By Tim Collins

The trees are massive and majestic, forming a canopy that has sheltered this land for many hundreds of years.

Walk the paths and trails and youB次元官网网址檒l discover waterfalls and the meandering river that snakes through the park. As you go on youB次元官网网址檒l marvel at the diverse flora that ranges from a riot of wildflowers to 600-year-old Douglas firs to flowering dogwood, lodgepole pine and arbutus.

More than anything, itB次元官网网址檚 quiet in the campground at Goldstream Provincial Park, so quiet that itB次元官网网址檚 hard to believe that this pristine area, so divorced from the hustle and bustle of city life, is only minutes away from Greater Victoria.

B次元官网网址淲e love camping,B次元官网网址� said Adelyn Dolding as she eyed her bike, getting ready for her next ride.

Adelyn and her little brother Drew were two of a gaggle of campers who were relaxing at one of the 167 campsites at the Goldstream Park campground over the Victoria Day long weekend.

Her mother, Gillian Dolding, had come to the campground to enjoy the park and the kid-friendly chance to get away from it all.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a chance for all of us to get away from phones and computers, and the daily routine and just relax,B次元官网网址� said Dolding. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e here with friends and their kids and itB次元官网网址檚 just fantastic.B次元官网网址�

The two families on this campsite had a plethora of bikes standing by and had equipped all six children with them with walkie talkies.

B次元官网网址淭he kids love to explore on their bikes. We gave them the walkie talkies and they just roam around. They have friends on other campsites here and together they all go exploring. ItB次元官网网址檚 amazing,B次元官网网址� Dolding said.

A few campsites down the road, Pano Skivanos, his wife Lindsay, as well as Stephan Cameron and his family had come travelled to Goldstream Park from Sidney.

B次元官网网址淲hat I love about this place is the fact that you have this incredible, quiet rainforest just minutes away from our home,B次元官网网址� said Skrivanos. B次元官网网址淭he rest of our group went out for a hike and we were left behind to do the dishes, but thatB次元官网网址檚 okay.B次元官网网址�

Lindsay settled a little deeper into her reclining chair and nodded.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 mind at all. I watched them (the men) do the dishes really hard,B次元官网网址� she said with a laugh.

The level of relaxation was palpable.

It was the same kind of story a little further away where we met Ariana Carrasco and her friend Trish Stewart. TheyB次元官网网址檇 come from Duncan with their partners to enjoy the park, somewhat negating the convenience experienced by the other campers weB次元官网网址檇 met.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really not that far of a drive, but itB次元官网网址檚 amazing that this is here for people who live so close (in Victoria)B次元官网网址� said Carrasco. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so quiet here and our dog just loves it. ItB次元官网网址檚 an adventure.B次元官网网址�

The tranquil nature of the park is a big drawing card for the campground, and itB次元官网网址檚 something that Park staff are determined to maintain.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no big parties or noise here,B次元官网网址� said Chloe Szetesi, one of the park officers working the gate at the park. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e really family oriented. People come here because itB次元官网网址檚 so kid friendly and a really wonderful place to unwind and relax.B次元官网网址�

Of course, getting into that prime camping spot requires a little planning. The campground was completely full when we visited and Szetesi advised campers to book at least a week or two in advance.

B次元官网网址淚t can get very busy, but even when all of our camping sites are full, this place is still very quiet and you really get the feeling that your very much alone, away from it all.B次元官网网址�

Reservations for Goldstream Park campground can be made at www.discovedrcamping.ca or by calling 1-800-689-9025.