Camping to Tofino and back (from AB)

[3LittleDucks]

Just wanted to give you a report on our trip to Tofino and back, had a terrific time!

Night 1 - Banff AB, Tunnel mountain. A pretty normal stop for us heading out if we leave late in the day. Nice campground, fun town. Found out that the Banff Center has a public recreation facility so went for a family swim to cool off.

Night 2 - Salmon Arm, ViewPoint RV and Chalets. Very small, clean campground next to the highway. Probably wouldn't stay there for more than an overnight, but met our needs

Night 3 - Peachland, Todds RV. A sentimental favorite as we have been going for almost 2 decades. Older and feels a bit cramped with the bigger rigs (ours fits well but winding around the campground can be tricky). Good access to swimming across the street. Friendly and well run.

Night 4 - Harrison Hot Springs, Springs RV. Luxury RV park, primarily owner lots. Has a country club feel with lots of ammenities, but have to say we felt a bit like intruders. I assume once all of the lots sell they may not allow regular camping?

Night 5-8, Vancouver BC, Capilano RV. Perfectly fine 'city camping', just across the Lions Gate Bridge from Stanley Park/Vancouver. Kids enjoyed the pool.

Night 9-12, Tofino BC, Crystal Cove. Beautiful RV & Cabin resort near the ocean. Small sites but very private as they are heavily treed. Great playground for kids, and free starbucks coffee/tea (fancy beverages are at regular price). Amazing beach, and relatively quiet waves so safer than some other parts of the coast.

Night 13, Nanaimo BC, Living Forest Oceanside Campground. Can't say much about it as we only pulled in to sleep. Checked out the beach area, looked a little 'scungy' but maybe it's because we had just been at the ocean. Conveniently located to hop on the ferry the next morning.

Night 14. Kamloops BC, Lac Le Jeune Prov Park. Really great campground, big sites, quiet, lovely lake with clean water for swimming.

Night 15. Golden BC, Municipal Campground. It's a pretty crowded small campground next to the river and train tracks, but works for an overnight stay.

Night 16. Sparwood BC, Mountain Shadows (municipal). Next to the highway but well treed, clean bathrooms.

All in all had a great time, and as always enjoyed having the convenience of our little 'house on wheels' with us. The ocean was definitely the highlight though!

[gkenworth]

Thx. Planning on taking most of this trip next year.

[3LittleDucks]

I agree, Crystal Cove is an incredible spot. Must have been a fun trip! How long was it? We might head east next year to visit family in Quebec, and will definitely make a stop in Ottawa to visit Parliament Hill.

[JD_and_Beastlet]

Sounds like a great trip! When we went from Ottawa to BC in 2010 we stayed at two of the same ones you did... Crystal Cove near Tofino (probably the nicest CG we have every stayed at in 100+ trips) and Mountain Shadows in Sparwood (not fancy but nice, and our daughter, five at the time, loved playing around the giant dump truck).