Camping on Mystic Beach: A West Coast Adventure on Vancouver Island

Camping on Mystic Beach on Vancouver Island is something you’ve got to experience. This stunning spot, tucked away on the island’s wild west coast, is about a 40-minute drive north of Sooke.

Picture this: you’re cozied up by your campfire as the stars glitter above, waves crash just metres away, and a ferry twinkles like a Christmas tree as it sails toward the BC mainland. Nights like these stick with you. There’s something magical about being completely surrounded by nature, even if it’s only for a night.

The trailhead starts at the China Beach day-use area, and camping here is affordable at just $10 per person. The beach has outhouses and communal food storage. Mystic Beach is part of the Juan de Fuca Trail, so you’ll probably see other beach campers soaking in the same incredible vibes.

If you’re a fan of beach camping, you might also love Second Beach in Washington. But there’s something special about Mystic Beach—it’s a little slice of west coast paradise that’s just waiting for you to explore.

Trails Stats

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Type: Out-and-back
• Length: 4.7 km (see map)
• Trailhead: Mystic Beach parking lot
• Elevation gain: 108 m
• Fee: $10/person

Where is Mystic Beach?

Mystic Beach is located on the western coast of Vancouver Island, about 40 minutes from Sooke, BC. There’s no cell service on this side of the island, so you can’t rely on Google Maps. The road is also very windy and slow, so don’t be surprised if your trip takes longer than planned.

There are no signs for Mystic Beach on the highway, so instead watch for the China Beach day-use area parking lot which is clearly marked. The Mystic Beach trailhead (which is also the Juan de Fuca trailhead) is located at the first parking lot at the China Beach day-use area (not to be confused with the China Beach Campground).

You’ll need to self-register at the trailhead to stay overnight at Mystic Beach. It’s $10/person (slightly less for kids) and you can pay and pick up your permit at the sign at the trailhead. Make sure to bring a pen to fill out your information. Keep your permit somewhere that’s easily accessible in case you meet a ranger.

Because people will often leave their cars here for days when they’re hiking the Juan de Fuca, the parking lot is a target for thieves. Take as many of your valuables with you as possible and hide the rest. Many people leave notes in their cars indicating there are no valuables inside.

Hiking to Mystic Beach via the Juan de Fuca Trail

The trail to Mystic Beach is two kilometers and takes about 45 minutes. There are outhouses at the beginning and end of the trail, but none in between. The trail zigzags through mazes of roots and mud while bringing you through the beautiful coastal forest. The path is sometimes difficult to follow and has many small forks, but they all eventually meet. There are also many small boardwalks that’ll assure you you’re going in the right direction.

The Mystic Beach trail runs parallel to the highway for about one kilometer and through a forest of thin, creaky trees. A suspension bridge at Pete Wolfe Creek marks the (almost) halfway point. After the suspension bridge, the trail leaves the highway and descends deeper into the forest. You’ll start to see and hear the ocean through the trees once you’re near Mystic Beach.

The trails deposit you onto a rocky beach. Dark rocks stretch in either direction and the Instagram-famous swing is far to your left with camping to your right. During the day the beach is often full of people enjoying a day trip and at night, it’s dotted with tents hugging the forest.

If you’re lucky, you’ll even be able to see Olympic National Park across the Strait. We camped at Second Beach last summer and it was amazing!

Setting Up Camp

It’s important to set up camp above the high tide line when you’re camping on the beach.

Find where the driftwood has settled and camp amongst it; don’t pitch your tent in the middle of the beach because you’ll be rudely awakened by the cold ocean washing over you in the middle of the night. At night, watch the sunset and listen to the ocean as it comes steadily closer. If there’s no threat of rain, keep your tent’s cover open to watch the ocean and wake to the salty ocean air. The loud waves will crash throughout the night and at their peak will be mere feet from your tent.

If you decide to have a fire, practice as close to Leave No Trace as you can. Build your fire below the high tide line so that the ocean will clear it throughout the night. Make sure the beach can support your use of driftwood firewood and that you aren’t stripping the beach of its resources. Use only dead and dry wood and keep your fire at a reasonable size. Don’t burn plastics or leave unburned garbage in your fire for the ocean to wash away. As always, don’t have a fire if there are fire bans.

If you bring food or scented products with you, store it away from your campsite at night because they attract animals. There’s a communal food storage container on Mystic Beach that’s free to use. Alternatively, you can hang your bags in the trees or use a bear storage container. Both of these options should be stored away from your campsite.

Exploring Mystic Beach

Mystic Beach is well known for its waterfall and rope swing, but there’s so much more to see and do. When you camp on Mystic Beach, you’ll have the entire evening to explore without the daytime crowds. It’s a great place to enjoy your dinner, watch for wildlife such as seals and bald eagles, and explore tide pool.

Sandy Beach

Most of the beach is covered in small rocks, but sand does appear at the south end of the beach near the waterfall and rope swing. Don’t expect a soft, sandy, sunbathing beach, though: the sand is gray, wet, and compact.

Rope Swings

There are two rope swings at Mystic Beach.

The most well-known swing is located at the south end of the beach and is quite impressive! Its driftwood seat and seemingly endless feet of rope tower above you as you swing back and forth over the crashing ocean.

The second swing is much smaller and located at the north end of the beach. It can be a little difficult to get on and off of both swings, but both are worth the effort.

Mystic Beach Waterfall

The Mystic Beach waterfall is located at the south end of the beach alongside the large rope swing.

The time of year influences how big it is, but no matter its size, it’s beautiful to watch the water fall down the sandstone cliffs and flow into the ocean.

Rocky Caves

At the north end of the beach, near the campsite, are small, rocky caves. The caves are very wet with water dripping from the ceiling and tiny inukshuk-like rock piles line the high tide line. The second swing marks the entrance to the cave.

Gear Suggestions

A tent is a must (unless you want to sleep in a hammock under the stars!) when camping. There are all kinds of tents, from huge tents that could house a family to tiny tents only big enough for one.

Our tent is a two-man and we love it. It’s small, lightweight, and extremely easy to set up (it takes about two minutes!). We’re able to fit all our gear inside with ease. While our tent works great for us, it would be a bit small if you have lots of gear you want to store inside or a dog that wants to sleep with you. We highly recommend this small, lightweight tent because it makes the hike in much easier and set up is a breeze!