This guide shares the top things to do in Campbell River, British Columbia. This Canadian city is located on the east side of Vancouver Island.
Campbell River is a gateway to some of the best nature experiences in Canada. A great launching point for exploring the surrounding islands, ocean inlets, and protected coastline.
And it’s also located just down the road from Strathcona Provincial Park. Home to the tallest mountains on Vancouver Island, tons of lakes, and plenty of opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing, biking, and more.
How To Get To Campbell River
Since Campbell River is located on Vancouver Island, it’s not the easiest place to get to.
You can only get to the island by ferry or airplane. And then you also need to get to Campbell River itself, usually by driving.
Ferry To Vancouver Island
Ferries are the most popular way to get to Vancouver Island. You can go on foot or bring a vehicle over with you.
But there is no direct ferry to Campbell River from mainland Canada. So after the ferry, you still need to drive to Campbell River. Use the helpful map below to find the best route that will work for you.
You can get to Vancouver Island from both Mainland Canada and the United States. Do note, that if you are traveling to or from the United States, there will be an immigration checkpoint.
The mainland ports are located at Horseshoe Bay, Tsawwassen, and Powell River in Canada, or Anacortes and Port Angeles in the US. Although (Anacortez is currently suspended until 2030).
The ferry ports on Vancouver Island are Victoria, Sidney, Nanaimo, and Little River (Comox).
Use BC Ferries to book your transportation from Canada and Black Ball Ferry Line to book your transportation from the United States.
You should consider booking in advance during peak travel times, but if you didn’t plan ahead, standby is also an option.
Flying to Campbell River
You can get to Vancouver Island by flying to Victoria International Airport (YYJ).
Campell River also has it’s own small airport (YBL), but they only offer a few small connection flights to Vancouver.
Best Things To Do In Campbell River
Refer To This Helpful Map To Learn The Area
Elk Falls Provincial Park & Suspension Bridge
You really don’t need to travel far from Campbell River to get into some incredible nature. Elk Falls Provincial Park is only 10 minutes up the road, and features hiking, biking, camping, and fishing.
The namesake of this park, Elk Falls is a thundering 25-meter waterfall that plunges into the gorge below. And spanning the gorge is a suspension bridge, offering great views of the whole scene.
If you only want to see the falls and suspension bridge, the hike is about 2km (1.4miles). But you can extend the hike up to 4km (2.5mi) to a few other viewpoints of Elk Falls, through old-growth forests, and along the river to the smaller Moose Falls and Deer Falls.
Swimming in the river above the falls is a refreshing activity on a hot day. But obviously, use extreme caution when exploring and/or swimming above the falls. There were some pools and eddies where you could swim without feeling like you would be sucked downstream.
You can bike on roadways within the park, and mountain biking is allowed on the Pumphouse Trail.
Camping in the park can be booked at Quinisam Campground.
McIvor Lake
During the warm summer months, McIvor Lake is a popular spot for boating and swimming close to town.
Rotary Seawalk
The oceanfront Seawalk is the best way to see Campbell River’s coastline. The path stretches 8km and runs parallel to Highway 19A, offering amazing views of Discovery Passage, the Strait of Georgia, and the coast mountains across the channel.
The path is paved from Hidden Harbour Park to Twillingate Park, so it’s also bike and wheel-chair friendly!
Don’t miss local artist Alex Witcombe’s famous driftwood sculptures. Each sculpture is made from found driftwood and arranged into a true work of art. It’s kinda like a scavenger hunt to find each of his unique sculptures along the Seawalk and around town.
The most impressive and newest addition is the huge humpback whale right in Ken Forde Park.
We also found Sarah the Hererrasaurus on the south end of the Rotary Seawalk. But there are many more to discover in the area!
Wildlife Tour or Fishing Charter
Booking a wildlife tour is one of the best ways to experience the incredible nature surrounding Campbell River. You can spot many different species of wildlife. Such as Black and Grizzly bears, Humpback Whales, Orca Whales, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Steller Sea Lions, otters, and so much more.
Many of the tours explore the Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and Johnstone Strait, so you get to explore the unique waterways Campbell River has easy access to.
Wildlife Tour Operators
- Campbell River Whale Watching and Adventure Tours
- Wild Waterways Adventures
- Adventure Quest Tours Canada
- Eagle Eye Adventures
- West Coast Grizzly Bear Tours
Another cool experience to try around Campbell River is a Fishing Charter. From world class ocean sport fishing to serene fly fishing on nearby rivers, Campbell River has tons of incredible fishing spots. It is known as the Salmon Capital of the World after all.
Booking a Fishing Charter is one of the best ways to let the pros take you right to the best spots with the right gear to actually get lucky!
Be be aware the most types of fishing require a license, so you should check with the tour operator if you need to get your own license.
Fishing Charter Tour Operators
- Coastal Wilderness Adventures Sportfishing
- Profish Adventures
- Outsider Charters Inc.
- 50 North Adventures
- Dolphins Resort
Strathcona Provincial Park
Strathcona is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia, established in 1911! And you will quickly see why they wanted to preserve this area.
In our opinion, many of the best things to do near Campbell River are contained within the park. So taking a day trip to Strathcona Provincial Park is really a must-do!
There are tons of opportunities for hiking, boating, kayaking, and fishing.
Take A Scenic Drive
Even if you are limited on time, simply driving through the park offers stunning views of the mountains, lakes, and forests.
The scenic drive passes by three major lakes, Campbell Lake, Upper Campbell Lake, and Buttle Lake.
The most notable is Buttle Lake, with its clear blue water stretching 23 kilometers (14 mi), encompassed by snowcapped mountains.
Lupin Falls
Distance: .6km (4mi)
Lupin Falls is one of the best easy hikes in Strathcona Provincial Park. It’s a short .6km (.4mi) loop hike with parking just off of Westmin Road. Within steps from the car, the trail enters an enchanting rainforest. And in no time you are rewarded with Lupin Falls, a thin wispy waterfall that descends a rocky chute.
Landslide Lake
Distance: 36.7km (22.8mi), Elevation: 1408km (4,619ft)
This is likely the most stunning alpine lake in Strathcona Provincial Park. The pointy mountains surrounding the lake create dramatic scenery.
It can be done as a very long day hike, but it’s probably more comfortable to complete as a backpacking trip.
Due to the time and distance of this hike, we had to pass, but we will definitely be back to backpack this area one day.
Lower Myra Falls
Distance: 1.5km (.9mi)
This was our personal favorite waterfall in the area. It’s a long drive to this trailhead at the south end of Buttle Lake, but luckily a short 1.5km hike to an impressive cascading waterfall
The falls weave their way over several rocky ledges, before emptying into Buttle Lake. I imagine that this waterfall looks very different depending on the amount of water flowing through.
You can walk out onto the rocks, and explore, but obviously, use extreme caution near the water.
Upper Myra Falls
Distance: 7.2km (4.5mi)
And while you’re in the area, the hike to Upper Myra Falls is just up the road. But, we skipped this one to save our legs for some other adventures.
Bedwell Lake Trail
Distance: 8 km (5mi), Elevation: 609m (1978ft)
If you wanna put a few more miles on your boots, try the hike up to Bedwell Lake. This hike in Strathcona Park is 8 km with 609m of elevation. It’s a tough trail because it’s pretty steep, and there’s lots of roots and rocks.
But the lakes at the end are a worthy payoff. First, you reach Baby Bedwell Lake and then climb up a couple really steep staircases to a grand view of Bedwell Lake.
This is also a good area for a backpacking trip. There are wooden tent pads at both lakes with 21 sites available.
And if you want to extend the hike even longer, you can continue to Little Jim Lake and Cream Lake for a roundtrip total of 19.7km with 1190m of elevation (12.2 mi, 3904ft). We wanted to hike to these, but felt that was a little too much for a day hike.
Overnight camping requires a Strathcona Backcountry Permit: camping.bcparks.ca
Lady Falls
Distance: 1km (.6mi)
We really wanted to visit Lady Falls when we were visiting Strathcona, but due to construction, the trailhead was blocked off. It’s a short 1km hike just off the highway to a large rushing falls.
Boating, Kayaking, & SUPing
Strathcona Provincial Park has great opportunities for boating, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
But be aware that the three main lakes are huge, so they can get pretty rough if it’s windy. In that case you may want to try Echo Lake.
There’s a free boat launch on Buttle Lake.
Anglers Dining
If you are looking to splurge on some fresh local seafood, Anglers Dining is the top restaurant in town.
Anglers Dining is located in the Dolphins Resort, just north of Campbell River. It looks out to the waterfront and has that rustic fishing cabin vibe that takes you back in time.
The small-ish menu here is sure to impress. Jake ordered the local salmon dish, and I got a mushroom Wellington. (But we always share, anyway). And both were spectacularly flavorful.
You might consider making a reservation because it often fills up. You can also stop in for breakfast, but I think dinner is really the show-stopper!
Day trip to Quadra Island
Take the ferry over to Quadra Island for a day trip. Some popular things to explore are the Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park, and Main Lake Provincial Park.
Fogg Dukkers Coffee
In every new place we travel, I’m always on the hunt for the best coffee in town. I especially love when you can find great coffee, beautiful views, and that true local vibe. And Fogg Dukkers checks all of those boxes. It’s actually an old bait shop turned coffee shop.
One special touch about this coffee shop is the firepit out back. And depending on the time of year, you may actually need this to stay warm. Locals and tourists alike huddle around to chat, take in the views, and curse the rain and the wind.
Also, keep your eye out for whales, some people have spotted some swimming in the passage.
Beach Fire Brewing
This local craft brewery is a great place to grab a beer after an adventure. Beach Fire Brewing has a variety of beer styles to try and they serve food incorporating ingredients from local farmers.
We tried their hazy IPA, because that’s our go-to style of beer. And they were delicious!
Also, check for local events. We sadly showed up right after a live band played, so we were bummed we just missed the show.
And consider stopping by on Tuesdays for their crazy Tuesday experimental brews!
Ripple Rock Trail
Distance: 8.4km (5.3mi), Elevation: 384m (1,259ft)
This moderate hike north of town takes you to a beautiful viewpoint above Menzies Bay and Seymour Narrows. A fascinating thing about this spot is that it’s the location of the world’s largest non-nuclear explosion.
In 1958, they decided to blast away a giant underwater rock, thus making the passage safe for larger ships. at Discovery Passage, the critical inland maritime passage between Vancouver Island and mainland Canada.
Discovery Fish Pier
Pop out onto the Discovery Fish Pier located downtown. This is known as Canada’s first seawater fishing pier. They rent fishing gear right on the pier or you can bring your own. Or enjoy a nice sweet treat from the local ice cream shop on deck.
Maritime Heritage Center
This museum showcases the rich maritime history of the region. Explore exhibits and artifacts integral to Campbell River’s history. The museum’s crown jewel is the beautifully restored BCP 45 Seine Fishing Vessel.
Discovery Passage Aquarium
What this aquarium lacks in size, it makes up for with interactiveness. The friendly and knowledgeable volunteer staff makes for a very personalized and engaging aquarium visit.
They care for a rotating variety of marine animals. And most famously, their ‘Touch Tank’ is a great opportunity to have some hands-on experiences with marine life.
Entry tickets are very reasonably priced. Plus, they’re a non-profit that ‘aims to enhance knowledge, appreciation, and stewardship of our natural resources and ecosystems.’
Where To Stay In Campbell River
Accommodations
We’ve chosen a few highly-rated accomodations near Campbell River.
- Chateau Riverside – Great location, Riverside, Apartment-Style.
- Dolphins Resort – Oceanfront, cozy cedar cabins, just north of Campbell River.
- Painter’s Lodge – Oceanfront resort, outdoor pool
- Comfort Inn & Suites – Convenient downtown location with clean updated rooms
Camping
- Quinisam Campground – In Elk Falls Provincial Park, a great base camp for exploring the area, just 2km from Campbell River. It sits right at the convergence of the Campbell and Quinisam Rivers.
- Buttle Lake Campground – In Strathcona Provincial Park at the northern tip of Buttle Lake, this campground is surrounded by mountains and is a wonderful place to stay while exploring the park.
- Ralph River Campground – In Strathcona Provincial Park at the southern end of Buttle Lake, this campground is heavily forested private sites. Close to Upper and Lower Myra Falls.
- Upper Cambell Reservoir Campground – 21 free, first-come, first-served campsites (BC Hydro)
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