PLAN YOUR TRIP
The purpose of this map is to provide some guidance for renters in finding the beauty of the west coast. These locations are hand picked by Q Campervans. You will notice that there are locations also in the USA. Q Campervans allows international travel to the USA, so make sure to consider going south as well! (International Drivers Permit (IDP) may be required in certain states). During the winter months, travelling south to the USA is a great idea! Another consideration is Q Campervans allows 200km/day for free. Make sure your total km’s are within that amount to avoid extra charges. Additional km’s can be pre-purchased at discounted rates.
Top Destinations
Click the name of each location for more info!
Tofino- The best Canadian beaches. Canada’s premiere surfing location with stunning views, including the drive there. Make sure to stop at Cathedral Grove to see giant trees!
Squamish- If you enjoy climbing, mountain-biking, windsurfing, and hiking, Squamish is the place to be. The best place to rock-climb in Canada. The sea-to-sky highway is gorgeous.
Whistler- 1.5 hours from Vancouver and potentially the best ski and mountain biking resort in the world. It is a must see and has every activity you can think of from bungee jumping to helicopter tours.
Okanagan- The heart of the Okanagan is Kelowna, but there are numerous towns like Penticton, Summerland, and Osoyoos that give this area tons of character. Its lakes, wineries, and warm climate make for great road trips!
Nelson- This area is gorgeous and less trafficked which makes it one of BC’s hidden gems! The Kootaney Lake, hiking, and tons of gorgeous scenery near the town, make it an amazing destination.
Revelstoke- A top ski resort now doubles as a mountain bike park. Visiting Mount Revelstoke is also a must.
Golden- On the edge of BC and Alberta, it offers some incredible hiking with a cute town to explore.
Banff- If you’re looking for the Canadian experience, Banff is a must. Some of the most awe-inspring mountains in the rockies. The village is also built for tourism!
Jasper- North of Banff, the icefields/glaciers, lakes and mountains make this a must see if you are in the Rockies.
Washington Coast/ Olympic National Park- Across the border to the south. Perfect for shoulder and off-season vanlife when the interior of BC gets quite cold. Insane coastal views.
Oregon Coast- Extremely well known beaches and impressive rock cliffs. The views are non-stop and continute all the way down to California.
Redwood National Park- If you have enough time with a Q Campervan, heading down towards northern California to visit the Redwoods would be an incredible trip. World-renown forest.
Select Photo Credits: Candice Marie Photography
Tofino
Tofino
The best surf town in Canada! Every beach is breathtaking and there is tons to explore. There are boat tours, surfboard rental shops, cultural art galleries, and amazing dining. A neighbouring town, Ucluelet, adds to the grandeur of this location with its cute shops and gorgeous oceanside walks. Don’t forget to grab a burrito at Tacofino!
Squamish
Squamish
Only 45 minutes away from Vancouver, Squamish is the fastest outdoorsy getaway from the city. World-class rock-climbing and bouldering is what established this town, but now has blossomed into a thriving community with so much to do and explore. If you mountain bike, there are TONS of trails to conquer. The Sea-to-Sky Gondola, Shannon Falls, Stawamus Chief, and Squamish Estuary are just a few of the amazing places to visit if you’re less of an adrenaline junkie.
Whistler
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One of the best skiing/snowboarding locations in the world. Perfect for weekend getaways from Vancouver. Accommodations are very expensive here, so a campervan is a perfect option!
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Hit the trails in the bike park or the valley. Take a dip in Lost Lake. Hike to Joffre lake. Ride the Peak-to-Peak gondola. Go bungee jumping at Whistler Bungee Bridge. The possibilities are endless.
Whistler
Okanagan
This area is quite expansive and is known for its rolling mountains instead of jagged peaks. The Okanagan valley is famous for their wine and many of these locations are near Kelowna and Vernon. However, don’t miss out on plenty of cute towns around the area like Lumby, Summerland, and Armstrong! If you’re feeling lazy, you can float down the Enderby River or Penticton River Channel. In the winter, Big White and Silverstar offer great skiing.
Okanagan
Originally a mining town and one of BC’s best heritage spots, it has history and scenic locations to visit. Gibsons lake (pictured behind) is gorgeous, but be careful of porcupines wanting to eat away at the underside of the van! Being so close to the river and the Kootenay Lakes there are plenty of spots to cool down in the summer heat. The mountain peaks offer incredible hiking and skiing. Whitewater Ski Resort is nearby and if you’re up for a bit more of a drive, Red Mountain is also feasible. This is definitely one of BC’s hidden gems!
Gibson Lake
Nelson
Revelstoke
Revelstoke is the halfway point between Vancouver and Calgary and offers unmatched scenery. The drive up Mount Revelstoke to walk in the mountain meadows, exploring the town, relaxing by the Columbia River, and skiing and mountain biking at its world famous resort are a few of the activities that make this a top BC destination for any traveller.
Revelstoke
Golden
Golden
Golden is often driven through on the way to other destinations like Banff and Lake Louise, but don’t miss out on what this town has to offer. Their whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River, mountain biking, skiing (Kicking Horse) and skydiving are activities for adrenaline junkies. For those that want a more relaxed experience, the town has many shops and meadows where nature observation is made easy. Of course the hiking is first class. Wapta Falls is an easier hike that can be a good building point for other more challenging ventures.
Banff
Banff
Potentially the greatest Canadian attraction internationally, Banff is located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The village has incredible food options. With many easy and difficult hikes that range from waterfalls, lakes, and mountain peaks, Banff has something for everyone! Be sure to check out some popular places like Moraine Lake, Johnston Canyon, Peyto Lake, or Sulphur Mountain. If you want to skip the large crowds, there are countless hikes and spots where there are less people. Make sure you have the appropriate park passes ahead of time! Don’t forget to get a Beavertail in town which is staple in the Canadian diet.
Jasper
Just like Banff, Jasper is located in the Canadian Rockies east of Edmonton. It is important to have the correct national park passes. Some must see attractions include the Colombia Icefield, Maligne Lake, Medicine Lake, Pyramid Lake, and Athabasca Falls. Depending on the time of year you visit, it could be very busy in certain spots. Winter and Summer is busy, but shoulder seasons are your best bet to avoid the crowds. To split up the road trip from Vancouver and maximize the sights, you may want to go Highway 5 one way and Highway 1 the other. Make sure to plan ahead!
Jasper
Washington Coast/ Olympic National Park
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Ruby Beach, Cape Flattery, Rialto Beach, and Long Beach are great places to consider. Hard to go wrong when everywhere is beautiful!
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Lake Crescent, Hurricane Ridge, and Hoh Rain Forest will offer insane forest hikes. The best of the lush west coast.
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Deception Pass State Park, Dungeness Bay and the coastal drive towards Cape Flattery is gorgeous. It might be worth it to take the ferry towards Port Townsend!
Dungeness Bay, Upper Peninsula
Secret Beach
Oregon Coast
Pictured behind, Secret Beach is just one of the many breath-taking places to visit. If anyone has done the Oregon Coast before, they will attest that the views and locations to see are ENDLESS. Be sure to visit Cannon Beach, Stout Grove, Oregon Sand Dunes, and if you have time book a rafting trip down the Rogue River!