We’ve been hibernating long enough. This is the season to get your crew together for a full-throttle adventure.
With plenty of outdoor activities just a stone’s throw from downtown Campbell River, there’s sure to be no shortage of stories to tell—or to keep to yourselves. Here you can be on the water one day and in an alpine park the next. You can catch dinner, camp out, and kick back. You can go SUPing (Stand up paddleboarding), biking, hiking, and boating like it’s all in a day’s work. Out here the concept of ‘choose your own adventure’ truly comes to life! Not sure where to start? We’ve got your back.
Here Are 5 Awesome Campbell River Experiences
1. Stop for Lunch at Crabby Bob’s
Don’t be fooled: the staff at Crabby Bob’s isn’t crabby at all. Friendly locals run a floating seafood market just off the dock in Campbell River making it a cool, casual place to grab a fresh seafood lunch, get acquainted with the area, and plan a solid weekend. The best part? You can order takeaway seafood, cooked or raw, to eat around a fire or at your final destination.
Local etiquette: If you eat at the beach, be sure to clean up any discarded shells from your seafood feast.
2. Explore Quadra Island by Boat
There are two ways to get to Quadra Island from the centre of Campbell River: you can take the ferry or you can take a boat. One of the easiest ways to customize your excursion is by scheduling a boat tour. Don’t forget to BYO (bring your own) paddleboards so you can take your time exploring the crystal clear waters surrounded by rocky coves, don’t have your own, local operators can hook you up. Or rent kayaks to cruise around on either side, in Campbell River or on Quadra Island.
4. Catch the Sunset at Stories Beach
Just 15 minutes south of Campbell River, Stories Beach is a close-to-town hotspot for swimming, windsurfing, and paddle boarding. But the best way to end the day is by setting up a campfire to catch up with friends, recap the day’s activities, and assign bragging rights for the weekend.
Before you put your feet up, remember to put someone in charge of safety who can:
✓ Check for any provincial or local fire bans;
✓ Make sure your fire is below the high tide line;
✓ Have something on hand to extinguish the fire; and
✓ Make sure the fire is completely out before you leave.
4. See the Sunrise From a Heli Flight
No matter how late you stay up swapping stories with your buds, it’s worth the early rise to see the sunrise from the sky. Book a helicopter tour with 49 North Helicopters and watch your friends’ jaws drop over the thrill of the scenery and the rush from the ride. Land on a mountain top for your morning coffee, then stop and see the Oyster Man for lunch. He’ll show you how to shuck your own oysters and clams, making you feel even more hardcore than you already did.
5. Zip Around Strathcona Park Lodge
Drive the guys out to Strathcona Provincial Park, the oldest provincial park in British Columbia, to get a little mud on the tires. Whether it’s a quick trip to Lower Myra Falls or a day-hike up Crest Mountain, you can choose from one of many expansive hiking trails or visit the Strathcona Park Lodge to challenge your skills with a tree-hung obstacle course and go swinging along two ziplining courses for a full day of rugged outdoor experiences.
Ready to hit the road? Or book that flight? You can fly into Comox Airport and be in downtown Campbell River within 45 minutes. That’s winning in our books.
When you’re ready to pull the trigger and head to Campbell River, don’t forget to do your research first. Check out our Campbell River itineraries for more awesome ideas. If you’re not really the planning type, don’t sweat it. (We do recommend at least planning where you’ll sleep, in the high season you want to make sure you’re booked in somewhere.) Don’t hesitate to stop and ask some of the passionate locals for suggestions. They’re friendly and full of knowledge about what to do, where to go, and when to head out.
Whatever you and your friends are into, there are plenty of things to do in Campbell River that make for an active bros weekend. From lakes to parks, mountains to the ocean, Campbell River will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime—or at least until the next time you return to our backyard.
Oh, and remember to give all your friends back home some serious FOMO. Share your photos using #DiscoverCampbellRiver and follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts to see Campbell River from a new perspective.