Nanaimo Lakes Deadwood Campground

A cute little campground. No direct access to the lake, but you're at the beginning of the Nanaimo River and that gives you access to the lake. We'll maintained with open space and riverside spots.The only complaint is you can hear the logging trucks driving by the edge of the campground.

It would be very useful if they told you a few things about the site up front. It's not necessarily bad but the lack of any information until you get there can lead to significant disappointment. This is somewhere between back country and front country camping site as you'll see below:1. There is no running water/well, you can bring your own or drink water from a creek/river. The creek water is clean and fine, it's recommended you boil it first but not mandatory. Also no showers (not that unusual compared to others though). Toilets are a hole in the ground (again not that unusual).2. The site is very open (no privacy or sound barriers) and has little to no clear boundaries.3. It is managed, so rowdy behaviour is not accepted. During our short stay they probably kicked out a group who partied all night and disturbed everyone. But they also kicked out a family without any warnings because the baby woke up and cried a few times during the night. We don't think the later one was fair.4. Access to the lake is limited due to private properties who have better access. The water at your access point looks and smells stagnant. You sort of have access to a creek and the river through FN territory a 10 and 15 min walk.5. We also came across shards of glass, it may be hard for them to find all of them, so you need to wear shoes all the time.6. We went on the weekend so cannot comment on the logging trucks.7. The security gate opens at 8am and closes at 8pm, if you are late or need to go out for any reason it sucks to be you.8. There are hidden fees such as a $20 for every extra tent.

Quiet well maintained camping. Great spot to base our of if you want to explore the area. Our interactions with the site supervisor Colin was great. Found him respectful and knowledge about the surounding area.

Beautiful historic cabins & rail structures, riverways, creekways & lakes

I saw a review that there isn’t much to do but I disagree. There are 3 major accessible hikes in the area. And you have beach access about 10 minutes up the road. There is also a spot to launch a canoe or kayak off deadwood no problem.The gate opens at 8 and closes at 8 but I had to leave at 630am and he had removed the pin so I was able to get out on my own. Colin, the camp host was super awesome. Very friendly. Lots of info. There was a rowdy group in the site and he had them shut down at 1030 both nights I was there. Not a peep.Drop toilets are clean and well maintained with toilet paper and sanitizer. They did not smell. (It’s still early in the season).It’s not as private and wooded as I normally like (but I read another review that said it’s just a field for rv’s and I would disagree with that too. I have experienced a few of those in my day and this is not one of them). I have two barky chihuahuas that bark at any movement but they really liked the site. They were quiet and fit right in. We had enough privacy with the division of camper vans and vehicles. There were lots of kids playing in the Center. They only got barked at if they came super close. Overall we enjoyed it. I do like more seclusion which is the only reason I gave it 4 stars. Everything else was great.

For a young family there isn't much to do and only River trail strolls. It's adult boon dock camping. There is no power ,water and Cell service is a 15 min drive back to the highway. So sit back relax and chill, no one's coming to bug you. The site is literally at the end of the paved road and just a blink of gravel . Nice quiet evening thanks to no screw around rules. If you're a partier you'll be shutting down at 10 and the main forestry gate is locked at 8PM , so you ain't driving out.I love the fact it's very limited water access, no playground and no pot hole logging roads to contend with.

It’s not a campground, it’s a giant parking lot for RVs. Zero privacy. You don’t have your own site, you just get a section of the parking lot with no clear boundary so other people will spill into your space. Seems to be a hangout for Nanaimo locals who live out of their RVs and spend the entire day and night tailgating.

Cute little spot, no beach access, not much area to swim, not much area to put a kayak in the lake and go out, quiet, car accessible.

Not much to do here, but good if you're looking for a quiet fishing spot. The stench from the out houses is pretty rank.