Campgrounds and RV parks near Langford, BC

Goldstream Provincial Park is the headline outdoor draw. The park has about 16 kilometres of hiking trails ranging from wheelchair-accessible walks to multi-hour hikes and its famous salmon run occurs between mid-October and early December, attracting thousands of visitors and eagles. The park is home to 600-year-old Douglas fir trees and western red cedar, mixed with western yew and hemlock, red alder, big leaf maple and black cottonwood. The steep climb up Mount Finlayson reaches one of the highest points in Greater Victoria, and interpretive programming runs from the Freeman King Visitor Centre during salmon season. Beyond the park, RV travellers use Langford as a launch pad for downtown Victoria, Butchart Gardens, the Galloping Goose Regional Trail for cycling, and beach days at Witty's Lagoon or the shoreline near Metchosin. Whale-watching charters run out of Victoria's Inner Harbour, and the Malahat highway leads north to Cowichan Valley wineries.

The main camping season on southern Vancouver Island runs from roughly mid-May through mid-September, when sites fill quickly on weekends and long weekends. Goldstream reservations can be booked up to 3 months (90 days) ahead of arrival, and Canada Day, BC Day, and Labour Day weekends book out first. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available. Summer here is dry and mild rather than hot, which makes it comfortable for families but also the peak booking window. Late September and October remain pleasant, with warm days and quieter campgrounds, and mid-October brings the start of the Goldstream chum salmon run. From mid-March to late October full services are offered at Goldstream; after that the park is open for winter camping with no services (no water, no firewood, and no sani-station available), and there is limited campsite availability during this time. Private parks such as Fort Victoria RV Park and Campground and Weir's Beach RV Resort stay open through winter with full hookups, which is useful for shoulder-season and off-season RV travellers.

Sites near Langford range from forested provincial-park loops to full-hookup private resorts. Goldstream has 167 vehicle-accessible campsites in a Coastal Douglas Fir setting with flush toilets, shower buildings, and an in-season sani-station. There is no designated swimming area at this park, however there are some sections of the Goldstream River near the campground that may be used for swimming. Due to the sensitive nature of the salmon spawning cycle, dogs must be kept out of the river. Private parks in the area generally provide 30- and 50-amp service, dump stations, laundry, and Wi-Fi. Put food in vehicle at night to avoid bear problems, keep sites clean, and never feed wildlife. Check-in for reservation holders is 1 p.m.; non-reservation holders 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check-out time is 11 a.m. Gates open 7 a.m., close at 11 p.m.