With summer fast approaching, you may be itching already to plan a sunny-time RV or Boating adventure for yourself and your family.
And that’s why we’ve meticulously put together a list of some of the most amazing places that you will certainly not want to miss this summer while exploring what beautiful BC has to offer, just outside of the Fraser Valley.
Before you start fueling up your boat or RV, let’s take a moment to discover some of these British Columbia hot spots that may be the perfect fit for fishing, launching your boat or setting up your camper by the water.
You Don’t Want To Miss Visiting These 5 Stunning BC Locations
Skaha Lake And Oxbow RV Resort
Skaha Lake is a picturesque freshwater lake stretching 11.8 km with a max width of 2.2 km, located in the Okanagan Valley’s beautiful Penticton.
You will not be disappointed with some of the most beautiful beaches and hiking trails for those that want to explore further with the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and the Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park.
And if you are looking for a place for watersports, you have every option imaginable such as boating, jet skiing, paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking.
Skaha Marina offers moorage and a public boat launch to get your boat in the water, with parking available for trucks and trailers.
Trust us, it gets even better if you are bringing your RV with you, as you can enjoy Oxbow RV Resort which is a stone’s throw from the lake, and it offers full hookups, with shaded and grassed sites with 30 amp service, showers, laundry, ice, electric, sewer, water, and WiFi.
And don’t forget about Skaha Lake park and beach, which was named one of Canada’s top beaches according to Chatelaine magazine (someone still reads that, right?). The lake park offers a prime outdoor spot for putting your feet in the sand and jumping in for a swim in the warm water of Skaha Lake.
Harrison Country Club and RV Resort
When the weather is hot and the skies are clear, there is no better place to be than at Harrison Lake.
And with it only being about a 1 hour and 15-minute drive from Surrey or Maple Ridge, it makes for a great short-term getaway or even a day trip.
The resort town at the foot of the lake boasts a nice sandy beach along with places to eat, shop, and of course, the focal point being the many hotels such as the famous Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa and the Harrison Beach Hotel.
And the lake itself is massive at about 250 square kilometres, giving you a ton of space to let loose and launch your boat on the open water.
The beach along the shore is an excellent place for some beach volleyball and the kids to play, along with the nearby children’s playground.
A couple of great places to park your RV and unwind is the Harrison Country Club RV Resort which is right across from the lake, and there is also the Harrison Springs Camping & RV Park nestled right into the lush greenery of the tall trees.
And the pride and joy of Harrison Lake are the famous natural healing mineral hot springs.
There are two springs in the area, each containing a concentration of Potash and Sulphur, which are 40 and 62 degrees Celcius, respectively.
Whistler RV Park and Campground
Best known for its absolute world-class skiing, Whistler is hands down one of the best places to visit during the winter months.
But did you know that hidden away in this gem is fantastic spot where you can enjoy sitting in your RV and enjoy a relaxing time camping?
This is where the Whistler RV Park And Campground come in, perched high atop the mountainside and gives you unbelievable views overlooking the expansive mountain ranges surrounding you.
What’s great is that you are able to not only come and stay during the spring and summer months but in the winter as well, giving yourself an all-season exposure to not only the warm weather but the famous skiing and snowboarding season too.
You’re only a short 17KM drive from the heart of Whistler, and you have a ton of exciting things to do around you, from visiting the horse stables, playing whiffle golf, hitting up the paintball range, to fantastic walking and hiking trails.
And the facility has the Brew Mountain Cafe with locally made coffee, outdoor ping pong tables, laundry facilities, and no shortage of places to go ATV’ing and snowmobiling depending on the time of year.
Cultus Lake Thousand Trails RV Resort
Cultus Lake is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, allowing you and your family to enjoy the outdoors while fishing, kayaking, paddle-boarding, hiking, swimming, boating, and jet skiing at the base of the Fraser Valley.
This lake is located only 11 km south of the Chilliwack River and is a 1 hour and 26-minute drive from Downtown Vancouver.
With an average temperature of 20-24 degrees Celcius during the summer months, this makes it the perfect outdoor destination to take your boat and RV.
Let’s not forget it gets even better as you have access to the Cultus Lake Water Park, which is the biggest waterpark in all of BC, and the Cultus Lake Adventure Park giving you two incredible destinations in one location, featuring a golf course, mini-golf, chipping green, boat rentals, ice cream, restaurants, and shops.
And for those looking for a great place to set up camp and park the RV, look no further than the Thousand Trails RV Resort, which gives you full access to 30-amp full hook up sites, washrooms and free hot showers, a pool, laundry facilities, boat launch facilities, basketball and volleyball courts, and is just a few steps from the Cultus Lake itself.
Porteau Cove in the Sea to Sky Region
Located smack dab in the middle of Horseshoe Bay to the south and Squamish to the north, Porteau Cove is one of the Lower Mainland’s most beautiful campgrounds.
This as you are going to be situated along the Howe Sound, which leads down to the ocean, and truly makes getting to Porteau Cove simple as its right on the Sea To Sky highway.
The cove is a trendy spot for doing some diving, and getting your boat in the water is a breeze thanks to the available two paved boat launches.
There is a fantastic campground that has cabins and huts for rent, as well as a place for you to park your RV and hook it up for some electricity.
Some of the important facilities include the picnic areas to have your lunch along the water, a “sani-station”, pit and flush toilets, along with showers, and bathrooms with electricity. Since this is a provincial park, you can grab a camping site every month as they are released.
Must-Have Essentials for your RV or boating Trip
Before your fun and exciting travels, make sure you don’t forget to take with you this list of essential items listed below.
RV, Camper and Marine Batteries
One item that you certainly don’t want to travel without is a spare deep cycle battery! A spare is a great way of ensuring you have power for your RV when you can’t find a direct power source. Let’s not forget needing an extra battery that starts your boat’s engine and runs the lights, stereo, and other electronics.
This will come in very handy when dry camping and boondocking while you are camping in your RV, van, or motorhome with no electricity or water hookups outside of a traditional campground that you may be at.
Stop by Pacific Batteries, as we are the leaders in battery supplies with stores in Surrey and Maple Ridge to get that extra battery for the road. We offer new and reconditioned deep cycle batteries for all budgets, which is perfect for your next RV, Camper or Marine needs.
Sunscreen for that Summer Heat
Travelling anywhere during the hot summer months means higher UV levels, which means you could get burnt within minutes of exposure.
Bringing enough sunscreen for yourself and especially high SPF waterproof sunscreen for the kids will help to avoid unwanted sunburns when at the lake or on the river.
Life Jackets for on the Lake
Being on the water is so much fun, but being safe is even better.
That’s why even if you are already a seasoned swimmer, having enough life jackets on your boat for everyone is a must-have item you don’t want to forget. Remember to have them in all sizes, since you never know who will try to hitch a ride on your boat.
Lots of Fresh Drinking Water
Summers are hot! And staying hydrated is super important. Load up your cooler with lots of ice to keep your drinking water and bottles cold so they can cool you down when you start to feel the heat.
Whether you’re on the lake, or in a campsite. You never know what can arise and keeping a steady supply of water is so, so important.
First Aid Kit for Camping or Marine Safety
Having fun during a summer holiday is on everyone’s mind, but dealing with injuries is not.
That is why carrying with you a first-aid kit is important to help you deal with any unforeseen scratches or scrapes.
Emergency Road Kit and Fire Extinguisher
Being too prepared is always a good thing.
This is why you will want to remember to pack an emergency road kit, which can also include battery jumper cables in case your RV battery gets drained, and a fire extinguisher for peace of mind.
Now Let’s Get Packing and Road Trip
The time has come, and you are now well equipped to hit the open road and visit so many of these wonderful destinations all across our great province with your travel trailer, motorhome, fifth wheel, truck camper or tent trailer.
Whether you are going to jump in your boat to enjoy a trip to one of these lakes or buckle up in your RV for a BC road trip, we hope you have a wonderful, safe, and fun time with your friends and family as you take charge of your Summer plans.
Do not hesitate to reach out to us for any of your battery needs as you hit the road.