Discover the best luxury cabin rentals near Nanaimo, British Columbia

Canada
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British Columbia
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Nanaimo

97% (367 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Nanaimo

Star Hosts in Nanaimo

6 top cabins sites near Nanaimo

98%

(158)

theDoighouse Earthship

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

Have you ever imagined a house built from tires, dirt, pop cans, and concrete? Welcome to theDoighouse Earthship, an eco-retreat nestled in the forest, mere 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. Just an hour north of Nanaimo, our property serves as an ideal base for day trips to Hornby, Denman, and Lasqueti Islands. Or don’t leave the island and spend the afternoon eating delicious fresh-made doughnuts at the famous Old Country Market in Coombs, home to the iconic goats on the roof, it’s only a 20-minute drive from our doorstep. Or 10 minutes to the waterfront and delicious ice cream at the Cone Zone. Stay local and discover forest trails, a children's playground, and a bike park right in our neighbourhood. Lighthouse Country area teems with opportunities for exploration, from pristine beaches including Sunny Beach and scenic Spider and Horne Lakes to an array of hiking paths, or if you climb, consider the Horne Lake Caves! Use your All Trails App to discover the Wilson Woodlot and Lost Runners Trails. Urban legend has it that it was the running shoes that were lost, not the people wearing them! Or stop here for a night en route 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. You can pitch your tent in our gardens, park your RV on the edge of the forest, or stay in our cozy tiny cabin. You can wander in the gardens and check out a young permaculture food forest filled with fruit and hazelnut trees, berries, and all that good stuff! 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. It is love for the planet, and people and sharing of abundance that makes this project come alive. Attend a group tour, or arrange for your own private 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/events. On arrival, you will be greeted by Bentley (our standard poodle), Mabel (mouser extraordinaire) and the 'hens' who generously gift fresh eggs daily. Come visit, tour, and stay. Susan and Tony Doig

94%

(117)

Tiny Secrets Farm & Retreat

15 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Halfmoon Bay, BC

Tiny Secrets Farm & Retreat is an Award-winning Glamping Nature Retreat. We are centrally located on the Sunshine Coast (only a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay) on a spectacular 10-acre ocean-view property. We run a small, organic farm and host guests in intriguing tiny homes and glamping tents. We have everything from a converted schoolie with a woodstove and an ocean view, furnished RV's with large decks, to gorgeous, furnished campsites in the woods. Check out our micro cabins, rv's, and assortment of glamping tents. Our property is a nature oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Just 20 minutes north of Sechelt we're close to beaches and lakes. Enjoy our recreation area with a large pond, our small playground for young kids, and our small orchard with several small ponds. Explore our walking trails, visit our chickens, or sit near our seasonal waterfall. There are many spots on the property to sit and chill. We've also been Airbnb hosts for over 13 years.

91%

(95)

Maple Heart Ranch - Homestead

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Shawnigan Lake, BC

Are you looking for a secluded camping experience with a lot of privacy? Bring your tent and stay at one of our wilderness campsites. Our basic Campsites have picnic tables, fire pits and an outhouse close by. And if you want, you can explore the farm and all our animals or one of the many hiking trails close by. Firewood is available for a charge.Our property is located in Shawnigan Lake, BC on Vancouver Island. The area is renowned for its rugged beauty and its 7-kilometre long lake that provides the opportunity for fishing, swimming and sunbathing in the summer.Nearby is the recently restored Kinsol Trestle named for the short-lived “King Solomon Mine”. Restored in 2011, it is an engineering feat, even by today’s standards and remains one of the loftiest wooden railway trestles in the world.We look forward to hosting you!

Moon Gate Farms

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Roberts Creek, BC

We are now open for reservations. Please call to book and will open sites per request. Moon Gate Farms offers an unique glamping and camping experience with eco campsites in Roberts Creek, BC. Located in a remote part of Roberts Creek, the property is just a 10-minute drive from beaches, restaurants, and hiking trails. Moon Gate farms is an ideal getaway for family holidays, mountain walkers, cyclists, birdwatchers, or couples looking to escape into the wilderness. Communal outdoor kitchen with camp stove, prep tables, toaster, microwave, are provided. Friend canine campers are also invited. We have two resident Bernese mountain x golden retriever dogs who love to bark when campers arrive! They are friendly and settle quickly when told to sit and chill. Best way to get directions is to use Google Maps and put in Moon Gate Farms in Roberts Creek. We are pinned to the map and on the East Wilson Forest Service rd.

Sunshine Coast Green Zone

3 sites · Lodging, Tents2 acres · Gibsons, BC

This property was purchased nearly half a century ago. For the majority of this time the forest section you will be camping in was left undeveloped, apart from a few mountain bike trails. Recently, as a family, we have seen a large increase in the people traveling to the Sunshine Coast to escape the city limits. Unable to rock up to a campsite and pick our spot like we used to, it was easy to see a growing demand. We have taken everything we love about camping and done our best to give you a sense of what life on the Coast is really about. Please note: By entering onto the property you release all liabilities towards us as hosts. You are choosing to camp in a forested area that contains many hazards as well as potential threats. These include but are not limited to; Wild life (bears, bob cats, cougars etc), Fire is a serious threat to this region during summer months strict no smoking policy is in effect. Care should be taken walking around uneven surfaces. All campers are required to stay within camp boundaries fail to follow these protocols will result in being asked to leave. Please respect this piece of land as much as we do. ~Hope you enjoy your time on the Sunshine Coast

Raylia Cottage Farm Stay

2 sites · Lodging12 acres · Mayne Island Trust Area, BC

Available all year round! Located at the center of beautiful Mayne Island. Raylia cottage is situated on a 12-acre organically run farm, overlooking pasture and gardens, and backing on to one of the Gulf Islands' most spectacular parks.It offers tranquillity, peace and total privacy. Our cottage has an old fashion feeling - along with modern conveniences. It's perfect for a romantic getaway or a country farm experience with the family. The cottage is centrally located, 5-minute walk to an organic grocer, spa and shops. Self-Catering, quiet, private and peaceful, 20-minute walk to the beach.Beautiful self-contained cottage with total privacy. Fully equipped kitchen. South facing deck for afternoon siestas. Cozy wood stove. Great for a family. Private and secluded for a couple. Four overly loving golden retrievers and lovey cats to make your stay feel like home.Close to all amenities, organic food store, bookstore, spa, restaurant. Backs onto National Park for great hiking. 20-30 minutes walk to 2 beautiful beaches and town.We want to make your stay on Mayne Island a beautiful one!Learn more about this land:Available all year round! Located at the center of beautiful Mayne Island. Raylia cottage is situated on a 12-acre organically run farm, overlooking pasture and gardens, and backing on to one of the Gulf Islands' most spectacular parks. It offers tranquillity, peace and total privacy. Our cottage has an old fashion feeling - along with modern conveniences. It's perfect for a romantic getaway or a country farm experience with the family. The cottage is centrally located, 5-minute walk to an organic grocer, spa and shops. Self-Catering, quiet, private and peaceful, 20-minute walk to the beach. Beautiful self-contained cottage with total privacy. Fully equipped kitchen. South facing deck for afternoon siestas. Cozy wood stove. Great for a family. Private and secluded for a couple. Four overly loving golden retrievers and lovey cats to make your stay feel like home. Close to all amenities, organic food store, bookstore, spa, restaurant. Backs onto National Park for great hiking. 20-30 minutes walk to 2 beautiful beaches and town. We want to make your stay on Mayne Island a beautiful one!

Luxury cabins near Nanaimo guide

Overview

On Vancouver Island’s east coast, Nanaimo is a hub for adventures across the island. Based in this waterfront city set 113 kilometres from British Columbia’s capital of Victoria, you can check out wineries, beaches, and old-growth forests. It’s also the most convenient ferry port for continuing west to Tofino and the Pacific Coast. Surrounding Nanaimo are campgrounds by the ocean or along inland lakes, including Living Forest Oceanside Campground & RV Park, Westwood Lake Campgrounds, RV Resort on the Lake, Brannen Lake RV Park & Campsite, and Jinglepot RV Park & Campgrounds. You can camp at several islands or provincial parks nearby, too.

Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Provincial Park)

A short 15-minute ferry ride from downtown Nanaimo, this island is the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation and has a small tent camping area with washrooms and showers. You can lounge on one of the pebbly beaches or wander 23 kilometres of walking trails.

Parksville and Qualicum Beach

A 30- to 40-minute drive north of Nanaimo, the coastal communities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach are popular with campers. A number of RV resorts and private campgrounds welcome families, or you can camp in several provincial parks. A favorite is Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, where the tenting spots and RV sites are near a sandy beach.

Cowichan Valley

South of Nanaimo and between the towns of Duncan and Cobble Hill, Vancouver Island’s wine country offers family-run wineries, cider makers, and distillers. You’ll find several campgrounds in this area, with more camping options to the west along Cowichan Lake.

Victoria and Vicinity

Most of the campgrounds near British Columbia’s waterfront capital are north or west of the city. The forested Malahat Mountain Meadows RV Park is near the summit of Malahat Drive with views over the Gulf Islands. Hike among massive firs and western red cedars in Goldstream Provincial Park, or camp by the water at Island View Regional Park on the Saanich Peninsula.

When to go

The busiest season in Nanaimo and across Vancouver Island is late May through mid-October, particularly during the sunny summer months of July and August and on Canadian holiday long weekends. With a temperate rainforest climate, this coastal region receives very little snow, but you should prepare for rain and chilly temperatures between November and April. While spring can still be rainy, it’s also relatively quiet with flowers in bloom March through May.

Know before you go

BC Ferries can take you to Nanaimo from Horseshoe Bay, just outside of Vancouver,. Pedestrians and cyclists can walk onto the ferries, but if you’re taking your car, make a reservation in advance, particularly between late May and mid-October.
Many of the campgrounds close to Nanaimo are designed for RVs, with full-service sites catering to big rigs. Tent campers may prefer the provincial parks or more secluded Gulf Island camping areas.
Cafes and pubs cluster along the narrow streets of Nanaimo’s historic downtown. Larger groceries and big-box stores line the highways sprawling out from the center.