Goldstream Provincial Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Majestic waterfalls, beautiful trees, a river that meanders and meets the sea, and resplendent flora and fauna, are some of the features that make Goldstream a premier RV camping destination. Located 16 km (9 miles) from downtown Victoria on southern Vancouver Island, this provincial park, established in 1958, is home to waterfalls, including the Goldstream Falls and Niagara Falls, and offers amazing recreational opportunities for RV campers including hiking on easy to strenuous trails, resplendent flora and fauna viewing, cycling, swimming, and interpretive programs.
Facilities and amenities at Goldstream Provincial Park include drinking water, campfires, RV campsites and group camps, picnic areas, pit and flush toilets, playground, dump station, showers, and wheelchair accessible areas.
Goldstream Provincial Park is part of the Nanaimo Lowlands Ecosection and the Coastal Douglas Fir Biogeoclimatic Zone. The park features an annual chum salmon spawning run, which attracts thousands of salmon and visitors to the park every year. RV campers and visitors are able to enjoy scenic views of the salmon and bald eagles, which feed on the spawned-out salmon, from uniquely sited observation platforms in the
RV Rentals in Goldstream Provincial Park
Transportation
Driving
Goldstream Provincial Park, located 16 km (9 miles) northwest of Victoria, along Trans-Canada Highway 1, is an easily accessible drive-in park for RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles. The park has separate entry points into the campground, day-use area, and group campsite. Accessing the campground is via Amy Road off Westshore Parkway, while the entrance to the day-use area is at the junction of Trans-Canada Highway 1 and Finlayson Arm Road.
Goldstream Provincial Park, located 16 km (9 miles) northwest of Victoria, along Trans-Canada Highway 1, is an easily accessible drive-in park for RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles. The park has separate entry points into the campground, day-use area, and group campsite. Accessing the campground is via Amy Road off Westshore Parkway, while the entrance to the day-use area is at the junction of Trans-Canada Highway 1 and Finlayson Arm Road.
Parking
There are four parking areas in Goldstream Provincial Park for RVs and trailers. These parking lots are located at the Visitor Center, around the Visitor Center Trailhead, Hidden Spring Falls, and Prospector’s Trailhead. Overnight parking is available at the park.
Public Transportation
Public transit buses are available from downtown Victoria to the Gold Mine Trailhead. Additionally, BC Transit offers public service from Langford to Goldstream Meadows.
Campgrounds and parking in Goldstream Provincial Park
Campsites in Goldstream Provincial Park
Alternate camping
Goldstream Campground
Goldstream Campground in Goldstream Provincial Park features 167 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. There are no RV hookups in the campground. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m), however campers with larger rigs can contact the park to find out if there is space available. Amenities at the campground include washrooms and showers, drinking water, playground, garbage, sani-station, and access to trailheads. Reservations can be made for campsites in the campground and there are also campsites available on a first come, first served basis. Quiet hours are 10 pm to 7 am.
Seasonal activities in Goldstream Provincial Park
Off-Season
Swimming
Goldstream Provincial Park has no designated swimming area for RV campers to take dips, however there are some sections near the Goldstream campground that campers may use for swimming. A word of caution to swimmers is that there are no lifeguards on duty at the park.
Interpretive Programs
Interpretive programs are offered at Goldstream Nature House/Freeman King Visitor Center by Park naturalists that include lectures, presentations, and exhibits about the natural history of the area. The open-air amphitheater in the park is also home to summer programs. Some of the interpretive programs in the park are specially designed for kids and children under 16 years
Cycling
The roadways and the paved trail that runs from the day-use area in Goldstream Provincial Park to the Freeman King Visitor Center are both open for RV campers to ride bicycles on and enjoy riding by the points of interest in the park. The bicycles are however not allowed on the hiking trails in the park. All campers who ride bicycles in the park are required to wear helmets.
In-Season
Wildlife Viewing
There are endless wildlife viewing opportunities in Goldstream Provincial Park, particularly as a viewing platform is located at the estuary near the Visitor Center in the park. The park is home to cougars, deer, black bears, raccoons, beavers, minks, Douglas squirrels, and otters. Bald eagles, turkey vultures, ducks and gulls can also be spotted throughout the park.
Flora
Goldstream Provincial Park features diverse flora and fauna that make the park a wonder of nature. The two distinct vegetation zones in the park offers RV campers scenic views of a 600-year-old Douglas fir, western red cedar, Garry oak, arbutus, wildflowers, Dense Spike Primrose, and Pacific Waterleaf.
Hiking
Goldstream Provincial Park features trails that add up to 16 km (9 miles), and range from easy walks to strenuous hikes, along river banks, through tall timbers, and resplendent vegetation. The Mount Finlayson Trail in the park is steep and rugged and leads up to the summit which can be accessed from Finlayson Arm Road or the day-use area. Campers are advised to hike along marked trails and follow posted signs for their own safety.
