Best Campsites within 3 Hours of Vancouver
The Fraser Valley offers a ton of unique short-term accommodations from camping and tiny homes to rustic cabins in the wilderness. In an effort to simplify your vacation options we have compiled the top 5 campsites within a 3-hour drive of Vancouver.
Everyone has different requirements for the best campsite in the Vancouver area, fortunately, the Lower Mainland offers everything from kid-friendly glamping accessible by Translink bus, to winter wonderlands on a 4×4 roads, all within an easy 3-hour drive of downtown Vancouver.
Located 7 km north of Harrison Hot Springs Village on the East side of Harrison Lake, Sasquatch Provincial Park features front country camping. There are easy hiking trails and fishing in Trout Lake, Hicks Lake, and Deek Lake. Named after the mythical bigfoot that lives in the area. Despite the park’s natural beauty, Sasquatch is often one of the last campsites to book up during the summer’s long weekends.
There are lots of 4×4 and forest service roads north of Sasquatch Park that you can use to explore the East side of Harrison Lake.
Harrison Hot Springs offers plenty of vacation rentals, motels, and hotels for those not interested in camping. The Village has a public pool with its water sourced directly from the hot springs.
Click here for more information and activities in Harrison Hot Springs
Campfires: Yes, permitting no fire restrictions.
Fishing: Freshwater Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Brook Char
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Lifty Life Rating: 8/10
Manning Park Provincial Park
Straddling the Fraser Valley and the Okanagan river basins, Manning Park, offers a wide array of plant and wildlife diversity. Offering great front and backcountry camping along with cabins and chalets, Manning Park, truly is a four-seasons resort. There is hiking, fishing, boating, alpine and cross country skiing, and even electric vehicle charging stations.
Located just 35 minutes from Hope, a 2-hour 45-min drive from Vancouver, and 3 hours from the Okanagan makes staying at Manning Park a great option for many British Columbians.
Click here for more information and activities around Manning
Campfires: Yes, permitting no fire restrictions.
Fishing: Freshwater Rainbow Trout. No motorboats within the park.
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Lifty Life Rating: 9/10
At the summit of Highway 3 outside the Manning Park general store
Located on Brae Island in the Fraser River in the heart of the historic village of Fort Langley. This campsite offers ultimate in glamping with their cabin tents and free wifi. They plan a wide range of activities and events for kids. Most importantly they have clean washrooms with hot showers and laundry facilities.
Fort Langley has an intoxicating atmosphere that is welcoming and historic. The quaint village has been showcased in many television shows from the classic Airbud series in the early 2000’s to the recent Netflix blockbuster: Riverdale. There is no shortage of incredible food options in Fort Langley from the well-respected Little Donkey fusion burrito eatery to fine dining at Fortitude.
The 562 bus goes to the heart of Fort Langley, then it is only 800m stroll to your cabin tent.
Click here for more information and activities in Fort Langley
Campfires: Yes, subject to fire bans.
Fishing: No.
Dogs Allowed: RV Sites only. Two pets per site.
Lifty Life Rating: 10/10
Golden Ears Provincial Park
Golden Ears Provincial Park features front and backcountry camping, extensive trails for hiking and horseback riding, and the breathtaking Alouette Lake is great for swimming, canoeing, fishing, and powerboating.
I have been going to Golden Ears since I was a little kid when we had to take the Albion Ferry from Fort Langley. Now Golden Ears is more accessible than ever with park busses running from 1025 Dunsmuir Street.
Campfires: Yes, subject to fire bans.
Fishing: Yes. No motorboats allowed.
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Lifty Life Rating: 9/10
Callaghan Lake Provincial Park
Callaghan Lake Park was the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics cross-country skiing, biathlon. It offers amazing camping rustic drive-in camping, but it is not for the faint of heart.
Located East of Whistler, Callaghan Lake is the most remote and hardest to get to on this list. Travel 70 km North of Vancouver along the Sea to Sky, 20 km before Whistler turn East on to Callaghan Valley Road. After traveling 8 km on a paved road turn left onto the unpaved Forest Service Road. Please note that these roads can be dangerous in both summer and winter and a high clearance 4×4 with appropriate tires is recommended.
Alexander Falls is a beautiful waterfall located just off Highway 99 perfect for families of all sizes and ages. Many amazing waterfalls are located within an easy drive of Callaghan Provincial Park.
Campfires: Yes, subject to fire bans.
Fishing: Subalpine fishing for trout and char.
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Lifty Life Rating: 10/10
