West Coast RV Trip for Summer #6: Don’t Miss These Spots!
We’re back at it! Hitting the ground of the iconic Pacific Coast Highway for the ultimate RV road trip. From California to Washington, the PCH offers miles upon miles of breath-taking, heart-stopping views––not to mention plenty of exploration opportunities along the way. If you are thinking about taking the RV for a summer drive along North America’s west coast, there is truly no better way to see the sights. So we’ve put together another breathtaking journey like no other.
On the last part of our West Coast summer journey, we explored the best of Oregon and Washington state––two hidden gems within the American road tripper’s crown. Now, we’re setting our sights north. Think, BIG north. With Alaska in mind, we’ve first got to cross into another area of pristine coastlines and western hospitality. Come with us as we head into Canada, tackling smooth terrain along British Columbia’s coastal region.
[ITINERARY]
Port Angeles > Mount Vernon > Vancouver, BC > Nanaimo, BC > Port Hardy, BC
TOTAL DRIVE: 11 hours and 5 minutes, without traffic
Leaving Port Angeles towards Mount Vernon
Sitting a mere handful of feet away from the Canadian border, Port Angeles has no doubt been a breath of fresh air––literally and figuratively. Pulling out of the Olympic Peninsula/Port Angeles KOA or the Elwha RV Campground Resort, the road ahead branches off into two directions: north and south (after a little bit of heading east). Where your journey takes you is up to you, but as the 101 turns inward, becoming the more solemn Highway 20, you’ll pass many historical state parks, cross Port Townshend Bay, and hit Ebey’s Landing––a great nature reserve, perfect for a quick break.
Once you’ve collected your bearings, continue north on 20 and heed the call of Washington’s Mount Vernon––a fantastic west-coast destination simply too scenic to ignore. Established in 1899, this small city just north of Seattle is teeming with excitement and plenty of gorgeous scenescapes to admire.
With renovated river walks and a revamped historical downtown area full of quaint shops, cafes, eateries and galleries, Mount Vernon is a road-runner’s dream. Pop into District Brewing for a local sampling of craft beer, traipse through the tulips at the local Tulip Festival or check out the weekly stalls at the Mount Vernon Farmers Market all summer long.
Want a few hours, or a few days, to explore the area? Pull into the Mount Vernon RV Park, nestled in the gorgeous Skagit Valley, and plug into one of the over 80 full hookup sites.
Directions:
Continue north on Highway 20 towards the U.S.-Canada border
Vancouver, British Columbia
Got your passports in place? Then it’s full steam ahead towards the Canadian border! Take the I-5 north towards British Columbia and get the last looks in from alongside the Bellingham Bay and the Strait of Georgia. These scenic waterways are your final glimpses of Americana for the time being––but fear not! Plenty of unspoiled Canadian beauty awaits.
If you’ve never been to Vancouver before, there is way more than a few hours’ worth of stuff to see and do, so you’ll definitely want to pull into a campground or RV park to unwind before heading into town on foot.
Once you’re on solid ground, the activity options are literally too extensive to list. However, a simple itinerary can be thrown together to include the major points––one of the most important of which is a trip to Gastown. Vancouver’s oldest and most charming neighborhood, this area is brimming with sites: one-of-a-kind galleries and museums, great boutique shopping, local fare served in charming eateries and cafes, and exceptional night life. Patio-hopping along Davie Street, or shopping along Robson Street––there are plenty of sight to be seen.
Recreation-wise, there’s plenty to do on the water: from boat tours, to whale watching adventures to scaling along a gnarly suspension bridge. It’s wild!
RV Accommodation:
Drive through the iconic Stanley Park––a 450-hectare public green space the Vancouverites flock to all year round––and turn into the Capilano River RV Park in West Vancouver. With plenty of amenities and full-service hookups available, it’s luxurious enough, and close enough to the city lights, to still feel connected to the region.
Directions:
Leaving Vancouver towards Nanaimo, head north on Highway 99 along to Horseshoe Bay where you’ll connect with the Trans-Canada Highway
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Heading to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island used to be a major pain. But now, thanks to the BC Ferry system servicing Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay, even RV drivers can experience the other-worldly beauty in just a little over an hour.
Once you’ve hit Horseshoe Bay, you can catch a ferry (usually running year-round and with take-offs happening every 2 hours) for a fee and sail off towards Nanaimo.
If you’re a fan of sweets, and you’re in Nanaimo, how could you NOT try the famed Nanaimo Bars? Newcastle Island, the Nanaimo Museum, plus the shops, culture, food and fun of downtown Nanaimo must be seen to be believed.
RV Accommodation:
The extensive 30- and 50-amp hookup sites at Living Forest RV Campground offers unparalleled ocean views, plus countless amenities and reasonable rates. Best of all, it’s the perfect base camp to get out and explore the hundreds of thousands of neighboring acres of greenspace.
Directions: Leave Nanaimo via Highway 19 northbound..
Port Hardy, British Columbia
Leaving Nanaimo towards Port Hardy, a trip to Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park is a must! Virtually every type of outdoor recreational activity is on offer here: hiking trails, backcountry skiing, freshwater fishing, canoeing, kayaking––even bungee jumping.
RV campgrounds are everywhere, but Windy Waters, located just 1km away from Nimpkish Lake, offers the best views. The site is rustic––minimal amenities, but plenty of fire pits, picnic tables and outhouses.
Wake up early and make the 65km trek northwest on Highway 19 towards Port Hardy. Once there, discover the beauty of the area by checking out tourist spots like Carrot Park, discover the history of the local First Nations people, or pop into a café and strike up a conversation with a friendly local who can give you an entire day’s worth of sights to see.
[IN CONCLUSION]
There you have it! A fantastical little trip through Canada towards the mighty beauty of Alaska. While there is still plenty more to explore before we reach the Big-A, we hope you’ve made some lasting memories in Mount Vernon, had a ball in Nanaimo, and pulled in for the night in Port Hardy. On to the next one!
