Tofino/Ucluelet or Port McNeill/Campbell River?

[chracatoa]

We are finalizing out trip to Vancouver Island this year. However, we are still not sure if we should go to Tofino/Ucluelet or Port McNeill/Campbell River. Any ideas?

Where we will have more things to do?

I'm having a hard time getting a campground that can handle a 38' motorhome one of our families have in Tofino/Ucluelet. I think the only place is Ucluelet campground.

Thanks!

[myredracer]

Tofino/Uclulet is pretty amazing. Long Beach is world famous and attracts visitors from all over the world. If you don't go there, if you have the $$, visit Tofino in the winter and stay at Wickaninnish Inn and watch the storms and waves from your room next to the beach. Stop at Macmillan Park/Cathedral Grove on the way to Port Alberni and see humongous trees that are up to 800 years old.

Another option to Tofino/Uclulet might be heading southward out of Port Alberni along Barkely Sound towards Bamfield and Pacific Rim National Park. I have no idea about RV campgrounds around there. If you have the time, consider a one-day cruise on a Lady Rose Marine ship through the Sound.


Campbell River is also a good choice and because it's on the eastern side of the Island is protected from the ocean breezes and will generally be warmer. From Campbell River on the way back, an option is to drive down to Comox and take the ferry over to Powell River and make your way down the Sunshine Coast to West Vancouver. The Sunshine Coast is very beautiful and worth the effort.

Strathcona Provincial Park is west and south of Campbell River and has great day hikes. There are boat rentals at Buttle Lake on the way to the park. There is also Elk Falls Provincial Park which is closer to Campbell River. There are many fishing charters available in Campbell River (such as this one). They call CR the Salmon capital of the world.

Alert Bay was mentioned above. It also would be a totally amazing trip. Would be quieter and less crowded too.

Doesn't matter where you go on the Island, it's all awesome!

[chracatoa]

It's three families with 2 kids each around 11 yo.
Thanks for your input. It seems we are leaning to Tofino at this point.

[bcbouy]

last time we were out that way we camped at mussel beach campground outside ucluelet.right on the beach.beautiful.

[robatthelake]

You could do both! Both of Your picks have multiple sights to see! One is not better than the other,just different!

[Artum_Snowbird]

Tell me about the families, their needs. There are family parks, more adult parks, rural parks and close to the city parks in Campbell River. When are you coming, and what do the families like to do?

I live within walking distance of several great places here, but each is different.

Mike

[crabbin_cabin]

Been to both. To me - Campbell River and on north are always our choice. The N. Island is very interesting. From Pt McNeill take the ferry to Cormorant Island / Alert bay. Visit the Kwakeil museum _ U-Mista. One of the great First Nation museums that tell the history of Potlatch/Canadian gov't shame etc.

The CG at Beaver Cove can handle your rig ( at least when we were there it could) Day trips from there to Pt Mcneill, Telegraph Cove/ whale watching, the railroad at Beaver Cove.etc.
John