iguana07
Ventura, CA. USA
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We are planning a trip this August to visit some friends we met in Mexico this winter. Looking for some tips on camping sites that will accommodate our rig. 40' diesel pusher. We would like to be as close to nature as possible, we can do dry camping as well. I know the size of our rig limits us. Our friends live in Vernon and we will be crossing the border through the state of Washington. What are the must see places close to Vernon?
Thanks in advance for all replies!
Chuck
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vic46
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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Travel BC or Super Natural BC
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charlan
Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada
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Vernon Camping
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garyhaupt
Kitimat, BC, Canada, Mile '0' of Alaska HiWay #37
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well crap..I just typed a whole bunch of info and then it went to like...encryption land...and was gobledeegook....so let me try again....
When are you planning your trip? If in the summer you are going to be enjoying the Okanagan Valley with many others. It is a very VERY popular destination. It'll take you a day to drive from the border to Vernon. Lots of lakes, beaches, buns, fruit orchards, vineyards and the accompanying tasting rooms, golf courses..and all or most of these deserve a look-see. The wine tasting opportunities are second to none. Still..the sheer traffic volume presents difficulties for you. Getting good camp sites will be troublesome. You will want to do some Internet shopping..reservations..and I never EVER travel that way, but with the size of your rig, finding dry spots will be almost impossible at that time of year.
Specific places are the BC Provincial cg at Osooyoos and others through the Valley...good luck getting a reservation, BUT if you can, they are all wonderful bases for a couple days wineries touring. There are lots of private cg's throughout the Valley, I am just partial to Gov't ones. There is one just south of Vernon..you need to go to the Gov't site and locate it.
If you could offer some travel dates and plans, we'll try and offer up some good spot choices.
Gary Haupt
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PavementPilot
Vernon, BC
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Pillar Lake is a real nice place to camp. You can get your unit in there no problem. They are about 40 minutes out of Vernon and just north of Falkland on a paved road. We have stayed there before and are spending our first long weekend camp there this year again.
Also there is Kekuli Bay Provincial Park just south of Vernon. You can reserve also. Not all BC Parks can you reserve your days. Keep in mind that your reservation holds a site for you, but not the site you may want. It is still first come first choice as to the sites.
The other route you can go is boondocking at some of the BC Forest Service campsites. The link is an active map that you can use to zoom, pan, and find info on the many BCFS campsites. Some of the offroad sites around Vernon are accessable to your type of unit too.
Here is a List of my reviews and also any others through out Canada, USA, and Mexico.
* This post was
edited 05/04/08 08:53am by PavementPilot *
DW, 2 girls, and me
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paulj
Seattle
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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Based on the ones I've seen, I wouldn't count on putting a 40' rig in a forest service rec site. They are best used by pickups with slide in campers, or tents. Or are the ones around Vernon flatter and larger than other parts of BC?
As to route, I'd suggest crossing north bound at Abbotsford (WA 9), and head east to Hope. From there you have choice of 3 routes, 1 up the Fraser, 5 over the 'coke', 3 through Manning. For the return consider taking 97 south through Washington. South bound border crossings on the east side of the Cascades tend to be quicker. Also with 97 you avoid the Seattle metro area.
paulj
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PavementPilot
Vernon, BC
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Well Sugar Lake out by Cherryville has maintained sites with easy back in for a 40'. Joyce Lake out by Pillar Lake north of Falkland you can get a 40'er in if you camp in the landing area and not in the trees where the out houses are.
Also there are numberous sites up King Eddy/Aberdeen that you can take trailers and M/H's.
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Prevost82
Meritt B.C.
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We use forest service sites all the time in our area as well as Provincial Parks with our 40 ft'r. We do now where we are going and which sites we fit in.
Ron
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twinsmom04
BC Canada
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One of my favorite provincial sites is Herald (reservable). It's a nice combo of warm lake, nice walk/easy hike to beautiful water falls among other good hiking in the area, campsites are fairly private and big rig accessible in the new section. Sani dump on site but no hookups. But then I live in the Vernon area and want to get out of my own valley when we go.
We are heading over to the Kootenanys in a couple weekends and staying at Kettle Valley RV which less private type sites but beautiful area and lots of nature to do and see. Plus a golf course across the street if you like that kind of thing
We are pretty new to this style of camping... just upgraded from 16' to 28' and looking at campgrounds in a whole new light.
TV - 2007 Silverado Crew cab shortbox with 5.3l engine
TT - 2007 28BHS Passport
campers include me and my 4 year old twin boys and occasionally DH
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bobofthenorth
Nipawin, SK
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The Shuswaps are further up the valley from Vernon. That's our favorite summer spot - we'll be in Mara from mid-June to the end of July and maybe the end of August as well. If you want to camp right on Mara Lake you are probably too late already to make reservations. We stay at Whispering Pines which is just north of the Mara Foodliner, about a mile south of the lake. We have reservations for July but I doubt you will need reservations in August. They start to empty out after the August long weekend and even through July there is usually some 15 amp sites available. Sharon doesn't have a website but they are in Woodalls & I think they might be a Passport America park too.
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