Camping & Hiking · Scenic Views · British Columbia
A popular oceanfront campground on Howe Sound along the Sea to Sky Highway, with beachfront sites, walk-in tent sites and big mountain views. Book early, and expect train and highway noise.
Porteau Cove Campground sits right on Howe Sound, and the ocean and mountain views are what almost everyone mentions. Beachfront sites with power, sheltered walk-in tent sites, and evenings listening to sea lions give it a classic West Coast feel. Visitors have also spotted seals and bald eagles.
The facilities are solid for a provincial campground. There are plenty of washrooms, a shower house, and 30-amp power at some sites, while walk-in sites share fire pits and have a dishwashing area with tables and pit toilets. One camper found the washrooms a bit dirty given how busy it gets, but in fair shape overall.
It's a short drive from Vancouver, so demand is high. Reviewers say sites go quickly and it can be full even in rainy weeks, so reserve well ahead. Paddle boarding and swimming in the sheltered cove are popular, there's a short lookout trail, and the day-use picnic tables make it a good coffee or lunch stop even if you aren't camping.
The trade-offs are noise and closeness. A rail line and the highway run right beside the campground, and several campers recommend earplugs. Sites are close together with little privacy, it can be windy off the water, and raccoons are bold enough to open tents, so store food securely.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 2,040 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with Porteau Cove Campground directly.
