16 free and cheap camping spots in Powell River
There are so many great places to go camping in our little neck of the woods. The perks of camping in Powell River are that sites are almost never full–unlike our neighbouring big cities–and they are all relatively cheap, and some places, even free. The best times to go are often in the off-season, when you don’t have to pay the summer rates.
So, in case you didn’t know about all the places we have in this town to go camping, we’ve done the work for you and rounded up a list. Here goes–enjoy!
Dodd Lake
- Accessible via the Powell Forest Canoe Route
- 12 campsites and pit toilets
- No firewood is provided
- Access is limited during weekdays
Garnet Rock
8425 Highway 101
- Oceanfront RV & tenting sites, plus self-contained cabins on a 5-acre property
- Open year round and offer daily, weekly and monthly rates
- Hiking trails, golf course, and fishing charters are within close proximity
- Douglas fir and cedar trees, and a panoramic view of the Malaspina Strait
Goat Lake – Photo via trailpeak.com
Goat Lake
- Located along the Powell Forest Canoe Route
- 6-site campground
- Plenty of room for fishing and swimming
Haywire Bay
- Both a campground and day-use park on Powell Lake
- Beaches, protected swim area, playground, and trails to enjoy
- Car top boat launch, outdoor stone barbecue, and shower available
- No sani-dump
- Leashed pets only
- No reservations (except group sites)
Inland Lake – Photo via Paul Hamilton on Flickr
Inland Lake
Haslam Lake Road
- 22 campsites
- Located on peaceful Inland Lake, 12 km from town
- Water pump, fishing floats, and boat launch available
- A 13km fully wheelchair-accessible trail circles the lake
- 5 locations of washrooms and shelters along the trail
- Campground is open all year, but full services are only available from May 14 – September 15
- The trees around the sites provide beauty and privacy
Kent’s Beach – photo via kentsbeach.com
Kent’s Beach Cabins & Campsite
- Just south of Powell River, this campsite is located approximately 2 km from Saltery Bay
- Beach, no hook-up, and full hook-up sites to choose from.
- Eight cabins are also on the property
Khartoum Lake
- Located along the Powell Forest Canoe Route, this tranquil inland lake is an ideal place to get away from it all
- The 16 sites can be reached by canoe, but there is also 2-wheel drive access via Welwood Mainline Forest Road
- Plenty of fresh-water fishing available
Lewis Lake
- Located along the Powell Forest Canoe Route
- 3-site campground
- Pit toilets, a boat launch, and a firepit available for use
Lois Lake
- 9-site campground is accessible via the Powell Forest Canoe Route, but there is also 2-wheel drive access
- The grounds have pit toilets and there is ample freshwater fishing available in Lois Lake
Nanton Lake
- Located on the Powell Forest Canoe Route
- 25-site campaground
- There is plenty of fresh-water fish to be caught
Saltery Bay – Photo via Bjorn on Flickr
Saltery Bay Provincial Park
Highway 101, 2km north of Saltery Bay ferry terminal
- 42 beautiful, vehicle-accessible campsites (2 double sites)
- Boat launch, saltwater fishing, and hiking trails on site for your enjoyment
- Also has drinking water, firewood, sani-station, and pit toilets
- Protected swimming bay
- Open year round; service and fees in effect May 15-Oct 15
- Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available
Seabreeze Resort – Photo via seabreezeresortbc.com
Seabreeze Resort (Cottages & Campsite)
10975 Sunshine Coast Hwy.
- 10 cottage units all with view of the ocean, seconds from the beach on the Malaspina Strait
- Comfortable campsite with all conveniences, washrooms, laundry, fire and horse shoe pits, minutes to the beach
- Full hook ups are available for RV units
- Safe swimming, beautiful sandy beach, and you might catch a glimpse of some eagles and other shore birds in the area
SunLund by-the-sea
1496 Murrary Road, Lund
- Located right in Lund within easy strolling distance of grocery store, restaurants, pub, boat launch, marina, kayak rentals, boat tours, water taxi, hiking trails, etc.
- Treed & grassy sites
- Very clean facilities
- Leashed pets welcome
- Reservations recommended in July & August
- Cabins available off-season by reservation
- Package rates available
Tony Lake
- Located on the Powell Forest Canoe Route
- 2-site campground
- Has pit toilets and picnic tables
Willingdon Beach Campsite – Photo via willingdonbeach.ca
Willingdon Beach Municipal Campsite
4845 Marine Avenue
- Oceanfront City campground
- 81 sites with full and partial hookups in natural park setting
- On-site caretakers, sandy beach, fishing pier, public park with children’s playground, hiking trails, and mini-golf nearby
- Coin operated hot showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, some cable TV, and covered picnic/barbeque area
- Close to sani-station, steps to downtown shops, 5 minutes to Vancouver Island ferry
- Senior’s and monthly rates (Sept – May)
- Open all year
Y-Knot Charters & Campground
2960 D’Angio Road
- Set on the banks of Okeover Inlet–perfect for crab fishing
- Nice private campsite with one full service cabin and one campers cabin for rent
- Both have gas BBQ
- Kayak, canoe, and boat rentals available–or enjoy a guided 3-hour tour of Desolation Sound Marine Park
There are probably more campgrounds, as we are surrounded by thick woods, lakes, and ocean, but we couldn’t possibly name them all. If you have some hidden places, we would love to hear about them.
We hope you have enjoyed some summer camping this year–and if not, now is the time to get out there!
Janis Behan