470 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Rain and cooler weather bring end of campfire ban on Vancouver Island

 

 

Fire danger ratings across most of Vancouver Island are listed as very low, with some areas on the South Island listed as low.

 

https://www.timescol...-island-9437434

[Nparker]

How long before flood warnings are issued? 

[Matt R.]

Any suggestions for some easy access car camping spots on the island between say Nanaimo and sooke? Not looking to drive all day.

[Blair M.]

Any suggestions for some easy access car camping spots on the island between say Nanaimo and sooke? Not looking to drive all day.

The Provincial sites located a bit of distance away from Victoria (French Beach, China Beach, Bamberton) are all open, but with reduced services. No showers, firewood, some washrooms closed, etc).

Goldstream is all but closed down, with only 5 or so campsites right at the main gate being available throughout the winter, this presumably to prevent any sort of winter homeless encampment from developing. 

The Provincial sites are still fantastic though, especially if you're equipped for minimal (or no) service, lower temperature camping.

 

I believe all the Mosaic Forestry Campgrounds close down completely for the winter. 

The Rec Sites are open, but they're all pretty far off the beaten path by design, although they all qualify for car camping.

 

Heading inland usually means a rise in elevation, which this time of year can open you up to cold nights, frost, and occasionally snow. But they're still nice (Gordon Bay at Cowichan), and they fit your geographical requirements.

 

The two best private sites IMO are Weirs Beach Resort out in Metchosin (but they only allow RV's and don't allow tents), and although it's not inexpensive, I'd say the most full service and beautiful winter campground is Living Forest (which allows tents) up in Nanaimo.

Both Weirs Beach and Living Forest are spectacular waterfront campgrounds with stunning views out over the water.

Edited by Blair M., 17 November 2024 - 07:16 AM.

[Mike K.]

Nice tips, Blair.

Matt, are you talking about logging road accessible or asphalt drive up?

[Matt R.]

Asphalt drive up. Not looking for any 4x4 adventures.

[lanforod]

Country Maples would be fine too.

[Victoria Watcher]

Camping Using Cleaning Supplies (Steve Wallis)

 

I challenged myself to creatively use as many cleaning supplies as possible for a camping trip. From shelter and cooking to fire starting, I used everything I could think of. It was a great evening camping by a small creek in the woods. It got a little bit cold and a small skiff of snow, but huddled by the campfire I stayed warm until I crawled into my cozy garbage bag shelter.

 

YouTube: https://youtu.be/dt0...8uUf0vJ9w43074J

[Bambam]

^ Good for him, nice creative initiative too. Then of course you reach a certain age when "camping" means either a basic but comfy motel or for one of our fishing crew, dropping a $190k on a Pleasure Way "OnTour" rig lol.

 

I went for years from a classic 2-man tent for camping/fishing, to an 'oversized' 2-man model which provided more room for "stuff", to eventually a 4-man tubular frame stand up tent with cot, when crawling into the smaller tents and sleeping on anything other than a cot was too hard on my knees (especially) and my back, and currently for the most part the group looks for handy motels. Except of course for "buddy" who opted for the P-W van. Age catches up to all of us, eventually....

[LJ]

"Roughing it" for me means no room service.

[Bambam]

Heh no such thing on the Conuma, Stamp, Nitnaht, Cheakamus, Squamish, Lillooet and dozens of other west coast river ecosystems. Ya eats whatever you can carry in and cook yourself - unless you're staying in a glammed-up six-figure RV-van of course....