Clayoquot Wilderness Resort with Kids (Luxury Camping)

For the traveling family that’s been there and done that, the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort presents a new, grand opportunity to do something completely different. Located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, this resort is a place to reconnect with the natural world and to each other. Here you will feel removed from the city and the stress of daily life. This is luxury family camping gone wild.

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A stunning location on Vancouver Island

Welcome to the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, just north of Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island. In this coastal temperate rainforest in Bedwell Sound, the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort operates for only five months of the year (mid-May to end of September). In the tradition of great safari camps, the luxury guest and amenity tents are assembled and taken down and stored at the beginning and end of each season. This is glamping at its finest and most decadent.

Transportation to and from the resort is by a 45-minute float plane ride from Vancouver. You can also take a 30-minute boat ride from Tofino. Both methods of transportation are included in package pricing. Guests needing extra time before or after their stay can take advantage of a special arrangement with the Hotel Georgia in downtown Vancouver.

Luxury glamping tents

This isn’t your grandfather’s old camping tent. Glamping at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort reaches a whole new level of comfort. Each canvas white tent is heated with a propane gas stove. You’ll sleep in comfortable queen size beds underneath down comforters and handmade quilts. The tents are uniquely furnished in safari-style antiques that have been sourced from across Canada.

There are only 20 luxury guest tents at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort. Fifteen are Luxury Ensuite Bathroom Tents that can sleep up to a family of five with smaller children. (Note: Due to the intimate size and nature of the resort, the property accepts children 6 years and older.) The ensuite bathroom contains a wow-factor outdoor shower. You’ll wash your hair underneath centuries-old fir trees in the great outdoors.

Five ‘original’ Deluxe Outpost Tents are roomy, with king bed and two twin beds or a single day bed. Washrooms and showers are located outside each tent.

Raised and lighted cedar boardwalks connect all of the resort’s tents. You can hear the Bedwell Estuary waters come in and out with the tide underneath the tents.

Special tents for the kids

For a really special camp experience for the kids, request (at the resort’s discretion) one of a limited number of children’s tents. They are smaller in size, with two twin beds or one queen bed. There’s a flush toilet in the private bathroom outside the tent, plus an assigned private shower and sink in a nearby shower house.

Safety supplies and other amenities

Every tent contains a special box of emergency supplies, including insect repellent, butane lighter for candles, flashlight and air horn. Don’t worry if you forget your toothbrush or another necessity. The resort stocks extras at its retail store. The big rule is: No Food in the Tents! You’re sharing the wilderness with black bears that can sniff out smuggled snacks.

Want to escape technology and get the kids to unplug? Great! There are no in-room telephones or televisions.

Incredible wilderness adventures

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is a place of firsts. Perhaps this will be the first time your family will see an Orca whale or black bear in the wild. Maybe you’ll catch a Chinook salmon or Dungeness crab. Or you might shoot a bow and arrow or a 12-gauge shotgun.

I had many such firsts during my visit, including my first-ever horseback ride. Our guide led us and our horses up to an abandoned gold mine. The resort maintains a stable of more than 30 horses for guests to ride along trails and up mountainsides. You’ll pass spawning salmon streams in the fall on your trail ride. You may even see bears lolling along creek sides in the hot summer months. (Don’t worry, they’re shy.)

Every evening the activities directors will sit with guests and personally design the next day’s adventures. Plans change based upon weather, tidal charts, animal sightings and guest ages and willingness to go wild. The resort can arrange for helicopter yoga on a mountaintop or hiking with a First Nations guide escort, if that’s your family’s vacation style.

Adventures at sea or on land

Friendly, fully-certified guides lead all Clayoquot Wilderness Resort adventures. Adventures can be water-based, such as kayaking, salmon fishing, crabbing, and river-rafting. Or, you can book a bear- or whale-watching safari by boat. The resort provides helmets, fishing gear, life jackets, rain gear, riding boots and whale-watching suits for all ages.

There’s no shortage of activities on land, including archery, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, shooting (sporting clays and targets), and hiking. All of these activities can be made kid-friendly with slight adjustments as necessary. As though that weren’t enough, guests can also enjoy the on-site trampoline, ping pong table, gym, yoga studio and games room.

Exquisite food

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is a Relais & Châteaux property, which represents the highest benchmark in hotel accommodations and fine dining worldwide. The resort prides itself on offering the best Coastal Cascadian cuisine of locally raised and grown products. This includes herbs and vegetables from its own kitchen garden.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort includes all food and drink, including alcohol. The open kitchen in the cosy Cookhouse allows guests to see the chefs hard at work from morning to night. You shouldn’t miss the eight-course tasting menu prepared by Executive Chef Justin Witcher. Local seafood, like salmon and shellfish, are prominently featured. There’s delicious meat on every menu too. Every dish is prepared with the highest attention to detail, with emphasis placed on incredible flavors and textures. As an example, the tomato consommé takes three days to prepare and may well be the most outstanding soup you’ll ever taste.

The wine menu highlights the excellent vintages coming out of the Okanagan Valley in the interior of British Columbia. Canadian wine? Yes, we can.

The continental breakfast bar opens early at 6:30 am, featuring freshly-baked breads and pastries courtesy of Pastry Chef Merri Schwartz, (including several gluten-free options). Select from cheeses, fruit, muesli and cereals as well. Guests can also order hot menu items such as pancakes, oatmeal and Eggs Benedict.

Kids menu and a candy bar

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort happily accommodates children’s tastes. Kids can order chicken fingers or beef sliders at every meal, topped off with dessert of chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. The resort presents an excellent opportunity to introduce some new flavors and foods to kids too, though. If your family catches a salmon or a basket of prawns during your stay, the Cookhouse chefs will prepare them for your dinner, or pack them up for transport home.

The Cookhouse offers a well-stocked, serve-yourself candy bar that will tempt both kids and adults. Choose from freshly baked goodies in glass jars, or colorful candies and saltwater taffy.

Relax and rejuvenate at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

This all-inclusive resort includes one massage per guest, including children. The Healing Grounds Spa offers a variety of massage options plus facials, body wraps and mani/pedis.

Massages take place in a private white tent overlooking the Bedwell River. Listen to the sounds of water and birdlife like eagles and herons during your treatment. Before or after your appointment, soak in one of the round wooden hot tubs. You may also enjoy some time in the sauna.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort with kids is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I bet it will be among the most incredible and memorable holidays you will ever enjoy. Intrigued? Read more about Clayoquot Wilderness Resort on TripAdvisor.

Save these tips for Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

Considering a trip to Clayoquot Wilderness Resort with kids? Save these tips to Pinterest for future reference. Go ahead and follow Travel Mamas on Pinterest while you’re there.

Before you go, be sure to check out our tips for connecting kids with nature on family vacation!

Have you ever tried luxury family camping at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Curious Travel Mama: I was hosted Clayoquot Wilderness Resort. As always, my opinions are honest and my own.

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