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It's no secret that Mother Nature has had some unexpected plans for us folks on the West Coast. As a result, winter camping in British Columbia is gaining more interest among Rvers, and with good reason. Thanks to the province's mild to moderate winter weather and over 150 year-round campgrounds and RV parks, BC is definitely an ideal destination for off-season rving.
If you've never gone winter camping, you should. It's surprisingly a truly majestic experience. Imagine waking to a wonderland of snow outside while being warm and cozy inside. After a hearty breakfast, you can strap on the snowshoes and hit up a nearby ski hill or cross-country trail, head to a beach for a magical shoreline hike, or catch dinner while you ice fish on a frozen lake. Campsites are way less crowded too, plus, you can leave the bug spray at home!
If you're thinking about taking out the old trailer, fifth wheel, or truck camper for the winter but do not quite know where to go, O'Connor RV has you covered with these top BC winter camping destinations!
‘Glamping’ – yes, you read that right – is all the rage among campers these days. Spend a few nights under the starry winter night at one of the Fort Camping’s 156 campsites. Each one has a fire pit to keep campers cozy and warm when we’re at subzero. The campground is also well situated for fishing on the Fraser River. Take a stroll along one of the riverside walking trails, or try the more ambitious Fort to Fort trail to the site of the original Fort Langley.
Amazing winter wilderness adventures are possible in the spectacular and rugged Garibaldi Provincial Park. Ski touring, snowshoeing, mountaineering, and winter camping are all popular winter activities in the park. Set out for a few hours or on a multi-day trek to enjoy the spectacular scenery of this volcanic landscape. Enjoy views like The Black Tusk, a jagged remnant of a volcanic cone.
Vancouver Island is full of winter camping destinations just begging to be explored. Strathcona Provincial Park's rugged forest, located in the heart of Vancouver Island, is best known for its hiking trails. These vary from short strolls, such as one that leads from the working Boliden-Westmin zinc, copper, gold, and silver mine to the scenic Upper and Lower Myra Falls, to longer trails that lead to backcountry access and elk-spotting in the lower Thelwood Valley.
Northwest BC's Babine Mountains Provincial Park is a wilderness wonderland of majestic peaks, sparkling glacier-fed lakes, and blooming sub-alpine meadows home to wildlife, including mountain goats, moose, marmots, black bears, grizzlies, and wolverines. For when the nights get a little too cold, the park offers overnight lodging on a first-come, first-served basis at the Joe L’Orsa cabin in the Silver King Basin.
Kokanee Glacier Park is renowned as a winter backcountry destination. The heavy snowfall accumulations in the park can be counted upon to ensure excellent snowshoeing and ski conditions from late autumn to early spring. In addition to the quality of the snow, there is incredibly varied and skiable terrain in the park. The Kokanee Glacier, Woodbury, and Silver Spray Cabins provide lodging for overnight stay if you need a change of scenery from your RV as well!
Don’t let the heavy snowfall stop you from experiencing the great outdoors! Be sure to pack warm clothes, bring enough high-calorie food for the trip, and throw in a few coffee filters to filter melted snow!
If you have questions about properly winterizing your RV or need advice about keeping it well-maintained in the off-season, don't hesitate to reach out! We're always happy to help owners get the most out of the RV experience.