There’s no place like the outdoors in the summertime, and what better way to get outside than a camping trip. There is no shortage of camping spots around Vancouver and Fraser Valley, it’s just a matter of finding a great one. Whether you’re interested in fishing, hiking, or 5-star views, there’s a campsite waiting for you and your family this summer.
Get your camp stove, sunscreen and tent ready, and let this article be your inspiration for your next camping trip on the Lower Mainland.
Cultus Lake Park
Just an hour from Vancouver and even less from the Fraser Valley, Cultus Lake is one of the top camping destinations in this part of the province. Found South of Chilliwack and East of Abbotsford, Cultus Lake Provincial Park is a beautiful lakefront campsite that’s packed with amenities. The warm lake provides all sorts of opportunity for adventure, plus there are hiking and horseback trails, playgrounds, and well-equipped bathrooms.
The campsite is close the community of Cultus Lake, which is a great place to stop for supplies, food, and camping gear. They also have their own marina to park the boat, pus restaurants, a laundromat, and gas stations.
Fishing Spot
At roughly 210 feet deep and 6.3 square kilometres, Cultus Lake is a popular fishing spot for campers and locals. In the warm waters you’ll find rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden.
Porteau Cove Park
The Porteau Cove Provincial Park and Campground is unique in that it’s sitting atop the most southerly fjord in North America. And the campground itself is stunning, with waterfront access, views of Howe Sound, and a mountain backdrop. The campsite has a boat launch, electrical hook-ups, washroom facilities, and clean drinking water.
Porteau Cove Park is of interest to many scuba divers, as an old sunken ship lies at the bottom of the cove. The old broken-down ship is great for exploring, plus you’ll be greeted by lots of local wildlife that have made it their home.
Golden Ears Park
As one of the largest parks in the entire province, Golden Ears draws campers, hikers, fishers, boaters, and skiers all year round. The park sits in a massive coastal western hemlock forest with lakes surrounding the park and dotted throughout, towering mountains, and a dense backcountry.
The campground has multiple sites packed with all the standard amenities of a provincial park, plus park land around the site has spots for rock climbing, horseback riding, watersports, hiking, and more.
Fishing Spot
Lake Alouette is one of the best fishing spots in Golden Ears Park at 10.7 square kilometres and 500+ feet deep. The lake is stocked with cutthroat and rainbow trout, plus you could find lake trout, northern pikeminnow, and stickleback.
Fort Camping
Fort Camping is a private RV camp resort and campground located in Fort Langley. There are 156 campsites in the park, along with RV hook-ups and tent cabins for glamping.
Located in Brae Island Regional Park, campers have easy access to some awesome hiking, biking and walking trails. There is plenty of nature and wildlife to enjoy, plus a sandy beach for lounging.
Fort Camping is geared towards families, which means special summer theme weekends, family tent cabins available for rent, a playground, and even bike rentals. Families can also enjoy clean, modern bathrooms, and stock up on firewood and ice at the general store.
Vedder River
Located in Chilliwack just a 10-minute drive from Cultus Lake is the Vedder River Campground. Operated by the Fraser Valley Regional District, this pet-friendly campground has spots for tents, trailers and RVs, plus washrooms, fire pits and picnic tables.
Nestled next to the Vedder River, this campground is ideal for families or those want to take advantage of the river. The river is full of fish and surrounded by hiking, plus the river itself is perfect for rafting and kayaking.
Fishing Spot
Also known as the Chilliwack River, the Vedder section represents the lower part of the river while the Chilliwack is everything above the Vedder Crossing. The river is known to be home to Steelhead and different species of salmon.
Chilliwack Lake Park
Chilliwack Lake Park is a provincial campground located in the upper Chilliwack River Valley, a 45-minute drive East of downtown Chilliwack. The lake is surrounded by steep slopes populated by old-growth forest, and if you look above the treeline, you’ll see magnificent alpine ridges jutting out from the forest.
Chilliwack Lake is popular for water-based activities like boating, canoeing, swimming, and fishing. The surrounding forest also provides excellent hiking, birdwatching, and nature walking. The campsite has all the amenities and facilities you’ll need, like washrooms, a playground, drinking water, and a boat launch.
Fishing Spot
Chilliwack Lake is one of the larger on this list, coming in at 11.9 square kilometres and 374 feet deep. Whether you’re coming in the Spring, Summer or Fall, fishers can catch Dolly Varden, kokanee, rainbow, and cutthroat trout.
Cheam Fishing Village
If you’re looking for a private, fishing-centred camping trip that is more secluded, Cheam Fishing Village and Campground is a great option. Located right on the bank of the Fraser River, the grounds have 52 campsites plus a couple group sites with fire pits, tables, and power/water hook-ups. The beauty and power of the Fraser is a sight to behold, either from your campsite or the many riverfront walking trails.
Fishing Spot
If you’re looking to fish, it doesn’t get much better than the Fraser River. Stretching over 1,300 kilometres as the country’s 5th largest river, the Fraser River supplies some of the largest and healthiest salmon, sturgeon, and trout in the entire world.
Rolley Lake Park
Located relatively close to Vancouver, North of Mission and East of Maple Ridge, Rolley Lake Park is an outdoor oasis. The campground sits next to Rolley Lake, a small but warm lake that is great for fishing, swimming, and canoeing. With a total ban on all motors on the lake, this campsite is one of the quietest and most peaceful.
Rolley Lake site on a mostly flat area surrounded by wilderness and coniferous trees, making for an ideal home for squirrels, deer, and birds like the woodpecker.
The 64 campsites share access to all the comforts of provincial camping, and can partake in a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, kayaking, swimming, and wildlife viewing.
Fishing Spot
Rolley Lake is a small one, but it’s not without fish. The lake is regularly stocked with Coastal Cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. Just make sure to leave the motorboats at home!
If you’re heading out camping for the weekend to enjoy the beauty of BC’s parks and wildlife, stop by one of Springs Group’s 14 liquor stores to stock up on refreshments. With stores across the Lower Mainland from Vancouver to Mission, we’re a convenient pit stop on the way to your favourite campground. We’ve got promotions and new giveaways monthly, plus the super friendly staff to help you out.
