Discover the best campgrounds near Coquitlam, British Columbia with climbing

Oceanic climates and mountains blocking arctic air make Coquitlam a warm region by Canadian standards—perfect for outdoor recreation and camping. Remnants of the area’s logging industry lead campers into provincial parks like Pinecone Burke Provincial Park and Colony Farm Regional Park for hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and swimming year-round. Winter activities include backcountry skiing and snowshoeing along rivers, lakes, and creeks. Camping opportunities are bountiful for tent campers, RVers, and glamping fans, who will find their home-away-from-home amid mountains and lakes. Campsites range from primitive to modern—some with hookups, concrete pads, or wifi, and all surrounded by an abundance of natural splendor.

Where to go

Pinecone Burke Provincial Park

Up the old logging roads of Burke Mountain, Pinecone Burke Provincial Park offers opportunities for hiking and e-biking across natural trails or swimming and boating in Pitt Lake and Widgeon Creek. In the winter, try backcountry cross-country skiing or snowshoeing across the park. The only kind of camping allowed is primitive wilderness camping, so adventurous campers must remember to bring everything in (including their own water) and haul everything out. Pinecone Burke campers should also prepare for winter conditions without the use of campfires, which are prohibited. The park features marine access for boat-in-boat-out camping, hunting, and fishing with appropriate licenses.

Minnekhada Regional Park

Adjacent to Pitt-Addington marsh, Minnekhada Regional Park is a popular destination for trail hikers, birders, and wildlife viewing enthusiasts throughout the year. Campers enjoy cycling on paved roads and across Pitt River dykes. Tent campers, RVers, and glampers will find primitive campsites and modern ones with electrical hookups and water lines. Some even provide double and queen beds. Minnekhada is pet-friendly, so long as the pups are leashed and campers bring pet waste bags.

Colony Farm Regional Park

Camping near Colony Farm Regional Park gives quick access to fields, hedgerows, and wetlands to explore on foot or bike. Birding is a popular activity in the park, which hosts over 200 bird species. Take in the sights of wide open fields and towering mountains on the shores of the Coquitlam River, or ride a trusty steed through the marshes and cap the day with a picnic at the provided tables near the community gardens. Many nearby campgrounds offer waterside camping, accommodating RVers and tent campers alike with potable water, showerhouses, electrical hookups, and gravel or concrete pull-through pads. Campers with electric or hybrid vehicles in need of a charge can take advantage of the single charging station in the main parking lot, which is free to use with a two-hour time limit.

When to go

The best time to camp in Coquitlam is July or August, when average temperatures reach no higher than 23.5°C. Summer is the most popular time for visitors, so be sure to make a reservation in advance or get there early enough to snag a first-come, first-served site. Adventurous campers can brave the frigid, wet winters of Coquitlam with average highs of 5.6°C.