Camping adventures

dave norona/for metro vancouver

Kim Duess enjoys the serenity of Nitinaht Lake Forestry Campsite.

There is no shortage of awesome camping spots just outside of the big city. September is the perfect time of the year to load up all your friends, food and gear for a unique wilderness experience. You can choose a provincial park site with all its amenities or head off the beaten path for a little more adventure. Either way, here is what you will need and a few cool spots to check out.

Camping out of your car makes roughing it a little easier as you are not limited by weight or size. Most provincial campsites are well laid out and provide firewood, washrooms and other amenities. At this time of the year there is no guarantee of great weather so the first important piece of gear is a good tent and tarp set up. An ideal tent for our climate is a big two- or three-season tent with fully taped seems. This will make it water tight if a rainsquall arrives. A big tarp will also shelter you from the rain and other falling debris like leaves and pine needles.

Next make sure you have a warm sleeping bag and a comfortable sleeping pad as this will make your stay that much more enjoyable. Food is also important especially if you are heading off hiking, biking or kayaking during the day. You will need nutritious and delicious food that keeps you going. I enjoy hamburgers, pizza and nachos and do all of my cooking on the barbecue, which makes it simple and fast.

Choosing a provincial park with great trails and lakes creates lots of cool things for you and your kids to do.

Make sure you bring the right gear that allows you to get out and explore and don’t forget some cards, music or a good book to keep people happy if the weather turns sour. There is nothing worse than being stuck in a campsite with nothing to do.

If you like to be on your own then a provincial campsite may not be for you. There are tons of forestry sites that are way less busy or you can choose a spot in the middle of nowhere and get away from everything. Just remember the further you are off the beaten path the more essentials you will need to bring.

Just north of Squamish is Alice Lake Provincial Park, which is an awesome area for new campers or young families. There are tons of great hiking, mountain biking and lakes around to explore. Alice Lake is also nestled deep in the forest, which makes you feel miles away without actually being far from the city. More details can be found at www.alicelakepark.com.

Heading east of the city in the town of Maple Ridge is the awesome park of Golden Ears named for the twin peaks of Mount Blanchard. There are a ton of cool activities to do including amazing fishing and boating, which makes it a very popular place.

No matter where you head make sure you check the weather, traffic and call ahead to reserve your favourite campsite.

Then you can sit back, relax and enjoy life.

Dave Norona for Metro Vancouver