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October 14, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Squamish, Camping
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When I think Thanksgiving, I think turkey (or rather, tofurkey) not tents. Well, this weekend I learned that a lot of people think tents, RVs and warm campfires on the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend.
Our plan was to take our new/old ’88 Westfalia campervan on a maiden voyage over the long weekend. We had a few campsite requirements: within cellphone range of Vancouver in case something falls off the Westy; no crazy unpaved roads; campfire. Bonus points for electric plug-in so we could make smoothies in the morning (hey – I didn’t say this was rustic).
Alice Lake Provincial Park in Squamish sounded good to us. We rolled in around 6pm, and were blown away by the number of people who had the same idea, albeit with more functional vehicles. Our smoothie dream was crushed when we found all 55 electric plug-in campsites were already taken. Nonetheless, we were able to find a nice spot tucked in the trees.
All that was left to do was to sit around the crackling fire, cook dinner on our campstove, and eat what seemed like a zillion marshmallows (they were the mini-kind, which made for some eclectic roasting methods). It was a clear night, so we had a nice view of stars peeking between the silhouettes of tree branches above. In the morning, we checked out Alice Lake and watched a fellow camper take his dog paddleboarding.
Before we left, the campground operator told us that more than ¾ of the 108 Alice Lake campsites were full, and that ALL of the 60 campsites in nearby Porteau Cove Provincial Park had been full since the Wednesday before the long weekend. Wow! I had no idea so many people went camping and RVing for Thanksgiving.
Overall, I had a relaxing, bug-free, quiet camping trip at Alice Lake Provincial Park. I’d definitely consider camping as a future Thanksgiving activity. Now all I need to figure out is how to roast a tofurkey over an open campfire
July 30, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Mount Robson, Camping
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Last weekend a friend and I were fortunate enough to get a site in the Robson Meadows Campground in Mt. Robson Provincial Park. Robson Meadows includes all the normal amenities as other provincial parks along with a few bonus'. Wildlife frequent the lush forested sites and often appear alongside the roadways, which is ideal for close-up snapshots of the busy-tailed ungulates. In addition, interesting interpretive programs occur inside the park on afternoons and evenings from Thursday to Monday. We attended such programs as "Horny Goat and the Antlers" and "Plants of the Park", which were entertaining to say the least. Kids and adults alike will definitely enjoy themselves while staying at the Robson Meadows Campground.
July 30, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Mount Robson, Camping
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Last weekend, a friend and I were fortunate enough to get a spot at the Robson Meadows Campground in Mt. Robson Provincial Park. Robson Meadows is the larger of the two campgrounds nearest the mountain and Visitor Info Center, and also the most popular. The spiral shaped campground includes all the normal provinical park amenitites along with a few bonus'. Deer and other wildlife frequent the lush forested sites, often appearing directly alongside the roadway, which is ideal for quick close-up snapshots of the bushy-tailed ungulates. In addition to fantastic photo opportunities, Robson Meadows also provides interesting interpretive programs during afternoons and evenings thursday to monday, right inside the park. We attended programs such as "Horny Goat and the Antlers" and "Plants of the Park", which were entertaining to say the least. Both kids and adults alike will enjoy their stay in Robson Meadows Campgound.
July 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Wells, Camping
While on a trip to the Wells and Barkerville area I had the pleasure of staying at the Cariboo Joy RV Park in Wells. We were pleased with Joy’s friendly greeting and her personal tour of the campground in order to find a site that best suited us. The full service RV park is located a short walking distance to the multitude of art galleries in Wells and only a few minute drive from the historic town of Barkerville
Jen S
July 24, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Dawson Creek, Camping Dawson Creek, Camping
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My name is Erin and I work at the Dawson Creek Visitor Center. One of the many pleasures of my job includes meeting incredible people from all over the globe. One of these encounters occurred on a June day when a group of Australians dropped by.
The trek up the Alaska Highway is one that thousands of tourists make every year, drawing people from all ends of the earth to experience the adventure of Northern BC. This week, the Visitor Center staff were able to make a few new mates from the land Down Under. Gillian and Keith Traviss hail from Howlong, Australia, which is located about 350 km North of Melbourne. Both couples are headed to Anchorage, Alaska and have been planning for a lifetime. For the Traviss family, the trip to through BC to Alaska was a birthday gift to Gillian from Keith. “It’s what we have always dreamed of” says Gillian.
Bob & Louise Snowball live in Buderin, Queens-land, which is located on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. The Snowballs loved the fact that “we turned on the snow tap” for their travels in Northern BC.
Both couples agree that the snow and the mountains have been the highlight of the trip so far. Once the group reaches Alaska, they will be traveling to Vancouver Island by boat, and then heading home.
After the Snowballs arrived at home safe and sound, I received this e-mail:
G'day Erin,
Firstly, thank you very much for your email and the attached article in Dawson Creek's " Tourist of the Week" publication. We didn't get your email until we arrived back in Australia on 12th June and sorry for the delay in replying, but we've been pretty busy since.
We had the most wonderful holiday in Canada and Alaska - we toured with a group (twenty-six in number) of Aussies in 12 Motorhomes, taking 22 days to travel from Seattle to Anchorage, via the Canadian Rockies, the Yukon and Fairbanks. We don't get much snow in Australia and your late winter season gave us the most magical experience ever! The majestic snow-covered mountains, the still-frozen lakes, the wildlife and scenery were just to die for! In addition to all that splendor, because we were driving at a fairly leisurely pace and staying at RV parks each night, we were able to visit and spend time in many towns and villages and meet so many wonderful and friendly local people. Especially so in Dawson Creek. The day we spent in your town, my wife and I were with another couple taking pictures of each other in front of the "Mile 0 Alaska Highway" sign, when a complete stranger driving past, actually stopped and parked his car to offer to take a picture of us all together.
It was great being the first tourists to be featured in your local paper and yes, we have bragged about it to our friends !!
Cheers,
Bob and Louise Snowball.
July 23, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Burns Lake, Camping
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Man-o-man if you want either a great place to camp or just a fantastic place to take a picnic on a nice day, I suggest going to Alcans Skins Spillway and campground. The drive out there is becautiful and then once you get there, you are right there on Ootsa Lake where you can stay for absolutely free! The campground is well taken care of and when the Spillway is open it is quite a sight to see. Everyone out there is friendly as well. So for a weekend away or a nice drive and place to picnic head on out to Alcan's Skins Spillway on Ootsa Lake and enjoy the beautiful sights.
July 9, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Tumbler Ridge, Camping Tumbler Ridge, Camping
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Just off the wide curves and rollercoaster dips of Highway 29, north of Tumbler Ridge rests peaceful Gwillim Lake Rocky Mountains and the ploughed landscapes of the Peace River Country, Gwillim offers family and friends alike a list of amenities including kid’s playground, day-use area, boat launch, fishing, great swimming and snorkeling, hiking and a scenic lookout with excellent mountain views. Other activities like horseback riding and winter recreation often takes place on nearby Elephant Ridge.
The lake lies just north of the continental divide, making it part of the Arctic drainage basin, with populations of grayling, whitefish, trout and burbot swimming beneath the blue waters. Gwillim Lake st - September 28th and campsites are available at a first-come first-served basis. Although the sites are gravel and well-drained, there are grass sections easier for both pegging and sleeping on most sites. Bring your fishing rod, bathing suit and towel and look forward to a relaxing change from the busier campgrounds in the area as there are only 49 sites to choose from!
June 26, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Prince George, Camping Prince George, Camping
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Whiskers Point Provincial Park is the Prince George Point Provincial Park is located on a peninsula which sticks out into McLeod Lake
As I headed up to Whiskers Point just this last weekend, I relished in the freedom I was about to experience. There really is nothing like waking up in the morning, and opening your tent door to a view of the morning sun shimmering across calm lake waters. In addition to the warm sun rays, smell of campfire and roasted marshmallows, I was also lucky enough to be free of mosquitoes. The few days before my arrival at Whiskers Point saw a mixture of rain and sun which led to the absence of all but a couple of those annoying insects. The gently sloping expanse of sandy beach available to campers at Whiskers Point is greaty appreciated and utilized by all. In addition to one of the best beaches available within two hours of Prince George
All in all, with or without mosquitoes, Whiskers Point is a gem worth experiencing in BC's provincial park system.
Christina
May 4, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Squamish, Camping
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The sun was shining and we were in the mood for a Friday night camping getaway. Since this was the first camping trip of the season, we were looking for a place that was quiet, was easy to get to from Vancouver, and had basic amenities (water, flush toilets, firewood).
Paradise Valley Campground in Squamish fit the bill.
When we signed in at the campground, we met the hosts and picked up firewood ($5 for all you can carry) before heading to our site. The campground was clean and well maintained, and came with a resident hummingbird that buzzed around at dusk and dawn.
An unexpected camping highlight was rock-painting... the hosts will set you up with paints and brushes (free) and then let you unleash your inner Van Gogh on any rocks that you can fit in your hand. The result was colourful rocks tucked into corners of all the campsites (my own masterpieces are pictured above). Kids would love this! I’m proof that grown-ups find it pretty fun, too.
The next morning we hiked the short but straight-up trail to Brohm Lake from the campground. We couldn’t find the trail that went down to the lake (just a viewpoint of the lake), but it was a good way to stretch our legs and get out in the woods. Along the way, we saw more dogs (4) than people (2). The “boulder caves” were pretty neat, and are located at the beginning of the trail for campers who are too full of s’mores to hike the whole thing.
A few mosquito bites later, we headed back to the city in time to watch the Canucks game at home. If you’re looking for an easy, early season camping trip, I’d recommend Paradise Valley in Squamish.
December 23, 2008 | Tips from Travellers > Merritt, Camping
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One of 2 lakes in Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Park, Alleyne lake is about 40 km. from Merritt, just southeast of Aspen Grove. The lake is a stunning turquoise colour that changes with the light This is mainly due to the mineral content and depth. The lakes were created when huge chunks of ice fell from retreating glaciers and sunk in the surrounding mud. The beautiful white sand on the shore is seashells ground up by the glaciers. Be careful near the water's edge,as this sand is like quicksand. Many intact seashells can be found near shore. The calcium supports a large population of gammarus shrimp which impart a tastiness to the 2 to 3 kg. rainbow trout . The smaller potholes between the 2 lakes are stocked with trout and fishing in these kettles is restricted to young people. The mule deer population is numerous and they have little fear of humans. They regularly browse throug the campground, and caution should be used as the does with fawns can be agressive and territorial. Osprey fish the lakes regularly, and often land to rest in the old nest just out of sight from the campground. The park staff are excellent people, and keep the pit toilets very clean.i have been here twice and will return again in may when the ice is gone and the water is re-oxygenated.
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