Camping guide
What to know before camping at Big Cat Ranch
A practical guide for off-grid camping in Tulameen, including what to pack, how to respect the property, pets, fires, garbage, and local adventure expectations.
Guide overview
Start with the essentials
Use this before you book or pack
Big Cat Ranch is an off-grid Tulameen basecamp for campers who want trails, lake days, quads, dirt bikes, snowmobiling, hiking, hunting season access, and a real outdoor town nearby. The experience is simple and self-sufficient, so guests should arrive ready to look after themselves and the site.
There are currently three campsites, plus the cabin listing through Campertunity. If a detail matters for your group, check Campertunity first and contact Big Cat Ranch before you plan around it.
The essentials
- Bring toilet paper, drinking water, food, lighting, and camp gear.
- Pack out what you pack in, including garbage, pet waste, and food scraps.
- Expect an off-grid setup with rural access, an outhouse, a fire pit at each campsite, fires when allowed, and space to camp simply.
- Respect local fire bans, wildlife, neighbours, and other guests.
What to bring for off-grid camping
Pack like you are staying somewhere beautiful but self-sufficient. The goal is to have everything you need without relying on campground services that are not part of the stay.
- Toilet paper and personal hygiene supplies.
- Drinking water and extra water for cooking, pets, and cleanup.
- Garbage bags so everything you bring in can leave with you.
- Food storage that keeps wildlife and pets out.
- Headlamps, lanterns, and charged battery packs.
- Warm layers for cool evenings and shoulder seasons.
- Camp stove, cooler, utensils, lighter, and fire-safe cooking supplies.
- Maps or offline directions because rural signal can be inconsistent.
- Pet supplies, leash, water bowl, towel, and waste bags if bringing a dog.
- Adventure gear for Otter Lake, trails, snow, bikes, quads, hunting season, gold panning, or rockhounding plans.
Property care
Camp clean, safe, and respectful
Property rules and good camping etiquette
Big Cat Ranch works best when every group treats the property like a shared outdoor space. Keep your site tidy, keep noise respectful, follow fire rules, and leave the area ready for the next guest.
- Pack out all garbage, cans, bottles, food scraps, and pet waste.
- Use the outhouse respectfully and bring your own toilet paper.
- Follow all current fire bans and keep fires contained in the campsite fire pits when they are allowed.
- Keep vehicles and gear within the areas guests are directed to use.
- Respect wildlife, neighbouring properties, and other campers.
Pets are welcome with responsibility
The camping listing is pet friendly. Bring what your pet needs, keep them controlled around wildlife and other guests, and pack out waste so the property stays clean and welcoming.
Around Tulameen
Build the trip around outdoor adventure
What to do around Tulameen
Tulameen is an outdoor adventure town. People come for quads, dirt bikes, ATV routes, hiking, hunting, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, winter camping, gold panning, rockhounding, and days around Otter Lake.
Otter Lake is a major local draw for swimming, boating, fishing, ice fishing, and winter skating when conditions allow. It is also a family-friendly area, so the site should welcome both adventurous guests and families who want a practical outdoor basecamp.
Ready to plan?
Check Campertunity before you pack
Use Campertunity for current campsite and cabin availability, then come prepared for a clean, respectful, off-grid stay.