Lakeside camping near Courtenay

As the largest city in Vancouver Island’s lush Comox Valley, Courtenay makes a great basecamp.

99% (274 reviews)

Canada
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British Columbia
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Courtenay

99% (274 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Courtenay

Camper favorites near Courtenay

Stories from the community

Shannon

4 days ago

Weekend Trip to Portal Retreat

I had a lovely stay Portal Retreat. It is a lovely cabin that looks out to nature and only steps away from the beautiful lake. It was so quiet and the cabin was equipped with all that was needed for my stay. The hosts were also incredible with clear communication and even providing recommendations on sites to see during my stay. Thank you both :)

4 nights at weed canary farm

Jamie’s campsite was private and so large and many different options for where to place your tent! Wood provided which was very helpful!! Overall a great experience and have already booked a trip to come back!

Weekend Trip to weed canary farm

Great place to camp outside of Courtenay. Jamie was very welcoming and flexible when I changed our booking last minute. Lots of space to camp in and wood available for a campfire overlooking a large pond (the size of a mini lake). The drop toilet had everything you needed. Jamie also gave great recommendations for comox lake and the small, fun town of Cumberland.

Weekend Trip to Strongwater Camping and Cabins

Very cozy cottage and lovely property! Great place to stay, especially if you're looking to hike to Skookumchuck Narrows as its only a couple minutes to walk to the trail access road.

Jenny-lee

2 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to Strongwater Camping and Cabins

Cheyenne is a beautiful soul. My best friend at I stayed in the “Loft Two” Cabin for one magical night. The hobby farm was so peaceful and designed with love. Our cabin was a little peace of heaven, washrooms were beautiful, animals were delightful and the skookumchuck bakery cafe down the street was delicious. Highly recommend walking to the skookumchuck rapids and watching the kayakers!

Patrick

2 weeks ago

2 nights at Strongwater Camping and Cabins

Cozy cabin with lots of privacy. We enjoyed sitting on the porch after our hike. Bring some loonies for the shower - we only thought of it at the last minute and we didn't find a stash of loonies in Egwater...

1 night at theDoighouse Earthship

Beautiful place to camp! Susan’s earthship project is really interesting to learn about. She has a gorgeous orchard next to the camp spots and easy access to clean compost toilet. Recommend the trails that pass through her land.

Weekend Trip to Forest Camping & Private Yurt

Matt was friendly and easy to reach by phone. The sites were peaceful and the outhouses well stocked :)

Weekend Trip to theDoighouse Earthship

Very amicable place, I wish I could have stayed longer. There were lots of local restaurants & pubs with local talent, in addition to some hiking, plan to go back on a future tour. Cheers to fine Hosts. Cheers LP

1 night at Forest Camping & Private Yurt

Camping on Matt’s land was quite delightful. It was very peaceful, clean outhouse and easy access to the beach

Weekend Trip to weed canary farm

Thanks for the great stay! Host was welcoming and it was a lovely touch that we could have a fire without having to bring an axe and wood.

Lotto

June 2025

1 night at theDoighouse Earthship

We had such an amazing time in the cabin at the Earthship. Susan was an amazing host. The cabin was cozy, clean and had everything we needed for a relaxing stay. We loved the tour of the Earthship given by Susan and highly suggest anyone staying to take the tour! I'd love to thank Susan for an amazing time and a wonderful stay!

Weekend Trip to Forest Camping & Private Yurt

The host, Matt was incredibly nice! Me and my boyfriend ended up camping during rainy weather and Matt let us camp out under a covered area for the duration of our stay:) The property is insanely gorgeous and very secluded in all areas. Also had lots of firewood and kindling to use to keep the fire going!! Definitely recommend and would come back😁

Varshini

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Portal Retreat

Our stay at this charming mini cabin turned into a memorable trip! Being surrounded by stunning views of trees and the chirping of the birds chirping, it felt like we were in our own little nature retreat. The canoe ride is a must! Paddling on the lake and watching the sunset was magical. My only gripes were spotty network and the porta potty. If you’re looking for a peaceful and scenic getaway, we highly recommend it!

Weekend Trip to Strongwater Camping and Cabins

We fully enjoyed our stay at Strongwater Campground! The cabin was clean and comfortable, and had everything we could need, including a heater, fan, and mini fridge. The campground felt safe and everyone was super friendly. The washrooms were all very clean, including showers, which required loonies to operate. We recommend doing the Skookumchuck trail (8km round trip) and visiting the Seafood food truck and the bakery! Overall, the campground was very charming and cute, and we would fully recommend a stay here.

1 night at weed canary farm

This is our second stay, it’s close to town and outdoor activities. Jamie is a great host, campsite is private, super clean and quiet. We will be back.

Daniel

May 2025

1 night at Strongwater Camping and Cabins

Staying at Strongwater Campground and Cabins was an absolute dream! Shyann is truly one of the kindest people we’ve ever met - she made us feel so welcome and at home. We stayed in the Treehouse cabin, which was adorable and just perfect for our needs. The campground itself is peaceful, well-maintained, and has everything you could need. The amenities were clean and thoughtfully kept, and an added bonus were the sweet animals roaming around to say hello! One of their lovely dogs, Rainney, even came by to visit us while we enjoyed our evening fire - it absolutely made our night. Thank you, Shyann, for your warmth and generosity. It was such a pleasure to meet you, and we will return soon 100%!

Weekend Trip to theDoighouse Earthship

The stay was pleasant. The camp is surrounded by nature and is right on the trail.

Peta

May 2025

1 night at Strongwater Camping and Cabins

My partner and I absolutely loved our stay in the treehouse cabin. The treehouse is tucked away in a rainforest and makes for a very cozy vibe. The warm showers in the wash house were so lovely after a nice hike to the nearby Skookumchuck rapids. Cheyenne was easy to talk to and super friendly. The farm animals were a bonus!

Weekend Trip to theDoighouse Earthship

We had a wonderful stay at this campsite with our family! From the moment we arrived, Susan made us feel welcome and was very helpful. Although we had some rainy weather, it didn’t dampen our experience. A large tarp was set up, providing great shelter and keeping our gathering space dry and comfortable. It’s a peaceful spot, perfect for a relaxed family getaway, rain or shine!

3 top lakeside campgrounds near Courtenay

98%

(219)

theDoighouse Earthship

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Qualicum Bay, BC

Welcome to theDoighouse Earthship, an eco-retreat nestled in the forest, minutes from Qualicum Bay waterfront. Our location is a haven for adventurers and peace-seekers alike, offering easy access to the natural wonders of Vancouver Island. An hour north of Nanaimo, our property is an ideal base for day trips to Hornby, Denman, and Lasqueti Islands. Many of our guests stop here for a night or two on their way to and from the mainland to Ucluelet or Tofino for world-class surfing, or if skiing is your calling, Mount Washington is just a 45-minute drive away. Spend time discovering forest trails, a children's playground, and a bike park here in our neighbourhood. Lighthouse Country area teems with opportunities for exploration, from pristine beaches, including Sunny Beach and scenic Spider and Horne Lakes. Or if you climb, consider the Horne Lake Caves! If you're into hiking, use your All Trails App to discover the Lighthouse Country Trail (at our doorstep), including the Wilson Woodlot and Lost Runners Trails. Urban legend has it that the running shoes were lost, not the people wearing them! You can pitch your tent in our gardens, park your RV on the forest's edge, or stay in our cozy tiny cabins. Wander our gardens and check out a young permaculture food forest filled with fruit and hazelnut trees, berries, and good stuff! Have you ever imagined a house built from tires, dirt, pop cans and glass bottles? Our Earthship, currently under construction, is all about exploring a low-impact lifestyle, off-grid living in an energy-efficient dwelling built from recycled materials. Love for the planet and people and sharing of abundance make this project come alive, and why we don’t increase our rates for holidays and long weekends. Book a private Earthship tour where Tony will spend a couple of hours with you, sharing theDoighouse project and answering any and all questions you may have. We also offer workshops and other onsite activities. For more info, check out our website: www.thedoighouse.com/ On arrival, you will be greeted by Bentley (our standard poodle), Mabel (mouser extraordinaire) Come visit, tour, and stay. Susan and Tony Doig

100%

(3)

Forest Camping & Private Yurt

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Denman Island, BC

Very spacious and private Yurt with 2 bedrooms + loft. 3 - Separate private campsites. Located on a tranquil forested 10 acre property with lots of privacy. Beach and lake are nearby. -Non-potable water for washing and cleaning. -Shared, detached composting outhouse building with x2 toilets. No power, hook-ups or electricity available. Glamping paradise :)

Strongwater Camping and Cabins

10 sites · Lodging7 acres · Egmont, BC

A magical experience awaits you on the majestic Sunshine Coast of British Columbia near the Village of Egmont. Nestle into our modern rustic cabins or set up camp beneath the towering evergreens. We, your hosts, and our yard-full of farm friends live just up the hill, but we sneak out often to welcome our guests. Strongwater Camping and Cabins offers bookings year-round. Choose from our 8 rustic cabins or 8 large campsites to accommodate your next relaxing get-away or refreshing retreat. Bookings are usually a 2-night minimum. 1-night may be available at the discretion of the Hosts. New to our accommodations are the SkookumBus and a Glamping Tent (summer only)! Our hand-built cabins provide a simply magical experience, with warm, comfy beds and bedside table, a fan for summer or a heater for winter. Nearly every cabin features a small table and chairs and a mini-fridge plus an outdoor fire pit and a picnic table. The cabins’ decks are surrounded by forest. Firewood is available for $30/wheelbarrow on site when available (unless we have a fire ban.) All campsites include the fire pit and picnic table. Everyone has easy access to the spa-like washrooms with coin-operated hot showers and flush toilets. Children 8 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult in the Wash house. There’s a dish washing station in the center of the Wash House where you can refill your water jugs and bottles or wash dishes. Please do not use for washing hair or laundry or tooth brushing. We ask that you conserve water and keep the Wash House clean. If a peaceful experience is what you seek, enjoy the restful, soothing atmosphere of the forest. Learn to really appreciate the simple things in life. Take in the mountain, ocean, and lake scenery. Fishing, canoeing, or just lying on a beach. Sitting on the deck of your cozy cabin, reading a book or soaking in the magic. If you are a thrill-seeker, then adventure awaits on the turbulent waters of Skookumchuk Narrows, the rapids for which our magical place is named. Skookumchuk is an old Chinook word meaning Strong Waters. There’s a timetable for you to consult to catch the tides at the best times. Follow the link below. Hit some rigorous trails on your mountain bike, hike through forests, up mountains, or at oceanside. Take a wild ride to untouched wilderness with our neighbouring Adventure Boat Tours.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Lakeside camping near Courtenay guide

Overview

Looking to camp near Courtenay, British Columbia and have a preference for a lake? You're in luck! Hipcamp has over 44 options available in this area that offer a lake experience. With options as low as $25 per night and an average price of £79 per night, there's something for every budget. Check out the top campsites with rave reviews: theDoighouse Earthship (39 reviews), Tiny Secrets Farm & Retreat (34 reviews), and Rusty Gate Berry Farm (20 reviews). These campsites offer popular facilities like toilets, potable water, and cooking equipment. And if you're into biking, paddling, or fishing, you'll find plenty of opportunities for those activities too. Start planning your lakeside camping adventure today!