Overlanding in Canada can take you to the next level. Wide-open spaces, off-road trails, and some of the best remote camping spots you can find. Whether you’re looking for epic mountain views, coastal wilderness, or somewhere to get off the grid, we’ve got you covered. Here are 8 must-visit overlanding spots for 2025, including two hidden gems on Vancouver Island.
1. Cape Scott Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, BC
📍 Where: Northern tip of Vancouver Island
🗓️ Best Time to Visit: May to September
🚙 What Makes It Special:
- Remote beaches, dense forests, and unreal coastal views.
- Challenging logging roads to get there, 4×4 recommended.
- Long hiking trails leading to epic views and historic sites.
- Not many people make the trip, so it’s quiet and untouched.
2. North Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, BC
📍 Where: Connects to Cape Scott, northern Vancouver Island
🗓️ Best Time to Visit: June to September
🚙 What Makes It Special:
- 43 km of rugged coastline, part driving, part hiking.
- Some of the best wild camping spots you’ll find.
- Takes you through deep rainforests and along remote beaches.
- You’ll likely see bears, wolves, and eagles along the way.
3. Bow Lake Trail, Alberta
📍 Where: Banff National Park
🗓️ Best Time to Visit: June to October
🚙 What Makes It Special:
- Glacial lakes, rugged mountain passes, and waterfalls.
- Washouts and rocky sections make it a good test for your rig.
- Views of Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Glacier—some of the best in the Rockies.
4. Cheam Peak, BC
📍 Where: Bridal Veil Falls Park, Fraser Valley
🗓️ Best Time to Visit: July to October
🚙 What Makes It Special:
- 4×4-only access, so you won’t see many regular tourists.
- A mix of river crossings, forest trails, and steep climbs.
- At the top: one of the best panoramic views in BC.
5. Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
📍 Where: Western Newfoundland
🗓️ Best Time to Visit: June to September
🚙 What Makes It Special:
- Feels like another planet, towering fjords and crazy rock formations.
- Off-road trails lead to some of the most remote parts of the park.
- Epic hikes, plus tons of wildlife, including moose and caribou.
6. Narrow Hills Provincial Park, Saskatchewan
📍 Where: Central Saskatchewan
🗓️ Best Time to Visit: May to October
🚙 What Makes It Special:
- A mix of forest trails, lakes, and rolling hills.
- Perfect for camping and fishing along the way.
- Not many people know about it, so it’s quiet and peaceful.
7. Dempster Highway, Yukon & Northwest Territories
📍 Where: From Dawson City, Yukon to Inuvik, NWT
🗓️ Best Time to Visit: Late June to early September
🚙 What Makes It Special:
- A bucket-list drive, takes you across the Arctic Circle.
- 700+ km of gravel roads, tundra landscapes, and zero crowds.
- Epic northern lights if you go late in the season.
8. Trans-Labrador Highway, Newfoundland & Labrador
📍 Where: Across Newfoundland & Labrador
🗓️ Best Time to Visit: July to September
🚙 What Makes It Special:
- One of the most remote highways in North America.
- Over 1,200 km of rugged terrain, no towns for hours.
- Pure wilderness, with tons of lakes, rivers, and wildlife.
If you’re into real overlanding, not just parking lot camping, these 8 spots will give you the adventure you’re looking for. Canada’s got some of the best backcountry in the world, and there’s no better way to explore it than in your rig.
Where are you heading first? 🚙💨
