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Reserve Long Beach or FCFS Mackenzie beach tenting site

Saskatoon, Canada
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59 posts
7 reviews
2 helpful votes
Reserve Long Beach or FCFS Mackenzie beach tenting site
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We are planning to tent in Tofino arriving July 24 leaving July 27. We will be coming from Nanaimo on the 24th and can be in Tofino mid-morning if need be. I can get a tent site reserved at Long Beach for those days but wondering if it's best to reserve and be sure or take my chances on First come first served at Mackenzie Beach campground?

Which is better? Any advice? We are two adults travelling, first time on the island, and are very used to taking chances and ending up sleeping in the car or a sketchy hotel sometimes when we pushed our luck too far! It's all a part of the journey!

Nanaimo, Canada
Level Contributor
34,126 posts
115 reviews
80 helpful votes
1. Re: Reserve Long Beach or FCFS Mackenzie beach tenting site
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Are you talking about the National Park, and Green Point campsite IN the park?

I would book the National park if you can get it! Mind you, be aware that there are no showers there. Hot water though. We always take a bucket, and do a mini wash in the washrooms! It's camping!

Saskatoon, Canada
Level Contributor
59 posts
7 reviews
2 helpful votes
2. Re: Reserve Long Beach or FCFS Mackenzie beach tenting site
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As far as I can tell they are not in the NP - long beach golf course & campground or Mackenzie beach resort & campground

Nanaimo, Canada
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34,126 posts
115 reviews
80 helpful votes
3. Re: Reserve Long Beach or FCFS Mackenzie beach tenting site
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Okay. I know the one you mean. I don't like that one at all. The sites are not that level for a tent. And they just are not very nice. But I would hate for you to get out there, and have no place to pitch a tent. What is their cancellation policy like?

Also, where will you be driving from that morning? What time do you anticipate getting out there? It is three hours from Nanaimo, with no stops.

Saskatoon, Canada
Level Contributor
59 posts
7 reviews
2 helpful votes
4. Re: Reserve Long Beach or FCFS Mackenzie beach tenting site
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We will be coming from Nanaimo that morning so could be in Tofino by noonish...if we drive straight through and do our stopping on the way back. Hopefully that will allow us time to do a FCFS site!

Nanaimo, Canada
Destination Expert
for Nanaimo, Vancouver Island
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6,085 posts
564 reviews
553 helpful votes
5. Re: Reserve Long Beach or FCFS Mackenzie beach tenting site
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Driving straight through with no stops will take 2.5 hours from Departure Bay Ferry Terminal in Nanaimo.

Nanaimo, Canada
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34,126 posts
115 reviews
80 helpful votes
6. Re: Reserve Long Beach or FCFS Mackenzie beach tenting site
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Dave, you speedy driver!!! ;o) We take three hours. Mind you, the fact that I get car sick on that highway has a lot to do with it. We always stop for gas in Port Alberni as well, just to have a full tank before continuing west.

brdbabies, getting gas in Port Alberni is a good idea, not because it is cheaper there (same price as Tofino actually), but because I just like a full tank living in earthquake country!

Oh, and gas is much cheaper on the island, than in Vancouver, so don't fill up before you get off the ferry.

Coombs, Canada
Level Contributor
2,651 posts
347 reviews
153 helpful votes
7. Re: Reserve Long Beach or FCFS Mackenzie beach tenting site
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McKenzie beach resort I don't like at all. The campsites that I like, are on either side of MBR, Bella Pacifica and Crystal Cove. They are much nicer than either of the other two.

There is also one in Ucluelet which friends say is good, and that is Surf Junction.

What is your age? A lot of younger folk like Long Beach Golf course.

Duncan, Canada
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72 posts
33 reviews
48 helpful votes
8. Re: Reserve Long Beach or FCFS Mackenzie beach tenting site
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Crystal Cove only allows RV's, no tenting. Bella Pacifica would be fine. I would book it ahead of time though.

Coombs, Canada
Level Contributor
2,651 posts
347 reviews
153 helpful votes
9. Re: Reserve Long Beach or FCFS Mackenzie beach tenting site
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Re tenting at Crystal cove, that must be fairly recent as we have camped there in a tent a few times. Good to know.

10. Re: Reserve Long Beach or FCFS Mackenzie beach tenting site

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