Discover a BC Snowbird Destination

Three key choices to enhance your RV winter experiences in Canada.

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Words by Steve Fennell

Management teams at private RV parks in BC make a lot of effort to provide snowbirds with a perfect balance of convenient services, well-maintained grounds, and access to local attractions and services. When they succeed, return visits are almost a given as you’re guaranteed (in most cases) a relaxing stay through the winter.

An ideal climate and environment to stay active are just as important. After all, choosing an RV park shouldn’t be about compromises. According to Dylan Redekop, Marketing Director of Pathfinder Camp Resorts, providing a comfortable haven during the winter is based on location, clean grounds, and the opportunity to enjoy the RV lifestyle at your own pace. The company currently owns and operates campground resorts in Parksville and Agassiz-Harrison while retaining the license to operate an RV resort on First Nations land in Fort Langley.

One of the appealing factors of Pathfinder Camp Resorts is that all of the parks offer something for all types of RVers throughout the colder season. While there are planned socials, they have open invitations allowing you to attend at your leisure in the event you would rather enjoy some quiet time, personal hobbies or outdoor recreation.

“We like to encourage our guests to get involved in organized campground activities or events as they are a great way to get to know other RVers and use the facilities,” said Redekop. “But it’s also a ‘no-pressure environment’ as some guests just want to enjoy their personal time as well. These are just some of the factors that have attracted snowbirds back to our properties in the last few years.”

Redekop explained that even though the Canada/U.S. land border officially re-opened in late 2021- with access to the U.S. under certain guidelines before then - its Fort Langley location was booked solid for the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 winter seasons (the Agassiz-Harrison and Parksville locations just started operating under the Pathfinder Camp Resorts ownership in 2021 and 2022), which is a testament to its maintained grounds and welcoming atmosphere.

For instance, the parks’ scheduled activities like potluck dinners, pancake breakfasts, themed dances, chair yoga, and painting classes are all very popular. There are even walking groups, a decorating committee, plus ‘pub and pool’ nights. If you just prefer to chat with other RVers over a cup of coffee at any given time through the week that is welcome as well.

The Three RV Parks to Discover

The two Pathfinder Camp Resorts’ properties (as well as the Fort Langley location) are strategically located in scenic regions to suit a variety of personal preferences. They include Fort Camping in Fort Langley (in the Fraser Valley along the Fraser River) between Surrey and Abbotsford; Pathfinder Camp Resort Parksville that’s just north of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island; and Pathfinder Camp Resort Agassiz-Harrison, which is outside of the Village of Harrison Hot Springs.

Regardless of the location, services across the three parks are consistent. All share full-service pet-friendly sites, 50-amp power, laundry facilities as well as package discounts. The parks are also close to welcoming communities. With several classic BC attractions, there is also access to senior centres, pharmacies, casual cafés and local grocery stores to plan weekly routines.

Fort Camping - according to its website -  is “a recreational campground for people looking to experience the great outdoors.” Given its scenic location, that’s what RVers can truly expect.

Fort Camping is one of the more popular locations with 152 sites and guests can access hiking trails, explore Brae Island Regional Park (that maintains its trails throughout the winter), and enjoy golfing, fishing, and seeing the local sights. The community of Fort Langley is just across the river with some essential services while there are more dining options, entertainment and additional shopping opportunities in Abbotsford and Surrey. Both - as well as the U.S. border - are approximately 30 minutes from the park.

One of the newest properties is Pathfinder Camp Resorts Agassiz-Harrison, which was purchased in 2020 with current plans to add 20-plus full-service sites on two acres neighbouring the park.

“Agassiz-Harrison currently has 32 sites and although it is one of our smaller properties, it has an intimate atmosphere,” says Redekop.

The Agassiz-Harrison campground is situated on scenic parklands with spacious sites and is a few minutes from the Village of Harrison Hot Springs at the south end of Harrison Lake. One of the recent upgrades to this location was the addition of eight, newly renovated and one- or two-bedroom cabins, which are ideal for visiting guests or holiday getaways earlier in the season. Come for a week and take in your favourite pastime or visit the hot springs in Harrison - the choice is yours on how to unwind here.   

Further west on Vancouver Island is Pathfinder Camp Resorts Parksville (formerly Parry’s RV Park), which has also been recently enhanced to accommodate snowbirds. While it was closed during the winter under the previous ownership, the park is now open all year.

“A lot of RVers think that the camping season is over in the Parksville area after the Labour Day Weekend but that’s not the case,” says Redekop. “The park is open to Thanksgiving, through to Christmas and all winter.  “All 128 sites have full hookups and while approximately half of them offer 50 amp power, the rest are 30 amp.”

What’s convenient about the park is it’s located along the banks of the Englishman River and within walking distance to Parkville’s trendy downtown district. The popular Rathtrevor Beach & Provincial Park along the shore of The Strait of Georgia is also minutes away while the charming town of Qualicum Beach is just 15 minutes up BC Hwy 19 A. Skiing, too, is popular as the park is approximately an hour from The Mount Washington Alpine Resort.

With a lot of recreational activities, spending winters on Vancouver Island or in the Lower Mainland is an insightful experience that’s enjoyed by countless Canadian RVers every year. The milder climate is a welcome relief from the colder temperatures of other parts of BC and of course, the provinces to the east. Visiting here also allows the chance to stay closer to home and enjoy a wonderful part of the country that you may not have thought was possible in an RV during the colder months.

Although these are just three of the choices to stay at during the winter in BC, it’s always comforting to re-book at a campground that you’ll know you’ll be comfortable at and enjoy throughout the snowbird season. It not only provides the opportunity to revisit favourite outdoor spaces or local businesses but allows you to reconnect with other RVers and have an enjoyable experience without any doubts or compromises.

For more information about availability, rates and more visit www.pathfindercampresorts.com