We spent 9 days scouting the Best Ever Tofino Camping Spots this past September and wow, did we find some great Tofino campsites we want to tell you about!

9 Best Ever Tofino Camping Spots

As a camper, you are clearly passionate about nature. And Tofino is absolutely one of the best places in BC to immerse yourselves in the wild. Located on the tip of a peninsula on the west coast of Vancouver Island, you will be surrounded on all sides by sandy beaches, wild waves, and magical forests.

This beautiful location offers breathtaking views and activities for solo or family travelers year-round and is a favorite of both locals and visitors.

Although Tofino is known for its amazing surfing opportunities, culture, and community, the area is flooded with folks looking to enjoy everything else Tofino has to offer.

Outside of the spectacular beaches like Chesterman Beach and Long Beach and their sensational sunsets, you’ll find terrific hiking trails like The Rainforest Trail, Cox Bay Lookout or The Wild Pacific Trail down the road in Ucluelet.

Yes, this part of the Island can get very busy during the summer months, so maybe consider visiting in the shoulder season to give you, and the community, a bit more breathing space. With mild temperatures year-round, you can camp while enjoying some of the best storm watching in the province. Some of our Tofino Camping Spots on this list do offer year-round camping.

How to get to Tofino

If setting off from Vancouver, you’ll first need to catch the Horseshoe Bay ferry out of North Vancouver to Departure Bay in Nanaimo. Then travel north on highway 19. Take exit 60 onto Highway 4, then at Port Alberni, continue down the hill, and take a right at the T-junction. After this, follow the signs to Tofino.  

The drive from Vancouver to Tofino is one of the best scenic drives on the West Coast. You’ll pass through ocean views, drive deep into the forest and take in all the sights that the coast has to offer. You can even make a pit stop at a location on the way, such as the fishing town of Port Alberni.

It’s important to note that these campgrounds are not right in the townsite of Tofino, but are very close.

Ok, now that we’ve got you here, let’s dive into the Best Ever Tofino Camping Spots!

1. Best for Tofino Camping on the Beach: Bella Pacifica Campground

Look at that beachfront spot! That little opening in the bushes in your private pathway directly to paradise. Bella Pacifica Campground has the best Tofino Beach Camping spots that we found.

This is the Tofino campground we stayed at, even though we did not have a beachfront spot. The forested spots are spectacular as well. 

All sites vary in size, so make sure your unit will fit the spot you are booking. 

Check Rates on Campground Website: https://www.bellapacifica.com/index.html

Operating Season: March – October

2. Best for Tofino Camping in an RV: Crystal Cove Beach Resort

Crystal Cove Beach Resort feels like home. Everyone is so friendly and it really brings that community feel to a campground.

This Tofino campground is meticulously manicured, as are the grounds throughout the resort. Sites offer great privacy as they are set back amongst the trees.

This is the most family-friendly Tofino camping experience we found on the island. The playground is outstanding and Mackenzie beach has softer waves for a safer ocean adventure for the littles.  

You won’t find tenting sites at Crystal Cove Beach Resort, but you can rent one of 10 luxurious RVs for an elevated glamping experience. 

Specifically catering to the RV crowd, Crystal Cove does not have any tent sites. However, they do have 10 RVs for rent if you don’t have one and would like to live a more luxurious RV lifestyle for a while (it’s all relative, of course).

As you wander down through the cabin area of the resort, you will find numerous pathways leading directly to the spectacular Mackenzie Beach.

Check Rates on Campground Website: https://www.crystalcove.ca/

Operating Season: Open year-round.

3. Tofino Camping for Surfers: Surf Grove Campground

I think Surf Grove is one of the best Tofino Camping options for all campers, whether you like surfing or not. But, if you are a surfer, then this is the best spot for you to have direct access to Cox Bay Beach, one of the best surfing beaches in Canada.

As a newcomer to the Tofino Camping scene, everything here is brand spanking new – and fabulous! The washroom facilities are better than many people find in their homes, us included! I would stay there just for that, to be honest. They are that good.

Check Rates on Campground Website: https://surfgrove.com/

Operating Season: Open year-round.

4. Unique Tofino Camping in Airstreams: Mackenzie Beach Resort

While we weren’t blown away by the campground itself, (little privacy in small sites), the vintage Airstreams at Mackenzie Beach Resort offer a unique Tofino camping experience that isn’t available elsewhere. With its awesome live entertainment and bbq cuisine on-site, the resort definitely has a lively, hipster vibe to it.

And while they do have walk-in beachfront tenting sites, you have to schlep your gear from your car down the path and the spots are only separated by a log on the ground. 

Check Rates on Campground Website: https://mackenziebeach.com/

Operating Season: Open year-round.

5. Best Long Beach Tofino Camping: Green Point Campground

If you are looking to have a full-on forest Tofino camping experience near Long Beach, this is your best bet. It is a glorious Tofino campground, although that dense forest will throw a lot of shade.

Green Point Campground is the only established campground in the Long Beach area of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Long Beach stretches along a staggering 16 kilometers of surf and sand and offers and can be directly accessed from two pathways in the campground.

Check Rates on Campground Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/pacificrim/activ/camping

Operating Season: May – October

Elevated Tofino Caping: Glamping

If you’ve never tried glamping, you’re simply missing out.

Combining the best of an area’s natural beauty with classic creature comforts, it truly is the best of both worlds. Tofino camping allows visitors to gather by a warm fire while listening to the soothing sounds of the waves before sliding between luxurious sheets to catch some much-needed shut-eye. Environmentally friendly, transportive, and nestled within a glorious wilderness setting, everyone should try Tofino camping at least once.

To save you the hassle, we’ve narrowed down our favorite Tofino camping destinations that are all about living large. From the glamorous glamping huts of Mussel Beach to the one-of-a-kind pods at Tofino’s unique WildPod site, you’re bound to fall in love with something on this incredible list.

6. Mussel Beach Private Getaway

Conveniently located between Tofino and Ucluelet, Mussel Beach Private Getaway is a total mecca for glamping enthusiasts. Designed to feel worlds away from the larger attractions of Vancouver Island, this off-grid property boasts impressive ocean views, top-tier amenities, and two of the friendliest hosts in the area.

If you’re here to glamp, the site you’re looking for is tucked between the Long Beach Broken Group Islands and Pacific Rim National Park Reserves. This location gives visitors excellent access to local attractions and nature trails.

The glamping huts boast a large interior, queen or full-sized beds (with linens!), a private outhouse, access to campground showers, a private deck with panoramic ocean views, a propane camping heater, an outside firepit, and 12V solar-powered electricity. The prices aren’t dirt-cheap (glamping will set you back approximately $150/night depending on which hut you choose), but the amenities and location make these huts a total steal.

If you’d like something cheaper but adore Mussel Beach’s location, why not book one of their 31 seasonal campsites? Rates vary and you will be made to pay for the whole season (which can be a bummer if you’re just looking for a 3-night vacay). However, the cost of $900 for forest sites and $1500 for waterfront sites are a bargain when you consider the fact that you have whole-season access!

While you’re here, take to the ocean for kayaking, surfing, and boogie boarding. Alternatively, you can chill on the beachfront with a book for a more relaxed afternoon. Although you’ll want to spend plenty of time soaking up the island’s natural beauty, you should head into central Ucluelet and Tofino to explore the Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet Aquarium, and the gorgeous Chesterman Beach.

Whatever you need from your accommodation in Tofino, Mussel Beach Private getaway is sure to impress (and have you booking a return trip in no time!).

7. WildPod

Tourists on the hunt for a truly unique glamping experience should check out Tofino’s only dedicated glamping site – Wildpod! Offering an excellent escape for adult couples, each dome boasts incredible views of the UNESCO Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region.

The views are certainly the site’s biggest draw, but guests will also find an ensuite bathroom with a shower, high-end toiletries, panoramic windows and blackout curtains, a luxurious bed with high-quality linens, a kitchenette, a dining area, a propane fireplace, and romantic lighting. You won’t find TVs inside the pods, as the owners feel you’d be better off looking out the window for high-definition images! Constructed from reinforced steel frames and engineered to be eco-friendly and comfortable, guests can rest easy knowing they’re keeping their carbon footprint light by booking a pod.

The site’s location is perfect for accessing Tofino’s best restaurants, galleries, and tours. Within walking distance of the town’s finest attractions, you can spend a night drinking cocktails on the waterfront and avoid the hassle of booking a taxi to get you home safely!

Before booking a pod, it’s worth being aware that there is a two-night minimum stay rule here. They may let you get away with staying a single night, but you’ll have to check out their Available Dates page and contact the site directly to see whether they can accommodate you. It’s a long shot, but not unheard of!

8. Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge

Located along the vast Clayoquot Sound, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is a pristine resort that offers direct access to the area’s stunning inlets and luscious forests. Known for its deluxe glamping tents and luxury lodges, this sprawling site is ideal for BC campers who enjoy the finer things in life.

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge hosts 25 luxurious canvas tents that are littered across the local rainforest. The Rainforest Deluxe tent sleeps up to four guests and features modern furnishings and a beautiful veranda that opens onto the Sound. If you’re looking for something larger, the Hillside Family tents can sleep up to eight and boast two bedrooms, two ensuite bathrooms with heated floors, private outdoor showers, and a sprawling deck.

The in-room amenities are impressive, but visitors will also be able to pamper themselves at the Healing Grounds Spa (hot stone massage, anyone?), encounter local wildlife on remote hiking trails, and explore the expansive landscape of the Clayoquot wilderness area.

To drink in the best of Mother Nature’s offerings, head out on one of the lodge’s Signature Experiences. With everything from horseback riding to tree climbing and mountain biking on the menu, there’s bound to be something available that tickles your fancy. Oh – and if you really want to experience the best of Clayoquot Sound, book onto the Wilderness Lodge Heli Hiking trip. Soaring 3000ft above sea level, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

9. Wya Point

If you’re looking for camping in Tofino that’s south of the junction, be sure to check out Wya Point. Located right on the waterfront, the owners of Wya Point believe in the importance of coexisting with nature. All lodges are built on cement stilts to pay homage to the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ homes of decades past, and the owners have ensured that all décor gives a nod to the area’s traditional roots.

The luxury yurts are ideal for glampers, and each one is located a decent distance away from the next. This gives couples and honeymooners a degree of privacy that isn’t typically offered at other campsites. At your yurt, you’ll get private beach access, a gas stove, a cedar deck, a BBQ, a French Press Coffee Maker, tea and coffee, access to a common bathhouse, and daily housekeeping.

If you’d like to dial things up further, book into one of the lodges. Boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and cozy cedar beams and posts, it’s as far from camping as you’re likely to get! Not only will you get incredible ocean views from your private deck, but you’ll have a fully equipped kitchen, luxury linens, and a gas fireplace to keep the lodge nice and toasty. You’ll certainly pay for the privilege of staying here, but the experience promises to be second-to-none.

While you’re in the area, why not try surf lessons? Equipment rental and lessons are available from the Way Point Surf Shop Café and all instructors are Native First Nation Fully Certified and local West Coast instructors. If you’d prefer to stay dry, try your hand at fishing in the Pacific Northwestern waters. On your angling adventure, you could reel in everything from Chinook to Sockeye Salmon!

Whether you’re looking for a luxury lodge experience or the slightly more rustic feel of a yurt, there are several glamping opportunities available at Wya Point that you’ll love.

Things to do in Tofino or Ucluelet

• Surf (or watch the surfers) at Long Beach, Chesterman Beach
• Hike to the magnificent views at Cox Bay Lookout
• Explore the Rainforest Trail in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
• Wander along the rugged coastline on the Wild Pacific Trail