Camp That Site: Enjoy BC with the right site the first time

Porteau Cove Provincial Park – Squamish, BC

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!!!! That is really the best way to describe this campground. I can see why it is near impossible to get a reservation here!!!! We stayed at Porteau Cove Provincial Park for the first time in mid August 2017. My sister managed to get a double ocean front site and invited us to share it. All I can say is LUCKY US. This is, without a doubt, the most amazing campground.

Skip to the 7 Amazing Tips!

We were booked into double site 41 & 42. This is a medium sized site and offers power. We were able to position our trailers so that we both had views, access to power and privacy from the road. This end of the campground is near the walk-in sites and the grassy park, so the location was perfect. The ocean front sites are just steps from the water and offer incredible views. I really cannot say enough about the views and my pictures capture it best.

Campground update: We made a second trip to this campground in December 2020. Our first attempt at winter camping. On this trip we stayed in double site 1/2. This site is very large and is the first site you see when you arrive. The site appears to be great when you first set up but after spending some time at the trailer we realized it had some downfalls. We were right next to the gate house so it was much busier as people came and went. It seems our site was a short cut from the beach to the campground and many campers decided our site was a welcome shortcut. This site also did not get any direct sun which would have been nice at the end of December. If I could avoid booking this site again I would but the fact is that the campground is amazing and if this is all I could get, I would take it in a heartbeat.

Campground Details

It is important to note that all sites are close to the train track and the noise is very, very loud as the trains rumble through. That said, I still feel like this is an amazing campground but have never stayed here in a tent.

The campground is not large and is divided into 3 areas.

Area A is the first camping loop and has 30 sites, ocean front, doubles, and several non ocean front but still offer great views and ocean access. This area is busier because it is the check in point, the main bathroom as well as the sani dump. Most of the center area sites back onto one another. If you are camping with other families I can see that this would be a benefit. If you are camping alone, these sites reduce your privacy. There are also 2 cabins you can rent through Porteau Cove Olympic Legacy. These cabins are not booked through Discover Camping but the photo has the contact info. They are located in the first loop and it is close to the boat launch and tie ups.

Area B is east of the entrance along the park road. We stayed in on our first visit and there are two types of sites. The one that run along the road and you parallel park at (see tent photo below). These sites have a great ocean view but no privacy and are very small and not desirable for an RV especially one with a tip out.

The sites at then end of the road are much better. Most have an ocean view and access. There is much less traffic down at this end but there is only an outhouse.

Area C, is the park and walk in tent sites. If we tented this would be a great place to stay. It was away from traffic, close to the beach, offers a covered picnic areas and has power for your use. The tent sites were graveled, level and nicely spaced but offer limited privacy. There is a communal fire pit shared between 3 sites each. The sites are also close to the park, grass area and walking trails. This is where we went to play bocce and take evening walks to the look out.

7 Amazing Tips

1. Any ocean front site is great as long as it fits your rv.
2. Double sites 41/42 are really the best double sites but they are not that big.
3. Double site 15/16 is the largest double site and gets lots of sunshine but is not ocean front.
4. Double site 1/2 is a large site but it is right at the gate and people tend to walk through it to get off the beach as well you get a lot of check in noise and traffic. It is not very private.
5. Site 22 and 23 would be my first choice for single sites. They are a bit larger, have great views and are private.
6. Site 36 is a pull through site and if your unit can fit is would offer great views but not shade or privacy.
7. Walk in sites are good but 3 sites share a common fire pit. Might be a great way to meet new people.

Campground Pro’s

• The views and access to the ocean
• Level, well maintained sites
• Electrical hook ups
• Sani dump on site
• Cabin rental option
• Boat launch and mooring pins
• Park area on site for everyone’s use
• Beautiful walking area on site
• Walk in campsites
• Close to excellent hiking and biking trails but you would need to drive because it is across the highway.

Campground Cons

• Very difficult to get a reservation.
• Some sites are very small or narrow giving very limited privacy.
• A vehicle is needed to access the nearby hikes and other activities.
• Walk in sites offer only communal fire pits.
• Trains, you are very close to the train track and they run often and at all hours.