16 BEST Things To Do In Campbell River, BC – by a CANADIAN

16 Best Things To Do In Campbell River

As a Canadian travel blogger with a passion for uncovering hidden gems, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring Campbell River in beautiful British Columbia and tapping into the local knowledge of friends who call this stunning place home.

With their help, I’ve gathered insider tips and secrets that go beyond the usual tourist spots.

In this guide, I’m excited to share the top 16 things to do in Campbell River, ensuring you experience the very best this coastal gem has to offer.

Watch out for (local favorite) below, denoting a favorite activity of the locals!

1. Whale Watching

Have you ever dreamed of seeing whales in the beautiful Pacific Ocean breach right in front of your eyes? Learn about Sea Lions, and spot Humpback Whales with a on-board naturalist with the Whale and Wildlife Discovery Cruise.

Whales can be spotted along the coast of Campbell River all year long, but the peak season is between June and September. Get your camera ready, because this sight is an unforgettable experience and the number one thing to do in Campbell River!

I love this particular tour because it offers two different boat options. The first is family friendly, with a covered vessel and indoor seating. The second is for adventure lovers who want to feel and smell the ocean breeze as they cruise through the passages on a zodiac type boat.

Both boat tours last around 4 hours as you sail Salish Sea, Discovery Passage, and the Johnstone Strait.

— > Reserve your spot on the Whale and Wildlife Discovery Cruise before they sell out. *** Most highly reviewed tour in the area *** < —-

2. Fishing Charters

Visit the Salmon Capital of the World in Campbell River. Hiring a fishing charter to take care of all the details for you is a great idea. The local guides can show you the best freshwater and saltwater fishing spots

Sport-fishing is available throughout the entire calendar year, with experienced, professional guides that know all about the tides, tackle, tricks, and regulations.

Campbell River is home to 5 Salmon species including: Chinook, Chum, Coho, Pink and Sockeye. These are also known as “Tyee, King, Spring, or Silver”.

From July to September, special Tyee fishing grounds can be found at ‘The Spit’ in Campbell River. Restrictive Tyee Fishing rules apply here as anglers try their luck at baiting a 30lb “Tyee” or Chinook Salmon with a row boat, artificial lure, and 26lb test line!

The Top 3 Fishing Charters are as Follows:

• Coastal Wilderness Adventures
• Outsider Charters Inc.
• Brightfish Charters

3. Grizzly Bear Expedition

Have you always wanted to see bears in the wild? This Grizzly Bear Expedition Tour is the one for you! This tour picks you up right in Campbell River Harbor, and includes lunch while you spend the day cruising through Desolation Sound on the hunt for bears as they roam and fish for salmon. You may even spot some whales!

This tour regularly exceeds expectations with many 5 star reviews. The skipper is well versed in the local bear behaviors and their coordinates.

A safe and exciting adventure for anyone looking to appreciate the local wildlife in the area. It is absolutely one of the best things to do in Campbell River, and a once in a lifetime opportunity.

—-> Reserve your spot on the Grizzly Bear Expedition before they sell out. One of the highest rated wildlife encounter experiences in Campbell River <—-

4. Museum at Campbell River

Get ‘hooked’ on the history on the beautiful region of Campbell River! The museum respectfully displays and educates on traditional Indigenous Culture alongside colonialism and the gold rush era.

Inside this fascinating museum you’ll find recreations of the life once lived in the region, along with beautiful works of art and short films on history. Touching details create a vivid picture of life in the decades past.

This museum includes important details that are not to be forgotten, such as the role residential schools played in the area, along with the logging and fishing industries.

Learn all about what makes Campbell River a special place to live and visit. The staff are friendly, and informative. Tickets are very affordable at $10CAD and under.

5. Campbell River Golf Club

Nestled in the heart of Campbell River, the Campbell River Golf & Country Club is thrilled to welcome golfers to its newly redesigned course on the Vancouver Island Golf Trail.

The transformation of the former Sequoia Springs course, led by Graham Cooke & Associates of Northern Golf Design, brings fresh features like five sets of tees, pristine bentgrass greens, and stunning water elements.

But the experience here goes beyond just the course. The property boasts a state-of-the-art driving range with a 30,000-square-foot grass tee deck, a spacious practice area, elegant banquet facilities, meeting rooms, and several dining options.

Plus, with the newly opened, pet-friendly Naturally Pacific Resort just next door, your stay in Campbell River is bound to be as relaxing as your day on the greens. (Book the Resort at the bottom of this page)

This golf club is quickly shaping up to be one of the most exciting golf destinations on Vancouver Island.

— > Grab a Tee-Time and a Room at the Naturally Pacific Resort website. < —

6. Shelter Point Distillery

Visit one of the most beautiful tasting rooms in the world at the Shelter Point Distillery on Vancouver Island, just outside of Campbell River. Soak in the beautiful scents of this distillery and farm, all while sipping on locally produced whiskey and gin.

Founded in 2011, Shelter Point Distillery has been committed to distilling high quality single malt whisky from the beginning. They have recently branched into a botanical gin, which is also a sure hit at your next party.

This locally loved company utilizes small batch distilling and traditional methods, that takes on notes from it’s environment on the stunning pacific coast.

One of the best things to do in Campbell River is stop by Shelter Point for a wee dram.

— > Take a Distillery Tour + Tasting < —-

7. Discovery Passage Aquarium

Great things come in small packages! What this aquarium lacks in size, it more than makes up for in character. The staff at this quaint miniature aquarium does a fantastic job of engaging and educating the public on the marine life in the area.

Every year, volunteers and staff safely and humanely gather sea life from the surrounding waters to help educate the public. They are gently released back into nature at the end of the season.

You can touch the sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and several species of star fish here. Rated the number one thing to do in Campbell River – by kids!

This aquarium located on the end of the Discovery Pier near the tourist office in Campbell River.

Free Things To Do In Campbell River

There are plenty of free activities to do in Campbell River, and they nature buffs need apply here! Lets get right into the best of the free activities in this beautiful seaside town.

8. Discovery Pier (Local Favorite)

Discovery Pier is a beloved spot for local anglers, offering everything you need for a fun day of fishing.

With built-in rod holders, bait stands, fish cleaning tables, and plenty of covered areas, picnic tables, and benches, it’s a perfect place to cast a line. Don’t have a rod? No worries! The seasonal concession stand, open from May to October, rents out rods and tackle, so you’re all set.

During the summer, the staff keeps a leaderboard of the catches made off the pier—why not see if you can make it onto the board? And even if fishing isn’t your thing, you might want to stop by just for their famous ice cream cones.

Conveniently located downtown next to the Government Wharf, Discovery Pier shares a parking lot with the Discovery Passage Aquarium and Maritime Heritage Centre, making it a great spot to spend a few hours in Campbell River, you might even spot some whales!

9. Elk Falls Provincial Park & Waterfall (Local Favorite)

The much loved provincial park of Elk Falls offers up visitors a great place to camp, swim, hike and relax! An affordable camping option on Vancouver Island and only minutes away from the amenities of downtown Campbell River.

Hike through the coastal forest via the Canyon View Trail all the way to the impressive suspension bridge to view the power of the Elk Falls Waterfall.

This trail is not too long, so great for beginners. It is dog friendly, but would present problems for the mobility challenged with it’s many sets of stairs. Clean toilets available in the parking lot.

Discover what the locals keep secret; amazing fresh water river swimming & fishing! Jump into the Campbell River and cool down in the pristine clear waters.

Fish are found in abundance here, so it’s a great place to try your luck. Just don’t forget your fishing license!

10. Quinsam River Hatchery

The Quinsam River Hatchery is an amazing place to see the magnificence and power of the salmon species.

Campbell River is known as the Salmon Capital of the World, and the Quinsam River is home to 5 different salmon species.

This facility is Canada’s most energy-efficient hatchery. It supplies eight million pink salmon eggs to the east coast of Vancouver Island, from Courtenay to Nanaimo every year.

Enter the FREE visitor center first to get a little bit of background on the area and learn about the types of fish native to this spot.

After you finish inside, head outside to watch the salmon jumping in the specially made channels, and see first-hand how they swim upstream in the Quinsam River.

This is such a family friendly activity, and ranked highly as one of the best things to do in Campbell River. Dog friendly with furry friends kept on leashes.

Phone ahead to arrange a guided tour by staff to get the full experience!

11. Hiking and Biking Trails

Campbell River is known as an outdoor enthusiasts playground. There are plenty of wonderful hikes within the region, and all different skill levels.

I recommend getting the All Trails app, and downloading the maps to use offline as the cell phone service can be quite spotty around Campbell River.

• For a moderate 10km hike with an amazing view at the end, try the Canyon View Trail to the Elk Falls Viewing Platform. There are 13 other trails within the Elk Falls Provincial Park if this one sounds too long for you.
• Try the gorgeous shaded trail of Beaver Lodge Lands Rail Trail for a mix of single track and old rail trail. It is a 6km (mostly flat) out and back trail that works for walking, cycling and even accommodates strollers!
• Next, why not try the Ripple Rock Trail (local favorite) which leads to the Seymour Narrows lookout where one of the most notorious marine hazards in North America that used to ‘gobble up’ ships. The obstacles were successfully removed by the largest synthetic, non nuclear explosion in history!
• Con’t.. Ripple Rock Trail is local favorite and is an 8km out and back trail popular with runners, cyclists, and hikers. Enjoy the spectacular views, and see for yourself why this is one of the most popular trails in Campbell River!

Dogs are welcome as long as they are on leash.

12. Oyster River Pot Holes (Local Favorite)

If you happen to be in Campbell River over the summer; you do not want to miss out on the cooling waters of the Oyster River Pot Holes.

Bring your goggles and water shoes to swim in this crystal clear waters that are absolutely teaming with life. The pot holes are a very cool and unique experience. The water is shallow and rocky and you wade in, but then there are incredibly deep grooves that you can jump right into.

This activity is completely free and not to be missed! It is a local favorite. The Pot Holes can be accessed from either Hwy 19 and Duncan Bay Rd, or York and Woodhus Rd on the Oyster River.

No life guards are on duty at these locations, so please take the necessary precautions.

— > Click here to view the access points via Google Maps < —

13. Tyee Spit (Dick Murphy Park)

Take a stroll along “The Spit” at the Campbell River Estuary, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of Quadra Island, frequent sightings of marine wildlife, and the occasional cruise ship passing through the picturesque Discovery Passage.

As you enter the spit, you’ll notice a stunning indigenous burial ground complete with beautiful works of art in the form of totem.

From mid-July to mid-September, this iconic peninsula comes alive with a local Campbell River tradition—the Tyee Club. Here, you can watch as rowers and anglers in classic wooden rowboats patiently fish for the elusive 30lb Tyee salmon.

Dip your toes in the chilly Pacific Ocean, or stay a little longer to catch a breathtaking sunset from the viewing platform on the estuary side of the spit. Look up, because people aren’t the only ones who love this spot – bald eagles are known to frequent the area as well.

14. Walk the Rotary Seawalk – Campbell River

No trip to Campbell River is complete without taking a stroll along the river front known as the Rotary Seawalk. There is always something new to see because the conditions of the ocean are always changing. Try if you can, to spot the elusive purple starfish!

Stand in awe of the whale sculpture recently created by Alex Witcombe of Drifted Creations. It is an impressive 27 feet long (life-sized juvenile humpback whale size) and weighs in at about two and a half tons. Other driftwood creations can be spotted along the walk as well, so keep you eyes peeled!

Pro Tip: Stop at ‘Fog Dukkers’ along the Seawalk; a famous hangout for coffee lovers. This eclectic coffee shop and roastery has plenty of interesting art on display and you cannot beat the stunning views!

15. Beach Day at McIvor Lake Park (Local Favorite)

After all of the exploring, hiking, biking and swimming you’ve done, I have one last great outdoor recommendation! This one you won’t find on any website or google search. The locals all love to spend a lazy day at the beach on McIvor Lake.

This beautiful lake is only minutes from town, offering a boat launch, free parking, and sandy beaches. The water in the summer is refreshing and surprisingly warm. Grab your paddle board, or rent one from town and enjoy a lazy day on the beach with locals.

Outhouses are available here, but often lack toilet paper, so bring your own. Dogs are welcome on the beach and in the water as long as they’re on leash.

So, grab one of the rope swings and let your hair down at McIvor Lake – one of the top things to do in Campbell River!

16. Browse the Mussels and More Pottery and Gift Shop

Stopping by this local gem is sure to delight you! Inside the Mussels and More Pottery and gift shop you’ll find of crafts and food products made by local artisans. Beautiful wall metal art, locally made soaps, and beautiful spice blends are just a few of the special items you’ll find.

This store is centrally located and on the way to Elk Falls Provincial Park. Be sure to make a stop and say hello to the friendly people working here!

Getting Around

As with most places in Canada, public transportation is a little lack luster. Although there are bus routes in Campbell River, you’ll need a car if you want to get to some of hikes and great things to see outside of town.

Nearby Airports:

• Campbell River Airport – 10km
• Comox Valley – 49km
• Nanaimo Airport – 168km
• Victoria International Airport – 283km

—– > Check here to find the best deal on Car Rentals in Campbell River. < —– My partner site often has some of the best prices on the internet, and they’ve been my trusted go-to car source for over a decade.

FAQs

Lets jump right into some of the most asked questions about the beautiful destination of Campbell River in British Columbia.

How many days is enough in Campbell River

There are many great places to visit, hikes to enjoy and whales to watch in Campbell River. To really get a good feel for the place, I’d recommend staying in the area for at least 4 days.

What is Campbell River, BC known for

Outdoor Enthusiasts Apply Here: Campbell River may be famous as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” but it’s not just about fishing here. Whether you’re into cold water diving, hiking the local trails, or just getting out and enjoying nature, this town has something for every outdoor enthusiast.

Where To Stay In Campbell River

Deciding on where to stay in Campbell River? Well, there are some great options! Are you into golf? Then the Naturally Pacific Resort might be for you with an amazing new redesigned golf course right next door. Sea views on a budget are your thing? The Painter’s Lodge might be a great fit!

Budget Option ($): Painter’s Lodge – The Beautiful ‘Painter’s Lodge’ hotel is on the ocean, and within a 5 minute drive of Elk Falls. Clean, spacious rooms, outdoor pool and pet friendly. —-> Book Painter’s Lodge < —–

Mid-Range Option ($$) Comfort Inn and Suites: This wonderful hotel is located in the heart of Campbell River and very close to Elk Falls Provincial Park. It includes an indoor pool and free breakfast everyday. Does not allow pets. —-> Book Comfort Inn and Suites <—–

Luxury Option ($$$) Naturally Pacific Resort: This brand new pet-friendly resort offers mountain views and a spa. Book a tee-time at stunning on site golf club, or visit the state of the art driving range and pro shop. —-> Book Naturally Pacific Resort <—-

Conclusion

Campbell River is a beautiful destination on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. I was in complete awe of the natural beauty and splendor of the area, and can see exactly why my friends chose to move there.

The wildlife is abundant in Campbell River, and while visiting you’re very likely to see many different types of creatures from: Bald Eagles, to Salmon, Bears and even Whales.

This city is a place to be treasured and protected so further generations can enjoy wildlife and nature, and so they can do all the best things that Campbell River has to offer too.

If you’re visiting Vancouver Island with family and worried about how everyone will get along, check out my guide on How to Enjoy Vacation with Family and Take the Stress Away

Enjoy your holiday on Vancouver Island,

Tanya

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