Stay in Nanimo and drive, we where there 2 years ago and from the people running in the campgrounds pretty tough to get a site from may-oct. They were fully booked for each and everyday between the dates. Dunno if BC is like Alberta but everyone has money, everyone has campers, quads, big lifted trucks. We have a tough time finding anywhere to camp 3 years ago just show up at the lake and get a spot. We have friends that sit down 1st of May and call the campgrounds make all there reservations for the whole summer and if they cannot go they cancel well in advance to get there money back. Me I have a couple favorite random camping spots in the mountains where I camp and quad there is no fighting for spots and it's free
