Camping site for this weekend near Vancouver?

[Jaz]

Hey guys,

this may be a little late notice, but my cousin and his wife have just landed in town and we're thinking about going camping this weekend... anyone know of a decent site that would still have availability? We looked into Golden Ears and Paradise Valley near Squamish, but both of them are booked out.

Any recommendations within an hour or two of Vancouver? We'll have a 4runner and forester, so forestry sites are aok :)

Thanks in advance!

Jaz

[parkside]

if you arrive at golden ears early thursday morning you are pretty much guaranteed a site, the catch is, you have to wait in line for a bit in the morning. Only a percentage of there sites are reserve sites.

[TardisDeli]

Hi Jaz, the 2 sites you mention are always busy becuz they are not 4 wheel drive roads, so all the drunken teenagers and noisy families go there. Since you guys are set for rough camping, why don't you just go up the Fraser Canyon, cross over at spences bridge to merritt, then back via the coquihalla (no more toll fees). Gives a good overview of BC terrain, and just rough camp up gravel roads (carry water, beware bears).

Cheers, Christine.

[Jaz]

Could sound like a plan Christine, although the folks we're going with may be interested in having some of the basic amenities on hand. Is there any campsites on the road Harrison Lake that you guys might know of that wouldn't be as popular?

Perhaps the one near Skookumchuck?

Actually, which area do you mean by Fraser Canyon btw, I'm just seeing the number 1 route on google maps... correct?

[sasquatch-hunter]

Here is a link of some local campgrounds:

http://www.westender.com/articles/entry ... ost-there/

[TardisDeli]

Hi Jaz, the entire Harrison area will be a zoo this weekend, as the road is impassable usually until May Longweekend, so it is a typical route for May. and most areas don't have a proper toilet.

Yes Fraser River is highway 1. Just mentioned it cuz it's warmer climate up the Fraser, Merrit is usually a warm area, and the Coquihlla has mountains and is colder, so you see a wide variety of geography. I will be at N"kwala 22 km west of Merrit, but its a dry site, no water no toilets no nothing.

If you are needing amenities, then campgrounds operated by BC Provincial govt rather than BC Forest will be better, as forestry sites usually just have pit toilets. Give your friends their very own gardening trowel in a ziploc, and a roll of toilet paper each in a ziploc baggie (trowel and ziplocs from Dollar Store), and print out a photograph of stinging nettles so they don't crouch on one (warning: Canadian stinging nettles don't look like English stinging nettles).

Another place, Silver Skagit just south of Hope. Search my posts around Easter. Just before Hope, take the silver skagit exit, follow the gravel road, proper campsite at the far end. Can do road in 2 WD. Not as busy, cuz it's a none-through road (meaning you have to return by the same road). Or past Whistler is Nairn Falls Prov campsite.

Or a better choice for your guests, Manning Park has several different campgrounds, and you can do to the main bar/pub restaurant for meals, and pay a day rate for the sauna and use the hot showers, very civilized. They also rent out cabins. It's a major ski area in winter, so all amenitities thus ideal for the less than intrepid explorers, and brochures and info. done manning with other groups, but not with the Delica group as the campgrounds are pay sites. Lots of hikes in the area, and gravel back roads to drive. On the tops of hills you might see large torpedo shaped green metal structures with warning signs on --- no they're not to keep the Americans out of Canada but are radio transmitters for forest fire and weather telemetry. Just take heaps more doona's & warm bedding than you think you'll want becuz it is a very cold area (the mountain range there attracts cold winds). But beautiful. And then you plan the Pacific Crest Trail, walk for several months from Mexico to Canada over a very established trail which goes through Manning Park.

Just be sensible of bears everywhere, as the mums have babies, and dads are cranky as they have to find food to sate their winter munchies and rebuild their manly beer guts. Keep the car door locked at night, and park so you can drive out easily, leave keys in the ignition, and no junk sitting in the drivers seat or in the crawlway from the back to the front, ready for a quick exit. Sing songs or talk loudly as you walk, so you dont startle them. But dont worry about them, just be sensible.

PM me if you want.

Enjoy, Christine.

[Jaz]

Some excellent options Christine, you rock!

I think we're going to head over to Manning Park for the weekend - it's a bit further out, so might not be as packed full of rednecks as Golden Ears, and it sounds kind of cool.

Thanks all!

[AceKeiven]

Manning Park is the best place where you can enjoy bonding with your family and friends. It's been a long time when I go in this place. It is the most convenient place to stay for tourists like me. pacquiao vs clottey live

[Meanman]

Alice lake....just north of Squamish is nice too