British Columbia

[TomandLora]

Thanks for the advice!!!! We will definitely make reservations!

 

[TomandLora]

Ken,
Any recommendations of rv parks in Washington?

 

[Ken & Sheila]

Ken,
Any recommendations of rv parks in Washington?

First there is another set of ferries to Vancouver Island from Tsawassen, BC (south of Vancouver). Ones goes to Duke Pt, near Naniamo and the other goes to Swartz bay, north of Sydney. These might be better if you decide to stay in Vancouver south of downtown. One other good park to consider is Barnaby Cariboo RV Park. I haven't stay there but it is well rated.


Are you going to drive up I-5 to Vancouver or go up 101 and take the Washington ferry (Port Townsend to Coupeville) back to the mainland north of Seattle?

 

[TomandLora]

Hi Ken,
We're thinking that Hwy 5 looks like a good route all the way up. We're coming from the Redding area in California. We still need to plan where to stay along the way.

 

[Ken & Sheila]

First, I recommend that you take I-405 to avoid some of Seattle. Not great, but better than I-5, IMHO.
In Bothell, WA Off 405 north of Seattle I like Lake Pleasant RV Park. A ways off the highway so maybe not great for an overnight. North of there off I-5 in Marysville you can dry camp for free at Cabelas or next door at Tulalip Resort Casino.
I agree with others on Emigrant Lake, Ashland, OR and Seven Feathers. At the Coburb exit if the county park is full, Premier RV Park is right at the exit.
South of Portland at exit 286 is Pleasant Ridge RV Park. Just off the interstate, so its convenient.
If your a member of the Elks, I can give you some other options.

 

[TomandLora]

Thanks for the suggestions of the rv parks!!!!! I'm not a elks member.  Sure is nice to get ideas on where to stay along the way. We're so looking forward to seeing new places and we've heard how beautiful it is in Washington and British Columbia!!!!!! We need to sit down with a map and try to figure out where and how long we're stay at different locations. Glad we won't be on a schedule other than the fishing charter!

 

[U and I Travelers]

Hi TomandLora

We are planning a similar trip next year except we'll be leaving from San Diego. We are going mostly up the coast.  Starting from north of you we will be going to Harris Beach State Park, Or, Bend/Sisters Garden Rv Park, Fort Stevens State Park, Silver Cove (Mt St Helens) Wa, Fildago Bay...Anacortes ferry to Sydney BC to Salish Seaside Haven (Victoria), Living Forest RV (Nanaimo BC) then ferry Duke Point to Tsawwassen BC then east across the cascades. I have been on the ferry out of Anacortes in a car and it is very doable with a trailer.

Silver Cove is not far off the 5, Fildago Bay is close to the ferry. Fort Stevens is a little off the 5, but would be a stayover almost on the beach.

 

[U and I Travelers]

One item I left off, it appears if you are going to Vancouver Island you want to make ressies as soon as you can.

 

[TomandLora]

Thanks for the heads up!!!!!!

 

[TomandLora]

Sounds like you've taken this trip before! How did you find all the RV parks along the way? We're still in the planning stages and trying to figure out the best route! Was hoping to go through Oregon and Washington up to Vancouver island. I need to contact some fishing Charters in Vancouver island and plan on when to go!

 

[JudyJB]

The problem is that you need to make reservations right away if you want to stay in state parks because they open 8-9 months in advance in both states, and it is very hard to find spots even now.  I know this because I have been to most of them and am making plans for this summer and things are really getting tight or are full for July and August. 

I am a full-timer and have to have a place to stay, so I am used to looking for places early.  The only places with lots of vacancies are the few federal campgrounds because they do not open until 6 months in advance.

There are two nice COE campgrounds along the Columbia River--LePage and Plymouth, both on the eastern ends of the river.  If you have never driven along the Columbia River, it is a great, scenic  drive.  I wholeheartedly recommend Bonneville Dam and Hatchery.  There are tours of the fish ladders and places underneath where you can see the fish as they travel up the ladders.  Also tours of the fish ladders and the power house at Bonneville.  The Bonneville Hatchery has tons of baby and grown fish, including some 8' long sturgeons they use for breeding--and yes, I meant 8 feet long!  There are also a couple of waterfalls along I-84 and several scenic pullovers.

 

[JudyJB]

Another recommendation is Fort Worden State Park near Port Townsend.  There are tours of all the old buildings, plus there are a couple of small Marine museums in the park.  One neat time to be at the Marine Center is, I think, on Saturday at 2:00 pm when they let you feed the starfish, urchins, and other animals. 

ANother great event at the state park, and actually at several locations in the area, is the annual Power Paddle to Pullyap.  This is where the native American tribes get their big canoes out and paddle them to various places in the Sound.  These are canoes that are paddled by anywhere from 10-25 people.  The landings are very impressive if you can catch one.  There were 24 that landed last year at Fort Worden. 

 

[Arch Hoagland]

To find RV parks go to Google Maps.

Type in the name of the city or area you want to visit.

Then when it goes to that area type in.....RV Parks

It will then highlight all the RV parks and you can switch to satellite view and zoom in on the  park  and see the actual roads and campsites.

You can also located things near the RV park...gas stations, restaurants, etc.

 

[U and I Travelers]

Sounds like you've taken this trip before! How did you find all the RV parks along the way? We're still in the planning stages and trying to figure out the best route! Was hoping to go through Oregon and Washington up to Vancouver island. I need to contact some fishing Charters in Vancouver island and plan on when to go!

Traveling by RV I have only been as far as Winchester Bay, that was 15 years ago. I am a bit obsessive about planning and research. We had some places and people we knew we wanted to visit, I made a basic route and the started googling RV parks along the route. Using Google Earth I'd get a birds eye view. https://www.campsitephotos.com has pics of each site at a lot of campgrounds including Oregon State Parks. The park we are using in Bend was recommended by a friend that lives in the area and plays there with his band.