Pachena Campground
90 Anacla Rd, Bamfield, BC V0R 1B0, Canada
Recommended Camping Products
About This Campsite
Pachena Campground
Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Tags: Campground, Park, Lodging, Point of Interest, Establishment
Pachena Campground, located on the picturesque west coast of Vancouver Island, offers a splendid retreat into nature. Nestled close to the pristine beaches and dense forests, this campground combines rustic charm with modern conveniences.
Overview
Access: The roads to Pachena Campground have recently been improved, making the journey from Port Alberni smooth and safe. However, those coming from Lake Cowichan should be prepared for gravel logging roads. A 4WD vehicle is recommended for some routes.
Facilities: The campground provides numerous amenities, including flush toilets and showers (though sometimes they might be out of order). The sites are generously sized and offer a good amount of privacy, especially those set deeper into the trees.
Beach and Activities
Beach: The sandy beach is one of the highlights of Pachena Campground. It offers a clean and beautiful environment, reminiscent of North Island’s San Joseph Bay. Ideal for both relaxation and exploration, visitors often find unique items washed ashore.
Pro Tips
- Wood is available for purchase, but it is costly and burns slowly, so bringing kindling is advisable.
- Keep in mind that while the campsite rules require dogs to be on leashes, enforcement may be lax. This could be a concern for dog owners.
- The site is on the traditional unceded territory of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, adding a layer of cultural and historical significance to your stay.
- Garbage and noise regulations are usually well-respected—maintaining the serenity of the area.
Overall Thoughts
Pachena Campground is a gem on Vancouver Island, offering both the rugged beauty of natural landscapes and the comforts of well-maintained facilities. Although there are areas that could benefit from stricter maintenance and rule enforcement, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive. Whether you are looking for a peaceful retreat or a base for exploration, Pachena Campground is a fantastic choice.
Photos
Photos provided by Google
Reviews
Reviews provided by Google
Dottie Smith
07/02/2024
The roads are now chip sealed (as close to paved as you can get) so the trip here is incredibly smooth and safe from Port Alberni. The Lake Cowichan way is still gravel logging roads. The location is gorgeous - between the access to the beach, the generous sizes of the spots, the trees, flush toilets, and so much more - this campsite has a lot to offer. It’s a big campground, and we were there on a long weekend so it was busy and full. Lots of kids playing around - it was lovely to see everyone on their bikes. Lots of dogs running around off leash, though (this was the only draw back - considering their rules state all dogs should be on leash). We had two unpleasant interactions with off leash dogs wanting to be a little too aggressive with ours so we do wish they would enforce these rules a bit more. The sandy beach is beautiful. Reminded me of San Joseph Bay (North Island). It was clean, everyone seemed respectful and kept their garbage and noise to a minimum. With the sites being as large as they are, there is a fair amount of privacy. Some sites are deeper than others, and the further into the trees you are, the more private too. Wood here is expensive - $15 per bundle - although it seemed like most of it was arbutus so it is hard and burns for a long time. Make sure you have kindling, otherwise it is hard to start the fire with such hard wood. Overall, the space is rustic but offers so many comforts that it was lovely. We will be back again to explore more and see more of Bamfield too.
Ben Knapp
08/01/2024
My extended family and friends booked 3 sites, no problem booking sites at all . We spent 5 nights there. Beautiful location for a campground . Was honored to spend time on the traditional unceted territory of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations. What an amazingly beautiful and peaceful place. Our site was large and mostly clean, however there was multiple pieces of toilet paper on the outskirts of the campsite(yuck). The washroom facilities were not the cleanest and there was an out of order shower in both washrooms. The store was great,the staff were friendly, the kids appreciated the freezy on a hot day. The beach was wonderful and clean, I didnt see any garbage. Overall a great trip, we will come back next year hopefully to cleaner facilities! Klecko Klecko
Tony Durke
07/15/2024
Beautiful campground. Run by professional people that keep the place in tip top shape. There are showers , ice and the best view of the ocean you'll ever get. This place is magic.
Daniel Wyatt
07/28/2024
Best hidden gem of the west coast Vancouver Island! Came for the Pachena Bay Music Festival and absolutely loved the entire area! Thank you to the Huu-ay-aht for sharing this land with us and for caring so well for it! 🩵
Misty Q
05/05/2023
Amazing campground. Absolutely gorgeous and mysterious beach that disappears in rolling fogs on certain days. Found bones and lots of other cool stuff exploring the beach. Best camping experience in a while, will definitely be back. Keep in mind the drive out there can be quite rough. You will need 4WD.