Ultimate Adventure: Backcountry Camping With Kids On Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island, with its natural beauty and diverse landscapes, offers some of the best backcountry camping experiences in the world. If you’re looking to really unplug and connect with your family in the great outdoors, then backcountry or backpack camping is a must. I’ll share some tips and tricks to help make your experience a success and include our three favourite backcountry spots on Vancouver Island. I’ve also included the teenager’s perspective on backpack camping so you don’t have to take my word on how these trips really play out.

Your Guide to Backcountry Camping

1. Plan Your Trip

Choose Kid-Friendly Trails

Select trails that are suitable for your children’s age and fitness levels. Look for trails with moderate distances, gentle elevation gains, and interesting features like waterfalls, lakes, or viewpoints. We usually choose somewhere that we can walk into in under two hours.

Involve Kids in Planning

Get your kids excited about the trip by involving them in the planning process. Let them help choose the destination, plan the route, pick the meals and pack their gear. This helps build anticipation and gives them a sense of responsibility. We make sure everyone carry’s something that the whole family needs on the trip.

2. Pack Wisely

Lightweight Gear

Invest in lightweight, high-quality gear to make the hike more manageable for everyone. Lightweight tents, sleeping bags, and cooking equipment can significantly reduce the load. Bring lightweight, non-perishable food, a compact stove, and a water filter. A good sleeping bag and tent are essential. We have been on backpacking trips with big tents and heavy equipment and it is not fun. Once you know that you like this type of camping, investing in lightweight gear is one of the best ways to make sure your trip is amazing.

Essentials for Kids

• Clothing: Pack weather-appropriate clothing in layers. Include a touque (no matter what time of year it is on the island), and rain gear.
• Footwear: Ensure your kids have comfortable, well-fitting hiking boots and a pair of good sandals for the campsite.
• Backpacks: Choose backpacks that fit your kids properly and are not overloaded. Weigh the bags before you go and have them go on a practice walk around the neighbourhood before setting off. Trust me you do not want to be carrying their bag along with your own.

Fun Items

Bring along some lightweight entertainment options such as a book, cards, or compact game. A sketchbook can also be great for recording the adventure.

3. Keep It Fun

Set a Comfortable Pace

Kids may need more frequent breaks and a slower pace than adults. Make sure to factor in plenty of rest stops and opportunities to explore along the way.

Engage with Nature

Encourage your kids to observe and interact with their surroundings. Teach them about the plants, animals, and geological features you encounter. Scavenger hunts or nature bingo can add an element of fun.

Snacks and Treats

Bring plenty of snacks to keep energy levels up. Let your kids have a say in what snacks to bring. We usually let everyone create their own trail mix in a sandwich bag for the hike in.

4. Safety First

First Aid Kit

Carry a well-stocked first aid kit and know how to use it. Include items specifically for kids, such as children’s pain relievers and band-aids with fun designs. Check out our first aid checklist here.

Communication

Ensure you have a reliable way to communicate, such as a cell phone or a satellite communicator. Teach your kids what to do in case they get separated from the group.

Wildlife Awareness

Educate your children about local wildlife and how to act if they encounter animals. Practice storing food properly to avoid attracting wildlife to your campsite. We use dry bags to keep all of our food and cooking supplies in that we can put directly into a bear cache or hang from a tree.

5. Teach Leave No Trace

Respect Nature

Teach your kids the importance of preserving the environment. Explain the Leave No Trace principles, such as packing out all trash, staying on trails, and respecting wildlife.

6. Make Camp Comfortable

Cozy Sleeping Arrangements

Ensure everyone has a comfortable sleeping setup. Bring sleeping pads for insulation and comfort. Consider adding a favourite blanket or stuffed animal for younger kids.

Warmth and Shelter

Set up camp in a sheltered area to protect against wind and rain. Make sure everyone has warm clothing to wear in the evening and at night.

Favourite Backcountry Camping Spots on Vancouver Island

Backcountry camping fees can be paid ahead online or in an envelope in cash at the trailhead ($10/adult and $5/child 15 and under per night) and are first come first serve.

Juan de Fuca Trail

Stretching 47 kilometers along the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, the Juan de Fuca Trail offers breathtaking views, lush forests, and rugged shoreline. It’s perfect for families looking for a challenging yet rewarding adventure.

Our family has done a couple of different pieces of the Juan de Fuca Trail for one or two night trips. This was our kids first foray into backpack camping. A short walk into Mystic Beach from the China Beach parking lot usually takes about an hour. There are platforms for your tent in the forest above the waterline, bear caches for your food and outhouses. No running water is available but there is a stream nearby where you can collect water and filter to drink. If you want to carry on the next day then you can make your way to Bear Beach of Kin Beach.

Strathcona Park

Strathcona Park, located in the heart of Vancouver Island, is a haven for nature lovers. With its alpine meadows, pristine lakes, and rugged mountains, it’s an ideal destination for a family backpacking trip.

Leaving from the Alpine Lodge parking lot at Mount Washington, make your way on the boardwalk and path to Helen Mackenzie Lake about 6 km from the parking lot. There are tent platforms, composting toilets and bear caches. Water is available from the lake with a purification system. Swimming is also allowed in this lake, so don’t forget your bathing suit. If camping spots are full, head to the next stop on the trail as this can be a busy route in the summer.

Cape Scott Trail

The Cape Scott Trail, located on the northern tip of Vancouver Island, offers a remote and rugged experience. With its wild beaches, dense forests, and historic sites, it’s an adventure that the whole family will love.

We broke up the long drive to Cape Scott Park (about seven hours north of Victoria) by camping for a couple of nights near Telegraph Cove before making our way to the trailhead for San Josef Bay. This hike was on our bucket list for several years and it didn’t disappoint. Access is off a long logging road that took us about an hour and a half. The hike in is well maintained and about 40 minutes from the trailhead. Many families pulled wagons or made use of wheel barrows to transport extra gear and water. There are outhouses and bear caches at several spots along the beach. You can pitch your tent on the sand or in the forest; there aren’t designated spots but there is plenty of room. A stream to collect freshwater is available at Second Beach, just beyond San Josef, but it can only be accessed at low tide so make sure you bring in the water you will need or check the tides. The sand stacks and caves at the end of the beach are fun to explore.

Teenager’s Perspective: Why We Love Backpacking

Jack: It’s important to know what to pack and to bring as little as possible. When I do backpacking trips with school there are lots of people that have never done it before and over pack. This makes for a long hard hike. Having lightweight gear has made a big difference in getting the weight down in my bag.

I like going to new places I’ve never been before and being some of the only people there.

Emma: Once you arrive at a backpacking campsite it always feels like an accomplishment after having hiked in. It’s something that not a lot of people get to see and do and I have an appreciation for all the people that I meet along the way that also made the same hike, even if I’ve never met them before. After a hike into camp, being outside all the time, I’ve noticed that people’s energy changes. It’s nice to get to see people in a different setting in nature.

I also like that we eat very different food than we would at home and everything seems to taste amazing. Even if I wouldn’t have liked it at home, I usually like it when I’m camping.

Conclusion

Backcountry camping on Vancouver Island offers families a unique way to experience the outdoors and disconnect. No matter where you choose to camp, you’ll experience the island’s natural beauty in a way that few others do. Remember to respect the environment, pack wisely, and embrace the adventure! For more on other types of camping check out this blog post.

Happy camping!