Sunshine Valley RV Resort, British Columbia – Circle Tour Day 1

By PoMoDee

Every year we take a one week camping circle tour road trip vacation to explore different parts of British Columbia in our 1989 Get-Away 350 Ford Econoline van we affectionately call Esmerelda. This trip we set off on a sunny day in August with the first destination Sunshine Valley RV Resort near Hope and just west of Manning Park.

Esmerelda Ford Econoline 350

Our trip had been planned since May and started with booking the campgrounds along the route, we prefer peace of mind rather than potluck trying to find a suitable campsite. The goal was to loop up to Nakusp Hot Springs taking Highway 3 and then Highway 6 to Nakusp and Hwy 6 back to Vernon before running down Highway 5 to Merritt and home on the Trans Canada Hwy 1 to Port Moody. Along the way we ran Facebook postings asking for the whereabouts of Little Red (a toy RV) that we photographed at various landmarks.

Two weeks before the trip the van came out of storage and was cleaned inside and out and prepped including oil, plus transmission fluid checks and a propane inspection. This year a few new parts such as an a new cable hatch cover, a spare tire cover and the washroom stack cover were needed and purchased on our way out at Fraserway RV Parts Store in Abbotsford. A few minutes in the Fraserway parking lot and we had the parts physically replaced and were on the road.

We always stop for gas in Abbotsford as it is 15 cents cheaper than the lower mainland however it still cost $132.90 to fill up the two tanks. A quick look at the distance odometer, which read 130,000 km and we were off to the first campground.

RV Site Sunshine Valley RV Resort

Located near Hope, British Columbia, Sunshine Valley RV Resort & Cabins is a four-season vacation destination. Driving past the Hope and the Hope Slide (worth a visit) for 15 minutes you rise up to the Sunshine Valley which is a beautiful natural valley surrounded by the snow-capped Cascade Mountains. It was a sunny day so we were struck by how blue the sky was and free from the pollutants that often wallow in the Fraser Valley east of Metro Vancouver.

The Sunshine Valley RV Resort itself offers a wealth of recreational activities for all campers such as access to beautiful hiking trails in the summer. As well the resort is known to cater to ATV’s wanting access to the mountain and dirt-biking trails. These trails also double as snowmobile trails when the weather gets colder. There are also a number of nearby waterways allowing for summertime lazing and boating, as well as winter skating.

The resort’s amenities include indoor and outdoor heated pool and hot tubs, fire pits and a recreation

Store at Sunshine Valley RV Resort

hall. After cooking a dinner of Sockeye Salmon with Chilliwack corn on the Coleman stove be prepared it can be windy in the valley, we went for a swim and a dip in the hot tub and listened to the DJ music from the recreation hall as a wedding had been booked (note couldn’t hear a thing at the campsite). Yes that’s right they cater to wedding parties. If you are not an RVer then Sunshine Valley has 10 full-service cabins available for rental.

RV Pedestal

Sunshine Valley is part of the Holiday Trails network and campers can choose between purchasing a membership or overnight stays. Our site had a choice of 20-30-50 amp service and the pedestals were modern and well lit. Cable is not included in the price nor is Wi-Fi. We purchased the Wi-Fi for a nominal charge and it linked us through TengoInternet. The service was fast and uninterrupted, so worth the purchase!

As darkness fell we watched the stars twinkle uninterrupted from the lights of the city that we live in. No open fires were allowed due to the campfire ban, so we retreated to Esmerelda as the cool night air cascaded down the mountains.

The next morning it was cool but sunny and we struck out for Osoyoos, and a two night stay at Nk’mip, but not before a quick walk around the resort’s well stocked convenience store and a chat with the friendly manageress!

Follow Joss & Darlene’s Circle Tour.

Day 2 & 3 Blog – Osoyoos Here We Come

Day 4 & 5 – Osoyoos to Christine Lake and onto Nakusp Hot Springs

Day 6 & 7 – Relaxing at Nakusp Hot Springs

Day 7 & 8 – Kelowna, Merritt & Home to Port Moody

Published: August 13, 2015
Last Updated: November 19, 2018

About the Author

PoMoDee (Darlene) is a Social Media Manager at BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association. Managing Camping & RVing BC Coalition, Travelling in British Columbia and Camper’s Code. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Pinterest. Darlene was born and raised in British Columbia and resides in Port Moody. Darlene is an avid camper, who has been camping since the age of two and still enjoys the serene setting of a campsite. Interests include everything beach, crocheting, crafting. Photography and writing.