Discover the best family-friendly beach campgrounds near Powell River, British Columbia

Canada
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British Columbia
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Powell River

98% (197 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Powell River

3 top beach campgrounds near Powell River

Dog-friendly getaways

99%

(120)

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

Alpaca Haven

3 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Parksville, BC

Recently moved to property to begin our new journey, this property holds an immense sense of peace and wellness, grazed by lamas and alpacas for past 2 decades &10acre farm property completely fenced in and void from predators, general public, and unwanted guests. Pockets of old cedars, ponds, forest trail and privacy. Feel at one with surrounding nature. Gated and fenced in access points for use coordinating with grazing animals. Learn more about this land: Our property is located in between Qualicum Beach and Parksville on Vancouver Island! We have a friendly, small alpaca herd and 6 blissfully friendly goats. You have the option to interact with them if you'd like! We are minutes from beautiful ocean beaches, river access, lush green trails, or the amenities of the Parksville/Qualicum Oceanside region. Parksville is one of Canada's most popular summer destinations for families. Everyone loves Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, with its beaches, tidal flats and pools, and wildlife. Quiet nights with moonlight, stars, crickets singing and owls hooting. Qualicum Airport and restaurants nearby. You'll have access to potable water from the well if needed. Pets are welcome at the discretion of property owners. Campers can expect a peaceful retreat closely located to some of Vancouver Islands' most sought off adventures, experiences, and memories.

Tiny Secrets Farm & Retreat

13 sites · Lodging10 acres · Halfmoon Bay, BC

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 a wide assortment of intriguing tiny homes. We have everything from a converted schoolie with a woodstove and an ocean view to gorgeous, furnished campsites in the woods. Check out our micro cabin, glamping tent, and new additions, like our luxury tent trailer, bell tent, and furnished campsites in the forest. Our property is an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Enjoy our recreation area with a large pond, our new small playground for young kids, and our small orchard with several small ponds. Explore our walking trails on our property, 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 10 years.

Family-friendly beach camping near Powell River guide

Overview

The Sunshine Coast hugs the Pacific Ocean between Howe Sound and Desolation Sound within day-tripping distance of Vancouver. Although it’s technically part of mainland BC, the jagged coastal mountains make road travel impossible, so you reach this region by ferry or float plane. From Powell River, the largest community on the northern Sunshine Coast, you can go hiking, kayaking, boating, or watch the sunset over the ocean. Camp oceanfront at Saltery Bay Provincial Park, or near town at private RV parks with full-service campsites, hookups, and tenting sites. Haywire Bay Regional Park, on Powell Lake, is another option for RV and tent campers.

When to go

Powell River and the Sunshine Coast are year-round destinations. The weather is warmest, driest, and most comfortable for campers from April through October. The busiest season is the mild summer, between late June and early September, but spring and fall are both lovely, if cooler and damper. Winters are mild, compared to other destinations in Canada, with temperatures normally above freezing. Just prepare for plenty of winter rain—better for cuddling around the fire than camping on the beach.

Know before you go

From Vancouver, it takes two ferries to reach Powell River. From the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal, take BC Ferries service to Langdale, at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast. Drive north on Highway 101 (the Sunshine Coast Highway) to catch the Earl’s Cove-Saltery Bay ferry, and continue north on Highway 101 into Powell River.
Before crossing to the north Sunshine Coast, stop at Skookumchuck Narrows, near Egmont, to see the dramatic tides and spectacular whirlpools that sweep between Sechelt and Jervis Inlets twice a day. It’s an easy four-kilometre hike through the forest to the Narrows. Check the tide schedule to arrive at the best viewing times.
You can find groceries and other camping supplies in Powell River. Many of the camping areas outside of town or on the islands are fairly remote, so stock up on what you need before you reach your campsite.