Kitwanga RV Park
Kitwanga River RV Campground Review: A Basic Full-Hookup Stop on then Cassiar Highway
Kitwanga River RV Campground was not one of the most memorable campgrounds from our trip, but it served its purpose well. We needed a convenient place to stop, plug in and take care of the camper before continuing north, and that is exactly what we got.
The campground was fairly bare-bones, but our full-hookup site worked properly, there was enough room for our large fifth wheel and the location was convenient for travelers beginning the drive up the Stewart-Cassiar Highway.
Kitwanga River RV Campground Quick Facts
Location: Kitwanga, British Columbia
Campground type: Privately owned RV park
What we paid: $57 CAD for one night
Our site: Full hookup with 30-amp electrical service
Our rig: 43-foot fifth wheel
Camping surface: Mostly gravel
Best for: Overnight stops and travelers heading toward the Yukon or Alaska
Overall impression: Basic, functional and convenient
Would we return? Yes, for another stopover
The campground is located at 1535 Barcalow Road, a few kilometres from the junction of Highway 16 and Highway 37. It has approximately 55 sites and caters heavily to RVers traveling the Cassiar Highway toward northern British Columbia, the Yukon and Alaska.
Arrival and Big-Rig Access
We had no trouble getting our 43-foot fifth wheel into the campground or onto our site. The park is accustomed to travelers with large RVs, and its listings identify it as big-rig friendly with pull-through camping available.
That was one of the biggest positives for us. After a long travel day, we did not want to deal with narrow roads, low branches or a complicated backing situation.
The campground itself was not fancy. The sites and common areas had a practical, no-frills feel, and there was not much privacy between some of the RV spaces. However, it was completely adequate for a night when our priorities were easy access and working hookups rather than scenery or resort-style amenities.
Our Full-Hookup Site
We paid $57 CAD for a full-hookup, 30-amp site.
Having water, sewer and electric at the site was convenient, especially while traveling through northern British Columbia. We were able to refill, empty the tanks and get everything ready before continuing farther north.
The campground advertises 30-amp electrical service, water and sewer hookups. It does not appear to offer 50-amp service, so owners of larger RVs should make sure their adapters and electrical-management equipment are accessible.
Everything we needed worked, but the campsite itself was fairly plain. This was more of a functional overnight parking spot than somewhere we would choose for an extended camping vacation.
Campground Amenities
Kitwanga River RV Campground offers more facilities than its basic appearance might suggest. Listed amenities include:
Full and partial hookup RV sites
Restrooms and showers
Laundry facilities
A sanitary dump
Water-fill access
Wi-Fi
RV and vehicle washing facilities
The campground is generally open seasonally from May through early October, although travelers should confirm current dates directly before arriving.
We primarily used the campground for the full hookups and did not spend much time exploring its other amenities.
Location Along the Cassiar Highway
The location is the main reason to stay here.
Kitwanga sits near the southern entrance to Highway 37, better known as the Stewart-Cassiar Highway. For travelers headed toward Stewart, Dease Lake, the Yukon or Alaska, the campground provides a convenient place to stop before beginning the more remote portion of the drive.
There are limited services in many areas farther north, so being able to leave Kitwanga with full water, empty waste tanks and charged batteries was valuable.
Kitwanga itself is small, but there is a general store nearby for basic supplies. I would still recommend buying major groceries, prescriptions and specialized RV supplies in a larger community before reaching this point.
Visiting Bear Lake Provincial Park
The following morning, we continued our trip and visited Bear Lake Provincial Park.
Bear Lake Glacier Provincial Park provided a much more scenic start to the day after our basic overnight stay.
Kitwanga River RV Campground and Bear Lake offered two very different experiences: one was a practical place to service the camper and sleep, while the other was an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the scenery.
What We Liked
Easy access with our 43-foot fifth wheel
Full water, sewer and 30-amp hookups
Convenient location near Highway 37
Useful place to reset the RV before heading farther north
Straightforward option for a one-night stop
Reasonable for an area with fewer campground choices
What We Didn’t Like
Very basic campground layout
Limited privacy between sites
Not especially scenic compared with provincial park camping
More expensive than nearby primitive or public camping
Not somewhere we would likely stay for several days
No 50-amp service listed
Final Verdict
Would we stay at Kitwanga River RV Campground again? Probably not - there are so many pull-offs near here that work for an overnight stop.
This is not a destination campground, and I would not plan a vacation around staying here. However, that does not mean it is a bad campground. It provided exactly what we needed: an easy place to park our large fifth wheel, working full hookups and a convenient location before continuing our trip through northern British Columbia.
For $57 CAD, it felt a little expensive for such a bare-bones park, but full hookups are valuable when traveling through remote areas. We left with full water, empty tanks and everything ready for the next portion of the drive.
If your priority is scenery and privacy, there are more appealing camping options in British Columbia. If your priority is getting your RV serviced and having a simple night near the start of the Cassiar Highway, Kitwanga River RV Campground does the job.
