Discover the best forest campgrounds near Telegraph Cove, British Columbia with hiking

Canada
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British Columbia
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Telegraph Cove

91% (28 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Telegraph Cove

4 top forest campgrounds near Telegraph Cove with hiking

Dog-friendly getaways

100%

(6)

Rauhala Heritage Farm

3 sites · RVs, Tents104 acres · Sointula, BC

Rauhala Heritage Farm is a privately owned farm on the outskirts of the town of Sointula, on Malcolm Island, B.C. Rauhala is surrounded by a 100 acre forest with our own private bay with fields, a creek and a beach campsite area there you can look out at the mountains of Northern Vancouver Island, where you may get to see some whales. Bring your own water. Pack-in/Pack-out garbage. You get to set up camp on our beach campsite, which overlooks the ocean and mountains. There are many hiking trails on our property where you can view some giant old growth trees. Rauhala is a heritage site and I do offer eco-heritage tours of the property. Rauhala means Place of Peace in the Finnish language and dates back to the early Finnish settlement of Sointula.

Natures Hideaway!

2 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · BC

We have established this small primitive campground trying to help with the ever increasing demand of places for people to go.

Port Hardy RV Resort & Cabins

10 sites · Tents5 acres · Port Hardy, BC

Learn more about this land: Pitch a tent and take in the naturally gorgeous surroundings of the old-growth Cedar, Hemlock, Fir and Alder trees. Our Estuary front tenting sites are just a short walk away from the primary bathrooms, showers, laundry and BBQ facilities. We have 5 beautiful acres with so much to explore, the possibilities are endless! There are 10 tent campsites available. Campfires are permitted as long as there is no fire ban, pets are welcome. Firewood is available to purchase for $7 as an extra. Please add this to your reservation at the time of booking. Located at the Northern tip of Vancouver Island, Port Hardy and the surrounding area is rich in tradition and deep-rooted in culture. Rich, rugged and resilient, Port Hardy is the gateway to an authentic, unspoiled, nature-driven adventure.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Forest camping near Telegraph Cove with hiking guide

Overview

Suspended on stilts with boardwalks joining the colorful local buildings, Telegraph Cove is a sight to behold in the northeast of Vancouver Island. The local population tops out around 20 people, but the area draws over 100,000 tourists in the peak of summer. Campsite reservations are a must—this remote location is ideal for backcountry camping and wildlife viewing (grizzly bears and orcas are common). RV sites and cabins are available, but tent campsites are most abundant in the area. Go island hopping at Alert Bay, or drive to the northernmost tip of the island to visit Cape Scott Provincial Park with sandy beaches and world-renowned hiking trails. Nearby Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park is a well-known windsurfing locale also offering swimming and fishing.

Where to go

Blinkhorn Trail & Peninsula

Starting in the village at Telegraph Cove Campground, the Blinkhorn Trail features a 7.7-kilometre round-trip loop with views of the Johnson Straight and surrounding forest. Twisted roots, mud, and fallen logs are commonplace, so durable hiking shoes are recommended. The trail continues down toward the Blinkhorn Peninsula, where campers should be careful of the changing tides—the peninsula becomes an island at certain points throughout the day. A gravel beach area features a few dog-friendly tent campsites outfitted with pit toilets, while private camping options also dot the area.

Cape Scott Provincial Park

Home to the iconic North Coast Trail and white sandy beaches, Cape Scott Provincial Park is a backpackers’ dream a little over 2 hours’ drive on logging road from Telegraph Cove. Most beaches here require a multi-day hiking trip (with beautiful tent campsites along the way), but the main San Josef Bay beach is easily accessible. The 2.5-kilometre trail is well maintained and kid-friendly. Pitch a tent on the beach and take in the old-growth rainforest, then head out to view the rocky sea stacks at low tide. Book a shuttle or water taxi ahead of time, and if driving, bring a map (there’s no cell phone service).

Alert Bay

On Cormorant Island, Alert Bay is rich in First Nation culture and home to the world's tallest totem pole (an astounding 52-metres tall). Drive 20 minutes north to Port McNeill, then take the 45-minute ferry across the Johnson Straight. Check the BC ferries’ website for scheduling and rates, and be aware they’re subject to weather cancellations. Stay top deck to catch a glimpse of breaching orca whales and dolphins. Head to the Ecological Park, which offers trails to view the local forest and is set near a small village-run campground with 22 tent campsites.

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park

Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park is roughly a 30-minute drive from Telegraph Cove. The forested area is a hotspot for hunting, fishing, canoeing, and swimming, and it teems with old-growth trees, bears, cougars, and waterfowl. Wilderness tent camping is approved year-round with picnic tables and walk-in campsites. Visit in early August to watch the Nimpkish Speed Slalom Windsurfing weekend.

When to go

Part of a temperate rainforest, Telegraph Cove experiences dewey days all year. July, August, and September are safe bets for drier weather, but foggy mornings are common. The off-season runs from October until April with windy and even wetter weather. Temperatures warm up in May, and the daylight lingers longer, drawing crowds before the peak of summer (late June). For bear sightings and whale watching, July through October are the months to visit.