RV Parks In Prince George, British Columbia
53.9166° N, 122.7530° W
Quick Overview
Prince George sits where Highway 16, the Yellowhead, crosses Highway 97, which makes it the natural overnight stop for anyone driving north toward the Alaska Highway, west to Prince Rupert, or east over to Jasper. It's the biggest city in northern British Columbia, so after days of long, empty stretches you get full services, fuel, and a real grocery run here, plus a handful of RV parks that actually fit a big rig. We treat it as a refuel-and-reset town more than a destination, and that's exactly what it does well.
For private full-hookup sites, MamaYeh RV Park is the standout for larger coaches, with wide pull-throughs and 50-amp power. Hartway RV Park runs year-round with full water, power, and sewer, which is rare this far north. Northern Experience RV Park sits right off Highway 16 and is built for late arrivals, and Blue Cedars RV Park has full-service sites with hot showers and a dump station. About 35 minutes south in Hixon, Canyon Creek Campground & RV Park gives you full hookups on a quieter creekside setting if you'd rather camp outside the city.
On the public side, West Lake Campground near West Lake Provincial Park mixes full-service RV sites with cabins and runs roughly May through mid-September. Purden Lake Provincial Park, east on Highway 16, is the prettier lakeside choice but has no hookups, so plan to camp self-contained there. Provincial sites book through the BC Parks reservation system, while the private parks you just call directly. Between the two you can land a hookup site in town or a quiet lake site within an hour, depending on whether you want convenience or a view before the next long drive.
What makes Prince George worth more than a single night is its position. The city sits at the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako rivers, ringed by lakes and old-growth forest, and it works as a comfortable base for day trips out to Purden Lake, the Ancient Forest boardwalk, and the river parks in town. Spring through fall the camping is genuinely pleasant, with long daylight and warm afternoons, and the full-hookup parks give you a reliable, level spot to settle into while you explore the northern interior or wait out a stretch of weather before the next leg of a bigger trip.
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Gear for Your Trip to Prince George
All Dump Stations Near Prince George
| Station Name | Distance | Rating | Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sintich RV Park | 4.6 mi | 3.6 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Sintich RV Park | 4.7 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Blue Cedars RV Park and Campground | 4.8 mi | 3.3 | RV Park | Free |
| Northland RV Park | 8.1 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Caron Creek RV Park | 123.5 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
Traveling to Prince George by RV
Getting to Prince George is straightforward in any rig. Highway 16 runs east-west and Highway 97 runs north-south, and both are main-road grades with regular pullouts, so a 40-footer has no trouble from any direction. From the south, Highway 97 climbs over the Pine Pass if you're coming down from the Peace; from the east, Highway 16 brings you in past the Ancient Forest. There's a Costco, full-line grocery stores, and several truck-friendly fuel stops on the highway commercial strips, which is the main reason most of us plan a stop here.
If you're flying in to start a northern loop, Prince George Airport (YXS) has daily connections to Vancouver and a couple of rental options in town. Watch the seasons on the roads north: Highway 97 toward the Alaska Highway and Highway 16 toward Prince Rupert are open all year but see real snow and ice from November into April. Fill your propane and fresh water here, since services thin out fast once you leave the city in any direction.
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Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials
Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Prince George, British Columbia, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.
Check your RV insurance coverage
A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.
Know your roadside assistance options
RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.
Decide about an extended warranty early
Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.
Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees
A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.
RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.
Dump Station Costs in Prince George
Private full-hookup sites in Prince George generally run in the mid-range for British Columbia, roughly $40 to $55 CAD a night depending on the park and whether you need 50-amp service. Year-round parks like Hartway sometimes offer cheaper weekly and monthly rates if you're using the city as a base while you explore the north. Provincial park sites at Purden Lake are the budget option, typically under $30 a night, but you trade hookups for the setting.
BC Parks charges a separate reservation fee on top of the nightly rate, so a one-night provincial stay can feel pricey once that's added; private parks usually bundle it. If you're passing through, a single full-hookup night in town is the practical choice for dumping tanks, doing laundry, and charging up before the next leg.
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Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
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Best Time to Visit Prince George by RV
Winter
Nov - Feb
-16°C - -6°C
Crowds: Low
Cold and snowy. Only year-round private parks like Hartway stay open; provincial campgrounds closed. Plan for real winter camping if you stop.
Spring
Mar - May
1°C - 13°C
Crowds: Low
Mud and meltwater early, drying out by May. Most campgrounds open mid-May; nights still drop near freezing.
Summer
Jun - Aug
9°C - 23°C
Crowds: High
Best window, July and August. Long daylight, warm days, cool nights. Book provincial lakes ahead; private parks usually have room midweek.
Fall
Sep - Oct
2°C - 12°C
Crowds: Low
Crisp and quiet through September; provincial campgrounds start closing late September. Great value and color, pack for frost.
Explore the Prince George Area
Treat Prince George as your staging town. If you're headed north on Highway 97 toward Dawson Creek and the Alaska Highway, this is the last big city with full RV services, so top off propane, fresh water, and groceries before you go. Diesel and gas are cheaper here than anywhere further north.
For provincial lakes, book Purden Lake and West Lake sites early; July and August weekends go quickly even up here. If you arrive late off Highway 16, Northern Experience and Hartway are the easiest to pull into after dark. The Ancient Forest boardwalk about 115 km east is worth a half-day if you have time, and it's an easy detour on the way to or from Jasper. Wildlife is real in this country, so keep food locked up and give moose room on the roads, especially at dawn and dusk when they wander onto the highway shoulders.
National Parks Nearby
Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Prince George
What are the best RV parks in Prince George, BC?
For private full-hookup sites the strongest options are MamaYeh RV Park, which is genuinely big-rig friendly with 50-amp power and wide pull-throughs, Hartway RV Park for year-round full water, power, and sewer, Northern Experience RV Park right off Highway 16, and Blue Cedars RV Park with showers and a dump station. If you want a lake setting, West Lake Campground near West Lake Provincial Park has full-service sites and cabins, and Canyon Creek in Hixon sits creekside about 35 minutes south. Pick by whether you want city convenience or a quieter spot.
Do Prince George RV parks have full hookups?
Yes. Several private parks in and around the city offer full hookups with water, power, and sewer. MamaYeh and Hartway both provide 50-amp service for larger coaches, and Blue Cedars and Northern Experience offer full-service sites as well. The provincial parks nearby, like Purden Lake, are a different story: they have no hookups at all, just a dump station and drinking water, so if you camp at a BC Parks lake you need to be self-contained and manage your own power and water for the stay.
How far ahead should I reserve an RV site in Prince George?
For the private full-hookup parks in town, a few days ahead is usually enough except around long weekends, and many travelers just call the same day since these are working stopover parks rather than destinations. For provincial park sites at Purden Lake or West Lake, book several weeks to a couple of months ahead for July and August weekends, which fill quickly even in the north. Provincial sites go through the BC Parks online reservation system, while private parks you reserve by calling them directly.
Can big rigs camp in Prince George?
Yes, this is one of the easier northern BC cities for a 40-foot rig. MamaYeh RV Park is built around wide pull-throughs and 50-amp power, and Hartway and Northern Experience handle larger coaches with full hookups too. Both Highway 16 and Highway 97 are main-road grades with regular pullouts, so getting in and out of town is no trouble. The provincial campgrounds are tighter and better suited to smaller rigs and trailers, so big-rig owners should stick to the private parks for an easy, level full-hookup site.
When is the best time to go RV camping in Prince George?
July and August are the prime window, with warm days, long daylight, and every campground open. June and September are quieter and cheaper, though nights get cold and provincial campgrounds begin closing by late September. Winter is real here, with snow and temperatures well below freezing, so only year-round private parks like Hartway stay open and you would need to be set up for cold-weather camping. If you want lakes, swimming, and the Ancient Forest at their best, aim for midsummer.
Are there public or provincial park campgrounds near Prince George?
Yes. Purden Lake Provincial Park, about 60 km east on Highway 16, is the local favorite, with a swimming and fishing lake and basic sites with no hookups. West Lake Provincial Park is closer to town and pairs with the private West Lake Campground for full-service sites. Both book through the BC Parks reservation system. These public lakes are scenic and affordable but unserviced, so they suit self-contained rigs; if you need power and sewer, choose one of the private full-hookup parks in the city instead.
Is Prince George a good base for a northern BC road trip?
It is the best base in the region. Prince George is the largest city in northern British Columbia and sits at the junction of Highway 16 and Highway 97, so you can loop west toward Prince Rupert, north toward Dawson Creek and the Alaska Highway, or east toward Jasper. It has the last full-line groceries, Costco, propane, and RV services before the country gets remote in every direction. Many RVers stay a night or two here to dump tanks, restock, and reset before committing to the long, service-light drives north.
Where can I dump tanks and refill propane in Prince George?
Most of the private RV parks here, including Blue Cedars and the full-hookup parks, have dump stations, and the provincial parks like Purden Lake provide a dump station even though sites are unserviced. Propane is widely available in the city at fuel stations and RV dealers, and it is noticeably cheaper here than further north. If you are staying a while and need to empty your tanks between stops, see our guide to RV dump stations in Prince George for the full list of locations around town.
Can I camp near the Ancient Forest from Prince George?
The Ancient Forest, or Chun T’oh Whudujut, is about 115 km east of Prince George on Highway 16, an easy day trip or a stop on the way to Jasper. There is no campground at the forest itself, so most RVers base at Purden Lake Provincial Park, which is roughly halfway out on Highway 16, or stay in the city and drive out for the morning. The boardwalk through 1,000-year-old cedars is flat and short, so it works well as a half-day break from driving.
Are pets allowed at Prince George campgrounds?
Yes, both the private RV parks and the BC Parks provincial campgrounds around Prince George allow leashed dogs. Provincial parks require pets to be kept on leash and ask that you keep them out of swimming areas and off beaches in some parks, so check the specific park rules. The private full-hookup parks in town are generally pet-friendly and used to travelers passing through with dogs. There is plenty of open space and riverfront walking in the city, so it is an easy place to give a dog a real stretch between long driving days.
What is winter RV camping like in Prince George?
It is genuinely cold-weather camping. Winter temperatures routinely sit below freezing, often well into the minus teens Celsius, with snow on the ground from November into April. Provincial campgrounds close, so your only option is a year-round private park such as Hartway RV Park, which keeps full hookups running through the season. If you stop in winter you need a four-season rig, heated and insulated water lines, and a plan for keeping tanks from freezing. Most travelers passing through in winter stay one serviced night rather than camping out unserviced.
How long does it take to drive from Prince George to the Alaska Highway?
From Prince George you head north on Highway 97, the John Hart Highway, to Dawson Creek, which is the official Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway and roughly a 400 km drive, about five to six hours with an RV. Many travelers break it with a night partway, since services and fuel get sparse north of the city. Prince George is the practical place to fully stock up, top off propane and fresh water, and dump tanks before you commit to the long northern run, because prices rise and options thin out quickly past town.
Are there first-come or free camping options near Prince George?
Yes. Beyond the reservable provincial parks, British Columbia has recreation sites and Forest Service roads in the surrounding country that offer free or low-cost, first-come, unserviced camping, which suits self-contained rigs comfortable with gravel access. These are best for smaller trailers and capable tow vehicles rather than big coaches. Closer to town, the private parks are the reliable choice if you want a guaranteed level, serviced site. If you plan to boondock on Forest Service land, carry extra water, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions before lighting anything.
What are the best RV parks in Prince George, BC?
For private full-hookup sites the strongest options are MamaYeh RV Park, which is genuinely big-rig friendly with 50-amp power and wide pull-throughs, Hartway RV Park for year-round full water, power, and sewer, Northern Experience RV Park right off Highway 16, and Blue Cedars RV Park with showers and a dump station. If you want a lake setting, West Lake Campground near West Lake Provincial Park has full-service sites and cabins, and Canyon Creek in Hixon sits creekside about 35 minutes south. Pick by whether you want city convenience or a quieter spot.
Do Prince George RV parks have full hookups?
Yes. Several private parks in and around the city offer full hookups with water, power, and sewer. MamaYeh and Hartway both provide 50-amp service for larger coaches, and Blue Cedars and Northern Experience offer full-service sites as well. The provincial parks nearby, like Purden Lake, are a different story: they have no hookups at all, just a dump station and drinking water, so if you camp at a BC Parks lake you need to be self-contained and manage your own power and water for the stay.
How far ahead should I reserve an RV site in Prince George?
For the private full-hookup parks in town, a few days ahead is usually enough except around long weekends, and many travelers just call the same day since these are working stopover parks rather than destinations. For provincial park sites at Purden Lake or West Lake, book several weeks to a couple of months ahead for July and August weekends, which fill quickly even in the north. Provincial sites go through the BC Parks online reservation system, while private parks you reserve by calling them directly.
Can big rigs camp in Prince George?
Yes, this is one of the easier northern BC cities for a 40-foot rig. MamaYeh RV Park is built around wide pull-throughs and 50-amp power, and Hartway and Northern Experience handle larger coaches with full hookups too. Both Highway 16 and Highway 97 are main-road grades with regular pullouts, so getting in and out of town is no trouble. The provincial campgrounds are tighter and better suited to smaller rigs and trailers, so big-rig owners should stick to the private parks for an easy, level full-hookup site.
When is the best time to go RV camping in Prince George?
July and August are the prime window, with warm days, long daylight, and every campground open. June and September are quieter and cheaper, though nights get cold and provincial campgrounds begin closing by late September. Winter is real here, with snow and temperatures well below freezing, so only year-round private parks like Hartway stay open and you would need to be set up for cold-weather camping. If you want lakes, swimming, and the Ancient Forest at their best, aim for midsummer.
Are there public or provincial park campgrounds near Prince George?
Yes. Purden Lake Provincial Park, about 60 km east on Highway 16, is the local favorite, with a swimming and fishing lake and basic sites with no hookups. West Lake Provincial Park is closer to town and pairs with the private West Lake Campground for full-service sites. Both book through the BC Parks reservation system. These public lakes are scenic and affordable but unserviced, so they suit self-contained rigs; if you need power and sewer, choose one of the private full-hookup parks in the city instead.
Is Prince George a good base for a northern BC road trip?
It is the best base in the region. Prince George is the largest city in northern British Columbia and sits at the junction of Highway 16 and Highway 97, so you can loop west toward Prince Rupert, north toward Dawson Creek and the Alaska Highway, or east toward Jasper. It has the last full-line groceries, Costco, propane, and RV services before the country gets remote in every direction. Many RVers stay a night or two here to dump tanks, restock, and reset before committing to the long, service-light drives north.
Where can I dump tanks and refill propane in Prince George?
Most of the private RV parks here, including Blue Cedars and the full-hookup parks, have dump stations, and the provincial parks like Purden Lake provide a dump station even though sites are unserviced. Propane is widely available in the city at fuel stations and RV dealers, and it is noticeably cheaper here than further north. If you are staying a while and need to empty your tanks between stops, see our guide to RV dump stations in Prince George for the full list of locations around town.
Can I camp near the Ancient Forest from Prince George?
The Ancient Forest, or Chun T’oh Whudujut, is about 115 km east of Prince George on Highway 16, an easy day trip or a stop on the way to Jasper. There is no campground at the forest itself, so most RVers base at Purden Lake Provincial Park, which is roughly halfway out on Highway 16, or stay in the city and drive out for the morning. The boardwalk through 1,000-year-old cedars is flat and short, so it works well as a half-day break from driving.
Are pets allowed at Prince George campgrounds?
Yes, both the private RV parks and the BC Parks provincial campgrounds around Prince George allow leashed dogs. Provincial parks require pets to be kept on leash and ask that you keep them out of swimming areas and off beaches in some parks, so check the specific park rules. The private full-hookup parks in town are generally pet-friendly and used to travelers passing through with dogs. There is plenty of open space and riverfront walking in the city, so it is an easy place to give a dog a real stretch between long driving days.
What is winter RV camping like in Prince George?
It is genuinely cold-weather camping. Winter temperatures routinely sit below freezing, often well into the minus teens Celsius, with snow on the ground from November into April. Provincial campgrounds close, so your only option is a year-round private park such as Hartway RV Park, which keeps full hookups running through the season. If you stop in winter you need a four-season rig, heated and insulated water lines, and a plan for keeping tanks from freezing. Most travelers passing through in winter stay one serviced night rather than camping out unserviced.
How long does it take to drive from Prince George to the Alaska Highway?
From Prince George you head north on Highway 97, the John Hart Highway, to Dawson Creek, which is the official Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway and roughly a 400 km drive, about five to six hours with an RV. Many travelers break it with a night partway, since services and fuel get sparse north of the city. Prince George is the practical place to fully stock up, top off propane and fresh water, and dump tanks before you commit to the long northern run, because prices rise and options thin out quickly past town.
Are there first-come or free camping options near Prince George?
Yes. Beyond the reservable provincial parks, British Columbia has recreation sites and Forest Service roads in the surrounding country that offer free or low-cost, first-come, unserviced camping, which suits self-contained rigs comfortable with gravel access. These are best for smaller trailers and capable tow vehicles rather than big coaches. Closer to town, the private parks are the reliable choice if you want a guaranteed level, serviced site. If you plan to boondock on Forest Service land, carry extra water, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions before lighting anything.
What is the highest-rated dump station in Prince George?
The highest-rated station is Hartway R.V. Park with a rating of 4.7/5 stars.
Are there free dump stations in Prince George?
Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Prince George.










