Vancouver area

[grooving grandpa]

Leaving San Jose, Ca. May 1st for La Pine Or. up Hwy 97 along Columbia River final stop Vancouver. Looking for campgrounds, best way to get to Victoria. Good Sam shows Surrey, Hazelmere RV Park looks good and Dogwood campground. Do we need vet cerification for sweet Mollie. Its looks like a long trip with truck on ferry to Victoria. Horse Shoe Bay-Departure Bay Ferry and Long Harbor Ferry look to be the shortest route to me. Or would you take a tour bus. Also, what sites should we not miss. Any good free overnight camp sites off of I-5 along the way. I notice there are a few casinos. I know I will get some good feed back on this one. And thanks everbody in advance.

Lou, Marilyn and Sweet Mollie

[barbwaines]

A great RV park in Vancouver area is Capilano RV park in North Vancouver.www.capilanorvpark.com Just across the Lions Gate Bridge from downtown Vancouver, On the way to Horseshoe Bay to ferry to Nanaimo. Lots to see on Vancouver Island. Also parks in Surrey area and take a ferry from Tsawwassen to Victoria. I would take own vehicle rather than a bus. Maybe plan to spend one night or so in Victoria. Enjoy your vacation.

[markwick]

Ferry to the Island is less than 2 hours - if you are taking your rig you might want to make a reservation as an "Overheight" I went over last Summer and it cost me nearly $450 return with the fifth wheel.
http://www.bcferries.com/
Not that many campgrounds around Vancouver - Capilano and Hazlemere are good, Hazlemere is one of the top 10 Good Sam parks in N America.Also Tynehead, Dogwood campground and Pacific Border campground.(Right next to the border crossing)
http://www.tynehead.com/
http://www.dogwoodcampgrounds.com/
http://www.pacificborderrvpark.com/

Free casino overnight in Rolling Hills Casino, Corning California. - Tulalip Casino north of Everett and Seattle in Marysville on I5. 7 Feathers in canyonville Oregon is a beautiful park - there used to be free overnight at the casino of the same name but not sure since they opened the RV park there. You cannot overnight at rest stops in Oregon, Washington or BC.
You are supposed to have a rabies certificate for your pets but in 40 years of going back and forth (I live only 10 minutes from the border on the Canadian side) I have never been asked for one. Also fire arms are prohibited from entering Canada except for some specialized uses (Gun club competitions etc) - when you arrive at the border there are 2 crossings - the main one on I5 and another one delegated as a commercial truck crossing about 2 miles east - you can cross at either and I would recommend the truck crossing as it is usually quieter.
I would also recommend a trip north of Vancouver to Whistler Mountain - about a 2 hour drive. There is a beautiful RV park there. You will pass a number of Provincial Campgrounds (Like your state park campgrounds) but very few have hook ups and the majority of the sites are small.
Have a great trip. - if you need any other specific information contact me through this site.

[Les and Julie]

Great campground in Fort Langley, BC---close to two border crossings - Abbotsford and Aldergrove and I think the closest to the Ferries. Web site is www.fortcamping.com ---- lots to see and do in the area and like I said, it is not a long drive to the Ferries from there. Also, you would be well advised to make a reservation for the Ferries. If you need more don't hesitate to contact us.

Les & Julie

[grampachet]

We were just reminded yesterday that we have to have the papers for our dogs. We cross about once a week and this was the first time we were questioned, and it was going back into US. And just a reminder, canned dog food or even DRY dog food must be in original container and it must be made in US or you will lose it. We have lost dog food in a zip lock bag even though we had purchased it in US we had no proof. Also lost a big bag of processed lunch meat we bought at COSTCO here in Canada, but US Customs took it. They are just doing their job, I do not in any way blame them.

Les, are you still here in BC?