Green Point Campground, The Best Camping Spot Near Tofino
Last updated on March 8th, 2023 at 04:27 am
When it comes to camping around Tofino you can’t beat Green Point Campground in my opinion. We were on the road for almost a month so in a campsite we were looking for two things, the right price and a shower! Green Point Campground ticked both those boxes for us.
Green Point Campground is located within the Pacific Rim National Park, which means the campground is managed by Parks Canada and therefore you are almost guaranteed that it is well managed and maintained, making it an easy choice for people like us, who were camping for the first time in the area.
Because Green Point Campground is located within a National Park, you’ll need a National Park Pass to stay here. This can be purchased ahead of time or at the entrance to the campground when checking in.
Where is Green Point Campground?
Green Point Campground is located almost perfectly in the middle of Uclelet and Tofino, making it an ideal base to explore both towns.
If you are coming from off of Vancouver Island, the best option is to take a ferry which dicks in Nanaimo, from here it is around 190km to Green Point Campground, via Highway 4 and Port Alberni. At times the road is rather windy and can be quite scenic so prepare for it to take longer than you expect!
Once at the junction for Ucluelet and Tofino it’s approximately 12 kilometers to the campground when you head towards Tofino. The campground is clearly signposted, so you can’t miss it.
The Campground
The Green Point Campground consists of mostly treed and fairly private sites. Split into two main areas, there are 94 drive in site, these all have power to them. There are a further 20 walk-in sites which are unserviced and suitable for tents. The campground also has a group camping area and an O’Tentik.
As with most Parks Canada campgrounds, Green Point Campground has potable water, along with flushing toilets and showers! There are showers inside the washroom buildings as well as outside showers on the buildings to wash off after the beach.
The washroom buildings also have large outside sinks to do your dishes, which is an awesome feature.
Each site at Green Point Campground has a picnic bench and fire pit. Firewood is extra to purchase from a cabin near the site entrance.
The Green Point Campground is located up on the bluff above Long Beach and offers easy access to the beach via two different short but relatively steep trails, making this an ideal spot for anyone looking to make the most of the beaches in the area. I can also confirm, Long Beach makes a wicked spot to watch the sun set!
Green Point Campground will be open from May 1st to October 10th in 2023. Reservations are absolutely recommended, this is a popular spot and although cancellations do come up you may have to compromise on dates or sites. Reservation opening dates for 2023 have not yet been released by Parks Canada, but I’d recommend booking on opening day or as early as you can using the online reservation system.
Things To Do Near Green Point Campground
Being located between Uclelet and Tofino means there are never ending activities on your doorstep when staying at Green Point Campground!
They have recently paved a trail between the two towns making an incredible multi use trail which accesses both towns as well as the campground. Perfect for those with bikes to explore.
There are also a multitude of hiking trails in the area, we checked out the short Radar Hill loop for an awesome view with no real effort required. We also hiked to the Caslo plane crash site, this is not an official trail and therefore isn’t marked but a small amount of research can get you going in the right direction.
The town of Ucluelet is a fun spot to explore, their Brewery has a great balcony with awesome views over the harbor if you fancy grabbing a drink and snack. We hiked the LIghthouse Loop, an easy interpretive trail which takes you out to a lighthouse. This easy hike is really picturesque with plenty of benches and spots to stop and take in the views.
This trail can also be extended to take in more of the coastline around Ucluelet including the remains of a shipwreck on one beach.
On the other side of Green Point Campground is Tofino, boasting cute shops and sandy beaches. Tofino is a tourist hot spot and a perfect place to spend a day or two. There area huge number of tours and trips which can be booked leaving from Tofino, including the ever popular Hot Springs Cove (which recently reopened after the pandemic) as well as surf lessons for those who wish to learn or progress their skills.
What You’ll Need To Survive Camping On The West Coast
Camping on Vancouver Island can be notoriously wet! With this in mind we came up with a list of items which could make or break your camping trip!
Gazebo – This is one of my favorite items to take car camping because it is great come rain or shine! Make sure if it’s windy it is steak down correctly. You can easily set it up over your table to create a dry place to cook and eat, or put it over your tent, if like us you are staying in a small tent. It keeps your tent dry and makes getting in and out of the tent a much drier experience.
Tarp – If you aren’t a fan of the gazebo or space in your car is at a premium, a tarp can be a great alternative to help create dry areas to hang out. Make sure to pack plenty of paracord in order to make sure it can be set up regardless of how far away the trees are!
Waterproof Hiking Boots – If it’s raining a lot, these will be lifesavers, not just to hike in but to walk around town in.
Flip Flops – I absolutely love my Chaco flip flops, they stay on my feet and are cushioned with vibram soles, meaning they are perfect to adventure in, whether it’s heading to the beach or walking around town. These are perfect for even warm and wet days.
