The best camping near Cape Scott Provincial Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Cape Scott Provincial Park adventure.

The rugged northern end of Vancouver Island invites adventurers on a hike through history.

Popular ways to camp

Top-rated campgrounds near Cape Scott Provincial Park

Port Hardy RV Resort & Cabins

10 sites · Tents5 acres · Port Hardy, BC

Learn more about this land: Pitch a tent and take in the naturally gorgeous surroundings of the old-growth Cedar, Hemlock, Fir and Alder trees. Our Estuary front tenting sites are just a short walk away from the primary bathrooms, showers, laundry and BBQ facilities. We have 5 beautiful acres with so much to explore, the possibilities are endless! There are 10 tent campsites available. Campfires are permitted as long as there is no fire ban, pets are welcome. Firewood is available to purchase for $7 as an extra. Please add this to your reservation at the time of booking. Located at the Northern tip of Vancouver Island, Port Hardy and the surrounding area is rich in tradition and deep-rooted in culture. Rich, rugged and resilient, Port Hardy is the gateway to an authentic, unspoiled, nature-driven adventure.

The best camping near Cape Scott Provincial Park guide

Overview

About

From 1897 to 1907 Danish settlers farmed the area that is now Cape Scott Provincial Park and left behind signs of settlement and a few old roads that have since become hiking trails. Visitors can hike the 23-kilometre Cape Scott Trail, the North Coast Trail (a 43-kilometre extension to the Cape Scott Trail), or the 2-kilometre San Joseph Bay Trail. These rugged walkways are often muddy, but wilderness camping is available at trail intervals in settings ranging from forest tent platforms to beachside campsites. Rustic amenities may include an outhouse, food stash, and water. Cape Scott Provincial Park is the traditional territory of Nahwitti peoples.

Notable campgrounds

Best for families: An easy 2.5-kilometre hike from the trailhead makes San Josef Bay popular with families and beginners. Sea Stacks and sea caves make the beach fascinating to explore.
Best for solitude: Nissen Bight is a beautiful sandy beach 15 kilometres from the trailhead. The beach gets fewer campers than Nels Bight, making it more peaceful and a better place to spot wolves.
Best for an extra night: Guise Bay is three kilometres from the end of the trail with a fascinating dune area between Guise Bay and Experiment Bight.

Tips for snagging a campsite

A backcountry camping permit from BC Parks’ Discover Camping website is required if hiking between May 1 and September 30.
The 11 designated camping sites at Eric Lake are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

When to go

Cape Scott Provincial Park is open for camping year-round, but most campers visit between June and September. It’s often cold and rainy in this area, but there’s more chance of sun in summer.

Know before you go

Port Hardy, the nearest town for supplies and accommodation, is about 60 kilometres away via gravel logging roads.
Mobile phone signals are not found anywhere in the park.
Dogs are not permitted in most areas of the park due to wolf activity.
For dispersed camping, beach spots are recommended. Only some food caches and pit toilets are provided.