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

Canada
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British Columbia
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Nelson

98% (53 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Nelson

3 top waterside campgrounds near Nelson with a private bathroom

Dog-friendly getaways

100%

(2)

Blacktail Ridge

1 site · RV, Tent55 acres · Creston, BC

Set on 55 acres of rolling hillside in the community known as Wynndel B.C., Blacktail Ridge is a quick 15 min N of Creston and only 20 min S of Kuskanook Harbour. Our large campsites provide plenty of space and privacy. There are only 6 sites available as the Deer, Elk, wild Turkey were here first!

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.

Waterside camping near Nelson with a private bathroom guide

Overview

Perched on the edge of the West Arm of Kootenay Lake, nestled in the Selkirk Mountains, Nelson is the gateway to some of Canada’s best backcountry. No matter which outdoor passion you pursue, chances are you can do it here—there are lush forests for hiking, mountain trails for cycling, crystal-clear lakes and rivers for watersports, and glacier-topped mountains for skiing. Boasting more than 350 preserved heritage buildings, this thriving 10,000-person town is also known for its arts and culture scene. Plus, Nelson is a foodie’s dream with more restaurants per capita than Manhattan, including three craft breweries.

Where to go

Ainsworth

With only 50 residents, this is one tiny town. But Ainsworth overflows with visitors thanks to its year-round hot pools. Ainsworth Hot Spring Resort features a large lounging pool, a stream-fed plunge pool, and a natural 46-meter horseshoe cave where 42°C mineral water streams down its walls. For those wanting to do a deeper (cave) dive, a bit further north is Cody Caves Provincial Park, where you can tour incredible limestone caves.

Castlegar

Castlegar sits equidistant from two of the world’s best ski resorts, Whitewater Resort and Red Mountain, which get an average annual snowfall of 12 meters. But it’s not just winter sports that thrive out here—summer sports have their time in the sun, too. A 3-acre bike park sits in the heart of the town, as does access to the Trans-Canada Trail system via the C&W Rail Trail, an abandoned railway bed.

Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park

In Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, get up close and personal with not one but two glaciers, Kokanee and Woodbury. With the park’s elevation sitting mostly above 1,800 meters, hikers, campers, climbers, and skiers can use 85 kilometers of well-marked trails to access emerald-coloured lakes, wildflower-filled meadows, and snow-capped mountains year-round. Since access to the park is via old mining and forestry roads, and weather patterns can change quickly, always check conditions before heading up.

When to go

Thanks to its humid continental climate, Nelson gets four distinct seasons: cold and snowy winters, milder wet springs, hot, dry summers, and cool, wet autumns. Going in May, June or September means you’ll avoid the sometimes-overwhelming heat of the high-summer months but still enjoy warm days on the trail or out on the water. For the best snow-based recreation, head there in March and April for warmer days that still provide lots of accumulated snow.

Know before you go

Nelson sits at the junction of Provincial Highway 3A and Highway 6, and is an 8-hour drive from Vancouver or Calgary, and a 4-hour drive from Kelowna.
It’s remote out here, but West Kootenay Regional Airport is near Castlegar. Bad weather hits this airport often, so stay on top of flight updates.
While this artsy town has managed to keep chain stores out of the downtown core, there are plenty of shops to stock up on outdoor gear and food supplies (try the Kootenay Co-op, Canada’s oldest food cooperative), as well as artisan boutiques and art galleries.

Nearby attractions

Nestled along the Arrow Lake shores, McDonald Creek Provincial Park offers a splendid camping experience. If you love serene lakeside campfires, exploring lush forest trails, or just unwinding near the water, camping at McDonald Creek is a joy-filled adventure.