Often called the salmon fishing capital of the world, Campbell River is a haven for out of doors journey and surroundings. It’s situated on the fiftieth parallel of northeastern Vancouver Island, BC, the place wildlife and nature are aplenty. Whereas this city isn’t as widespread a vacation spot as Victoria or Tofino, it boasts world-class experiences you may’t miss.
Campbell River earned its place on the map for its glorious leisure fishing due to author and conservationist Roderick Haig-Brown. Now, open air lovers flock to the coastal city for mountain climbing, kayaking, and naturally, fishing. It’s the third-largest metropolis on Vancouver Island with a rising inhabitants of all ages. It’s thought of a hub of the North Island, servicing over 60,000 individuals dwelling in surrounding island communities.
Whereas the outside actually flourish, Campbell River sights don’t cease at sports activities fishing. Town has a wealthy First Nations tradition with implausible carvings, paintings, and excursions. There are additionally nice eating places, charming outlets, and lovely rugged seashores.
We liked our time exploring this city on our latest go to to Vancouver Island and put collectively a listing of the 12 greatest issues to do in Campbell River.
Campbell River, Vancouver Island
Greatest Time to Go to Campbell River, BC
Visiting Campbell River is beautiful year-round however the most effective time to go to is from spring into the autumn. September is especially good for wildlife viewing and gentle temperatures through the day and evenings.
In the course of the summer season, it could actually get fairly busy due to the nice and cozy, dry climate. The winter season is way quieter however will be very wet and see small quantities of snow.
Get to Campbell River, BC
For the reason that city is situated on Vancouver Island, you’ll must take a ferry to get to Campbell River from the remainder of British Columbia. You possibly can take a ferry to Victoria and drive 3 hours north or take a ferry to Nanaimo and minimize down your drive to 1.5 hours.
It’s attainable to take a bus to Campbell River, with Island Hyperlink Busses. Routes function from each ferry terminals and different components of the island.
Flights to Campbell River are additionally out there from Vancouver, Victoria, and Washinton State.
Get Round Campbell River, BC
Driving and biking are the most well-liked strategies of transportation. For those who don’t have wheels, you may journey the BC Transit bus round many of the metropolis for CAD $2. Simply you should definitely plan forward as a result of bus schedules finish pretty early, particularly on weekends.
Driving on Vancouver Island
High Issues to do in Campbell River, BC
Whether or not you’re craving nature or tradition, Campbell River has a great deal of enjoyable issues to do.
Go Whale Watching
Seeing whales is an impressive sight and Campbell River whale watching is world-class. The waters surrounding the world are teeming with marine life, making it the proper place for a marine wildlife tour. The realm sees year-round transient orcas, together with humpbacks from Could-November.
We advocate a half-day tour with Homalco Excursions to expertise wildlife and tradition. Hold your eyes peeled for sea lions and bald eagles too!
Whale watching in Campbell River
Go Bear Watching
For an genuine west coast expertise, be part of Homalco Excursions on a scenic boat journey by way of the Bute Inlet. In the course of the salmon season, from August-October, you’ll get an opportunity to see grizzly bears of their pure habitat. It’s one of the vital distinctive native vacationer sights!
We significantly loved the Whales, Wildlife, and Tradition Tour that mixes whale watching, bear watching with fascinating tales of the First Nations communities on this area. In case you are quick on time and need to see all of it, that is by far the most effective marine safari tour on this city.
Bear watching in Campbell River
Go Fishing
Whether or not you select to casually solid a couple of strains into Campbell River or be part of a fishing constitution, don’t miss an opportunity to expertise one in all Vancouver Island’s premier salmon fishing locations. It provides a possibility for saltwater and freshwater fishing. Fishing constitution operators are plentiful and lots of lodges and journey tour operators could be joyful that will help you plan a fishing journey.
Salmon catch!
Store at Wei Wai Kum Home Of Treasures Ltd
Campbell River is surrounded by numerous neighbouring communities with a powerful First Nations presence. Among the coolest issues to see in Campbell River are the First Nations arts and crafts. Pop into Wei Wai Kum Home of Treasures to see jewelry, clothes, carvings, and souvenirs made by native Indigenous artists.
Go to the Discovery Harbour Marina
Being the salmon capital, the marina is crammed with fishing boats. Take a stroll all the way down to the Discovery Harbour Marina to see rows of boats docked alongside the coast. You’ll see every thing from sailboats to fishing boats and generally even yachts! It’s a enjoyable place for a stroll within the afternoon and is especially picturesque at sundown.
Campbell River Harbour
Try French Creek Collective in Downtown Campbell River
You should definitely try French Creek Collective for residence items and souvenirs. This cute little store is regionally owned and crammed with distinctive decor and artisanal meals from throughout the globe.
Have a Beer at Seaside Hearth Brewing
Named for the beloved seashore fires that dot seashores every evening, Seaside Hearth Brewing serves up a tasty pint. Crafted with substances from native farmers, they provide an excellent number of traditional, seasonal, and small-batch brews. In addition they supply small bites and host trivia, comedy, and yoga occasions.
Seaside Hearth Brewing
Top off on Tea at Stonehouse Teas
In case you are on the lookout for a great cup of tea, don’t miss Stonehouse Teas. It’s positively one of many high locations to go to in Campbell River for tea lovers! The store boasts over 120 types of free leaf teas, together with regionally roasted espresso and contemporary pastries. You possibly can take a bag residence with you or loosen up with a beverage inside or on their patio.
Catch a Sundown at Discovery Pier
Among the best issues to do in Campbell River is to watch a sundown over the mountains. The Discovery Fishing Pier location is right for sweeping views of the mainland and Discovery Islands. Spend the afternoon doing a little Campbell River fishing or go to the Discovery Passage Aquarium earlier than settling in for sundown.
Go to Elk Falls Provincial Park
Situated simply 5 minutes away from city, Elk Falls Provincial Park is a tremendous place for a straightforward hike to see roaring waterfalls. Strolling throughout the suspension bridge is a should. The shaking suspension bridge crosses excessive of the falls providing panoramic views of the canyon and forest. Hike alongside the paths to see huge douglas fir bushes and cedars—you may even stroll within a few of them!
The Campbell River Canyon View Path, simply exterior of the park, is the native favorite for hikes close to Campbell River.
Discover Strathcona Provincial Park
This park is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia and residential to among the largest mountains on Vancouver Island. The park is situated 1 hour away from Campbell River and is crammed with mountain climbing trails and gorgeous waterfalls. Cruise alongside the shores of Buttle Lake earlier than testing lovely Woman Falls or mountain climbing to turquoise Decrease Myra Falls.
See the Views at Mt Washington Chairlift
Mt. Washington Alpine Resort is a year-round vacation spot situated simply 40 minutes south of Campbell River. The resort is especially widespread within the winter providing entry to over 1,700 acres and 505 vertical metres of alpine terrain, 55kms of cross-country snowboarding, and 25kms of snowshoeing trails together with devoted lodges, Tube Park and Fats Bike trails.
In the summertime, guests can entry mountain climbing and biking trails, zipline adventures and the poplar Mount Washington scenic chairlift that gives rides from mid-June to late September. The chairlift takes you to Mt Washington summit at 1588 meters above sea stage providing views of Strathcona Provincial Park, Comox Glacier, Mt Arrowsmith and the Strait of Georgia.
Day Journey to Quadra Island
Quadra Island is the most important of the Discovery Islands situated off the coast of the Campbell River. It has about 2,700 residents and is fantastically distant. The island is rugged and wild, with a vibrant cultural spirit and group.
You’ll must take a ferry to get there to take pleasure in mountain climbing, kayaking, and fishing. The ferry is situated behind Tyee Plaza, the place you can even discover the customer centre and Campbell River Artwork Gallery. Visiting Quadra is among the nicest issues to do close to Campbell River for a enjoyable simple day journey.
Spirit of the West kayaking adventures on Quadra Island. Picture credit score: Tourism Vancouver Island/Jordan Dyck / Spirit of the West
Go to Horne Lake Caves
The parks are crammed with towering bushes and waterfalls, however in case you’re eager to discover some caves, head to Horne Lake. The lake is situated 1 hour quarter-hour south alongside the Island Freeway, not removed from Qualicum Bay. Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park is the proper place to expertise underground journey on a cave tour. You’ll find out about historical past and geology whereas climbing by way of the caves.
Greatest Eating places in Campbell River
Quay West Kitchen
Dine on this wonderful scenic waterfront at Quay West Kitchen. The restaurant has a big patio and shiny eating room with gorgeous views of Quadra Island and the ocean. They provide quite a lot of native seafood, burgers, and engaging pasta dishes.
FoggDukkers Espresso
Seize a sizzling drink and look out over a quintessential West coast backdrop at FoggDukkers Espresso. It’s one in all our favorite Campbell River sights due to its cozy ambiance and nice oceanfront location. Sit across the communal campfire on the seashore with a espresso and pastry and the waves roll in.
BaBa Gannouj Restaurant
BaBa Gannouj is the place to be for genuine Syrian and Lebanese delicacies. Their menu options native substances with glorious vegan and vegetarian choices. Their falafels and shawarmas are the proper handheld snack to take for a picnic on the seashore. The meals is implausible and the household that runs it’s so candy, so you should definitely cease by!
Falafels from BaBa Gannouj restaurant
Crooked Spoon Cafe
For those who’re on the lookout for home made consolation meals, head to the Crooked Spoon on Consumers Row. They’re open for breakfast and lunch and supply tasty favourites like beef chilli and home made pierogies.
SoCal Restaurant and Lounge
Contemporary handmade Mexi-Cali delicacies is the star at SoCal Restaurant and Lounge. They provide a variety of protein-packed salads, hearty burgers, and shareable appetizers in South Campbell River. Have a seat on the sun-soaked patio and sip on a margarita after a day on the paths.
The place to Keep in Campbell River
Thunderbird RV Park & Cottage Resort
Near most of the enjoyable issues to do in Campbell River, Thunderbird RV Park & Cottage Resort is a good place to remain. The RV park is a First Nations-owned and operated enterprise situated simply down the road from the Tyee Spit the place you may benefit from the seashore and look ahead to wildlife. They provide a number of year-round RV websites and 4 self-contained cottages. RV websites begin at CAD $45 per evening.
Haig-Brown Heritage Home
There are lots of accommodations in Campbell River however staying on the Haig-Brown Heritage Home is a novel expertise. The mattress & breakfast was as soon as residence to author Roderick and his spouse, Ann Haig-Brown. Now, the charming home welcomes guests to discover the gardens and be taught extra about nature conservation. Rooms are non-public with shared rest room facilities and begin at CAD $110 per evening.
Oyster Bay Resort
Oyster Bay Resort, situated on the south finish of city, provides among the nicest cabins in Campbell River. All the 20 cabins have an ocean view, non-public deck, and spacious dwelling space. The uniquely formed chalets are iconic to the city and an excellent launching to discover the Comox Valley.