Love the idea of being part of and experience like Ben Stiller’s character had in the Night at the Museum? Ever wonder what it would be like to step back in time and live in a real fort? For you history buffs and those who like to experience history first have we found the perfect easy and fun family adventure. We had the privilege of staying overnight at the Fort Langley National Historic Site just outside of Vancouver, BC in Canada.

As part of the Parks Canada initiative to bring history alive we rented a tent type cabin called an oTENTik where we could enjoy some modern amenities like electricity and showers but also experience living in an 1800’s fort with a blacksmith, gold panning river and period housing and trading.

During the day Fort visitors come and go. You are welcome to visit the museums as much as you’d like and you can explore the buildings on your own or wait for the hands on demonstrations that happen throughout the day by the volunteers.  At special times of the year you can see special events like the Brigade Days which offer full re-enactments of the time period.

As an overnight guest you enjoy the daytime activities plus you have access to the Fort after closing.

The oTENTik cabins cost $120 CAD to rent per night and you also pay for admission to the Fort.  Included is a host who is on the grounds and makes sure you are comfortable and have everything you need to enjoy your stay. You can see what each cabin comes with so you bring the right items. Included is a small fridge so you can store a few items for your stay. The cabin comes with a lock so you can secure your tent while exploring.  Once you arrive at the park you check in at the visitor’s centre and pick up your key. Instructions are given for parking and where to meet your host.  Carts are nearby to help bring your items from your car to your cabin.

We don’t usually camp but we do have sleeping bags so we brought those along with what we would normally use at our home – pillows, clothes, toiletries, towels – no other special items required. You could also bring sheets and blankets if you don’t have sleeping bags.  You can bring food or if you’re not in the mood to cook you can visit the many restaurants in town or during the day the cafe is open in the Fort.

Some of the cabins are wheel chair accessible for those who have special needs or perhaps older family members who use wheelchairs. Families can book an oTENTik cabin, which sleeps up to 6 people, and actually live within the safe walls of the fort.  There is a great look inside one of the cabins on the Park’s website.

Tip: I would recommend bringing a small fan since the tents can get hot in the summer during the day.

During the day you are part of the tour with free access to all of the museum buildings and activities.  Our girls really enjoyed the period costumes and looked right at home.

Upstairs in the Big House you can see the types of items typically brought to the Fort including shoes, cookware and salt.

The museums are super kid friendly so the kids can have hands on time with the period styled activities and furniture.

Fort volunteers are nearby to guide activities and engage with the families so everyone can have a good time. Have lunch at a table set in the 1800’s, trade candy for some metal at the blacksmith shop or feed the chickens and goats.

At closing time is when the magic happens – you stay within the Fort and have amazing access to the grounds all to yourself. There are only 5 cabins on the grounds so depending on how many other families have booked the night, you can be part of a select group allowed to stay inside the Fort.

We stayed for two nights and met a lovely family with two girls who played with our girls during their stay and on the second night we were the only family so we had the fort all to ourselves!

Since there is a huge wall around the Fort no strangers can get in once the gates are locked so the kids are in a safe place where they can’t wonder off into danger. You can easily keep an eye on them and also give them a little space to explore.

Tip: Booking an oTENTik’s mid-week is less busy than the weekend.

You have you’re own key and access door so you can freely leave and explore outside the Fort or you can spend all your time inside just playing and exploring.

It was very hot when we visited so we enjoyed the cool interior of the buildings in the morning and then wandered out for a shaded bike ride along the Fraser River (we brought our bikes along) strolled the quaint Fort Langley village and we also went for a swim in a local community centre pool just 10 minutes car ride away (the Langley Walnut Grove Community Centre pool.)

Night time was magical with the buildings lit like a beautiful backdrop to the scenery. Our host lit the huge communal fire pit and we brought out our marshmallows and made smores and worked on our blacksmith projects from the morning.

We had been warned about the misquotes and bees but we didn’t experience any issues – we made sure to be camping smart and used bug spray and wore long pants at night. If we saw a bee while eating we just went inside to the Cafe tables.  The Fort provides a set of high end barbecues with separate bbq’s for meat eating and vegan families. You cook and clean up what you use and there is a large sink to help prep and clean up easily. Lots of picnic table in the shade to choose where you’d like to have your meal. Indoor bathrooms and showers are included as well.  We were amazed at how well maintained and clean all of the amenities were.

Need your morning coffee? No problem. There is a hot water machine to help out first thing to get you started.

The Fort is located next to the Fraser River next to Brea Provincial Park. There is the railway line running along side the river so you do hear quite a lot of trains. If you’re a light sleeper you will notice the night time trains run a lot and since there is a level crossing nearby you’ll hear the train horn. We recommend using ear plugs or bring a louder fan to drown out the sound. We noticed Monday night had more trains than Tuesday night.  If your kids love trains there is a great view of the trains passing by if you go to the top lookout bridge.

Learn more about the Fort Langley camping experience on the Parks Canada website where you can see more images and get the details for booking the experience.