What makes a campsite kid-friendly? The perfect campsite will vary from family to family, but in general, a campsite is great for young kids if it has a relatively safe waterfront, easy hikes, and nearby amenities such as laundry, showers and toilets. Here are a few great family friendly campsites within a short driving distance from Metro Vancouver.
Alice Lake Provincial Park
A long-time favourite with many local families, Alice Lake has something for everyone and it’s an easy drive that can be done in an hour or two, including a bathroom break.
The campsite at Alice Lake features a calm lake with a sandy waterfront for playing and building sand castles, short hikes around the perimeter of the lake, and showers, flush toilets, electrical hookups and walk-in campsites available. In fact, Alice Lake’s popularity is its main downfall, so reserving your campsite in advance is strongly recommended.
Lightning Lake in Manning Park
A little further afield, camping at Lightning Lake in E C Manning Provincial Park is a great choice for families who don’t mind spending a little longer in the car.
Lightning Lake is a great place to rent a canoe and go exploring on the water, or drive up to the alpine meadows in July or August to witness the explosion of wildflowers without having to hike up by foot. An interpretive program at the campsite each evening is a great chance to learn about the local impact of the pine beetle.
Due to the longer drive, Lightning Lake may be a bit too far for a one-night stay, so plan on staying a couple of nights to have a chance to relax and enjoy yourself.
Golden Ears Provincial Park
For families living in Maple Ridge, Mission and Pitt Meadows, Golden Ears Provincial Park is right there in your backyard.
Alouette Lake provides ample opportunities for swimming, boating, canoeing, windsurfing and even rustic marine-accessible campsites for the adventurous. The campsite also includes amenities such as flush toilets, showers, a playground and the Spirea Universal Access Trail, which has been designed to accommodate a range of physical disabilities.
No matter where you decide to go camping as a family, remember to plan ahead, bring more clothes for your toddler than you think you’ll need, and enjoy being in the great outdoors.
For a full list of provincial campgrounds, and to make reservations, visit Discovercamping.ca
Michelle Carchrae is a freelance writer and homeschooling mom to two girls. With a serious love for Vancouver and an equally serious need to get out of the house with two young kids, Michelle searches out the best kid and parent friendly places to go. Michelle also writes about parenting at her blog, The Parent Vortex.
