Campgrounds
We-Wai-Kai Camp Site
Quadra Island
STAY · CAMPBELL RIVER & SURROUNDINGS
Pitch your tent beside the Discovery Passage, wake up on Quadra Island, or back your rig into a quiet coastal forest.
7 campgrounds & RV parks · Updated October 2026Accommodations Guide · Campbell River Guide
Photo: We-Wai-Kai Camp Site via Google
01AT A GLANCE
The details that matter.
The eastern coast of Vancouver Island gives you direct access to oceanfront pitches, forested provincial reserves, and quiet island hookups. We outline ferry logistics, reservation timelines, and bear safety protocols to get your trip sorted.
- Peak Season
- May to October
- Book Ahead
- 3 months for BC Parks
- Ferry Access
- 10-min ride to Quadra Island
- Bear Country
- Always be bear aware
02THE STORY
Fall asleep to the sound of the tide.
Ocean sites on Quadra, riverside forest in town and RV parks by the beach. Camping here is the best way to wake up close to the water.
On Quadra Island, We-Wai-Kai Camp Site sits on Rebecca Spit with views over Drew Harbour, beside Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park. Tsa-Kwa-Luten RV Park near Cape Mudge has big serviced sites.
In town, Thunderbird RV Park & Cottage Resort is on Tyee Spit, and Quinsam Campground sits in the forest by the river in Elk Falls Provincial Park. South of town, Salmon Point RV Resort and Marina has its own boat launch.
Reserve provincial park sites as soon as booking opens. Summer weekends sell out.
01STAY GUIDE
Oceanfront camping
Wake up next to the water.
Campgrounds
Thunderbird RV Park & Cottage Resort
Campbell River
Campgrounds
Glen Alder RV Park
Campbell River
Campgrounds
Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park
Quadra Island
Campgrounds
Salmon Point RV Resort and Marina
Campbell River
Campgrounds
Tsa-Kwa-Luten RV Park
Quadra Island
Campgrounds
Quinsam Campground
Campbell River
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•LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Coastal and Forest Locations
Review the logistics of securing a spot near the Discovery Fishing Pier, out on the islands, or deep in the Strathcona wilderness. Getting a location takes planning, especially during the peak summer fishing season.
The short answer
Start by checking availability at Thunderbird RV Park & Cottage Resort if you want to be right on the ocean near the Sea Walk. If you prefer a short ferry ride to a quieter setting, look at We-Wai-Kai Camp Site or Tsa-Kwa-Luten RV Park. For a forested base near hiking trails, book a spot at Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park well ahead of time.
01By the Water
Oceanfront Bases
Waking up next to the Discovery Passage puts you right on the edge of the local salmon migration routes. The shoreline here has several spots with direct beach access and clear views of passing pods of orcas and humpbacks. Because these sites sit right on the water, they book out completely during July and August.
South of the city centre, Thunderbird RV Park & Cottage Resort is a long-standing fixture right next to the Discovery Fishing Pier and the paved Sea Walk to Willow Point. Further down the highway, Salmon Point RV Resort and Marina runs its own marina, drawing a heavy crowd of boating and fishing regulars.
These locations have full hookups, laundry, and washroom buildings. You will find a busy, social environment at both resorts throughout the summer.
Local tips
- Reserve your coastal spot months ahead of time, especially for long weekends.
- Pack binoculars to watch marine life directly from your picnic table.
- Expect a lively, dense community of fellow campers rather than quiet isolation.
02Across the Strait
Island Getaways
Taking the 10-minute BC Ferries crossing from the downtown terminal puts you in a much slower environment. Quadra Island gives you a quiet coastal setting just a few kilometres from mainland grocery stores and hardware shops. The roads are narrower, the beaches are quieter, and the local arts community is highly active.
You have two main choices on the island. We-Wai-Kai Camp Site in Heriot Bay sits right on a wide, sandy beach that is highly rated by families. On the southern tip near Cape Mudge, Tsa-Kwa-Luten RV Park borders the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre, giving you direct access to Kwakwaka'wakw history and cedar forests.
These island sites run at a quieter pace than the mainland resorts. They are ideal bases for kayaking the shoreline or simply watching the tides change.
Local tips
- Review the BC Ferries schedule early, as summer wait times frequently exceed two sailings.
- Walk over to the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre to view repatriated potlatch artifacts.
- Secure your ferry and campsite reservations simultaneously to avoid getting stranded.
03Deep Woods
Provincial Reserves
The region acts as the main entry point to vast tracts of protected wilderness. These provincial reserves give you access to old-growth Douglas firs, rocky beaches, and snow-capped mountain ridges. Because they are heavily used by both locals and visitors, securing a permit takes patience.
Strathcona Provincial Park, established in 1911, sits just west of town along Highway 28. You can pitch a tent near the shores of Buttle Lake, surrounded by steep alpine trailheads. Back over on the islands, Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park contains a narrow strip of land with driftwood-covered beaches on both sides, making it a highly popular day-use and camping area.
These parks lack the full hookups and amenities of private resorts. You trade power and sewer connections for raw wilderness and dark night skies.
Local tips
- BC Parks reservations open on a three-month rolling window at 7 a.m. Pacific Time.
- Read the site details carefully, as most provincial spots do not have power or water.
- Store all food and scented items in a locked vehicle to avoid attracting wildlife.
04Planning Ahead
Booking and Logistics
Securing a spot between May and October requires serious advance planning. This window aligns with the major salmon runs, bringing thousands of anglers to the coast. The provincial system uses a three-month rolling window, meaning you can lock in an arrival date exactly 90 days out.
Private businesses manage their own booking calendars. Most open their summer reservations in the early spring, and the waterfront spots go first. If you want a site during the peak of the fishing season in August, you need to be on the phone the day they open.
Travelling to Quadra or Cortes requires a ferry trip from the Quathiaski Cove terminal. The crossing is short, but the lineup in July can stretch blocks up the hill. Always arrive at the terminal at least 45 minutes before your planned sailing.
Local tips
- Set up your BC Parks user account days before your target booking date.
- Target the shoulder months of May, June, and September for much easier access.
- Check the current BC Ferries conditions online before leaving your campsite.
- Reserve your fishing charters at the same time you book your accommodation.
05Practical Matters
Bears and Sanitation
Vancouver Island is home to dense populations of black bears, and grizzly bears frequent the mainland inlets nearby. You must manage your attractants at all times. Never keep food, coolers, or toiletries inside a tent. Put everything in a hard-sided vehicle or use the metal food lockers at the site.
If you are travelling in a motorhome or trailer, map out your dump stations early. Most private parks have stations for registered guests, and a few allow public access for a flat fee. Provincial sites usually have a basic station near the exit.
The local Visitor Centre keeps an updated list of operational public dump stations and their current fees. Emptying your tanks during the middle of the day will save you from the long lineups that form on Sunday mornings.
Local tips
- Carry bear spray on all hikes and review how to deploy it safely.
- Throw all garbage into the heavy metal bear-proof bins before going to sleep.
- Phone private parks directly to ask about public dump station access and fees.
- Empty your tanks on a weekday to avoid the weekend rush.
06Inland Bases
River and Forest Sites
Moving just a few kilometres inland trades the ocean wind for the sound of rushing freshwater. The forested areas west of the city highway give you immediate access to river fishing, dense hiking networks, and major waterfalls.
A short drive from the city centre gets you to Quinsam Campground and Glen Alder RV Park. Both sit right on the banks of the Quinsam and Campbell Rivers, putting you steps away from prime casting spots. You are also just down the road from the massive canyon at Elk Falls.
These inland bases border the Quinsam River Hatchery, where you can walk the trails and learn about local salmon rearing. The tree canopy here keeps the sites cool and shaded during the hottest weeks of summer.
Local tips
- Walk the canyon trail to the Elk Falls suspension bridge to see the water drop.
- Visit the hatchery in the late fall to watch thousands of returning adult salmon.
- Pack your freshwater rods and check the local river fishing regulations.
•THE FULL LIST
All 7 campgrounds & RV parks.
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See them on the map7 places
CampgroundsWe-Wai-Kai Camp SiteQuadra IslandCampgroundsThunderbird RV Park & Cottage ResortCampbell RiverCampgroundsGlen Alder RV ParkCampbell RiverCampgroundsRebecca Spit Marine Provincial ParkQuadra IslandCampgroundsSalmon Point RV Resort and MarinaCampbell RiverCampgroundsTsa-Kwa-Luten RV ParkQuadra IslandCampgroundsQuinsam CampgroundCampbell River•FAQ
Good to know
The provincial system uses a three-month rolling window. You can secure your arrival date exactly three months in advance, with the portal opening at 7 a.m. Pacific Time.
