Last updated on August 30th, 2024 at 02:18 pm
The Hummingbird Lodge and campground near Nelson opened for business in summer 2023 and it is such a hidden gem! After our original plans fell through for the July long weekend, we couldn’t believe there were a number of spots available at the Hummingbird Lodge and Campground!
Its fantastic amenities in the campground and its close location to Nelson and hiking trails made a trip here an ideal spot. We honestly couldn’t believe it wasn’t busier either at the campground or the surrounding trails.
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The Hummingbird Lodge And Campground
The Hummingbird Lodge and Campground consists of 15 non serviced sites in the forest, perfect for tenting. There are 6 serviced RV sites and 4 unserviced RV sites close to the Lodge and a two bedroom apartment which can be rented with insane views from the patio.
All the sites have a picnic bench and firepit. There are flush toilets and a hand wash sink in the forest sites as well as a larger shower and toilet area in the Lodge. There are two shower rooms, ideal for families and considerably nicer than the individual tiny stalls you find at most campgrounds.
In the Lodge there is also a nice large dishwashing area, which is perfect to stay on top of your cleaning. It has two large sinks with hot and cold water. All the amenities in the lodge were super clean and due to the campground being so quiet we never had to wait to use anything. You are provided with a pin code when you check in to allow you access to the Lodge facilities.
One thing to note and this is clear when you book your spot online is that some of the forest sites are walk-in only. A few, like ours, are drive in, some have space to park right beside your spot but the tent spot is either above or below your car accessed by a hill or steps. And some you have to park in the parking lot and walk to your site after unloading. There are bear secure food storage lockers in the site for those biking or who don’t want to carry their scented items back to their car. There are also garbage bins around the campground.
One of the best amenities the Hummingbird Lodge and Campground offers is the on-site cafe. A great option for a tasty and quick breakfast or an after hike beer on their patio. They also offer free WIFI for those who want to stay connected while they are visiting. The Lodge also offers firewood sales and they’ll deliver right to your site!
The tenting forest sites are all located near the Apex creek and when we visited it was roaring, it did an excellent job of covering and other campground noise and we slept so well with it rushing in the background.
If you are looking for a rustic experience a stay at Hummingbird Lodge and Campground might not be what you are looking for but if you enjoy a clean, peaceful camping experience with a few luxuries, this is the perfect spot!
Where Is It Located
The Hummingbird Lodge and Campground is located 21 kilometers from Nelson via Highway 6. You then turn onto Whitewater Road, which is clearly signposted for the Whitewater Ski Resort and follow this road until the end when you will see a sign indicating where to check in for camping. Note that the Whitewater Road turns from tarmac to gravel about half way, although when we drove it, it was very well maintained.
Things You Might Need When Camping Here
We had all kinds of weather in the few days we were staying at the Hummingbird Lodge and Campground near Nelson. Pack layers of clothing to make sure you are ready for anything.
To make our camp as comfortable as possible during the rain and hail we got a tarp set up. We also had a gazebo so we had somewhere to shelter from the weather. All this made it a much more enjoyable time.
What To Do Nearby
Directly from the Hummingbird Lodge Campground there are a number of awesome hiking trails. We first went up the White Queen, which followed one of the ski resort roads before turning into a less trafficked trail to get to the summit. We also went up the other side of the resort and hiked Glory Ridge, there was still a lot of snow in the alpine so most of the other trails were still snowbound up high, but the campground offers a trail map with a number of awesome alpine hikes to pick from.
The campground is also a 20 minute drive from downtown Nelson which is home to restaurants, cute and unique shops as well as museums. A worthwhile way to spend the day if you haven’t been before.
F.A.Q
Do you need a reservation to stay at the Hummingbird Lodge And Campground?
No, you don’t need a reservation, however the campground is quite small and I’d recommend booking in advance online with them to guarantee your spot. They put white tags on the posts of reserved campgrounds every day, all other sites are offered as first come first serve.
What amenities are offered at the lodge for camping guests?
– Flush Toilets
– Free showers
– Dish washing up area
– Emergency phone
– Cafe and store (including happy hour offerings)
– Free WIFI
Can you camp year round?
The RV sites and the Lodge two bedroom suite are available to book year round, making a great base for summer hiking or winter ski vacations.