{"id":52912,"date":"2024-05-19T03:00:03","date_gmt":"2024-05-19T10:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/?p=52912"},"modified":"2024-05-15T11:46:11","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T18:46:11","slug":"tents-and-taps-camping-and-breweries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/tents-and-taps-camping-and-breweries\/","title":{"rendered":"Tents and Taps: BC Campgrounds with Local Breweries Nearby"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether it\u2019s beers at the bottom after a hike or riverside brews, a crisp apr\u00e8s-ski drink or campfire cold ones, nothing complements beer quite like the great outdoors. The experience is even more enjoyable when you can spend the night in nature with a well-stocked cooler by your side or a brewery just down the road, ready to welcome you back to civilization.<\/p>\n

May 21 – 26, 2024 marks the ninth annual Canadian RV and Camping Week<\/a>. With endless campgrounds speckled across the province and breweries within shouting distance of each, it’s easy to plan a craft beer and camping trip in BC to mark the occasion. Whatever region of the province you’ve got your eye on, we’ve got the intel you need to start planning your trip.<\/p>\n

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Whether you tent or RV, a cold brew is the perfect way to relax after a day of exploring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Mount Fernie Provincial Campground<\/a> – Fernie Brewing Co., Fernie<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a place where beer meets adventure, then Fernie\u2019s got you covered. Located at the base of countless trails sits Mount Fernie Provincial Campground \u2013 a site that is also the starting point for Fernie Brewing Co.\u2019s<\/a> Trail to Ale Challenge<\/a>. The challenge is simple: check off three of Fernie\u2019s best trails \u2013 on foot or by bike \u2013 within 24 hours, and win yourself a well-deserved apr\u00e8s at the brewery. While the adventure may not be for the faint of heart, beer always tastes better 40 kilometres and 1,200 metres of elevation gain later. Thankfully, however, you don\u2019t have to smash out three peaks to indulge in FBC\u2019s crisp brews. With rotating beers on tap including core brews and limited releases, and countless more available for pick up, a pit stop at the brewery is an essential component to every night spent under the stars \u2013 whether it\u2019s covered in sweat or basking in relaxation.<\/p>\n

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Stock up at Fernie Brewing before exploring the bounty that is Fernie Provincial Park (or chilling out with a cold one in hand). Photo: Fernie Brewing Co.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lower Arrow Lake – Tailout Brewing, Castlegar<\/h3>\n

If you’re planning a trip to the ‘Heart of the Kootenays’, you’ll have plenty of great options for campsites.<\/p>\n

Nestled in the midst of a Douglas fir forest on the Eastern shore of Lower Arrow Lake, lays Syringa Provincial Park<\/a>: a road-tripper’s dream. Kick back for the day surrounded by sandy beaches, rocky bluffs and ample amenities. The best part?\u00a0 Not far from the lake-side campground is Castlegar\u2019s Tailout Brewing<\/a>, serving up locally-brewed lip-smacking pints, flights, and growler fills.<\/p>\n

This spring and summer, you can also take full advantage of an off-grid stay paired with local craft brews and tasty eats with a Sip & Stay<\/a> deal at Lakeside Castlegar Cabins<\/a>. These solar-powered, lakefront mini cabins are the perfect place to get away from it all. If you prefer to bring your own accommodation, stay tuned for RV sites that are coming this summer. The best part? Your stay includes beers from Tailout Brewing and a tasting flight at nearby \u00a0Lion’s Head Smoke & Brew Pub<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Why just see the East Kootenays when you can taste them too? If you need more inspiration, check out our recent Castlegar Road Trip Journal<\/a> which highlights the best views, brews, and adventures the city has to offer.<\/p>\n

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There is plenty to explore (and taste) in Castlegar, thanks to Tailout Brewing and the area’s many picturesque landscapes. (photo: Destination Castlegar)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Mystic Beach<\/a> – Sooke Brewing, Sooke Oceanside Brewery and Bad Dog Brewing; Sooke<\/h3>\n

What\u2019s better than a campground near a brewery? A campground near three<\/em> breweries. Earn your beers as you walk into Mystic Beach: a short but scenic two-kilometre wander through a coastal rainforest enveloped by salty air and moss-covered trees. Waiting at the end is a dreamy campground located along the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Think gentle waterfalls and misty ocean views, sand in your sleeping bag, and the gentle sound of waves lapping the shoreline as you dream about beer. Except it\u2019s not a dream. Because just a short 35-kilometre drive away is cozy, welcoming Sooke Brewing Company,<\/a> home to award-winning summer sippers perfect to quench your thirst. But the fun doesn\u2019t stop there because just a few minutes farther down the road is Bad Dog Brewing<\/a>, an oasis full of good beers for even the baddest of dogs. And then there’s Sooke Oceanside Brewery<\/a>, in their new space with a full tasting room and patio.<\/p>\n

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Mystic Beach is a Vancouver Island camping favourite. Photo Credit: Tourism Vancouver Island\/Ben Giesbrecht<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Strawberry Point Recreation Site<\/a> – Pemberton Brewing and the Beer Farmers; Pemberton<\/h3>\n

Plopped on the shore of Lillooet Lake is Strawberry Point Recreation Site, a campground with views just about as sweet as its name. A short walk in from the road, adventure is never far from Strawberry Point, with a number of hikes, hot springs, and, of course, brews nearby. What better way to cap off a day of making memories than with a glass of hoppy, malty goodness? Waiting for you just 18 kilometres down the road is Pemberton Brewing Company<\/a>. Tucked away behind alpine peaks, you\u2019ll find a variety of curiosity-sparking beers. And if that wasn’t enough, you can also taste the local terroir<\/em> at The Beer Farmers<\/a>, where they grow their own barley and hops on a fourth-generation family farm.<\/p>\n

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It’s hard to beat a backdrop to your beer like the ones in Pemberton. Pictured: The Beer Farmers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Lucerne Campground at Mount Robson Park<\/a> – Three Ranges Brewing, Valemount<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re the rustic, off-the-beaten-path type of camper, then this is the spot for you. Nestled at the east end of\u00a0 Mount Robson Park on the edge of Yellowhead Lake, Lucerne campground offers the perfect combination of stunning mountain views, chilled lake swims, and peaceful serenity. An escape from the crowds typical of Mount Robson Park, this is a safe haven for campers looking to rough it for the evening. Less than an hour away awaits Three Ranges Brewing Company<\/a>, putting the \u201cale\u201d in Valemount. With a number of tantalizing beers on tap, like their Mt. Robson Kolsch and Ram\u2019s Head Amber, a visit is the perfect way to ease back into civilization.<\/p>\n

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Grab a few cans to go before roughing it in beautiful Lucerne Park. Photo: Three Ranges Brewing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park<\/a> – Wheelhouse Brewing, Prince Rupert<\/h3>\n

A stone’s throw away from Prince Rupert, sitting along the edge of Prudhomme Lake, is the Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park Campground. A small and quiet site surrounded by coastal forest, it\u2019s the textbook place to recharge following a day of fishing, exploring, or knocking back a cold one at Wheelhouse Brewing Company<\/a>. Located just 21 kilometres down the road from the site, Wheelhouse Brewing Company boasts a range of seasonal brews, alongside their tried and true year-rounders like Blacksmith Brown Ale and Flagship Pale Ale. Radiating the essence of true Northwest coastal culture, Wheelhouse is a must-stop on any road trip to the coastal north.<\/p>\n

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Paddling at Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park near Prince Rupert. (photo: Northern BC Tourism\/Mike Seehagel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Bear Creek Provincial Park<\/a> \u2013 The Hatching Post and Lakesider Brewing Co., West Kelowna<\/h3>\n

For those looking to spend a little time in nature without compromising the comforts of the city, Bear Creek Provincial Park offers the best of both worlds. A mere 15-minute drive away from the bustling streets of Kelowna, Bear Creek has the stress-less lakeside camping, user-friendly trails, and sun-tan-worthy beaches you\u2019ve been looking for. Sweetening the deal is a nearby canyon, etched into the bedrock by the creek\u2019s running water. While this site can get quite busy, especially during peak season, it\u2019s nothing a pint down the road can\u2019t fix. Cue West Kelowna’s The Hatching Post<\/a> and Lakesider Brewing Co<\/a>.\u00a0 The Hatching Post boasts authentic Texas-style BBQ to pair with their western saloon vibes and 14 taps of small-batch, mindfully-crafted, tank-to-tap brews. Just around the corner is Lakesider: pouring a wide range of crowd-pleasing brews in a more modern, but equally cozy, setting. Beer, views, and<\/em> camping \u2013 who could want more?<\/p>\n