Whether it’s beers at the bottom after a hike or riverside brews, a crisp après-ski drink or campfire cold ones, nothing complements beer quite like the great outdoors. The experience is even more enjoyable when you can spend the night in nature with a well-stocked cooler by your side or a brewery just down the road, ready to welcome you back to civilization.
May 21 – 26, 2024 marks the ninth annual Canadian RV and Camping Week. With endless campgrounds speckled across the province and breweries within shouting distance of each, it’s easy to plan a craft beer and camping trip in BC to mark the occasion. Whatever region of the province you’ve got your eye on, we’ve got the intel you need to start planning your trip.
Mount Fernie Provincial Campground – Fernie Brewing Co., Fernie
If you’re looking for a place where beer meets adventure, then Fernie’s got you covered. Located at the base of countless trails sits Mount Fernie Provincial Campground – a site that is also the starting point for Fernie Brewing Co.’s Trail to Ale Challenge. The challenge is simple: check off three of Fernie’s best trails – on foot or by bike – within 24 hours, and win yourself a well-deserved après at the brewery. While the adventure may not be for the faint of heart, beer always tastes better 40 kilometres and 1,200 metres of elevation gain later. Thankfully, however, you don’t have to smash out three peaks to indulge in FBC’s crisp brews. With rotating beers on tap including core brews and limited releases, and countless more available for pick up, a pit stop at the brewery is an essential component to every night spent under the stars – whether it’s covered in sweat or basking in relaxation.
Lower Arrow Lake – Tailout Brewing, Castlegar
If you’re planning a trip to the ‘Heart of the Kootenays’, you’ll have plenty of great options for campsites.
Nestled in the midst of a Douglas fir forest on the Eastern shore of Lower Arrow Lake, lays Syringa Provincial Park: a road-tripper’s dream. Kick back for the day surrounded by sandy beaches, rocky bluffs and ample amenities. The best part? Not far from the lake-side campground is Castlegar’s Tailout Brewing, serving up locally-brewed lip-smacking pints, flights, and growler fills.
This spring and summer, you can also take full advantage of an off-grid stay paired with local craft brews and tasty eats with a Sip & Stay deal at Lakeside Castlegar Cabins. These solar-powered, lakefront mini cabins are the perfect place to get away from it all. If you prefer to bring your own accommodation, stay tuned for RV sites that are coming this summer. The best part? Your stay includes beers from Tailout Brewing and a tasting flight at nearby Lion’s Head Smoke & Brew Pub.
Why just see the East Kootenays when you can taste them too? If you need more inspiration, check out our recent Castlegar Road Trip Journal which highlights the best views, brews, and adventures the city has to offer.
Mystic Beach – Sooke Brewing, Sooke Oceanside Brewery and Bad Dog Brewing; Sooke
What’s better than a campground near a brewery? A campground near three breweries. Earn your beers as you walk into Mystic Beach: a short but scenic two-kilometre wander through a coastal rainforest enveloped by salty air and moss-covered trees. Waiting at the end is a dreamy campground located along the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Think gentle waterfalls and misty ocean views, sand in your sleeping bag, and the gentle sound of waves lapping the shoreline as you dream about beer. Except it’s not a dream. Because just a short 35-kilometre drive away is cozy, welcoming Sooke Brewing Company, home to award-winning summer sippers perfect to quench your thirst. But the fun doesn’t stop there because just a few minutes farther down the road is Bad Dog Brewing, an oasis full of good beers for even the baddest of dogs. And then there’s Sooke Oceanside Brewery, in their new space with a full tasting room and patio.
Strawberry Point Recreation Site – Pemberton Brewing and the Beer Farmers; Pemberton
Plopped on the shore of Lillooet Lake is Strawberry Point Recreation Site, a campground with views just about as sweet as its name. A short walk in from the road, adventure is never far from Strawberry Point, with a number of hikes, hot springs, and, of course, brews nearby. What better way to cap off a day of making memories than with a glass of hoppy, malty goodness? Waiting for you just 18 kilometres down the road is Pemberton Brewing Company. Tucked away behind alpine peaks, you’ll find a variety of curiosity-sparking beers. And if that wasn’t enough, you can also taste the local terroir at The Beer Farmers, where they grow their own barley and hops on a fourth-generation family farm.
Lucerne Campground at Mount Robson Park – Three Ranges Brewing, Valemount
If you’re the rustic, off-the-beaten-path type of camper, then this is the spot for you. Nestled at the east end of Mount Robson Park on the edge of Yellowhead Lake, Lucerne campground offers the perfect combination of stunning mountain views, chilled lake swims, and peaceful serenity. An escape from the crowds typical of Mount Robson Park, this is a safe haven for campers looking to rough it for the evening. Less than an hour away awaits Three Ranges Brewing Company, putting the “ale” in Valemount. With a number of tantalizing beers on tap, like their Mt. Robson Kolsch and Ram’s Head Amber, a visit is the perfect way to ease back into civilization.
Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park – Wheelhouse Brewing, Prince Rupert
A stone’s throw away from Prince Rupert, sitting along the edge of Prudhomme Lake, is the Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park Campground. A small and quiet site surrounded by coastal forest, it’s the textbook place to recharge following a day of fishing, exploring, or knocking back a cold one at Wheelhouse Brewing Company. Located just 21 kilometres down the road from the site, Wheelhouse Brewing Company boasts a range of seasonal brews, alongside their tried and true year-rounders like Blacksmith Brown Ale and Flagship Pale Ale. Radiating the essence of true Northwest coastal culture, Wheelhouse is a must-stop on any road trip to the coastal north.
Bear Creek Provincial Park – The Hatching Post and Lakesider Brewing Co., West Kelowna
For those looking to spend a little time in nature without compromising the comforts of the city, Bear Creek Provincial Park offers the best of both worlds. A mere 15-minute drive away from the bustling streets of Kelowna, Bear Creek has the stress-less lakeside camping, user-friendly trails, and sun-tan-worthy beaches you’ve been looking for. Sweetening the deal is a nearby canyon, etched into the bedrock by the creek’s running water. While this site can get quite busy, especially during peak season, it’s nothing a pint down the road can’t fix. Cue West Kelowna’s The Hatching Post and Lakesider Brewing Co. The Hatching Post boasts authentic Texas-style BBQ to pair with their western saloon vibes and 14 taps of small-batch, mindfully-crafted, tank-to-tap brews. Just around the corner is Lakesider: pouring a wide range of crowd-pleasing brews in a more modern, but equally cozy, setting. Beer, views, and camping – who could want more?
Little Bear Ranch – Ursa Minor Brewing, Burns Lake
Care for something that’s a little more “glamping?” Little Bear Ranch is a special spot located right on Ursa Minor Brewing’s property on Ootsa Lake. This lakeside cabin is cozy, private, and just a 5-minute walk from the brewery. Opportunities for boating, wildlife viewing, hiking, and fishing are right outside your door. The brewery itself is based on a renovated farm, where the team grows fresh botanicals used in their beers and cares for a family of animals who dine on spent grains from the brewing process. So charming!
Redstreak Campground (Kootenay National Park) – Radium Brewing, Radium Hot Springs
Located in the beautiful Kootenay National Park, Redstreak Campground is just a bike, hike, or run away from Radium Brewing. This campground has great views of the Columbia Valley and surrounding mountains, 242 sites, and ten tent cabins. It’s also a gentle hike to the Radium Hot Springs!
Don’t Love it to Death
Disrespectful, negligent, and inconsiderate behaviour is threatening the places we love. Having access to beautiful spaces and vibrant communities is a privilege—one we will lose if we don’t change our ways. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and do something about it. (That means you too, locals and residents).
We are all guests on these lands and waters. Respect the people, wildlife, natural spaces, and communities by exploring mindfully. Don’t love it to death.
Stay up to Date With Fire Bans and Restrictions
Many areas of BC have been affected by devastating wildfires over recent years. Do your part to practice campfire safety, and be aware of any bans or restrictions when travelling.
The BC Public Service website explains: “The decision when or where to implement a fire ban is made by the regional fire centres depending on local fire hazards or dangers, the type of weather conditions forecasted and the type and level of fire activity occurring.” Stay up to date with current conditions or download the free BC Wildfire Service app for updates as you go.
Explore More Camping Spots in BC
Super Camping Guide: Find private campgrounds. Be sure to check out the Super Camping BC app.
Go Camping BC: Your resource for all BC parks and camping sites.
