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ESCAPEES
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May/June 2015
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www.escapees.comand surrounding wilderness parks are
amazing with awe-inspiring views and
well-marked paths. The many golf
courses offer great course conditions,
and there’s one for every level of play.
For the more adventuresome, bungee
jumping 150 feet off of a trestle bridge
with the waters of a river rushing past
below can be a lot of fun.
It’s the home of the famous Nanai-
mo Bar. Follow “The Nanaimo Bar
Trail” starting at the Nanaimo Muse-
um, where a map is available of the
local eateries that have created their
own version of this special treat.
Study the prehistoric First Nations
rock carvings at Petroglyph Park
south of town or kayak over to historic
Newcastle Island, a marine provincial
park minutes away from the water-
front promenade. Meet Nanaimo’s
ghosts in some of the historic build-
ings, where strange and unexplainable
things take place; take a cemetery tour
and learn more about the hardy early
pioneers who helped make Nanaimo
what it is today, a vibrant, productive
and interesting city.
A Diver’s Paradise
The three naval ships sunk in the local
waters provide international divers
with an extraordinary opportunity to
dive in one of the best cold-water dive
destinations in the world.
There is much more to see and do
if you choose to go further north on
Vancouver Island towards Campbell
River, considered to be the salmon
capital of the world, or even further
north to Port Hardy, the gateway to
Cape Scott Provincial Park. Before
returning to the mainland, take the op-
portunity for an interesting side trip to
Tofino on the west coast of the island
with a stop along the way to see the
old-growth forests at Cathedral Grove.
Side trips
Stroll through Cathedral Grove.
The giant Douglas firs, some of Can-
ada’s treasures, still thrive today at
Cathedral Grove near Parksville. The
sight of these towering ancient old-
RV Resorts and
Campgrounds
Call toll-free (Canada/USA) 800-689-9025 or visit
www.discovercamping.ca .Explore the sandy beaches, backcountry trails, pristine lakes, rugged coastlines,
cascading waterfalls, caves or majestic mountains.
Note
:
Not all parks are suit-
ed for larger RVs. Please request this information when making reservations
.
Victoria
Fort Victoria RV Park:
Full hookups, playground, city bus service, open year-
round and big rig-friendly. 250-479-8112.
www.fortvictoria.caMalahat Mountain Meadows Resort:
Located north of Victoria, it’s located
amongst the giant cedars with spacious and full-service RV sites, and it’s big
rig-friendly. Open year-round. 888-478-5452.
www.victoriacamprounds.comOceanside RV Park:
Bordered by the ocean, this park is only 20 minutes from
Victoria and all of the attractions. Open year-round and it is big rig-friendly.
250-544-0508.
www.oceansideresortrv.comWestbay Marine Village and RV Park:
Located in Victoria’s harbor with views
of the city center and is on the waterfront. Open all year and only a five-minute
drive from downtown. 866-937-8229.
www.westbay.bc.caChemainus
Chemainus Garden Holiday RV Resort:
RV and camping resort in a beautiful
setting and within walking distance of the shops and activities in Chemainus.
It’s big rig-friendly and is open year-round. 250-246-3569.
www.chemainusgarden.comChemainus River Campgrounds:
Located south of Chemainus and along
the Chemainus River, there are large sunny and wooded sites. Full facilities, big
rig-friendly and is open year-round. 877-440-1010.
Country Maples RV Resort:
A fisherman’s paradise, it is situated near both
the Chemainus River and the ocean. Open year-round, it is big rig-friendly and
offers both serviced and non-serviced sites. 250-246-2078.
www.htr.caNanaimo
Brannen Lake RV Park and Campsite:
Family-oriented campground with
wooded and sunny sites. Fully serviced sites are available; weekend hayrides and
is big rig-friendly. 866-756-0404.
Living Forest Oceanside Campground and RV:
Waterfront campground/RV
park with 300 spacious and groomed sites on forested and park-like property.
Open year-round, big rig-friendly, all services are available and a perfect place to
stay when exploring the island. 250-755-1755.
livingforest.com
Jinglepot RV and Campground:
Surrounded by rock gardens, fountains and
beautiful flowers, this park has full facilities, is big rig-friendly and open year-
round. 250-758-1614.
www.jinglepotrv.caTofino
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve:
Has 94 vehicle drive-in sites, is big
rig-friendly, but has no services. There is trail access to the beach and fills up
every night during high season. Reservations are recommended. 250-726-3500.
www.pccamping.ca, pc.gc.ca/pacrim