Delta Grove Campground — Attraction in Area H (Cultus Lake/Columbia Valley)

So, my wife and I are novice campers. We live in the city and we look forward to camping to escape from the noise pollution of city life: traffic, barking dogs, construction...you get the idea. We liked the idea of camping locally so we ventured up to the Delta Grove campground.

We arrived in a self-sufficient camper van ready to relax. We knew that the campground was conveniently located off Columbia Valley Road so we can complain about the road noise. That said, it's about as peaceful as a Walmart parking lot. The traffic noise started around 6am and eased off around 10pm. It's generally a mix of big pickup trucks pulling big trailers, random commuters, and motorcycles. There are some wannabe race cars, really loud motorcycles, and random big rigs. Typical traffic running along a busy lake.

What we didn't anticipate was the hustle and bustle of the campground itself. Our neighbours genuinely seem to be having a good time. There are lots of kids running around, riding bikes, chasing butterflies, and having a grand time. It's everything you hope for in a family-friendly campground. We love the kids and hope the someday our daughter will have as much fun running around. The camp feels safe and cozy.

We we didn't appreciate as much was the selfishness of our neighbours. Maybe I'm old fashioned but when I used to camp (many years ago) people respected the camp rules. Our site neighbor ran his generator 90 minutes past the cutoff time. I don't know what was so important that he needed to run his generator for so long. Convenience, I suspect. He wasn't the only person running his generator but his was the loudest. It sounded like someone parked a running lawnmower beside our RV. Definitely not a relaxing morning in the hammock.

People will do what they can get away with and I don't blame him for that. The park patrol rolled on through checking reservations and emptying the trash. The park was very clean. I suppose I could have said something to the authorities but what was the point. Other people were doing the same thing (at least 3 other campers in our small section of camp). I suppose I am just disappointed that people are not more considerate.

Finally, our neighbour turned off his generator and promptly abandoned his barking dog in the trailer. We also have a barking dog but we brought him to the kennel so that we didn't disturb our neighbours. I understand that not everyone can afford to kennel their dog but I suppose it's a matter of priorities. If you can afford a generator then you can afford a kennel. Perhaps our neighbours didn't kennel their dog for the same reason they felt free to run their generator whenever they felt like it - they just didn't care.

I guess I expected more from my fellow campers. A buddy of mine said that camping was about "letting go." I wish. I wish I could relax and not care about noisy generators, barking dogs, and inconsiderate neighbours but I can't.

We have lovely neighbours in our city neighbourhood and I believe camping in our driveway would have been more relaxing though I doubt the city would allow us to start a campfire beside our van.

The lake is pretty but you get better swimming paying $6 for parking and swimming at Cultus Lake. It was a good getaway but it was far from relaxing. We'll probably return because of its convenient location but can't really recommend it for people...

This campground is incredibly noisy and uncomfortable during the Spring Summer and Fall months mostly due to inconsiderate park users.

This contractor does as little as possible to keep things clean. If you complain you get the "busy park" excuse.

There is no use filling out a feedback form (if you can find one) as the box has no lock on it.

I was there for a week this year and last year and never saw them even once take a hose to the skanky washrooms. ...............

The lower side offers outstanding lake side sites with priceless views unfortunately too often thwarted by a constantly pounding symphony of annoying and irtitating noises emitting from the very close and high speeding highway traffic on one side and high decibel water vehicles on the lake side that pump out high impact screeching and booming ear splitting sound from thundering unmuffled engines. This all complimented by the typically noisy boat owning "campers" and other random "DJ heroes" that just can't leave the "music" at home. Not fun at any time.

Do they really think all their noise just stops at the edge of their spot? Or is it more likely they just really thrive on annoying others? I think the latter but you be the judge.

There are better places to go if you want peace and quiet, you should not expect it here and are not welcomed unless you fit in with the noisy and unruly (weekend) inhabitants.

However, there is a bit of serenity among the insanity in the upper side of the campground, only when it is open though. This section offers the best boreal forest experience available. Just go left right up to the very top and all the ungodly sounds of the lake are replaced by the soothing pulses of waterfalls birds and squirrels and the least used shower house in the park at the very top loop. This, unlike the lower side is a very nice place to spend a weekend of relative...

Delta Grove Campground is part of Cultus Lake Provincial Park. It is one of five campground in the park. Delta Grove Campground is close to the lake but also close to the park road which can be busy with traffic noise. Some sites can be tricky for larger trailers and motorhomes. Some sites are hilly with small camping areas. The campground is in a coastal forest with lots of trees, shade and undergrowth. The playground and boat launch are not located in the campground areas. There is a shower house with flush toilets and free hot showers in the campground. There were no hiking trails nearby but may be elsewhere in the park. There was a small beach area with warning of a steep drop off adjacent to the campground. None of the sites offer power, water or...