Campgrounds and RV parks near Nanaimo C, BC

Nanaimo sits on the east coast of central Vancouver Island, roughly halfway between Victoria and the north-island communities. It works well as a base for RV travelers because two BC Ferries terminals, Departure Bay and Duke Point, connect the city to the mainland, and Highway 19 runs the length of the island from here. Campground options around the city fall into two main groups: private RV parks with full hookups close to town, and provincial park campgrounds farther out that lean toward tenting or smaller rigs. Private options in and around Nanaimo include Living Forest Oceanside Campground and RV Park, RV Resort On The Lake, Brannen Lake RV Park and Campsite, Mountainaire Campground and RV Park, and Rondalyn | A Parkbridge Camping and RV Resort south of the city. Most private parks accept big rigs and offer 30-amp or 50-amp service, laundry, and Wi-Fi. Provincial parks in the surrounding region tend to have shorter maximum RV lengths and fewer hookups, so travelers with larger trailers typically stay at private resorts and day-trip to the parks.

Private RV parks around Nanaimo take reservations directly through their own websites or by phone. Living Forest Oceanside Campground and RV Park, RV Resort On The Lake, Brannen Lake RV Park and Campsite, Mountainaire Campground and RV Park, and Rondalyn | A Parkbridge Camping and RV Resort all handle bookings this way, and oceanfront or lakefront sites tend to go first. Provincial parks such as Englishman River Falls use the BC Parks reservation system, which for the 2026 season moved to a three-month rolling booking window, reduced from four months. Popular sites fill quickly when they open. For the best selection near Nanaimo, aim to book RV campsites two to three months ahead during peak summer. Ferry reservations are a separate step for anyone arriving from the mainland; RV-length vehicles have designated lanes and advance booking is strongly recommended in summer.