Vancouver Island - need some advise - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Camping | Places, Gear and Planning > Campgrounds, Waysides and Resorts
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 05-10-2011, 12:37 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
JeffZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 893
Vancouver Island - need some advise

Not too sure if everyone remembers, but last year we tried to go up to Alaska after the Escape Rally (Merritt) and our beloved dog wasn't up for the trip and we had to come back home.

Well, this year we're trying again and want to stay in Vancouver Island for a couple of days, around the first or second week in June.

First of all:

Do you think we need reservations?
Any recommendations on campgrounds or where to stay?

We will be taking the 24ft RV and of course our bikes..

Thanks and don't forget we have a Meet the members show this Monday - with T&R
__________________
Former 17ft Plan "B" Escape
Toyota Highlander w/tow pkg


favorite quote: "Put the candle back"
JeffZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2011, 05:23 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Re: Vancouver Island - need some advise

The ferry fare for my RAV and 17 Escape is $151 each way. Kinda pricy for only a couple days visit.
Vancouver Island can either be wilderness or the capital city ( Victoria ). You don't say what type of experience you're looking for.

You'll likely want reservations for the ferry to ensure you don't sit in a line up for hours. Avoid holiday weekends ( both US and Canadian holidays ).

Go to: http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/m...w-current.html
For ferry info: for routes, fares, reservations schedules.

baglo

__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2011, 05:51 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
JeffZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 893
Re: Vancouver Island - need some advise

Thanks for the heads up on the ferry.. We're looking at around 5-7 days on the Island.. I did read your post on Namaino/Living Forest and that seemed like a good spot.. I guess we want to see as much as we can and probably try to experience both city as it applies to Liana shopping and just the grandeur of the island. We'll definitely do a lot of biking and hopefully some trails (with Sammy).

Is it reasonable to drive (a 24ft RV) around the island or is it that too crazy.. The RV is about 6 ft longer than my truck and is pretty maneuverable, of course gas mileage is nasty.
__________________
Former 17ft Plan "B" Escape
Toyota Highlander w/tow pkg


favorite quote: "Put the candle back"
JeffZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2011, 07:14 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Re: Vancouver Island - need some advise

The RV isn't an issue for getting around.

I think with the time you have that you should do Victoria ( The Royal Museum, etc. ) Britain in miniature.

And then for some wilderness, Tofino on the West coast of the island. Long Beach. Ucluelet.

I can't speak first hand, but in Victoria area Weir's Beach looks to be close enough to town and far enough away. Westbay Marina Village and RV is a 5 min. foot ferry ride from downtown which would relieve you of parking issues. That would be my choice, however, it has gotten some mixed reviews lately.

I don't know RV parks in Tofino area, so can't even suggest.

I think those two places would be enough for 5-7 days.

You should also look into taking the ferry from Anacortes, Wash. ( Black Ball ) to Victoria. Could save you a lot of travel time and maybe some money. I assume it accepts RVs.
but you'll have to Google.

You'd best take the ferry back to the mainland from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen. Avoids Vancouver and saves driving through miles of congested highway and construction zones on your way to Osoyoos.

baglo



__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2011, 11:54 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
peter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia
Trailer: 2013 19ft Escape "Eggy Sue"
Posts: 188
Re: Vancouver Island - need some advise

Hey Jeff.... We are about 45mins. north of Victoria, so if you need a place to park your rig for a night or three let me know. You can pm as my address is available, we,re in the bush, and free kyaking if you like. Cheers, Peter
__________________
Peter H.
"Eggy Sue"
2013 19ft Escape
2002 Toyota Tundra 4X4
peter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2011, 12:48 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
JeffZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 893
Re: Vancouver Island - need some advise

Thanks Peter.. that is very nice of you.. We'll just stay 3 months.
__________________
Former 17ft Plan "B" Escape
Toyota Highlander w/tow pkg


favorite quote: "Put the candle back"
JeffZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2011, 01:59 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
ronstew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 284
Re: Vancouver Island - need some advise

Three car ferry companies serve the Island from the mainland.

Washington State Ferries out of Anacortes (I think that is a milk-run, and not a real time-saver, but any trip through the San Juan Islands is a treat).
Black Ball with its old Coho out of Port Angeles, Washington.
BC Ferries with several routes.

Are you going to the Escape Rally this year?

Consider driving up the Hood Canal and the west side of Puget Sound to Port Angeles, and taking the ferry to Victoria. Then drive the length of the Island to Port Hardy, and take a ferry to Prince Rupert, then carry on to Alaska.

Look for Port Hardy - Prince Rupert sailings that have stops so you can relieve your dog. I think it is a 12-hour run.

The Washington coast roads don't generally hug the shore, so all you see is trees, which is why I recommend the Hood Canal instead.

Just starter thoughts.....
__________________
Ron Stewart
Tsawwassen, BC

2009 17' Plan B
ronstew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2011, 10:52 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
JeffZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 893
Re: Vancouver Island - need some advise

Our trip is delayed a tad..We're now thinking we'll be there around the last week in June or first week in July.

So do you guy's think we need to make reservations on Victoria Island for a place to stay or can we just 'wing it'..



__________________
Former 17ft Plan "B" Escape
Toyota Highlander w/tow pkg


favorite quote: "Put the candle back"
JeffZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2011, 11:56 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Re: Vancouver Island - need some advise

School's out. I would make reservations.
I have vacation last week of July, first week of August and I'm staying home.

baglo
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2011, 11:59 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Re: Vancouver Island - need some advise

If you're taking the ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, I really recommend reservations.

baglo
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2011, 12:23 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
JeffZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 893
Re: Vancouver Island - need some advise

We were wondering about the campgrounds on the Island, if it's typically crowded or can we just call a couple of days prior to arriving on the Island to get space at a park/RV park..

The more we research, the more we're thinking of driving up to Alaska/Denali first and then possibly taking the ferry back via the inside passage.. We'll have a better idea on how Sammy is doing in the RV and how he'll handle the long Ferry ride.
__________________
Former 17ft Plan "B" Escape
Toyota Highlander w/tow pkg


favorite quote: "Put the candle back"
JeffZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2011, 01:04 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Re: Vancouver Island - need some advise

That could be a very good idea.

What you need to check out is the departure and arrival times so that you don't do the scenery in the dark.

Many years ago we took the ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert in late summer. It left late in the day and arrived early in the morning. All I can remember about that trip was that the bar was in the centre of the ship and was surrounded by six-foot walls to prevent any children from seeing people with drinks. Which meant you couldn't see out. It was pouring rain anyway, so not a lot of reason to leave the bar. Rest of the trip was in the dark. We had a stateroom, and in the vacant room next door, clothes hangers banged against the steel wall of the closet.

That was about 35 years ago, so a lot has changed.

Still, I'd check.

baglo
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:43 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.