Port Renfrew is truly the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, a place that offers incredible scenery, an outpost feel and an abundance of outdoor activities to enjoy. With great beaches, beautiful hiking trails, fish-filled lakes and some of the most impressive old growth forest in Canada, everyone from beginner campers to experienced backcountry experts can find their ideal spot in one of the many excellent Port Renfrew campgrounds.
From primitive backcountry sites with incedible nature and great views to organized Port Renfrew campgrounds with plenty of facilities and convenient locations, there is a wide range of Port Renfrew camping options to choose from.
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Which is why we have put together this detailed guide to all the Port Renfrew camping options to help you pick the one that is best for you.
You can also check out:
The 10 Best Things to Do in Port Renfrew
The Ultimate Vancouver Island Road Trip Itinerary
Port Renfrew Campgrounds
There are many different Port Renfrew camping options to choose from:
1. Port Renfrew Marina & RV Park
The largest campground in the area, this well-equipped operation is open from the beginning of May until mid-October. It has a good location just out of town but close to the main beach area. They don’t take reservations so all sites are first come, first served (and the best sites are often taken up by long term residents).
Sites
140 sites with power (20AMP GFI) and potable water
30 dry camping sites without power or water
Port Renfrew Marina & RV Park Prices
Daily without power & water: $25
Daily with power & water: $30
Monthly and seasonal rates available
Facilities
Potable water is available even for those staying in sites without their own tap, although there are no sewer hookups.
The marina store sells basic supplies, fishing gear and gasoline.
Address and Contact Information
7505 Gordon River Rd
Port Renfrew, BC V0S 1K0
(250) 483-1878
Email: info@portrenfrewmarina.com
Website: https://www.portrenfrewmarina.com/camping
2. Pacheedaht Campground
This Port Renfrew campsite may be more basic but it is located right on the beach and there is a variety of sites, some with power and water, some of which even have ocean views. There is good fishing right next to the campground and the driftwood-covered beach is great for wandering and beach combing.
Some people have reported difficulties getting through to book a site and in the busy summer period it can get a bit loud.
Pacheedaht Campground Price
$38/night
Facilities
They only have pit toilets but there is a set of coin-operated showers.
Address and Contact Information
350 Kalaid St
Port Renfrew, BC V0S 1K0
(250) 647-0090
Camping Near Port Refrew
Pretty much everyone that makes it out this far has a vehicle, which really opens up your Port Renfrew camping options. There are some really nice campgrounds within a short drive of the town.
3. Fairy Lake Campground
Placid little Fairy Lake is great for fishing, swimming and photography, thanks to the bizarre little “bonsai” tree growing up out of the middle of the lake. It isn’t really a bonsai tree, of course, just a tiny Douglas fir growing up out of a dead stump, but it looks exactly like one and people come from all over the island to get photos of it reflecting off the calm waters.
The campground is basic but nicely forested and all the sites are close to the water, making it one of the most serene Port Renfrew camping sites.
Sites
36
Fairy Lake Camping Prices
Waterfront – $20
Standard – $18
Senior & Disability Discount – 50% off
Facilities
Boat Launch (canoes, kayaks and electric-powered boats only)
Tables
Toilets
Address and Contact Information
Pacific Marine Rd – about a 15-minute drive from Port Renfrew.
Port Renfrew, BC V0S 1K0
(250) 701-1976
4. Sombrio Beach
Sombrio Beach in the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park is famous for great surfing, its outstanding “hidden waterfall” and the scenic location as part of the 47-kilometre Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. There are limited facilities but the great setting makes it one of the best places to camp on Vancouver Island.
Sites
There are no set amount of sites because it is all wild camping, so go ahead, pick a good spot and settle in (just make sure it is above the high tide line).
Sombrio Beach Camping Price
$10 per person per night
$5 per child under 16 per night
You can pay online on the BC Parks website or put exact cash in one of the envelopes provided at the parking lot fee box.
Facilities
There are pit toilets but no running water. You will need to bring your own water or boil and/or treat any creek water.
There are bear boxes to safely store your food.
Address and Contact Information
The turnoff is about 20 minutes east of Port Renfrew on the Victoria highway. The road that shows up on Google Maps in incorrect, the actual turnoff is roughly 400m west of that spot (there is a sign saying that when you are heading west). The beach is about 2 km down a rough dirt road, then a 10-minute walk through the forest.
5. Lizard Lake Campground
This nicely treed campground is a great remote option next to a pleasant lake. It has a large boardwalk extending out into the lake that can be used for fishing (rainbow trout, in particular), swimming and launching canoes and kayaks.
There is also a small, sandy beach and a 1.5-km loop hiking trail that goes all the way around the lake. And, supposedly, it is possible catch fire belly newts swimming in the lake, if that’s something that interests you.
There is the main camping area, which is slightly separated from the day use area, plus a small walk-in section with 4 more tent pads. They do not take advance reservations.
Sites
28
Lizard Lake Camping Price
$20 (they only accept cash)
Facilities
Tables
Pit toilets
Fire pits (you can purchase firewood for $7/bundle)
There is no power or running water
Address and Contact Information
Site 18 Harris Main FSR Canada, Pacific Marine Rd – about 20 minutes from Port Renfrew (and about 5-10 minutes past Fairy Lake)
Port Renfrew, BC
(250) 701-1976
Website: Sites and Trails BC
More Campgrounds Between Port Renfrew and Victoria
6. China Beach Campground
The nice, sheltered campground at China Beach is considered one of the best on Vancouver Island. It is right next to the ocean and open from mid-May to mid-September. There are 85 spacious, sheltered sites that fit a tent and vehicle. There is a potable water tap and pit toilets, but no showers. Sites can be booked through the BC Parks website and cost $20/night.
7. Mystic Beach Campground
Stunning Mystic Beach represents the start (or end) of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail and has basically the same camping setup as Sombrio Beach. There are pit toilets but no designated sites, showers or potable water. You need to get a backcountry camping permit ahead of time ($10/night pp and $5/night per child) through BC Parks.
The extraordinary beach waterfall at Mystic Beach is a must-see, just be prepared for a rugged, muddy 2 km hike in along the Juan de Fuca from the China Beach parking lot. However, there is a shortcut trail off the highway that can reduce the hike to about 1 km but you can’t really leave your vehicle there.
But you could drop someone there to carry in the heavy stuff and then park in the main China Beach lot and walk in less encumbered. The specific spot (more or less) is marked on the map.
8. Jordan River Campground
This is the “other” hardcore surfing area on Vancouver Island (the first being Tofino). The waves at Jordan River are tremendous (and popular), and the campground ($15/night) is right next to the beach. There are 15 drive-in sites and 7 tent-only spots, all of which are first, come first served (no online booking) and fill up fast.
Although, you are only allowed to camp here for 14 days each calendar year which does allow for some turnover. There are individual picnic areas and fire rings, plus potable water tanks and pit toilets. There are no showers or electricity.
Other Port Renfrew Accommodation
If you like nature but don’t necessarily want to sleep in it, you may want to check out one of these other outstanding Port Renfrew accommodation options.
Great Escape – Port Renfrew
This fantastic 2-bedroom bunkhouse features a nice terrace with a BBQ, fireplace and views of beautiful blue water of Port San Juan. Guests rave about the amazing hot tub at Great Escape – Port Renfrew and it is located conveniently close to all the outstanding Port Renfrew sights and activities.
Click here to check availability at Great Escape – Port Renfrew
Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages
With an incredible view and the sound of the waves to lull you to sleep, Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages is a great choice for accommodation in Port Renfrew. It is close to the local pub and marina and also has a private beach to relax on.
Click here to check prices at Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages
Trailhead Resort
A good option for avid fishermen is to book a stay at the comfortable, friendly Trailhead Resort. Located right in Port Renfrew, they offer immersive fishing adventures (both salmon and halibut) with a lot of local info to help you maximize your luck. They offer a wide variety of units from very affordable economy rooms to full cottages and suites.
Click here to check availability and prices at Trailhead Resort
Port Renfrew Campgrounds Map
Click the star to save this map to your Google Maps – then find it under Saved/Maps (mobile) or Your Places/Maps (desktop)
How to Get to Port Renfrew
Most visitors to Port Renfrew either arrive on Vancouver Island by ferry from the mainland or fly into Victoria or Nanaimo. For checking out flights we usually find that SkyScanner is the fastest and most accurate site. And if you need to rent a car, we’ve used Discover Cars in Vancouver (plus many other countries). They usually have the cheapest deals and have always been very reliable.
There are two main roads coming into Port Renfrew from Victoria and Lake Cowichan. Both are paved and are considered part of the Pacific Marine Circle Route. However, it always take a bit longer than you expect. Coming from Victoria, the road is narrow, busy and difficult to pass on, although it follows right along the ocean and is very scenic.
Coming from the Nanaimo/Lake Cowichan direction the road is also narrow, not very busy but definitely slow in parts due to conditions. Here are the distances and times from the most common places near Port Renfrew.
Sooke to Port Renfrew: 70 km / 75 min
Victoria to Port Renfrew: 110 km / 2 hrs
Nanaimo to Port Renfrew: 135 km / 2 hrs
Lake Cowichan to Port Renfrew: 60 km / 75 min
Trip Planning Resources
Here is a list of the most important resources we use when planning our travels, all in one convenient spot. Full disclosure, when you use any of these links to reserve or sign up for something, we receive a small commission which is greatly appreciated. However, your price does not change and we have only included products and websites that we can honestly recommend.
- DuckDuckGo is now far and away the best search engine for travel planning. While Google still provides quick answers to a specific questions, the rest of the results are completely overrun by ads and big company sites with only vaguely related info. DuckDuckGo, on the other hand, still offers useful lists of firsthand articles and posts about potential destinations, perfect for planning your next trip.
- We book the majority of our hotels on Booking.com. With frequent stay discounts, thousands of reviews and free cancellation, it is very rare for us to have a bad hotel experience these days.
- Wise is by far the best international multicurrency bank account we’ve found. We can now send and receive money in half a dozen different currencies, convert to dozens more with no exchange premium and pay or withdraw local currencies. Highly recommended.
- When travelling we always get SIM cards with data for our phones. Local SIM cards are sometimes a bit cheaper but if you have a relatively new smartphone (iPhone XR or newer, Samsung S20 or newer) you can just buy an eSIM online, get a QR code by email and you’re good to go. After extensive research we have found that JetPac sim cards usually have the best coverage and prices.
- If you’re interested in local guided tours, including everything from city tours to cooking lessons to adventure activities, check out the huge range of options at Get Your Guide.
Port Renfrew Camping Summary
With mild weather, insane scenery and a long list of outdoor activities to keep you busy, camping near Port Renfrew can be a phenomenal experience. Whether you are looking for a quiet, organized place to park your RV or a secluded forest tenting site well away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Port Renfrew area has something that should suit your fancy.
You might also want to check out our lists of the best Camping Quotes and Camping Captions.
Other useful articles you may want to check out:
Tofino Camping: The Best and Worst of Tofino Campgrounds
Salt Spring Island Camping and Glamping
Wild Coast Hiking in East Sooke Park
Hornby Island Camping and Glamping: Breaking Down All the Options
Squamish Camping: The Best and Worst of Squamish Campgrounds
Hi
Should have maps of campsites to pick your spot at Renfew and others that are available.
Yes, that would be handy but I wasn’t able to find them for these particular campgrounds. If you come across any please let me know and I’ll add them, thanks.