Campbell River, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

The young and vibrant community of Campbell River on the east coast of central Vancouver Island is beautifully set between Strathcona Park to the west and the Discovery Islands to the east, a metropolitan town located on the frontier of a BC wilderness, inhabited by few people but many animals. Long known as the Salmon Capital of the World, Campbell River is a natural destination, in more ways than one.

Campbell River is big as Vancouver Island cities go. The town hosts a busy arts and culture scene, and is completely ringed with shopping malls, yet the city centre still looks and feels as it probably did in the '50s.

Campbell River is located in a region rich in natural resources. The towering West Coast forests have fostered a growing forestry industry, from logging companies to pulp mills and sawmill operations. Mining is another active industry in Campbell River, with a diverse range of products including zinc, copper, lead, gold, silver and coal.

Long before European explorers entered the waters surrounding Campbell River, the First Nations people had known for thousands of years that this was a special place, living here in harmony with nature and the life cycles of the salmon. They occupied small villages scattered along the coast, and fished salmon, which had spiritual significance and is forever honoured through art and ceremony.

The origin of the name Campbell River lacks absolute proof, but it is probable that the river now designated a BC Heritage River, and subsequently the town near its mouth, were named after Dr. Samuel Campbell, assistant surgeon on the HMS Plumper, a British survey ship that surveyed Johnstone Strait and this part of the B.C. coastline in the 1850s and 1860s.

Discovered by Europeans in 1792 when Captain George Vancouver sailed up Georgia Strait in search of the Northwest Passage, Campbell River is now renowned worldwide for spectacular snow-capped mountains, immense fjords and incredible salmon fishing - normal fare in British Columbia! Campbell River is the gateway to Strathcona Park to the west, the Discovery Islands to the east, and the remote North Island and west coast of Vancouver Island.

Campbell River bills itself as the Salmon Capital of the World. One of the four main fishing centres on Vancouver Island, the city is internationally famous for both its ocean and freshwater fishing. The twice-yearly steelhead runs on the Quinsam and Campbell Rivers are as well known as that on the Cowichan River, while the year-round salmon fishing in Discovery Passage is unmatched. Here you'll find some of the best fishing outfitters on the island.

Population: 31,444

Location: Travelling north on Highway 19 takes approximately 1.45 hours (153 kilometres / 95 miles) from Nanaimo or 3.5 hours (264 kilometres / 165 miles) from Victoria. See the most of Campbell River by exiting Highway 19 at the Miracle Beach Connector, then continue north along Oceanside Route Highway 19A.

If you prefer a fully serviced highway route, follow the starfish along the scenic Oceanside Route, Highway 19A. Look for the official "starfish" signs south of Parksville and at other exits along Highway 19. Why not travel north to Campbell River on the scenic Oceanside Route 19A, then head home via the Inland Island Highway 19?

To get to Campbell River and the North Island via ferry, take either the Tsawwassen - Duke Point route if you are travelling from south of Vancouver, or the Horseshoe Bay - Departure Bay route if you are coming along the Trans Canada Route 1 from the North Vancouver area.

Private boats and yachts are welcomed at the many local marinas located in Campbell River and other destinations with ocean access throughout the North Central Island region. With the capacity to handle everything up to Alaskan cruise ships, nautical visitors will find plenty of safe anchorages throughout the Discovery Islands, Desolation Sound, or Nootka Sound on the Pacific coast.

Daily scheduled flights arrive at Campbell River Airport from Vancouver International Airport. Seasonal floatplane service is available from downtown Seattle. There are also floatplanes, helicopters and small planes for charter to and from Campbell River. Motorcoach travel to Campbell River is also available.

View maps of the area:
Map of Campbell River
Map of Central Vancouver Island
Map of Campbell River/Sayward

Discovery Pier jutting into Discovery Passage
Campbell River's Popular Fishing Spot

Visit Haig-Brown House, a restored 1923 farmhouse set amid forests and gardens beside the Campbell River. This was the home of pioneer conservationists Roderick and Ann Haig-Brown.

Campbell River's rich native heritage is proudly showcased in the Museum at Campbell River, housed on the highway south of the town centre, which features a fine collection of Northwest Coast Native masks, ceremonial items, and other fine art.

The Campbell River & District Public Art Gallery in the Centennial Building in Shoppers Row offers 45-to 60-minute tours for school children and community groups throughout the year. The tours include a talk about the exhibitions on display, and an art activity afterwards, and can be modified to meet each groups needs.

The Campbell River Maritime Heritage Center, located adjacent to the Discovery Pier, showcases the fully restored seine boat BCP45, which graced the $5 bill from 1972 to 1986. Walk her decks, explore her cabins and learn about her long history. View many marine artificates on display. Open Monday to Friday.

Built in 1924, Pier House is the oldest house in town and stands at the entrance to Campbell River's famous fishing pier. This building is a charming mix of old curiosity shop and museum, where you can examine the many relics.

Totem poles can be viewed at various sites throughout Campbell River; Tyee Plaza Shopping Centre, Foreshore Park, Coast Discovery Inn, Wei Wai Kum House of Treasures and the Discovery Harbour Centre. Visitors to the region have many opportunities to share and experience First Nations culture, by visiting museums and art galleries, or taking part in cultural tours, festivals, and special ceremonies provided in the region.

Film Production: Hollywood has discovered Campbell River's scenic locations for film making. The Scarlett Letter and Eaters of the Dead (released as 13th Warrior) were filmed here.

Festivals: With dozens of festivals and annual events in Campbell River, there is always something to do. Don't miss the annual Transformation on the Shore (Driftwood Carving Contest) that lines the 4.2-km Rotary Beach Seawalk, as well as Aboriginal Day, the Bald Eagle Festival, and Canada Day Celebrations.

The Maiden, Campbell River
Driftwood Carving Competition

During the Salmon Festival in August, the town is abuzz with famous and ordinary sports fisherfolk. Some of the more popular annual celebrations include the Logger Sports in August, and The Haig-Brown Festival in September.

Boat Cruising: Campbell River makes a good base from which to charter boats to prime cruising areas such as the Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound, one of the most beautiful and varied cruising areas in British Columbia.

Woodhus Slough offers exceptional birdwatching about 12 miles (19 km) south of Campbell River. Viewing trails lead out into the slough from the parking lot in Oyster River Regional Park. To reach the park, turn east on Glenora as it follows the north side of the Oyster River.

Sightseeing: Take a whale watching tour during the summer, a flight-seeing tour over the outer islands, or a bear watching tour to world-famous Knight Inlet. Campbell River is a magical place, with such a broad spectrum of natural attributes, allowing visitors to choose from almost any activity they might be interest in.

Golf: Campbell River caters well to golfers, with three golf courses in the area; the Storey Creek Golf Course, the Sequoia Springs Golf Course, and Saratoga Beach Golf Course. Golf Vacations on Vancouver Island.

Kids Adventure: Take the kids to the beaches south of town; Oyster Bay, Saratoga Beach or Miracle Beach. Check out the sandy beaches on McIvor Lake, a favorite local swimming spot. Visit nearby Strathcona Park and sign the children up for kid's outdoor education classes at Strathcona Park Lodge, or take a course with the whole family. A trip to the top of Mount Washington on the chairlift will keep them occupied for hours. How about renting bicycles and hopping aboard a ferry to visit Quadra Island for the day?
Spend some time learning about fishy stuff at the Quinsam Salmon Hatchery, and then go for a family fishing trip down to Discovery Pier, where you can rent poles by the hour. On weekends, try Saratoga Speedway for some up-close stock car racing in the evenings, or go-carting in the afternoon all summer long. The Museum also offers daily programs, including the popular Puppet Theatre.

Diving: Discovery Passage teems with marine life. The Jacques Cousteau Society rates it the "second best cold water diving destination in the world, after the Red Sea." There's no wreck like an old wreck, and that's what the HMCS Columbia is fast becoming. The vessel was scuttled by the Artificial Reef Society of BC near Maud Island in Discovery Passage, just north of Campbell River. Crystal clear waters, abundant sea life, plus certified charters, guides, and instructors have made Campbell River a major dive centre for beginners and experienced divers. Check with local dive shops for information and locations.

Snorkelling: You don't actually have to dive in order to enjoy an unusual underwater experience on the Campbell River. Snorkelling here from July to September provides an opportunity to watch from the surface as salmon- some as large as 50 pounds (28kg) - school in the Campbell River estuary in advance of spawning.

Canoeing and Kayaking: West of Campbell River, the Sayward Forest Canoe Route covers almost 30 miles (50 km) of lakes and rivers connected by a series of portage trails. Allow 3 to 4 days to complete the circuit, which begins on Campbell Lake.
Rustic Loveland Bay Provincial Park offers paddling at Loveland Bay on Lower Campbell Lake, although the main attraction in these parts is Mohun Lake, with a section of its shoreline lying within Morton Lake Provincial Park. Car-top boats can be launched at Morton Lake and Loveland Bay, and there's a boat ramp on Mohun Lake. Loveland Bay is reached from Hwy 28 west of Campbell River on the John Hart Dam Road and then the Camp 5 Logging Road. Mohun Lake is accessed via the Mohun Lake East Road.
The bays and beaches of the beautiful Discovery Islands and the sheltered waters of Georgia Strait provide a multitude of different locations to enchant any visitor. Areas around Nootka Sound feature river pools, surf, and incredible beaches. With such an abundance of stunning locations and wilderness, it's no wonder this region is fast becoming a world famous destination for sea kayaking.