We’ve just wrapped up our five-month winter stay at Thunderbird RV Resort in Campbell River on Vancouver Island, and I wanted to share a quick review. It’s one of our favorite spots. We’ve spent many summers here over the years, and the off-season is especially peaceful with friendly neighbors.
We had a great site right on the estuary for about $850 CAD per month (around $610 USD), including 30-amp electric, water, sewer, and basic cable, with stunning views of the saltwater estuary full of ducks, eagles, and wildlife. The staff is top-notch. They’re super friendly, helpful with winter issues like frozen pipes, and they even added insulating foam and wood boxes to the spigots this year. Everything stays clean and well-maintained.
The estuary-side sites offer unobstructed views out the back (or front for motorhomes), plus a grassy strip with fire pits. Some drawbacks: sites are tightly packed (older layout before big slides and awnings), so not much space between rigs, and hookups on our row were sometimes backwards, requiring longer cords and hoses. Ocean-side sites have Discovery Passage views but can be noisier from the road and breezier in winter (though great for summer cruise ship watching). Middle sites are longer with 50-amp options for bigger rigs.
The location on a beautiful ocean spit is fantastic. It’s near a city park, walking paths, shopping, a marina, and tons of trails in Campbell River. It’s more exposed to wind and fog but warmer and brighter than inland spots, thanks to the ocean’s moderating effect, with less snow and no worries about flooding or falling branches, keeping our roof clean. We got plenty of sun when it appeared, which is a big plus for vitamin D during gloomy BC winters.
This mild winter and skirting the rig meant low propane use. Just two 30-lb tanks over five months, mostly for cooking since electric heat sufficed (plus occasional diesel heater use for under-skirt heating). Highly recommend it for winter or summer. Great scenery, activities, and less crowded than the down-island parks.
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Link to my Winter RVing Tips and How-to Videos
