Turkeys, alpacas and horses – oh my! There are several unique offerings to browse.
If you’re an animal lover looking for a fun camping adventure, there are several unique offerings in BC’s beautiful backyard to enjoy this summer.
Hipcamp, an online campground sharing platform, launched in Canada in June 2021. It is the world’s largest provider of outdoor stays, offering everything from RV sites to unique accommodations on private estates to luxury glamping experiences and more.
Hipcamp hosts can leave reviews for campers, just like campers leave reviews for hosts. When hosts leave a review for a camper, the reviews can be viewed on the hipcamper’s profile page under “Reviews”.
Here are some BC campsites for animal lovers.
Stay on a hobby farm near Vancouver
This host, called Zipcamp and Fun Farm, invites you to stay on a family horse and hobby farm while enjoying the beauty of the great outdoors. The camp is nearby Aldergrove Regional Park, which offers an off-leash dog park, over 5 miles of bridleways, walking and cycling trails. There are also several local wineries, breweries and restaurants.
WIFI, outdoor cold water showers, hammocks and use of a BBQ or gas fire are included, subject to availability. Campers can also pick fresh blackberries in August when the fruit is in season.
There are 10 campsites, each of which can accommodate four guests. The cost is $60 per night for two guests.
Family farm with an abundance of animals near Vancouver
This hipcamp experience, Van Roon Family Farm Bed and Bale offers a scenic camping experience in the heart of a family farm. Visitors see horses, cows, alpacas, dogs, ducks, chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl and a rabbit. There are also two Papillion dogs named Cosette and Diva, “who think they own the place,” as well as a pair of calico cats, Molly and Dolly, “who will sleep with you in your tent if you let them,” according to the host .
Campers can even bring their own horses and there is a private paddock and stable with water.
The tent-only campground is located between two driveways and is $35 per night for four people. There are three locations, each accommodating six people.
Island campsite with lots of furry friends
This delightful campground is located in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. Sheep live on the hobby farmMini goats, chickens, donkeys, dogs, and “a kitty queen,” according to the host.
“Seeing goats on a rooftop, exploring underground caves, walking endless beaches at low tide, and hiking through ancient forests are just some of the experiences you can tell your friends back home about.”
Dashwood Meadows has three tent, RV, or trailer sites with a fire pit, hose, and picnic table available to campers. Each side is suitable for five guests.
There are three campgrounds, each accommodating up to five guests. The price is $45 per night for five people.
Hobby farm with alpacas and goats
A second offering on Vancouver Island is called a campground alpaca forest, is located between Qualicum Beach and Parksville. The sublime retreat is home a “friendly little herd of alpacas, a lonely llama and good-natured goats”.
The campsite is close to a hodgepodge of outdoor experiences and is poetically described by the host: “Quiet nights of moonlight, stars, crickets singing and owls howling.”
There are three campgrounds available, suitable for tents or RVs, each accommodating up to six guests. The price is $60 per night for four people.
Western performance horse campground near Vancouver
This working performance horse training facility is located about 1 mile off Highway 1 in the Fraser Valley. It is also very close to Bridal Falls, Harrison Hot Springs and Sasquatch Mountain Resort.
When you stay at Jim Greendyk Performance Horses, the host says you “get to spend time with [over] 20 performance horses and learn everything about western riding and reining.”
There are two campsites that can accommodate up to four guests; The total cost per night is $60 for two guests.
