Last updated on January 5th, 2024 at 02:12 am
Bamberton campground is an absolute gem you won’t want to miss on Vancouver Island. I found one of the hardest parts of being on a road trip is the lack of plans. Camping is more popular than ever and we found ourselves on Vancouver Island without a reservation on a Friday night, we pulled into Bamberton Campground with heavy hearts after seeing the campground full sign.
We bumped into a ranger and asked if there was any chance and she said luckily for us there was one spot available, for one night. The campsite that was available was just perfect too, down a couple of steps and with total privacy, we were so happy! Of course, the following day we had to get up early and head out to try and find a spot for the weekend and ended up lucking out once again with a spot at Goldstream Provincial Park.
Where Is Bamberton Campground
If you are arriving from off of Vancouver Island you can catch a ferry to Nanaimo and from there it is just over an hour’s drive to Bamberton campground. From Schwartz Bay ferry terminal in Victoria it is approximately a one hour drive to the campground or it is possible to get a second ferry from Brentwood Bay, however this wouldn’t save much time but would likely be more scenic!
Either way, you will want to take Highway 1 and Bamberton Provincial Park is clearly signposted from the highway and the campground is clearly signed once off the highway and a very short drive, making the Bamberton campground extremely accessible.
Everything You Need To Know About Bamberton Campground
Bamberton campground is a bustling spot! We were there on a Friday night and the place was packed, lots of families and children racing round the roadways on their bikes. It really didn’t phase us though.
The campsite itselves it tucked in the woods meaning lots of sites were more on the private side, ours in particular was really private tucked down from the campground road with no neighbors to speak of!
There are 63 campsites in total across four small loops, many can be booked through the BC Parks reservation system, while a few are first come first serve. There are double sites here as well, perfect for larger families, these tend to have to be occupied together.
Each campsite has the standard picnic bench and firepit, sites were of varying size so make sure you will fit when you book!
All the sites here have minimal services so be prepared to be off grid. There are water taps around the site as well as garbage cans. Typically the water provided has to be treated before it can be consumed so bear that in mind. We mostly find it easier to take a jug of water with us.
The drop toilets around the site are clean and modern, stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. These were some of the nicer toilets we found on our trip.
Bamberton campground is managed by BC Parks and we regularly saw a park operator driving around the site. She took our payment and had the ability to take either cash or card, she also had wood for sale to use in the firepit in the campsite.
Things To Do Near Bamberton Campground
A short but rather steep trail from the Bamberton campground takes you down to the Bamberton Provincial day use area. Here you’ll find picnic benches along the grass as well as easy access to the beach. The protected cove makes the beach a perfect spot to paddle in the water, kayak or just sunbathe.
The bay is popular with families since the water is calm for the most part and the beach is large. We found the place deserted at sunset, a perfect spot to sit and watch the wildlife, we spotted some seals playing in the bay.
Just up the road from Bamberton campground is Mill Bay, from here there is a ferry which will take you across to Brentwood Bay where you can access the world famous Butchart Gardens. A fantastic way to spend a day.
Closer to the Bamberton campground you’ll find wineries to explore as well as the Malahat Skywalk. You are also only 45 kilometers from Victoria, so it is a popular spot to explore both the city as well as the beautiful surroundings.