The Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park

Vancouver Island, British Columbia

My unforgettable experience camping in the Carmanah

It's no secret that BC is home to some pretty remote and incredible destinations. The Carmanah valley is no exception. It is one of BC's most remote parks. It is accessed through rugged logging truck roads with cell service being 3 hours away. I believe this is a major reason it is so unique.

The park is nestled on the west side of Vancouver Island. In 1988 the Carmanah became a site for a successful protest that saved the old growth forest from being logged. In 1990 the park became protected under the provincial park system. A huge victory for the protestors and the ecosystem!

The stark reality of logging is imminent when you approach the park. All of the land surrounding the park is clear cut. This land was once a lush ecosystem of old growth trees. Some trees being over 1000 years old and over 300 feet tall.

We cannot change the past and bring back the trees lost but we can do our best to protect and respect the trees we still have.

my experience

Imagine yourself walking down a trail, a seemingly unremarkable trail with grass, rocks under your feet and trees around you. You keep walking on this trail and start to descend down a hill. When you get to the bottom your surroundings open up into an enchanted forest of giants.

These giant Sitka spruce and cedars are so magnificent they emit an energy that immediately brings a comfort which encapsulates your entire body and penetrates your soul. The way I can describe it is your grandparents giving you the biggest and most loving hug you could ever imagine. I felt my ancestors there with me. They walked as I walked.

The forest was so quiet. I have never been in a forest so deafening. I was told it is because the vegetation and ferns are so thick on the forest floor that it absorbs sound combined with the dense canopy above. Not much light gets through which means there is not a lot of food for small critters which in turn means there is no food for the big critters and birds.

How often in your life do you get to just be….just be in total quiet?

My husband, two year old son and I backpacked in and camped two nights. We stayed on a dried up river bed with a water source nearby. You cannot camp in the forest as it is mostly made up of Sitka spruce trees. Sitka’s have a very shallow root bed so even walking beneath them can damage their root systems and eventually the giants will fall.

There is a set of 3 trees that stand together called the “three sisters”, sadly one of these beauties fell due to damage of people walking around it and taking photos. the park has created some walkways so you can safely revel in the beauty but not damage the trees.

If you have fears of travelling to the carmanah due to its remoteness, don’t. Just do it. You will not be disappointed! This was one of the most remarkable and incredible camping trips I have ever had. It is in the top 3 of my entire life and I have camped hundreds of nights. The power of the carmanah is like no other, you just have to get out and feel it for yourself.

happy trails my friends and remember to respect the land. We are all one. If you disrespect the land, you disrespect yourself.

would you like to runaway and elope here?

If your answer is yes then no problem! Visit my pricing page . We can customize a package so you can say I do in the most incredible old growth forest, surrounded by the love and affection of the trees.

What are you waiting for? Pack your bags, lets go!!