Jordan River
Jordan River is a small community about 90 minutes west of Victoria on Highway 14, and camping is the main reason most people make the drive. The second reason is surfing.
If you're planning a night or a few nights out here, there are three campgrounds to know about. They each have a different feel and a different set of tradeoffs. Here is a brief breakdown before we get into the gritty details:
- Jordan River Regional Park: Private campground with a mix of RV, drive-in, and tent-only sites. Pit toilets and running water. Prime location on the coast.
- The Ledge Campground: Private campground on an elevated cliff above the coast. A few sites right on the cliff are gorgeous, but no coastal access. Heated shower and full bathroom on site.
- China Beach Campground: BC Parks runs the campground, which is the largest in the area by far. Offers vehicle-accessible sites, double sites, and walk-in options. Amenities include potable water, drop toilets, and coin-operated showers.
Jordan River Regional Park Campground
This is the main campground in the village itself, run by the Capital Regional District, and it's the one with the best position. Waterfront sites, fire rings, and the kind of setup where you wake up to the sound of waves and can walk over the one and only coffee shop.
It runs year-round on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations and no online booking. You either show up and get a spot, or you don't. On summer weekends, especially lThe Ledge Campgroundong weekends, people arrive Friday afternoon to secure a site. If you're planning to come on a weekend in July or August, that's worth knowing. China Beach Campground is usually our backup plan, just because it is by far the largest.
Jordan River Regional Park Campground has 23 sites in total: 15 drive-in and 7 walk-in tent-only sites, each with a fire ring. The walk-in sites are tent-only and sit a little further from the road, which is worth the extra effort of carrying in your gear if you value some separation and privacy. All sites are self-contained, meaning there are no hookups, no dumping station, and no showers. Drinking water is available on site from April through October. Outside of that window, bring your own.
There are no showers and no flushing toilets, but there are two pit toilets in the main parking lot. You are going to be roughing it more here than at the other sites, but the location can make it worth it.
Cost is $25 a night, cash only, with an additional $10 for a second vehicle.
A few rules worth flagging before you arrive: quiet hours run from 10 pm to 7 am, generators are only permitted from 9 to 11 am and 6 to 8 pm, and alcohol has to stay within your individual campsite. Maximum stay is 14 days per calendar year across the whole campground, not per visit. And dogs are allowed on leash.
The Ledge Campground
The Ledge is a private campground also right in Jordan River, and the name hints at its defining feature. Sites sit along the outside of a short circular dirt road, and the ones at the far end of the loop are right at the cliff edge, looking down to the coast. Those are the spots worth angling for. They're also the most exposed on a windy day, and Jordan River gets windy, so that's a real consideration depending on conditions.
There are 20 sites available, and they are all drive-in tent sites with their own fire pit. The desirability varies a bit between sites. Some are gorgeous cliff-facing ones, some are whimsical-feeling lots tucked into the forest more, and honestly, some are a bit of an awkward mix of the two. So which site you get makes or breaks this experience, so make sure to book ahead of time over the phone or email:
- Phone: 250-415-7103
- Email: [email protected]
Unlike the regional park campground, The Ledge has a heated shower and a full bathroom on site, which goes pretty far after a few days of saltwater and campfire smoke. Wood is available for purchase. Sites are $30 a night, and it's open year-round.
China Beach Campground
China Beach is about 15 minutes further west along Highway 14, just inside Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. It's run by BC Parks and is a different kind of setup entirely: a large forested campground with 123 reservable sites, including vehicle-accessible sites, double sites, and walk-in options.
The trade-off versus the Jordan River campgrounds is that you're not on the water. China Beach sits in the trees about a kilometre east of the beach day-use area, so you're in the forest rather than on the cliff. That said, it's still a great campground, well-maintained, and the forest setting keeps it sheltered and cool even when it's bright and warm on the coast. There is also an 800 metre trail that takes you from the campground down to Second Beach.
Because it takes reservations through BC Parks, China Beach is the easier bet for summer weekends when you can't risk showing up and finding the other two full. The operating season runs from May 15 to September 26, 2026, and reservations are open for that window. Nightly rates are $29 in peak season (June 15 to Labour Day) and drop to $20 in the shoulder months.
For amenities, they offer pit toilets (there are quite a few scattered throughout the site), running water (several access points), and coin-operated showers (just one block of showers near the entrance).
You can make your reservation online.
Outside the operating season, the gate is closed.
Which Site to Choose
If you want the Jordan River experience, the one with the surfboards and the campfire smoke and waking up ten feet from the water, plan your week around getting a site at the regional park campground. The regional park is first-come, first-served, so it takes a bit of flexibility, but if you can get there on a Thursday or Friday to grab a site, it is well worth it.
If you want a bit more luxury and don't mind driving down to the water, The Ledge is pretty great considering the amazing cliff sites and the proper toilets and hot shower.
And for the most on the on-the-rails experience with no stress about securing a spot, China Beach is great. BC Parks always runs a great site, and the coin-operated showers and the forest setting are a huge perk. This site also gives you easy access to the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail if you want to add some hiking to the trip.
Alternative Options
If reading about these camping 'amenities' is giving you second thoughts, don't worry. There are also several great cottages and B&B's in and around Jordan River that offer a bit more luxury with similar tranquillity of the camping experience. These are a few of my top recommendations if you're second-guessing sleeping on the ground.
Jordan River Coastal Cottage
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Vancouver Island West Coast • Peaceful & Private
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Jordan River Pipers Nest
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All three are within a short drive of each other, so whichever one you land at, the rest of the area is easy to explore from.
If you're staying for a few nights, you will quickly realize how small Jordan River really is. If you want to get out for the day exploring something new, the stretch of highway between Sooke and Port Renfrew is absolutely stuffed with interesting stops. Check out our Comprehensive Guide that covers everything to see and do in Juan de Fuca.
Also, Jordan River makes an amazing stop as a part of a longer road trip around the Pacific Marine Circle Route, a route that takes you in a big loop from Victoria to Port Renfrew and then loops back up through Cowichan before returning to the capital. Check out our Comprehensive 4 Day Itinerary if you want to take on one of the best road trips on South Vancouver Island.
FAQ
Can you reserve a campsite at Jordan River Regional Park?
What campgrounds are near Jordan River, BC?
Which Jordan River campground has showers?
When is China Beach Campground open?
Is Jordan River a good camping destination for surfers?
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