Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Hi. We're planning a trip in the summer with the RV in BC. We're planning on taking a couple of weeks or so and doing a circular route taking in such places as Golden, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Creston, Nelson, Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon and Revelstoke etc. Wondered if anyone had any recommendations on camp sites and must see places to visit or things to do.

We're not worried about all singing all dancing campsites (not even worried about hook ups as pretty self sufficient with the RV) but would like sites in or around scenic areas, rivers or lakes etc. Again, with things to see and do, we're interested in natural beauty - any particular stunning lakes, waterfalls etc? We have a couple of children, aged 9 and 5, so anything to get their interest too would be good - any really good tourist attractions?

Any helpful ideas or suggestions appreciated.

Thanks.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Seriously, is there nothing worth recommending? :confused: Can't be that dull a route surely? ;)

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

lotsa thing 2 C in bee-cee and van.....me bin 1nce or 2wice :thumbup:

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

West Vancouver Island is nice if you like the sea. Unfortunately Canadian campsites lack proper amenities like a pool or amusements so there's probably not much for the kids to do. :(

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There must be a World's Biggest Donut or summat?

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sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooo kute!!!

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

http://www.camping.bc.ca/

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Unfortunately Canadian campsites lack proper amenities like a pool or amusements

This is absolute hogwash. Why do you continue to make these blanket untrue statements? Many or probably most campsites are built on lakes, ergo pools not necessary, and quite a number have amusement arcades attached or nearby.
It appears you haven't visited too many campgrounds in Canada.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Okay then, how many have proper discos or bouncy castles?

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Absolutely none I would hope, but no doubt if any are owned/run by Brits, they have probably been turned into mini Blackpools.

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We used always stay in a B&B when our family went to Blackpool, not campsites like chavs.

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Oink hooks another one and reels him in. :):rofl:

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med...he-big-one.jpg

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Hmm, not intentionally.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

I used to work in a holiday camp when I use a student; it wasn't butlins, but they did hi-de-hi and all that shit. This was my first exposure to northerners as they were the only people that went there - miserable buggers the lot of them.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

If you stay at Golden, don't pick the regular camp site nearest the town as it runs parallel to the rail tracks and your RV will be vibrating!

We've visited the Golden Eco-Ranch in Nicholson about 5km south of Golden for my husband's paragliding sessions, about 5-8 mins drive out of the town. Not much there but perfectly adequate for a stop over.

Not that there is much in Golden, to be honest ;)

I think Kimberley is another weird town - OK for an afternoon stroll, and absorb all things German (random theme I know) but the drive there is more interesting, and I'd pick to stop over in Invermere instead.

We had a week in Blind Bay near Salmon Arm - nothing there but cute homes on a hillside, an ice-cream shop and sea-doo hire. The lake is breathtaking!

Have fun!

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

So you had family holidays in a dump like Blackpool? That accounts for your desire/need for discos, bouncy castles and all matter of tat and trashy surroundings.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

It beats Whitley Bay.

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Says the person from Scotland;)

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

That's very judgmental, that's all we could afford.:(
Anyway I'll agree to disagree 'lest' we hijack the OP's thread with tired discussions of semiotical contradictions of mass culture.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Thanks Ann. That's what I wanted - a few tips from people's own personal experiences. I've had a look at various websites but they only tell you the good bits and not the places to avoid! ;)

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

We have stayed in Kelowna and done the whole Penticton, Vernon thing. It looked like Spain to us (away from the Benidorm bit): barren and burnt. The lakes are very nice, but I doubt very much there is much to "see".

Away from the lakes and the mountains, I doubt there are any "sights"

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

OK, thanks. Is there another part of BC we should be looking at instead then? We'll be starting off from Cochrane.

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I'll take your word for that but it seems so improbable to me.

Yes, in one afternoon I spent two weeks in Blackpool.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

I believe I have been misunderstood. The whole area is very nice, it's just that it lacks a "Lake Louise" type of place.

I would stop at Emerald Lake on the way, have a look at the tunnel wotsit thing short of the top of Roger's Pass. The places you have mentioned are all very nice (there is a World's Largest Truck someone in there, I can't remember where). The Shushwap area is very picturesque and the fruit sold is tasty and juicy as hell.

It's just that, IMVHO, nothing with a "WOW" factor.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

If you make it to Kelowna it will be hot, there is a beach and a bloody big lake so the kids should be sorted for a few hours. You should also be able to rent something for a drive/paddle on the lake.

One of the things to do in the Okanagan is to visit the wineries for tours and tastings. If you only go to one make it Mission Hill in West Kelowna.

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Kikamon Creek is meant to be fab, but its a get up at 5am to book job

Moyie Lake is also nice. On the way through in Creston be sure to do a wildlife canoe safari, go around the kokanee brewery and eat some fruit pies at the blueberry patch

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Thanks to AlmostCanadian, JonboyE and gryphea for some helpful pointers - appreciated. It's given me a few more ideas of things to research. :blink:

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Well, I live in Creston and it's a beautiful little place to visit. For the kids, and yourself, the Creston Valley Wildlife Area is worth a visit and Creston sits at the southern end of Kootenay Lake so almost anything water related can be found.

http://www.crestonwildlife.ca/
http://www.crestonvalley.com/

The drive alongside the lake to Crawford Bay is stunning and from there you could catch the ferry across the lake if you'd like to visit Nelson. Or drive over the Kootenay Pass and maybe see some of the varied wildlife around here.

There is an RV park(Scotties) just behind my place that is supposed to be OK.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Hi , we did a similar route a few years ago on a reccie.
Nelson- avoid staying in town,it's hard to drive around and park- narrow roads and hills. Great place though. We stayed at Kokanee Provincial park http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/exp..._crk/#Location . Our youngest bravely swam in the lake.
Kimberley- serious odd place- almost dead in summer, but we stayed at Kimberley Riverside Campground http://www.kimberleycampground.com/K...i-res_2010.pdf. It was quite big but nice with a good swimming pool.
Golden- I second the Eco Adventure ranch, very nice, quiet clean , watch for bears!!
We enjoyed the wolf Centre just outside Golden, it was quite educational and kids would love it. http://www.northernlightswildlife.com/about_us.html
Vernon- the Silverstar campground-http://www.silverstarcampground.com/about.html OK - a bit run down but has a pool, great views of Swan Lake which is pretty and is close to the Atlantis waterslides-http://www.atlantiswaterslides.ca/. Your kids will love a morning there in the heat.
Another place is just south of Vernon -Kekuli Bay looks nice, it's a little exposed still but the trees are growing rapidly. It's on Kalamalka Lake which is gorgeous but I'm totally biased as I live by it!!
If you visit Vernon , you must visit Kalamalka Park for a walk and swim. It really is beautiful.
Don't forget that the Okanagan in the summer is VERY hot, try to get hook ups if you can, you will need AC or you will cook in an RV. A generator can only be run at certain times . Even Nelson was hot- in the 30's when we were there, but a shady site helped
Near Creston , the Wildlife/ conservation centre was worth a stop, the kids would enjoy the walk.http://www.crestonwildlife.ca/programs.html
Penticton tubing down the canal looks fun but we haven't done it.
That should keep you going. If I think of any more , I'll add it later.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

As has been mentioned the Okanagan can be hot so be prepared. Plenty of lakes to choose from and never a problem getting a parking spot and enjoying a swim whether you choose Penticton, Kelowna or Vernon. Penticton has the channel running between the two lakes that you can float down on a tube then get bused back for about $10 each, great fun and good for the whole family, there is also a bike hire place where you can hire those 6 seater bikes and other fun things.
Go karts, mini golf and children's water parks are in each town, the water parks are free.
Wineries are just about on every street corner so you are spoiled for choice if that's your thing. Stop off in Peachland if you have time, its free to park by the lake, not as busy as West Kelowna and the water is very clean and clear. There is a nice diving and swim area in the middle ideal for kids old or young but that's the busiest part of course.
If you head north of Vernon then Enderby also has a river channel float which is much better than Pentictons. This one has 3 routes to choose from, the longest taking up to 8 hours!!! Maybe a bit ambitious with kids, especially if its hot. We've done the middle one and that took almost 5 hours and we didn't take food. Just up the road from Enderby is Mara Lake provincial park and this is a great place for swimming and picnics. Carry on to Sicamous (houseboat capital of Canada) or Salmon Arm, both worth a look and both sitting alongside the Shuswap Lake.
Not too sure about campsites as we don't camp locally of course but the good ones always seem booked up well in advance i'm told. Have fun

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Williamson Lake campsite by Revelstoke is very nice :

http://www.williamsonlakecampground.com/

We also really liked Nelson and the Kootenay Lake area as well as Salmon Arm and the Shuswap:

Take the ferry across Lake Kootenay http://www.kootenaylake.bc.ca/ferry_info.php

Do some birdwatching or hire a boat for the day on the Shuswap
http://uk.britishcolumbia.travel/en-.../SalmonArm.htm

Oh, and if you're planning doing a winery visit, Quails Gate is very nice:http://www.quailsgate.com/

Have a great trip.

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Lots more good advice and information. Just what I was looking for! Thanks everyone!! :thumbsup:

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

We've also done a very similar route - our reccie trip, it was enough to make us want to move:thumbsup:

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Wineries?

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

I would recommend posting your question on the TripAdvisor British Columbia forum as well:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum..._Columbia.html

Re: Camp Sites/Things to See & Do in BC -
 

Not much fun with young kids;)

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Not sure its any better in the UK. Hemsby Pontins has shut down now:(

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Surely if you spend long enough in there you forget you have kids. :D

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Around Kelowna ... there is a steam train at Summerland if you like trains :thumbsup:

There is a great walk south-east of Kelowna on a disused railway route (another part of the Kettle Valley Railway) which crosses a load of stupendous wooden trestles along the Myra Canyon http://www.trailsbc.ca/okanagan_region/myra-canyon.html

And then there's multiple Vinyards as mentioned, and lakeside activities.

On the subject of heat ... we are talking often in excess of high 30's in the summer, so HOT :eek: but it's not usually at all humid, so a little more bearable than you might imagine. :huh:

A friend of mine was offering to share all her insider knowledge about camp-sites BC, but I didn't yet take her up on that offer ... if/when she tells me, I'll try to remember to post!

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Fort Steele midway between Cranbrook & Kimberley on 93 is about the only place worth a look in that area. I think (?) there's a camp ground across the highway? Its an old mining town settlement that's been re-constructed from the ruins of the old town that was deserted when Cranbrook was constructed in 18 whenever. Okay, its a bit 'touristy' but compared to the surrounding town's, its mildly interesting.

As for Cranbrook & Kimberley? :( I wouldn't bother with either.

The surrounding backdrop of the Rockies have some of the most stunning scenery in the World. Cranbrook is an ugly & dreary scar on that landscape. There is a campsite one block east of downtown. Basic facilities in a drab neighborhood.

Kimberley? Away from the Ski resort, the suedo Bavarian downtown is nothing more than a few dollar & thrift stores plus a lot that are simply boarded up. The Worlds biggest doughnut may not be there but they claim to have The World's biggest cuckoo clock. :rolleyes: