Discover the Best Campgrounds Near Whistler

Combining a Whistler adventure with camping is an excellent way to experience the great outdoors and the stunning landscapes of the mountains and valleys. While Whistler itself has limited camping options, there are a variety of camping options within an hour's drive of Whistler Village, ranging from basic sites to those with full amenities.

Many of these campgrounds are in provincial parks and are quite popular, especially in summer. It's advisable to reserve your spot early if possible, as first-come, first-served sites can be risky during peak times. If you need transportation, consider renting a car.

1. Riverside RV Resort and Campground

Riverside RV Resort and Campground is the most central camping option in Whistler, located just 3.5-kilometers from Whistler Village. It offers a variety of accommodations, including tent sites, RV sites, and yurt rentals. Amenities include volleyball courts, an on-site café, free Wi-Fi, and lodge access. Peak season runs from May to mid-October.

Official website: https://www.parkbridge.com/en-ca/rv-cottages/riverside-resort/riverside-resort

2. Whistler RV Park and Campgrounds

Whistler RV Park and Campgrounds is a large, 104-acre campground with 102 fully serviced RV sites and additional tent sites. Located less than 20 kilometers from Whistler Village, it offers amenities like washrooms, showers, fire rings, and a dish-washing station, plus activities such as Wiffle golf and frisbee golf.

Official site: https://www.whistlerrvpark.com

Guided tours in Whistler

3. Cal-Cheak Recreation Site

Cal-Cheak Recreation Site offers 55 campsites in a forested setting near Cheakamus River and Callaghan Creek. It's a 15-minute drive to Whistler Village and provides basic amenities like pit toilets, water, bear caches, and firepits. The site is open seasonally and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Official site: http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?type=Site&site=REC0127

4. Callaghan Lake

Callaghan Lake offers free camping with limited facilities, including a pit toilet and fire pits. The area is accessible via a rough logging road and is open from mid-June to mid-October. It's a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations.

Official site: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/callaghan_lk/

5. Wedgemount Lake

Wedgemount Lake has 20 tent pads with minimal amenities. The challenging hike to the campsites climbs 1,200 meters over seven kilometers. Reservations are required, and the site is 13 kilometers north of Whistler.

Official site: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/garibaldi/wedgemt.html

6. Nairn Falls

Nairn Falls Park, located 30 minutes north of Whistler, offers 94 campsites with basic amenities. The campground is open from mid-May to late September, and reservations are recommended.

Official site: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/nairn_falls/

7. Taylor Meadows and Garibaldi Lake

Taylor Meadows and Garibaldi Lake campgrounds in Garibaldi Provincial Park offer backcountry camping with reservations required year-round. They are ideal for hikers looking to explore Garibaldi Lake, Black Tusk, and Panorama Ridge.

Official site: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/garibaldi/blacktsk.html

8. Alice Lake

Alice Lake Provincial Park is a family-friendly campground with 96 drive-in sites and 12 walk-in sites. Amenities include flushing toilets, showers, and lake activity rentals. Reservations are recommended during peak season.

Official site: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/alice_lk/

9. Squamish Valley Campground

Squamish Valley Campground offers a rustic camping experience with unserviced sites and portable toilets. It's a 20-minute drive from Squamish's amenities.

Official site: https://www.campsquamish.com/index.html

10. Stawamus Chief Provincial Park Campground

Stawamus Chief Provincial Park Campground, an hour south of Whistler, offers 52 car-access campsites and 57 walk-in sites on a first-come, first-served basis. Facilities are minimal, with pit toilets and a central cooking shelter.

Official site: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/stawamus/

Where to Stay in Whistler When Campgrounds are Full

If you can't find a campsite, Whistler offers several hotel options. For mid-range stays, consider the pet-friendly Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel or the Pinnacle Hotel Whistler. Budget travelers can look into the Pangea Pod Hotel or find off-season deals at The Crystal Lodge Hotel.