The best camping near Merritt

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Arriving in Merritt from the south via the famed Coquihalla Pass (on Highway 5, cutting across an alpine range from the east end of Fraser Valley into BC’s interior) is like being dropped into a vast desert bowl. In summer, the dry heat is intense and the expansive, while the open landscape of the Nicola Valley is tufted with sage bush. This is high-adventure country, home to Canada's largest working cattle ranch and a starting point for outdoor pursuits from mountain biking to lake dipping, and wine country beyond.

98% (282)

Top-rated campgrounds

Washtock Family Campground

2. Washtock Family Campground

95%
(203)
55km from Merritt · 24 sites · Tents, RVs · BC
Nestled in the pristine Nahatlatch Valley between the Nahatlatch River and Fraser River. Washtock Family Campground offers rustic camping from tents to RVs. We are an ATV friendly campground with ride in ride out accessibility. The campground offers pull through RV Sites with non-potable water and septic connections. We are off grid so we have no power/electricity connections but allow generators. We have space for big groups or just a quick get away for two, we can accommodate you. We have flush toilets and outhouses as well as a hot shower for guest use. We have a small store on site with your regular camping goodies, Ice, seasonal vegetable, as well as farm fresh eggs and all natural free range beef from our farm. We are located 13km north of Northbend which is across the river from Boston Bar BC. Once you reach Boston Bar you will Turn left at the Esso and cross 2 sets of railroad tracks bringing you into Northbend, from Northbend there is about 6km of paved road after that there is 6km of gravel road until you reach our campground. Past our campground is the beautiful Nahatlatch provincial Park which contains Francis lake, Hanna Lake and Nahatlatch Lake. The lakes offer an abundance of activities such as fishing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming and paddle boarding. The first lake is about a 15-20 min drive again on gravel road. 2 wheel drive accessible until 21km on the forest service Road after 21km you will need a 4x4, if you plan to travel to Grizzly falls or the 3rd Lake. There are many hiking, biking, horseback riding and ATVing trails in the area. Washtockfamilyfarm.ca Please feel free to email if you have any questions. We would love to accommodate you for your future adventures.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
CA$43
 / night
looking from driveway to landing

8. Hidden Creek Rabbit Farm

94%
(9)
46km from Merritt · 6 sites · Tents · Merritt, BC
getting below freezing temperatures We are 8 minutes north east of PRINCETON BC, or an hour south of Aspen Grove BC. Define ourselves as a Christian couple and a rabbit farm, that would like to share our area with people who enjoy getting into the forest. We do not have dogs, cats or other outside pets so we frequently see deer grazing on our landings. Our property is located 28 Km off the main Hwy 5A on a highways maintained gravel road, some potholes exist! Though we have 3 camping options to choose from, we will block off 2 so whomever books first has the entire site to themselves- and can make check in and check out times flexible. Camping options are a larger 24 ' Rv for families or groups that sleeps up to 6/ a smaller 22' RV trailer for singles or couples sleeps 3. In addition to the RV we have on grid and an off grid areas for tenting, your RV's or van-life if preferred. Our driveway climbs up 100 meters off Summers Cr Rd and is quite secluded. The camping area is like a triangle- a narrow driveway over our creek that opens to a landing 100 feet long and 50 feet wide at the opposite end. Beyond the landing we are all hills and valleys with LOTS of rocky areas to explore, the terrain is uneven so bring sturdy hiking boots. Our small Hidden Creek runs through the property and you can hear it at night. We have also developed 2 hiking trails -one 3 km and one 9 km, both follow our creek to the top of our mountain- that you can explore independently or join a guided hike. After your hike enjoy a soak in our mineral filled hot tub- yet please no soaps or shampoos- hot tubs are not like a Jacuzzi. A Jacuzzi might tolerate such chemicals and just fill up with fun bubbles, but hot tubs are different. The motors and filters might get clogged and ruin the tub. We fill the tub with spring water from our creek and we only add Epson salts. We also have a few older bikes you can use to ride to the beautiful 7 km long Missezula lake, 3 kms north. Or rent our 16' canoe/ life jackets included/ to go out on the lake. Missezula Lake is one of our favorite summer places to cool off! Princeton area is renown for Copper Mining and we have many green rocks on the ground everywhere that are copper! We have been told there are also a few old mining caves on, or above our property, we have so far located one.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
CA$30
 / night

Arriving in Merritt from the south via the famed Coquihalla Pass (on Highway 5, cutting across an alpine range from the east end of Fraser Valley into BC’s interior) is like being dropped into a vast desert bowl. In summer, the dry heat is intense and the expansive, while the open landscape of the Nicola Valley is tufted with sage bush. This is high-adventure country, home to Canada's largest working cattle ranch and a starting point for outdoor pursuits from mountain biking to lake dipping, and wine country beyond.

98% (282)

Top-rated campgrounds

Washtock Family Campground

2. Washtock Family Campground

95%
(203)
55km from Merritt · 24 sites · Tents, RVs · BC
Nestled in the pristine Nahatlatch Valley between the Nahatlatch River and Fraser River. Washtock Family Campground offers rustic camping from tents to RVs. We are an ATV friendly campground with ride in ride out accessibility. The campground offers pull through RV Sites with non-potable water and septic connections. We are off grid so we have no power/electricity connections but allow generators. We have space for big groups or just a quick get away for two, we can accommodate you. We have flush toilets and outhouses as well as a hot shower for guest use. We have a small store on site with your regular camping goodies, Ice, seasonal vegetable, as well as farm fresh eggs and all natural free range beef from our farm. We are located 13km north of Northbend which is across the river from Boston Bar BC. Once you reach Boston Bar you will Turn left at the Esso and cross 2 sets of railroad tracks bringing you into Northbend, from Northbend there is about 6km of paved road after that there is 6km of gravel road until you reach our campground. Past our campground is the beautiful Nahatlatch provincial Park which contains Francis lake, Hanna Lake and Nahatlatch Lake. The lakes offer an abundance of activities such as fishing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming and paddle boarding. The first lake is about a 15-20 min drive again on gravel road. 2 wheel drive accessible until 21km on the forest service Road after 21km you will need a 4x4, if you plan to travel to Grizzly falls or the 3rd Lake. There are many hiking, biking, horseback riding and ATVing trails in the area. Washtockfamilyfarm.ca Please feel free to email if you have any questions. We would love to accommodate you for your future adventures.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
CA$43
 / night
looking from driveway to landing

8. Hidden Creek Rabbit Farm

94%
(9)
46km from Merritt · 6 sites · Tents · Merritt, BC
getting below freezing temperatures We are 8 minutes north east of PRINCETON BC, or an hour south of Aspen Grove BC. Define ourselves as a Christian couple and a rabbit farm, that would like to share our area with people who enjoy getting into the forest. We do not have dogs, cats or other outside pets so we frequently see deer grazing on our landings. Our property is located 28 Km off the main Hwy 5A on a highways maintained gravel road, some potholes exist! Though we have 3 camping options to choose from, we will block off 2 so whomever books first has the entire site to themselves- and can make check in and check out times flexible. Camping options are a larger 24 ' Rv for families or groups that sleeps up to 6/ a smaller 22' RV trailer for singles or couples sleeps 3. In addition to the RV we have on grid and an off grid areas for tenting, your RV's or van-life if preferred. Our driveway climbs up 100 meters off Summers Cr Rd and is quite secluded. The camping area is like a triangle- a narrow driveway over our creek that opens to a landing 100 feet long and 50 feet wide at the opposite end. Beyond the landing we are all hills and valleys with LOTS of rocky areas to explore, the terrain is uneven so bring sturdy hiking boots. Our small Hidden Creek runs through the property and you can hear it at night. We have also developed 2 hiking trails -one 3 km and one 9 km, both follow our creek to the top of our mountain- that you can explore independently or join a guided hike. After your hike enjoy a soak in our mineral filled hot tub- yet please no soaps or shampoos- hot tubs are not like a Jacuzzi. A Jacuzzi might tolerate such chemicals and just fill up with fun bubbles, but hot tubs are different. The motors and filters might get clogged and ruin the tub. We fill the tub with spring water from our creek and we only add Epson salts. We also have a few older bikes you can use to ride to the beautiful 7 km long Missezula lake, 3 kms north. Or rent our 16' canoe/ life jackets included/ to go out on the lake. Missezula Lake is one of our favorite summer places to cool off! Princeton area is renown for Copper Mining and we have many green rocks on the ground everywhere that are copper! We have been told there are also a few old mining caves on, or above our property, we have so far located one.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
CA$30
 / night

Camper favorites near Merritt

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Stories from the community

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best camping near Merritt guide

When to go

Summers are hot and dry in Merritt, north to Kamloops and east into the Okanagan. Lakeside camping sites are in high demand and the wineries attract lots of tourists. In winter, the surrounding higher elevations get dry-and-fluffy snow stashes that attract "Champagne" powder hounds to local ski resorts near Kelowna, Vernon, and Kamloops. 

Know before you go

  • Most provincial parks take campsite reservations in advance (recommended throughout the high season of summer) and give an early priority booking window to BC residents.
  • The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) that cuts through the North Cascade Mountains makes getting to Merritt smooth and easy from April to October, but it’s notorious for alpine snowstorms in winter. Check conditions before travelling. (Highway cams are set up along its 543-kilometer, north-south stretch.)
  • This is arid country with frequent wildfire warnings throughout the summer months, so expect fire bans and be prepared for possible evacuations.