The best places to camp near Namaimo are of particular interest this week as BC Parks opened camping reservations for the May long weekend. I thought I would highlight a few of the top camping spots in the area, some that I’ve used personally and others that I’m keen to visit.
These campsites are on traditional territories that span the lands of the Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, K’ómoks and Stz’uminus Peoples.
There are many ways to learn about the history of the land you’re visiting and living on. To start, check out the First Peoples’ Map of B.C. or native-land.ca/.
You can also learn how to camp and visit provincial parks responsibly on the BC Parks website.
You can also read our guide to camping in the Comox Valley.
Rathtrevor Beach Park
The campsite with the best beach in the Nanaimo area is, hands down, Rathtrevor Beach Park. The shallow sun-heated sand makes for great swimming in the summer and there are 5.5 kilometres of easy walking trails, most wheelchair accessible, through mature forest and along the beach. The campsite has 174 vehicle campsites and 25 walk-in campsites with a bicycle playground and three other playgrounds for children. There are also three shower buildings with flush toilets.
Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine Park)
Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine) Park is a BC Park, but it has been operated by the Snuneymuxw First Nation in partnership with the province and the City of Nanaimo. The Island was renamed Saysutshun in 2021. According to the Saysutshun Island website, “Saysutshun means ‘training for running’ and refers to the special places where runners, canoe paddlers or warriors would bathe to cleanse themselves before a race or battle.” The campsite has 18 walk-in sites that can be accessed by boat or via a passenger ferry from Maffeo Sutton Park.
The park has a washroom with flush toilets and showers and in the summer the park building has a Troller’s Fish and Chips location, or you can get some coffee and ice cream from the concession stand. The lack of any vehicle campsites makes the park a surprisingly quiet place to camp just off of downtown Nanaimo. The Island has a 22 kilometre network of hiking trails through mature Douglas fir, Garry oak and arbutus trees. You can swim in Kanaka Bay or on the beach near Jeff’s Kayak and Bike Rentals.
Living Forest Oceanside Campground
A number of readers suggested the Living Forest Oceanside Campground as a great place for a local getaway. It features three tenting areas as well as full-service RV sites with 30 and 50 amp sites, sewer hookups and a Sani-Dump. The Living Forest Cafe features coffee, tea, sandwiches and ice cream and WiFi. It has flush toilets and showers. It has a full-size basketball court with ball hockey nets and balls available and a volleyball net next to the beach. Kids can also enjoy the adventure playground. There are forested walking trails along the Nanaimo River and oceanside. Rates range from $41 a night for a tent site during the off season to $75 a night for a 50 amp site during the peak summer season.
Englishman River Falls Park
Englishman River Falls. Photo courtesy of BC Parks
Englishman River Falls Park is located north of Nanaimo along, you guessed it, the Englishman River. The highlights of this park are trails through the old growth and second growth forest leading to two waterfalls and a deep river canyon. It has 104 tent and RV campsites with one flush toilet in the day use area and pit toilets in the campsite. Swimming is sensibly only allowed in the river below the lower falls, which is also a good spot to watch spawning salmon in the fall.
Old Mill Campground
The Old Mill campground on Nanaimo Lake is operated by Mosaic Forest Management and features 26 vehicle sites and one walk-in site. It has a boat launch, a picnic area and a beach. Pit toilets are located throughout the campsite. The gate to the road is locked from 10 p.m to 8 a.m.
