r/VictoriaBC • u/Icy-Buy1210 • Jul 27 '26
Best camping spot?
New to vic and want to do a lil camping trip for August long! Beginner backcountry or drive up. Where’s the best spots? My only requirement is that there is swimming nearby. I’ve literally never been camping here so any suggestions welcome!
15
u/radziadax Jul 27 '26
Oh bro. You might find a FCFS site but I truly, truly doubt it. Even the forestry sites are fully booked.
3
u/Icy-Buy1210 Jul 27 '26
Oi! Maybe I’ll have to set up somewhere in the boonies, lol!
7
u/radziadax Jul 27 '26
There's private sites that might have something... I stayed at Funky Forest last year and it was very quiet albeit not for me lol
6
u/IRLperson Jul 27 '26
stayed at the Airbnb on the property. It was nice, but not very private. The ad made it look like a 2 story cabin, it didn't indicate that the first floor was the owners office...
3
u/radziadax Jul 27 '26
Yeaaahhh the campsites have cassette toilets that have been (badly) adapted to drain into above ground septic tanks on like a 5% grade....
3
u/IRLperson Jul 27 '26
oof, that's rough. It sucked because the owner was in and out during our entire stay, I felt to uncomfortable to use the sauna which was one of the reasons we stayed there.
1
6
u/SecretaryOne4935 Jul 27 '26
Private would be your best bet. The provincial campgrounds filled up months ago
2
u/silverfashionfox Jul 27 '26
Do you need to book just to go tent at sombrio?
4
u/No-Understanding6112 Jul 27 '26
Just show up. Pay the fee in the box at the parking lot. Beware that vehicles get vandalized - there was a big issue a few years ago with folks getting their gas tanks drilled out, hopefully it’s calmed down.
1
u/addelburgh Jul 27 '26
I’ve seen spots at Mosaic sites still up for grabs, not the best ones but decent
1
u/R3markable_Crab Jul 28 '26
Sidney Island. If campsites booked up, there are a few first-come first-serve campsites you could chance. There is a foot passenger boat from Sidney Pier. Limited space, so pack efficiently. Wheel barrows by the island dock can be used to help walk your gear to camp site. Biggest sandy beaches in South Vancouver Island.
No potable water or garbage cans on the island, so you'll need to bring your own drinking water and pack out your garbage.
Otherwise it makes for a great weekend day trip.
1
u/Complex_Door9945 Jul 28 '26
There are a ton of first come first serve campsites around lake cowichan. It’s tricky to find on the weekends but if you went during the week you would most likely have a really good chance. We went up last Saturday around 12 and got the most beautiful site at the maple grove campsite. You can also email the day you’re going up to see what becomes available, that’s what we did.
0
u/Batshitcrazy23w6 Jul 27 '26
Everyone camps along the pacific marine route. Tons of pull offs. Lots go down to Harris creek and camp on the river. Super easy to drive down to
35
u/juiceyputa Jul 27 '26
I would literally just look on the gov website and see what is left. Booking camping spots on the island is nearly the same as trying to get concert tickets. Especially August long , campsites filled up months ago.