Sunnyside Campground — Hotel in Area H (Cultus Lake/Columbia Valley)

My family and I have been loyal visitors to Sunnyside for the past six years, and overall, we have enjoyed the family-oriented camping experience it offers. However, this year, we encountered an issue with the new 'burning hours' policy. In previous years, I would relax by the campfire a few hours after my wife and kids went to sleep without any problems. However, this time, due to complaints about campfire smoke from nearby residents, the campground now enforces strict 'burning hours.'

During our five-night stay, security repeatedly approached us to extinguish our fire, starting as early as 11 pm. On the first night alone, security came five times before 1 am. I understand the need to address concerns about smoke, but when my family is sound asleep and undisturbed by the fire, I question the necessity of this level of enforcement.

Security's approach also left much to be desired. Their noisy turbo diesel truck and squeaky brakes caused disruptions throughout the night as they patrolled the campsite. Their interactions with campers, while well-intentioned, created unnecessary disturbances, making it difficult for campers to fully enjoy the serene camping experience.

As a responsible adult camping with my family, I expected a certain level of respect and freedom to relax in the evenings. Instead, I felt harassed and "babysat" by security, which greatly diminished the joy of our camping trip. While I appreciate Sunnyside's family-oriented values, the excessive vigilance has left a bitter taste, and I am now contemplating whether to book with them again in the future.

For those who value the freedom to stay up past 11 pm and enjoy a relaxed camping experience, I would recommend considering alternative campgrounds. Sunnyside may be better suited for those seeking an earlier night's rest and tighter enforcement of campground rules.

UPDATE 07/25/2023 : Three years later, I decided to give Sunnyside another chance, hoping for improvements since my last visit. However, I was disheartened to find that the campground experience had taken a downturn. The once-affordable camping rates had significantly increased, making it less budget-friendly for my family.

What saddened me even more was the overall decline in the campsite's maintenance. The bathrooms, in particular, were in a deplorable state, appearing dirty and poorly kept. It seemed evident that the management had not invested in proper upkeep, resulting in a far from pleasant camping experience.

As much as I had cherished the memories of previous visits, the present reality left me with a heavy heart. The combination of exorbitant prices and deteriorating facilities made it difficult for me to justify returning to Sunnyside for future camping trips.

Regrettably, I must advise others to exercise caution and explore alternative campgrounds where cleanliness and affordability are prioritized. It is my sincere hope that Sunnyside takes these concerns seriously and undertakes necessary steps to revitalize the camping experience, regaining its once well-deserved reputation as a family-friendly destination. Until then, I'll be seeking other camping options that can provide the comfort and value my family and I seek in our...

Update It's midnight, they are the only site in the entire park still going. Music is still loud. Fire still going. Kids still running through our site. I called security a 2nd time 10 minutes ago and they told us they'd come write them a ticket - they did not do that. The teenagers at this camp site had a pellet gun and literally shot someone... RCMP were called... What the actual hell? I have epilepsy and getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night is a trigger for me so we had to pack up and go sleep in our car on the side of the road for the night...

I would read this all very thoroughly before you book a camp site here and reconsider what you might be signing up for.

Both nights we stayed here have been very loud, especially tonight. It is very clear the 11pm noise curfew is not enforced, along with any of the other rules. There are currently three teenagers in the men's washroom harassing people who come in. There are fires going all over. There is music playing and noise coming from several sites and it's 11:15pm. The bathrooms are also mostly filthy.

The site directly behind us is exceptionally loud with tons of people making a lot of noise including loud music from their bluetooth speaker. Kids from that site are walking back and forth through our site over and over again as we try and sleep. All of this directly contradicts the written rules of the campground. We have called security to enforce these rules and they showed up one time... At that point these people turned their music off for about ten minutes, then proceeded to continue making noise. There is about 7 tents and probably 20 people... how is this allowed? They still have their fire going. Their kids are still loud and coming across our site.

During the day we saw a man completely freak out on the woman working at the shop. It was shameful how he treated her. Security was there while it happened and did nothing. We spoke to a teenager who was walking around with his dad looking for help after he told us he got jumped by four people...

We have seen and experienced ridiculous things over these two days and we are genuinely shocked at how poorly this park is being managed. I need someone to email me back and explain to me how the hell...

When it comes to camping, we all seek serenity, friendly faces, and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Unfortunately, my recent experience at Sunnyside Campground left much to be desired. From a rude manager to rowdy teenagers and unwelcome bodily fluids, this trip turned out to be anything but sunny.

Let's start with the manager, who seemed to have misplaced their hospitality manual in some parallel universe. I was taken aback by their dismissive and rude demeanor. It felt as if they were doing us a favor by allowing us to stay there, rather than recognizing that we were paying customers deserving of respect. Their lack of professionalism cast a dark cloud over the entire campground.

Now, onto the rowdy teenagers. I understand that young folks often seek a place to unwind and have some fun, but Sunnyside Campground appeared to be their wild party haven. Loud music, obnoxious behavior, and an utter disregard for the tranquility of others were the order of the day. Instead of a peaceful escape, we were treated to an unwanted symphony of adolescent revelry that lasted well into the night. If you were planning on enjoying some quiet moments with nature, I strongly suggest looking elsewhere.

But wait, there's more! Brace yourself for the pièce de résistance of my Sunnyside experience: the unwelcome presence of bodily fluids. Yes, you read that correctly. While I understand that nature calls and emergencies happen, it's both disgusting and unacceptable to have individuals vomiting in close proximity to other campers. I won't go into the graphic details, but suffice it to say that this left a lasting impression, and not in a good way.

In summary, if you're searching for a campground that exudes tranquility, friendliness, and cleanliness, I implore you to steer clear of Sunnyside Campground. With a rude manager, a partying teenage scene, and bodily fluids making unwelcome appearances, this place failed to provide the serene escape we all crave. Save yourself the disappointment and frustration by exploring alternative camping destinations. Trust me, you'll...