Table of Contents
- Why We Chose Glamping on Vancouver Island with Kids
- First Moments: Alpacas, Goats & Pure Excitement
- Slow Summer Mornings in Sooke
- The Freedom That Makes It Worth It
- Local Outings and Daytime Adventures on Vancouver Island with Kids
- Evenings Under Canvas
- Is Glamping Vancouver Island with Kids Worth It?
- How to Book
If you’re considering glamping Vancouver Island with kids, let me tell you — our summer farm stay in Sooke completely exceeded our expectations.
With an energetic 7-year-old and a wildly curious 3-year-old, we sometimes look for trips that balance adventure and ease. We didn’t want the burden of full tent camping, but we also wanted our boys outside, exploring. A farm glampsite in Sooke turned out to be the perfect middle ground for a break from our usual international adventure travels.
Why We Chose Glamping on Vancouver Island with Kids
When planning summer travel close to home, glamping Vancouver Island with kids seemed like the ideal mix of nature and comfort. Vancouver Island offers incredible scenery like beaches, forests, and farmland, and we had been to Vancouver Island with kids many times in the past. During those previous times we have camped in tents, rv’s, stayed in hotels and rented whole homes via airbnb. This time we wanted to try something a little different.
We chose to look for accommodations on the southern part of Vancouver Island, as we had travelled more often in the north in the past. In our research we found a new Glampsite in Sooke that seemed to call to us. Basecamp 3105 at Secluded Wood Farm was where we chose to spend a summer weekend.
Unlike traditional camping, our canvas tents were fully set up when we arrived. Real beds. Cozy looking linens and furry blankets. Soft lantern lighting. No wrestling with tent poles and air mattresses while the kids impatiently waited.
For families travelling to Vancouver Island with kids, that convenience makes all the difference.
First Moments: Alpacas, Goats & Pure Excitement
We had just stepped out of the car when our 7 year old shouted, “Are those LLAMAS?”
“Those are actually Alpacas.” We were already greeted by the owners of the farm. Saylem and Troy were walking towards us smiling.
Beyond the fence stood several alpacas, staring at us as intently as we were staring at them. They were calm and collected and some went back to grazing right away.
Upon arrival there is a space to park your car in a private round-a-bout with space for up to four cars. The owners, Saylem and Troy, welcomed us to their farm and offered to help with our bags. We were shown to our accommodations which was a short walk from the car park area. We followed them over a small bridge past a beautiful wood “Welcome to Basecamp” sign.
After walking through a gate, a clearing opened up and we were amazed at how organized and clean everything was. The large canvas tents were radiant in contrast to the green and brown farm fields rolling behind them. There was a beautiful gas fire pit surrounded by chairs. A bathroom and shower area. A full outdoor kitchen with plenty of work space and a large table undercover to shield us from the weather.
There are 4 different tents within the site. As we were the only ones staying at the time, we were given one of the larger ones. Inside, was a queen sized bed, a set of chairs with a small table, bedside tables, a small mirror and a luggage rack to put one of our suitcases on.
The floor was very clean and there was a mat at the door to leave your shoes on. We later discovered there was even a “bug vacuum” to help get rid of any pests that made their way in behind you. This was a big hit with our boys.
Saylem and Troy took some time to show us around the site to ensure we knew where everything was. The kitchen area was meticulous. Everything was well organized and very clean. There was a large Blackstone Grill to cook on, all the utensils and cooking accessories you could possibly need and even a jug of fresh water to use.
We were advised that during our stay, if there was anything we needed we could text Saylem on the number provided. They said farewell and left us to settle in.
We took a moment to clean up in the wash house. Soap and towels were provided. The “Wash-house” was a well constructed open air building. There was a large sink with soap provided. Towels were provided clean and folded in our tents on our bed.
The shower area had a privacy curtain and a handheld shower head. There was a bench outside of the shower and some hooks to hang clothes and towels. There was even a baby change station with it’s own privacy curtain.
Beside the bath house was a private outhouse as well as a urinal area. All toilet paper was provided. We couldn’t believe how clean and maintained the facilities were.
Slow Summer Mornings in Sooke
Summer in Sooke has this relaxed, coastal energy. Warm sunshine and quiet countryside views. The animals could be heard going about their day. Bleats from the goats and chickens cooing. The noises were very relaxing. It even seemed to calm our children.
Our mornings didn’t start early. The queen sized bed was so comfortable we didn’t want to leave. Despite a rooster being heard in the distance the children didn’t stir. When the kids finally woke, we still didn’t leave the luxury of our bed and instead all climbed in together talking about what we wanted to explore that day.
When we were finally ready to emerge from our bed, we threw on hoodies over our pajamas and left our tent to be greeted by curious eyes of the alpacas on the other side of the fence.
We were able to buy fresh eggs directly from the farm. The kids chose their eggs and helped prepare breakfast. We ate while watching the alpacas graze.
Farm stays make glamping Vancouver Island with kids feel immersive rather than just scenic. There was no tv, no tablets and no video games. There were no complaints of boredom. The boys had no problem skipping through the green grass together pretending they were goats, finding sticks to have sword fights or staring into the sky telling us what shapes the clouds made.
The Freedom That Makes It Worth It
One of the biggest advantages of glamping on Vancouver Island with kids is space. Unlike hotels or busy resorts, the farm felt contained and safe. There was no traffic noise, no noisy hotel halls, no other guests with loud music or banging on walls and floors. The kids could come and go from the tent as they pleased. The bathroom and facilities were easily managed and within reach for them when needed.
If you’re searching for glamping Vancouver Island with kids because you want them outside and unplugged, a farm stay such as this delivers exactly that.
If you would still like to stay connected, wifi is available at the site and log in details are provided. We did bring a tablet for the kids, but it was seldom used during our time at Basecamp.
Local Outings and Daytime Adventures on Vancouver Island with Kids
As great as the farm was, we didn’t spend all day there. We took advantage of it’s convenient location to explore the nearby area of Sooke.
We of course went into town to see what Sooke had to offer. It’s a quaint, quiet town on the ocean. There are many parks to explore for easy hikes and ocean views. Playgrounds can be found around the city.
We always look for local breweries when we travel and there are three main ones in Sooke, including one just a ten minute walk from Basecamp.
From town we ventured twenty minutes west to French Beach. The beach here was rocky with sand nearest the shore. There were lots of logs for the kids to climb on and of course every kids favourite activity, throwing rocks into bodies of water.
On the following day we decided to drive twenty minutes the other way and explore Pot Holes Provincial Park. This park borders the Sooke River, and gets it’s name from the many naturally occurring rock pools that have formed over time.
We brought our swim suits, fold up chairs and some water guns for the boys. It can get quite busy, especially in the summer but we managed to find a swimming hole we shared with a few other people. Once you park your car in the lot, you can start walking up the main walkway to find a swimming hole.
We passed a few spots before settling on one with an area to jump off a tall rock. The boys had fun splashing in the water while Aleks swam in deeper. The water was much too cold for me. I preferred setting up my chair and watching the action.
Once the boys complained of hunger, we packed up and went back into town for a late lunch. We barely scratched the surface of what was available to explore at Pot Holes Provincial park, but we will return one day to venture further in.
Evenings Under Canvas
Evenings were my favorite part.
We brought some board games with us, so after dinner we would set up a game and sit around the picnic table as a family. Family board games are a camping family tradition and “Glamping” was no exception. There were some games and cards provided we could choose from as well.
As the sun set over Sooke, the sky turned golden and the air cooled just enough to make the fire pit inviting. After our game, we roasted marshmallows while the boys compared who could get theirs the “most perfectly golden” (it was never perfect). We sat around the fire pit for a time as the boys got sleepy. The animals were tucked in for the night and their faint rustling could be heard as they settled in.
When the kids were sleepy enough we tucked them into bed. There were small easy to carry lanterns provided for is to use in the dark. The lanterns even had charging ports built in so we could charge our phones. Aleks and I spent some more time by the fire ourselves curled up with a blanket before heading to bed ourselves. The star gazing was magnificent.
Is Glamping Vancouver Island with Kids Worth It?
We think so.
For families with young kids, this style of travel offers:
- Outdoor adventure without camping stress
- Potential for meaningful animal experiences
- Safe, open space to explore
- Cozy sleeping arrangements
- Slower, more connected family time
If you’re planning glamping Vancouver Island with kids, a farm stay might just be the sweet spot between adventure and comfort.
Muddy boots wash off. The memories don’t.
How to Book
At the moment you can book one of two ways.
Direct from their website Here.
If you prefer a 3rd party booking site, you can now reserve your site on Booking.com.
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