Compare campervans, motorhomes and RVs to rent in Nanaimo, listed by private owners and local rental businesses. See prices, photos and reviews for RV rental in Canada, then book online with insurance included.
Nanaimo is Vancouver Island’s main ferry gateway, putting Tofino, Victoria and Strathcona Provincial Park all within reach from one pickup point. Enter your postcode on the search page, set a collection radius, and you’ll see insured RVs, motorhomes and camper vans from owners and operators across central Vancouver Island.
Every vehicle is listed by its owner — private owners and local rental businesses — and booked through our partner Outdoorsy, with insurance and payment protection on every booking.
RV, Motorhome and Camper Van Rental in Nanaimo
Owners list everything from compact camper vans and Class B RVs to full-size Class A and C motorhomes, and you book whichever vehicle suits your trip through our partner Outdoorsy. See RV rental, motorhome hire and camper van hire for more on picking a size.
Where to camp near Nanaimo
- Brannen Lake RV Park — 120 sites, mixed hookup options.
- Westwood Lake RV Camping — year-round, 52 sites with full hookups.
- Living Forest Oceanside — waterfront sites.
- Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, Parksville — about 35 minutes north, 250 vehicle-accessible sites within a five-minute walk of a 2 km sandy beach.
Things to see near your Nanaimo pickup
The Harbourfront Walkway is a paved 5 km seaside trail past cafes, shops and seaplanes taking off from the harbour — a good stretch of the legs before you set off. Neck Point Park, a short drive from downtown, has rocky cliffs, sandy coves and ocean views along its walking trails. The Old City Quarter‘s historic buildings are worth a wander, and if your trip lands in late July, Nanaimo’s famously odd Bathtub Races — motorized bathtubs racing across the Strait of Georgia — are a genuine only-in-Nanaimo spectacle.
Best road trips from Nanaimo
- Tofino — about 210 km, 3 hours, the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, 3–4 days.
- Parksville and Rathtrevor Beach — about 35 minutes north, an easy 1–2 day family trip on some of the Island’s best sand beaches.
- Victoria — about 113 km, 1.5 hours.
- Strathcona Provincial Park — about 160 km, 2.5 hours, 2–3 days.
When to travel
RV rental on Vancouver Island runs April through October at most operators, with July and August busiest.
RV rental near you — other locations
Victoria · Vancouver Island · British Columbia · or search any Canadian location on the main Canada page.
RV rental Nanaimo — FAQs
Where can I pick up an RV near Nanaimo?
Owners list vehicles across Nanaimo and central Vancouver Island. A 20–35 mile radius in the search shows the full choice.
How do I take an RV from Nanaimo to the mainland on BC Ferries?
BC Ferries sails from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay and from Duke Point to Tsawwassen. Vehicles over 7 feet high or 20 feet long cost more, so give the exact height and length when you book. Reserve ahead for summer and holiday weekends. Confirm your rental allows the vehicle on ferries. See BC Ferries.
What is the drive from Nanaimo to Tofino like in an RV?
Allow about 3 hours. Highway 4 is narrow and winding in places, with steep grades past Port Alberni and over Sutton Pass, and snow is possible at higher points in winter. It is a signed winter tyre route, so from 1 October to 31 March your RV needs M+S or mountain snowflake tyres; carrying chains on summer tyres is not enough. The Cathedral Grove car park cannot take large RVs, and roadside parking is not allowed there.
Where can I camp near Nanaimo?
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is on Highway 19A, 3 km south of Parksville, up the coast from Nanaimo. Its large campground has non-serviced vehicle sites, so your RV must be self-contained, plus a sani-station and showers. Reservations are required in summer through BC Parks, and it is popular year-round. See BC Parks reservations.