Before I met my husband I knew absolutely nothing about Campbell River, British Columbia. This is my husband’s hometown and we have visited a few times over the years. Whenever we visit, my in-laws do an amazing job of showing us (& anyone who visits them) all the amazing local natural beauty.
Campbell River is a coastal town on the east coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. As of 2016, Campbell River had a population of 35,138 people. My husband says it’s claim to fame is that it is the Salmon Capital of the World and hometown to Rod Brind’Amour. He also notes that 30 minutes away, Comox, is the birthplace of Pamela Anderson. Campbell River also marks the boundary between the more developed south and the wild and natural northern parts of the island.
Tourism to explore nature is at an all-time high. So, I thought I would share some of the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Campbell River. In saying that I have to remind you that Campbell River is a remote location, which has partly enabled it to maintain it’s natural beauty and not be burdened with over-tourism. On an upside you are able to get a flight from Vancouver, making it a bit more accessible. But it’s not the most roomy seat.
Here are a few things you should check out:
Miracle Beach
Miracle Beach Provincial Park is in the middle of Comox Valley just south of Campbell River Highway 19A. The first thing you will notice is the sandy beach. My kids love checking out the beach at low tide to explore pool tides and look for crabs. Lots and lots of time was spent looking for crabs!
In warmer weather you can take advance of swimming, sun bathing, building sandcastles and walking on the beach. In June check out the non-competitive annual sandcastle building day.
If you are not there visiting family, you may want to check out the private campsites, group camping, playgrounds, hot showers and picnic area found on the 137-hectare park.
Don’t have family in the area to stay with? Check out the resorts and campground of Saratoga Beach next door to Miracle Beach. You will also find close by: horseback riding, golf, fishing, hiking and a bunch of other outdoor activities.
Remember:
- This is a very popular destination and reservations are highly recommended.
- If you do explore low tide replace rocks to their original position.
- Do not remove any shells or marine organisms from the park.
- Bring a water proof jacket or rain jacket when visiting beaches.
Elk Falls Provincial Park
Elk Falls Provincial Park is a MUST-SEE. It’s only 2 km from downtown Campbell River on highway 28. The park offers something for everyone, a canon, falls, dam and suspension bridge. The park was established in 1940 to protect the waterfall and canyon. In 1947 the John Hart Dam and generating station was completed, along with 2 other damns upstream (Strathcona & Ladore), diverting water for power production. My mother-in-law shared that the above and below ground waterfalls are the main source of power for the 200,000 homes on the island.
Many come to the park for the beautiful waterfalls and the year-round salmon fishing. This has worked to make it one of the most popular provincial parks on Vancouver Island. If that weren’t enough 6km of hiking, nearby salmon hatchery (that kids love) and riverside camping make it a crowd favorite. The park also has many picnic campsites and some areas of the park are also wheelchair accessible.
With over 16 hectares or protected area of the 1,807 hectares of the park, there is a special focus on nature conservancy and education. Within the campground posts identify trees, shrubs, and flowers and there is a wide variety of small mammals and birds that call the park home. This is really helpful if you are like me and have no idea what they are all called!
Elk Falls Suspension Bridge
One thing you will want to check out in the park is the Suspension Bridge, built in 2015, this wasn’t there the first few times we visited the park.
From the parking lot to the park you will find signage directing you to the suspension bridge which brings you through the beautiful old-growth forest of Douglas fir trees. The ‘cantilevered’ (I know sounds so olden days castle-ish) viewing platform offers an exceptional view over Campbell River Canyon and the 25-metre falls. The 64-metre-long bridge (or around 200 feet long) floats 60 metres (again almost 200 feet) above the clear salmon-filled waters of the Campbell River Canyon… a treat to watch during spawning. The wheelchair accessible platforms make it a great outing for all and the walking trails are easy for smaller children too. If you need there are washrooms found at the 83-spot parking lot.
To note:
- The strong exposed cables can be a big help in assuring security for any kids or family members a bit scared to cross the bridge.
- Depending on the time of year, you could get a warm, humid air making you feel like you are in a tropical place.
- There is a wide variety of paths for hiking and walking that can accommodate all ages.
- There is a BC Hydro Interpretive Centre at the head of the trail.
Quinsam Salmon Hatchery
Located very close to Elk Falls Provincial Park, the Quinsam River Hatchery is a great place to see salmon in their natural habitat. Over recent years the hatchery has made improvements, including it’s own power source, making it one of Canada’s most energy-efficient hatcheries. It is a great place to teach children about salmon life cycle and conservation. The hatchery is omvolved in salmon tagging and adult recovery/biological sampling to support and potect the Quinsam and Campbell rivers, which are key to accessing the healthy spawning and species control of coco and chinook salmon. Although I am all about teaching my kids science, they are more interested in feeding the fish and watching the boats!
If you don’t have am other-in-law to show you around there is a self-guided tour you can do with a pamphlet they provide at their visitor center.
To note:
- The hatchery is usually open 8am – 4pm, but you should phone ahead before your visit, especially if you are wanting a guided tour.
- Depending on the time of year you can see pink adult salmon, chinook adult salmon or coho adult salmon.
Discovery Pier
This is one of my kids favorites to do… and it’s not any organized tour or activity. The 180-metre long Discovery Pier offers amazing views of Discovery Passage. Here you can people watch, see starfish and fish in the water and in warmer months check out the ice cream shop. You can even buy a license and try your hand at fishing.
Campbell River Museum
At first, I wondered what could possibly been in a small-town museum? The Campbell River Museum offers visitors the chance to learn the in-depth history of norther Vancouver Island. A popular exhibit is the footage of the Ripple Rock explosion and interactive showcases of First Nation culture, including a mask display. It also highlights the logging industry. If your kids are like mine, they will eb amazed at the old cars that had tires that were very hard and not inflated like modern ones! The Haig-Brown Heritage House is also part of the museum and read below for more details.
What is Ripple Rock?
Ripple Rock is an underwater mountain that had it’s top removed April 1958. This was a national historic event and aired live on CBC, one of the first live coast-to-coast television broadcasts in Canada. Since our family is from coast (Newfoundland) to coast (British Columbia) I found this interesting. It got it’s name because it’s summit sits at sea level and made a standing wave in the tidal current on the strait of the Seymour Narrows of the Discovery Passage, part of the marine trade route.
Go Fishing
If you aren’t for fishing off a pier, you may want to try your hand at fishing for salmon in a river or fishing out in the open ocean. We are lucky that my father-in-law is a huge fisherman and was able to take everyone out on his boat. Fishing with the coastal backdrop was an experience the kids will never forget. Other times he has even caught sight of whales while fishing.
If you don’t have a fisherman in the family there are lots of fishing tours and guide (like a half day guide from Painter’s Lodge) that can help.
Native Carving
I’m not sure if this is open to everyone, but checking out the local artists carving was an incredible experience for our kids. Campbell River has a rich First Nations culture and history. At the Carving shack you can find Kwakwaka’wakw artists from the Wei Wai Kum First Nation of Campbell River developing their skills.
Bill Henderson, Wei Wai Kum First Nation artist and Campbell River native is a Northwest Coast Master carver and luckily a friend of my in-laws. He opened his carving workshop to our family and it was amazing. It’s floors are covered in shavings and walls covered in posters and photos highlighting his exceptional talent, including his artwork and past competitions. Bill is a third-generation carver and shares his workshop with brothers, cousins and uncles, and future generations he is passing his craft in an effort to preserve his family’s traditions and way of life. At the time of our visit he was working on a mask and we got to see a totem pole waiting for pick-up for a large mountain resort.
Note: I believe the Workshop is open to the public, so if you get the chance pop by and see artists at work.
Also check out in Campbell River:
- Discovery Passage Aquarium. Fun place for hands on education and learning about marine life and habitats.
- Check out fossils at the Courtenay and District Museum and Paleoontology Center. Here you can get a glimpse of the Puntledge elasmosaur that was discovered locally in 1988. They even have a hands-on three-hour tour in the summer!
- Places to Eat: Dick’s Fish & Chips. We are lucky to have our in-laws cook for us, but you may want to check out an authentic BC fish meal at Dick’s. An added bonus is that it’s directly across from Discovery Pier.
- Whale Watching. We have done this on previous trips and Campbell Rivers placement along the Johnstone Strait makes it a great place to spot whales, especially killer orcas (killer whales). You can also check out dolphins, seals, seal lions and other marine life.
- Mount Washington Look out. Running during warmer months the 15-minute chairlift ride offers spectacular views at 1,588 metre elevation. On a clear day you can see all the way from the Strait of Georgia to Mount Baker in Washington.
- Haig-Brown Heritage House may look like a regular house, but the 1923 home is actually a museum, which does act as a B&B during summer months. The house is former home of well-known conservationist, writer and environmentalist Roderick Haig-Brown. Check out their website for information on the annual Haig-Brown Festival, memorial lecture series and weekly tea and crochet parties.
- Strathcona Park. Located 60k North West of Campbell River, Strathcona Park is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia. Comprising 500,000 acres (2,458 km) of wilderness the park offers two developed campgrounds with 161 camping sites. While there you can check out fresh water swimming, have a picnic or go hiking, fishing or boating.
- Centennial Park. Located on corner of Alder and Fourth Avenues, this seasonal outdoor swimming pool offers life guards, picnic tables, washrooms, tennis courts and playground for kids.
- Check out the giant Sequoia tree overlooking Discovery Passage in Sequoia Park. You’ll also see the Campbell River and Ishikari, Japan (Sister City) 10th Anniversary Ceremonial Torii Gate. The 1983 twin-status is based on the significant importance of salmon to both cities.
