If you were not one of the lucky few to win the Provincial Park Campsite lottery, do not despair. Summer is still here and there are still lots of ways to do some great camping on Vancouver Island without a reservation this summer.

Below are our top tips on finding a spot this summer. If you need more advice on building the perfect BC overland trip, we are offering free 15 minute trip planning calls. Book your call for free here.

First come first serve sites at provincial campgrounds

If camping at a provincial park is THE thing you want to do this summer, then there are still options for you. Most of us are itching to get a prime site in July and August, which makes looking for first come first serve (FCFS) sites the way to go. Sites that are designated FCFS are exactly what they sound like. If it’s available when you drive in, then you can claim it and pay nightly for the site. Once its yours, you can stay in the site for up to 14 days, a dream scenario if you’re going to be camping without a reservation.

When aiming for a FCFS site we recommend:

  • Do your research: Determine which campgrounds have FCFS sites and if possible determine how many sites they have on this basis. Some great examples on the island are Kitty Coleman, Englishman River Falls, and Quinsam.
  • Get there early: Check out is 11am. The Park Facility Operator may allocate FCFS according to their wait list or may leave the sites open and available to be claimed. Make sure you check how the site is operating when you arrive.
  • Do not hesitate: if you see an empty FCFS site, take it. Do NOT drive around the campground one more time just to check it out. FCFS sites are competitive and chances are that someone will have taken the spot you saw.
  • Have a back-up plan (or plans): If you have children or if you do not like the thought of not knowing where you may be sleeping that night then bring comfort to yourself / to others in your party by creating a number of back-up options.

Vancouver Island’s Recreational Sites

Vancouver Island has a wealth of Recreational (Rec) Sites, these provide a great rustic camping experience. The sites are generally located in more remote areas that are accessed by gravel forestry roads. They provide basic facilities but can vary widely. Rec sites work on a FCFS system so they are our TOP recommendation for those of you camping without a reservation this summer.

When aiming for a Rec site we recommend:

  • Taking the Backroads Mapbook: This is THE book you need for finding Rec sites and navigating to them.
  • Choosing an area where you have a few options: Not all Rec sites are maintained and sometimes access to the site may have been affected so aim to choose two or three options and then check them out – again,
  • Don’t hesitate, if you see a site that you like, take it! One of our favourite areas for this is the Sayward Valley Area which is located between Sayward and Campbell River.
  • Prepare to be self-sustaining: Be fully prepared to be self-sustaining, do not expect potable water and take your own grill for the fire pit!

Head out into the backcountry

Use the Backroads Mapbook to locate crown land. This federally owned land is free for Canadians to use, and you can camp for up to 14 consecutive days on crown land. Finding a spot to Wild Camp is part of the adventure, be prepared to amble along the logging roads and try out a few turns here and there.

When aiming to wild camp on crown land we recommend:

  • Taking your time: Finding a spot to camp needs to be one of the activities of the day, don’t leave it until 5pm when everyone is a bit hangry and tired to start looking!
  • Using the Backroads Mapbook: Look for geographical features and smaller logging roads. It’s often very nice to camp alongside a lake / river so look out for these features
  • Being prepared and being safe: Expect to be self-reliant, expect no cell phone signal and make sure you take first aid equipment and a GPS Messenger / SOS Device – such as the SPOT GPS Messenger. To read more on navigating in the backcountry see here.

Wherever you find yourself camping this summer, please remember to follow the principles of leave no trace camping.

Need advice on camping without a reservation?

Have ideas but not sure they are feasible? Our FarOut Team offers complimentary itinerary planning with any of our vehicle reservations. If you’re booking later in the season, when camping without a reservation is one of the only options, this is a great way to make the most of your adventure. Our vehicles are also 4×4’s insured for off-road driving, and come with a wide range of backcountry camping equipment that make wild camping comfortable — SOS services, water filtration systems, kitchen set up, and more.

We will give you access to our in-depth knowledge of the Island and some of our in-house secrets that we usually only share with our clients through their fully tailor-made itineraries.

Book your call here, we can’t wait to hear your ideas and help you plan