BIG ADVENTURES ON A SMALL BUDGET
FRUGAL Westfalia Touring Tips for Vancouver Island
There’s something wildly freeing about realizing you don’t have to spend a fortune to explore one of the most beautiful places in the world. With a Westy, everything you need to travel light and live well is already built in, which means every road trip becomes a chance to experience more while spending less.
Over time, I’ve learned that touring Vancouver Island in a camper van isn’t just more affordable than hotels and resorts, it also gives you front-row access to the kinds of places money can’t buy. Morning coffee at the edge of the Pacific. Campfire stories under an open sky. Beaches, hikes, lakes, forests, all yours, often for free, or close to it.
Here’s how I stretch a dollar without sacrificing the adventure.
Frugal Stays – Campsites That Don’t Break the Bank
Not all campgrounds are created equal, but that’s the beauty of van life, you get to choose what you need (and skip what you don’t). There are the “camping resorts,” with Saunas, playgrounds, and $140/night price tags, and then there are the simpler spots: just a patch of ground with a fire pit and a picnic table, maybe a small camp store, maybe showers, and a whole lot of peace and quiet.
One of my personal favourites is JX Campground & Surf Shop. It has that relaxed, rustic charm without the sticker shock. Serviced campsites start at just $49/night, and there are 20 first-come, first-served overnight parking spots for only $20/night.
Insider tip: Get there by 8pm to make sure you have a spot. It fills up completely by 9pm most nights (Canada Day long weekend verified)!
On-site, they’ve partnered with local businesses to bring you a coffee bar, food options, and T-Bird E-Bike rentals, so you can pick and pay for exactly what you need without inflating the cost of simply staying there. Perfectly situated between Tofino and Ucluelet, you’re only 20 minutes from everything the Pacific Rim National Park has to offer.
Beyond that, many sites across the Island have first-come, first-served overflow areas, often sold off at a lower rate later in the day. If you’re flexible and willing to scout around, you can usually find a place to park without blowing the budget.
And for the truly frugal? Some of the best spots aren’t even in a campground…
Callout: Stealth Camping Etiquette
Free camping is possible on Vancouver Island, and it can be incredible, but it comes with responsibilities:
Arrive late, leave early
Leave no trace
Respect the place (and the neighbors, if there are any)
Scout out rest stops, quiet pullouts, and those little wild corners vanlifers love. Apps like iOverlander have a large network of rated and reviewed locations. Base Camp Adventure Renters are advised to camp in these locations at your own risk.
Fridge Full, Wallet Happy – Cooking on the Road
One of the biggest perks of a Westfalia? Your kitchen travels with you. That means no overpriced fast food or settling for soggy gas station sandwiches. The fridge stays stocked, the propane stove’s always ready, and the best table in town is wherever you decide to park.
Sure, I still love roasting hot dogs around the fire, but when you’ve got eggs, wraps, and a pan ready to go, your options open up. Breakfast by the beach, lunch in the forest, dinner with a lake view, and it’s all made from a cooler full of groceries you picked up before leaving town.
It’s not about snubbing hotels, they’ve got their place. But when you tour with your home in the back, you get to choose your place every single day.
Sightseeing for Free – Island Beauty Doesn’t Cost a Dime
Vancouver Island is packed with world-class sights, and most of them don’t come with a price tag. Nearly every beach, forest, and waterfall is free to explore. You might pay a few bucks for parking at some provincial parks or day-use areas, but most trailheads are completely open access.
That means you can fill your days with hikes through ancient rainforests, coastal strolls past driftwood-strewn shores, and clifftop views that would cost a fortune anywhere else, all for the price of a full tank and a good pair of shoes.
And the best part? You’re never far from your next stop. The van makes it easy to follow your curiosity.
Wealth in Simplicity – What a Westy Really Offers
Touring in a Westfalia isn’t just about saving money, it’s about gaining freedom. Freedom from rigid schedules, overpriced lodges, and the pressure to over-plan. It’s the ability to say yes to a last-minute detour, to follow the good weather, or to stay one more night under the stars.
The value isn’t just in the rental, it’s in the experience it unlocks. When you’ve got your bed, kitchen, and gear with you, you’re not trying to “get there.” You’re already home, wherever you go.
And that kind of freedom? That’s priceless.