Campgrounds and RV parks near Cowichan Valley B, BC

The Cowichan Valley sits on southern Vancouver Island between Victoria and Nanaimo, with campgrounds clustered along the Malahat corridor, around Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, and the Cowichan River. The area lies on the south shore of Vancouver Island and is within easy reach of Victoria, with additional access across Saanich Inlet from Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay via BC Ferries. Bamberton Provincial Park is the anchor public campground for the area. There are 53 RV-accessible campsites and none of the sites have water, electric, or sewer connections. Sites are mostly private, and the campground has water taps, pit toilets, showers near the beach area, firewood, and overflow parking. The park sits about 45 km north of Victoria off Highway 1, reached by turning east onto Mill Bay Road near the north end of the scenic Malahat Drive. Private options extend the choices for RV travellers who want hookups. Malahat Mountain Meadows RV Park and Campground sits near the summit of the Malahat with fully-serviced sites, Cedar Springs Resort offers a family-oriented setting with hookups and a pool nearby, and Riverside RV & Camping puts campers close to Cowichan River activities.

Provincial and private sites use different systems. For the 2026 season, BC Parks shifted from a four-month to a three-month rolling reservation window, so campsites can be booked three months ahead of the intended arrival date instead of four. Reservations are made through camping.bcparks.ca or by phone, with camping and transaction fees paid in advance. Bamberton fills quickly in peak season. Reservations are accepted during the peak season, roughly May through October, and outside that window sites are first come, first served. In summer, reservations are essentially a necessity unless campers arrive at the park entrance around midday hoping for a turnover site. Private parks such as Malahat Mountain Meadows RV Park and Campground, Cedar Springs Resort, and Riverside RV & Camping take bookings directly and typically offer hookups the provincial park does not.