Yesterday, I received our copy of Camp Free in BC, by Kathy and Craig Copeland.
The book lists what the authors considers to be the best of the BC Recreation Sites that are free (or almost free). These campsites are not RV parks. Rather they are simply forest campgrounds that may, or may not, have any amenities (i.e.; tables, water, pit toilets, etc.) A brief description of the campground, it's suitability for different vehicle types, and very detailed driving directions. Several campsites also reference the authors other, hiking, books for information on trails near the campsites. I doubt this is information that isn't available from on-line sources, but I think it will be convent to have in a book form while traveling. It is a bit challenging navigating the book, but I think this will improve as I learn how to better use it. It is also a bit expensive, but I think we will get our monies worth out of it on just one trip. Nice, color, pictures complement the book. Overall, I would rate it 7-8 out of 10 (with 10 being the best) and I think you might find it worthwhile to have along during your travels.
Steve -- thanks for the review of the book! There is very little on line that describes it. How are the maps?
Dan
PS -- we may have to wait till we cross into Canada to buy it -- not sure if we have enough time to have it shipped to the US.
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components) Our trips -- pix and text About our trailer
My impression is that the BC Rec Sites are of limited value to RVers, especially ones with large rigs. They were originally setup by the provincial forest service (or logging companies), though now they are under another ministry. The better ones are maintained by concessionaires who will collect fees. The free ones are more out of the way, and 'user maintained'. By 'out of the way' I mean down miles of gravel logging roads, some even rough. The best rig for using most of these sites is a pickup with slidein - self contained but capable of driving miles of gravel.
Even with an SUV and tent I've only used a few, compared to 50 or more of the provincial parks. The latest that we used, for example, was essentially cow pasture surrounding a small lake, with a scattering of outhouses and no tables. This was quite accessible, just off a paved road south of Fort Steele. Official description for this Horseshoe Lake
The relevant ministry has a web site and searchable map. http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/default.aspx
Musio Backroads Mapbooks also show these rec sites, along with a brief description. Except for the few that are close to paved highways, one of these mapbooks is essential when using Rec Sites.
* This post was
edited 08/08/12 12:08am by paulj *
I've used (and am still using) the Church book "Alaskan Camping" on my current trip to Alaska in my truck camper. It covers northern BC along the Alaska Hwy, with some side trips, and also the Cassiar Hwy. Their book "Pacific Northwest Camping Destinations" seems to cover the rest of BC. I used it until I reached Dawson Creek, the start of the Alaska Hwy.
I have found the books to be highly useful and wouldn't have wanted to make this trip without them. I especially like the GPS coordinates for each campground. Almost every place I've stayed has been from these books.
They don't seem to focus on any particular type of campground to me. I've stayed in mostly government (national, state/provincial & municipal) campgrounds.
Don't forget the back roads map books - most have a rated campground list.
Camp free in BC - is the bible... but you better not need hookups some are close to the highway, some are far - they are listed with 'size info' which is generally pretty close. Maps and directions are terrible honestly - I cross reference with GPS, camp free, and back roads map book - and still get lost and spend hours hunting...
By maps, I assume you mean the maps in the book, Camp Free in BC (I have maps coming out my ears these days).
The maps in the book are pretty general. First they break down the Province into two areas; Southern and Central (the coverage ends at about Prince George). Then each area is further broken down into regions. You look at a different map showing each region to find campsites in the general area you plan to be in. Then you read the (very) detailed directions on how to get to the campsite. There are no coordinates or detailed maps. However, reading the directions, I feel confident that they will be easy enough to follow. The book also defines what size RV's can access a site (i.e.; "accessible by small motorhomes and trailers" is what one that I just flipped to says). Many access roads will be gravel, but then that's fine with me...and I suspect you as well. The book has a rating system, Easy, Moderate, and Difficult that help identify how hard it is to get to a site, with many sites in the Easy (under 10Km from a paved road) and Moderate (10 to 15 Km from a paved road) categories. (Hey, for us U.S. types, that’s only about 6 to 9 miles…piece of cake). It also identifies if a campground is appropriate for a destination, weekend, or just useful for an overnight stay (based on recreational opportunities in the area, and scenic quality)
Today, I received the other book on camping in BC that I recently ordered (it's impossible to have too much reference material.....as long as truck can haul it....)
Camping British Columbia - A complete guide to Provincial and National Park Campgrounds; by Jayne Seagrave.
This book, as the title states, only lists campgrounds in Provincial and National Parks in BC. Maps are similar to the Camp Free book in that they are broken down into regions with all the campgrounds in that region on it. Directions are not as detailed, but then all the parks are already on road maps anyway.
There is more "fluff" (information on how to select a site, what to take, setting up camp, safety concerns, etc.) in this book than I really need. But for the parks, it "may" be handy have. I would rate this book a 5-6 (mainly because I prefer more non-developed camping), or an 8 if one was interested only in the parks and/or was newer to camping. Since for our trip, we will need to occasionally fill up with water and/or dump, the Provincial Parks that offer this may be handy to stay at on occasion.
I also have the Church's book for the NW. I like the book a lot, but I tend to agree with you on it focusing more on campgrounds that might appeal more to those with larger rigs. But hey, you can't cover everything in just one book....hence the library I will have along
Based on what type of camping I suspect you like, I would suggest ordering the Camp Free in BC book if you can.
Since the Parks will all be adequately signed along the main roads, I don’t think that the Camping in British Columbia book will be of that much value for you.
If you are using any guide books for British Columbia backcountry exploring, be aware that local conditions change road access to many of the campsites and attractions mentioned in them. Be sure to ask locally for current infromation (Forestry offices, logging companies). For example, our local paper (Cranbrook, B. C.) has an article in it about the Gray Creek Pass, a backroad between Kimberly, B. C. and Gray Creek on Kootenay Lake being closed due to mud slides and avalanche debris blocking the road. I have also heard of two other roads blocked or washed out leading to popular attractions. I won't name these, as the reports I have are not substantiated. My point is, as I stated before, that before heading into the backcountry, be sure to check on conditions.
jimbob3ca wrote: If you are using any guide books for British Columbia backcountry exploring, be aware that local conditions change road access to many of the campsites and attractions mentioned in them. Be sure to ask locally for current infromation (Forestry offices, logging companies). For example, our local paper (Cranbrook, B. C.) has an article in it about the Gray Creek Pass, a backroad between Kimberly, B. C. and Gray Creek on Kootenay Lake being closed due to mud slides and avalanche debris blocking the road. I have also heard of two other roads blocked or washed out leading to popular attractions. I won't name these, as the reports I have are not substantiated. My point is, as I stated before, that before heading into the backcountry, be sure to check on conditions.
Very sage advice, thank you for the reminder.
Also, thank you for the status information on the Grays Creek road.
Looking forward to our trip up there at the end of the month.
jimbob3ca wrote: If you are using any guide books for British Columbia backcountry exploring, be aware that local conditions change road access to many of the campsites and attractions mentioned in them. Be sure to ask locally for current infromation (Forestry offices, logging companies). For example, our local paper (Cranbrook, B. C.) has an article in it about the Gray Creek Pass, a backroad between Kimberly, B. C. and Gray Creek on Kootenay Lake being closed due to mud slides and avalanche debris blocking the road. I have also heard of two other roads blocked or washed out leading to popular attractions. I won't name these, as the reports I have are not substantiated. My point is, as I stated before, that before heading into the backcountry, be sure to check on conditions.
Very sage advice, thank you for the reminder.
Also, thank you for the status information on the Grays Creek road.
Looking forward to our trip up there at the end of the month.
Steve
The last 2 hikes we were just on had wash outs on logging roads well off the main roads. Bad year for washouts. Added 8km and 30 km respectively to our back pack(total)so check if you can with the locals before travelling in the back country.
Avalanche debris at Rum Creek going to Big Peters Lake, Monashee PP. Notice green twisted foot bridge? Washout added 30 kms.
Monashee Lake (right)is where tent is. Washout added 8km.
2006 F350 Diesel 4X4 CC SRW, Michelin XDS-2 19.5's, Vision Wheels
2011 Outfitter 9.5 Extended Cabover
Some Of Our Fun:http://daveincoldstream.blogspot.ca/
Offline
Online
some are close to the highway, some are far - they are listed with 'size info' which is generally pretty close. Maps and directions are terrible honestly - I cross reference with GPS, camp free, and back roads map book - and still get lost and spend hours hunting...
