Flashback: Best Campground in BC (& a Marine Park)

Lookout ridge near sunset, Keats Loop trail, Keats Island, British Columbia, Canada

We'd already spent a pleasant afternoon wandering the arty town of Gibsons when we opted to make way for the more tranquil waters of Plumpers Cove Marine Park, only a half-hours cruise away.

Dock gangway to shore from Plumper's Cove Marine Park, British Columbia, Canada.

We appreciate being able to step off the boat and onto land without having to break out the dinghy or kayak to reach the shore.

View of Serendipity at the dock from Plumpers Cove park.

Wayne knew I'd love Plumper's Cover for its hiking trails, which you can also read about in AllTrails.

Boundaryline between park and Keats Island's residents.
I thought the gate was pretty cute and the light caught my eye.

Wikipedia notes the locals are a bit coy about getting the word out on the place, as they want to keep it to themselves, as they 'lovingly refer to [Plumper's Cove] as 'the best campground in BC.'"

Charming trail marker at Plumper's Cove, British Columbia.

We had the park mostly to ourselves; only cruisers were there, and I saw no one on my hike.

Initially, the trail was fairly flat where it took off from Plumpers Cove by the docks.

The forest exuded an aura of otherworldliness, as though some sylvan creature would pop out from around a tree at any moment.

The trail changes character as you get closer to the ridgeline.

Enchanting as the forest was, the sunset wasn't far off, so I had to hustle. I ran a bit on the flats. Before long, negotiating the trail required a bit more care.

Near the top of Keats Loop, Plumper Cove regional park, British Columbia.

Near the top, the trail emerged from the woods, bathed in that gorgeous light you want to stop and savor, but can't, without returning in darkness.

Oh - now this was tempting!

I allowed myself a few minutes to explore the ridgeline view, before hustling back. Then I saw this, just barely peeking out from some rocks.

Geocache. I pulled out, then put it right back where it was.

I thought of Bob Indig, my best friend's husband, who both placed and found many geocaches. He's quick enough and with better night vision than, me, and would've given proper homage to the find.

Sunset over the charming town of Gibson, British Columbia, where we stopped earlier that day.

I have terrible night vision. Not realizing the trail was as long as it was, I didn't bring a flashlight with me. Swiftly, I made my way back to our boat. It wasn't very many minutes after I was back aboard before the sun set.

Serendipity sitting pretty in the sunset glow at Plumper's Cove Marine Park dock.

The sunset just kept getting more and more vivid. If I could wave my magic wand, I'd come back with a tent and backpack, camp on the ridgeline, watch the sunset, and the sunrise from there.

Location Location
This post covers one of our stops from this fall's cruising at Plumper's Cove and marine park, off Keats Island in British Columbia Canada, September 24-25, 2019. The park restrooms were already closed and water was shut off for the season.

Looking off at Howe Sound, towards Vancouver British Columbia;
our destination for the next day.

Currently, we are holed up inside on a rainy-day dog-sitting stint in Milwaukie, Oregon, just outside of Portland, Oregon. I will update the lat/long of Plumper's Cove from our logbook when I'm back on the boat. Meanwhile, this struck me as a good time to reminisce, much like when I spent many happy winter hours pouring over my bulb catalogs planning my spring garden when I used to have one.