally little rain, and the days are warm and sunny. In BC’s mountains, snow can begin to fall in October, and from November through February (and sometimes into March), the region can see heavy snow and temperatures hovering around or below freezing. Spring weather can be variable, with rain alternating with sunny cool days.

Know before you go

Driving from the US? There are three land border crossings within a 60- to 90-minute drive of Castlegar. The Frontier/Paterson crossing, on US Highway 25 and Canadian Highway 22, is normally open 24 hours.
You should be able to find groceries and camping supplies in the Castlegar area. Nearby Nelson also has a number of outdoor gear stores.
As you’re exploring the back roads of the West Kootenays region, note that several routes involve ferry crossings along the inland lakes. On Kootenay Lake, a free ferry crosses between Balfour on the west shore and Kootenay Bay on the east. Check online for ferry schedules and service updates.