I'm not too experienced in the off roading scene, been doing it the odd time for years on trails around shawnigan and Duncan area and camping in those areas a lot but never really bothered exploring too far. anyways I just bought a camper to go in the bed of my 1995 chevy 1500 and was wondering if any one knew any nice secluded lakes that wouldn't be too hard to get to seeing that id be hauling a camper. it'd be nice if the lake had fish but that isn't a must have, I live in Sidney and I don't mind too far of a travel but wouldn't really want anywhere too far past Nanaimo. if any one has any good locations in mind id love to hear them. thank you......... and before any one makes fun of me for using a camper it basically has nothing in it, just got it because it was cheap and I camp enough that it'd be a good investment
oh I forgot to say it could be a river too. thanks again
get a map and pick a lake. the fisheries stock most lakes. they drive stock full size 4x4s. they use foresty roads. not logging to most lakes. there is always water access for the trucks. usually only one camp spot!!!!! makes most lakes private if ur the first ones there. sooke lake watershed is out. jump lake watershed is out. lake cow is all bought up.
Most of the lakes that are close *and* easy access, are full of people.. You'll probably need to do some driving to get to somewhere secluded.
A good place to check out if you're into a bit of a drive is Francis lake. Head to duncan, then left off the highway towards cowichan lake. Hang a right off the cowichan highway towards youbou. Keep going past youbou on the gravel road towards nitnat. Before you get to nitnat there will be a fork, hang a right and start heading towards port alberni. You won't actually make it all the way to port, but about half way there will be a couple of lakes on your right. just past the first lake there is a small trail on your right which leads to a beauty camp site. You should be able to make it down there in a fullsize, but it will be a squeeze.
Beyond that, your best bet would be rivers - there are lots around the cowichan area, some of which you will pass on the above route.
I would be careful going into Francis because you do have one creek crossing and another that you have to drive down to get to the beach they can be pretty deep at certain times of the year and depending on the rain as well. But it's great out of the way site that car's can't really get in to.
how about mclure lake, or Kissinger lake...
Kissinger ain't really secluded being right on the main road from Nitnat and basically an open grass field. Mclure on the other hand is a nice outta the way spot but is small and can be pretty packed on a long weekend.
hey thanks a lot guys, you gave me some good ideas for my next trip
I just hit up this spot this weekend. Unfortunately the water was too high so I couldn't get down to the beach at all, which may have also been under water. Great spot for lunch though. The trail leading to the beach that is inbetween Francis and Darlington gave me a flat tire. Some pretty jagged rocks in there. I'll come back to this spot later in the summer for sure. My profile pic is at the dead end before you gotta turn right down the creek.