Gone Camping! The Southern Gulf Island Campgrounds

With summer right around the corner, everyone starts thinking about the upcoming camping season. You aren’t alone if you have the Southern Gulf Islands in your sights this year. Many campers are finding a place to pitch their tent or park their RV across the many Gulf Island Campgrounds available. 

Whether biking, boating, or driving here, you’ll find a spectacular spot to set up camp. Oceanside, forest side, or lakeside, the Southern Gulf Islands offer campers a slice of natural beauty while having all the local amenities nearby. 

Some of our favorite Southern Gulf Island campgrounds include:

Galiano

Dionisio Point Provincial Park

Accessible by boat access only, Dionisio Point Park is one of the most spectacular places to camp on Galiano. As you pull up to shore, you’ll find the sandy beaches and calm, natural bays that dreams are made of. Once you’re here, pitch a tent and enjoy fishing, tide pool exploring, and spectacular wildlife viewing.

• Open year-round
• Pit toilets
• Picnic tables

Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park and Campground

If you’re heading to Galiano by boat, bike, or vehicle, you’ll find a spot at the Montague Harbour Marine Park campground. This large, forest-covered campground has oceanside tent sites and several larger spaces for RVs and drive-in campers. If you’ve come by boat, it also has a wharf. The best part? The famous Hummingbird Pub Bus offers campground pick-up and drop-off in the summer months. 

• Open year-round
• Reservations accepted
• Potable water
• Pit toilets

Salt Spring

Cedar Beach Resort ＆Campground

In the peak of summer, many folks find the Salish Sea too chilly for a longer swim. Instead, locals head to St. Mary’s Lake, where you’ll find the Cedar Beach Resort and Campground. Beneath shady cedars are cabins, serviced RV sites, tent sites, and a beach house on its very own private sandy beach. 

• Open year-round
• Potable water (hot and cold)
• Laundry facilities
• Showers
• Full service
• Supervised

Garden Faire Gallery Nursery & Campground

Set up camp at Garden Faire for something off the beaten path and with a magical Salty style. It’s one part campground, one part plant nursery, and one part local art gallery. This is a special place just a 10-minute walk from Ganges. Every site has its own style, and it’s connected to the trails and disc golf course around Mouat’s Park.

• Walk-in and RV campsites
• Potable water
• Supervised
• Electric hookups

Mowhinna Creek Campground

Located just outside of Ganges is the Mowhinna Creek Campground, which offers tent sites, RV sites (suitable for large rigs), and cabins. Despite being so close to all island amenities, this is a little slice of forested heaven. 

• Open year-round (RVs only in winter)
• Potable water (hot and cold)
• Wi-Fi
• Showers
• Full service
• Supervised

Musgrave Point Recreation Site

One of the most amazing campgrounds on Salt Spring is the Musgrave Point Recreation Site. It’s boat access only, which means it’s usually quite quiet here, and you’ll likely have the site to yourself in the off-season. It overlooks Sansum Narrows and is a stop along the Marine Trail Network. Come by canoe, kayak, or dingy, as this is water access only

• No fee
• Space for 3-4 tents
• Pit toilets
• Picnic tables

Ruckle Provincial Park

If you camp at Ruckle Provincial Park, don’t be surprised if you wake up to the sounds of the ocean. The epic oceanside campground has over 70 walk-in tent sites, eight RV sites, and three larger group sites. It’s surrounded by forests and Ruckle Farm, one of the island’s most historic working farms.

• Open all year round
• Pit toilets
• Picnic tables
• Potable water

Mayne Island

Mayne Island Camping

When you think of Gulf Island Campgrounds, you’re probably picturing something like what Mayne Island Camping has created: oceanfront tent sites and beach access while still being close to the necessities. This private campground is a well-maintained yet still rustic walk-in camping experience.

• Outdoor tree shower
• Outhouses
• Wharf and floating dock
• Supervised

Pender

Prior Centennial Campground

From your camp at Prior Centennial Campground on North Pender Island, you get easy access to hiking in the National Park Reserve, local Pender trails, and the island’s impressive disc golf course. Just a few minutes from the Otter Bay ferry terminal, this campground is a welcome forested and shady respite during the hottest days of summer.

• Reservable
• Potable water
• Pit Toilets
• Open from May through September

Shingle Bay Campground

Shingle Bay Campground is one of the newest campsites in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve’s camping family. It has 10 reservable backcountry sites, which means boat-in or walk-in only. It’s open year-round and has primitive and dog-friendly sites perfect for kayakers, bikers, and hikers. 

• Open year-round 
• Accessible by water or walk-in 
• Primitive campsites
• Pit toilets
• No potable water

Port Browning Marina Resort

Find a lively atmosphere with all the amenities at Port Browning. Just a short few meters from the beach, enjoy family activities on-site including, a swimming pool, a grassy open field, onsite restaurants, and a convenience store.

• Reservable
• Fully serviced RV sites
• Group campsites
• Tent sites
• Washroom and shower facilities
• Parking
• Wifi
• Pool access

Saturna

Arbutus Point Campground

Arbutus Point Campground is right next door to the Lyall Harbour ferry terminal, making it a perfect option for walk-on ferry passengers visiting the island. It also has a public wharf for recreational boaters. Don’t have a tent? Don’t worry! You can also rent one of the larger wall tents here.

• Tents only
• Two-night minimum
• Wi-Fi
• Potable water (hot and cold)
• Shower
• Supervised

Narvaez Bay Campsite

Tucked on the island’s southeast end is the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and Narvaez Bay Campground. Seven walk-in-access-only backcountry campsites sit on a secluded, quiet bay. The campsite is open year-round but only serviced from May to October.

• Bike racks at the campground
• Pit toilets
• No potable water
• Beach access

From Oceanside to Forest side: Visit one of the beautiful Gulf Island Campgrounds this Year

From the secluded, boat-access-only sites at Dionisio Point to the family-friendly amenities of Cedar Beach Resort, the Southern Gulf Islands offer the perfect campsite for every type of camper. So, pack your gear, embrace the adventure of island life, and head here for camping season.

Written by Jessica McKeil