Camping, Cabins
& R.V. Parks
The Campbell River and Strathcona Region is the perfect spot for a camping getaway, take your pick from scenic BC parks campgrounds, convenient and comfortable RV parks or remote and rustic recreation sites.
The region is surrounded by 5 Provincial Parks; Miracle Beach, Elk Falls, Morton Lake, Loveland Bay and BC’s oldest park Strathcona Provincial Park. There are also several private campgrounds, RV Parks and glamping opportunities. If being rustic and off the grid is more your style, the Campbell River region is also home to over 100 Recreation sites.
*During the summer months, camping is a popular activity, if you are travelling during peak season we recommend making reservations where applicable.*
Make S’more memories and tag us on your adventures #DiscoverCampbellRiver
Provincial Park Campgrounds
BC Parks has made changes to its reservation system for the 2021 season, with BC residents being given preferential access. For detailed information, changes click here.
Reservations can be made at www.discovercamping.ca or by calling 1.800.689.9025
MIRACLE BEACH
*20min from downtown Campbell River*
202 SITES:
✔︎Sandy beach, fire pits, water, firewood, adventure playground.
✔︎Flush toilets and outdoor washrooms, public showers.
✔︎Sani-station $5,
Reservations recommended.
192 sites are reservable May 10 – Sept 3.
☀️
Summer Rates (Mar 28 – Oct 10) $33/night.
❄️Winter Rates (Oct 11 – Oct 31, Mar 1 – Mar 31) $13/night (no services provided).
Gates closed Nov 1 – Feb 28.
ELK FALLS (QUINSAM CAMPGROUND)
*10min from downtown Campbell River*
122 SITES:
✔︎Fire pits, water, firewood, hiking.
✔︎Outdoor washrooms, 2 flush toilets
✔︎Sani-station $5. 00
Sites reservable May 10 – Sept 3.
☀️
Summer Rates $22.
❄️Winter Rates (Nov 1– Mar 31) $11 (no services provided).
STRATHCONA (BUTTLE LAKE)
*1hr from downtown Campbell River*
86 SITES:
✔︎Water, outdoor washrooms, firewood, fire pits.
Gates open April 1 – October 31.
Sites reservable from May 11 – Sept 2.
Rates $20/night.
STRATHCONA (RALPH RIVER)
*1hr and 20min from Downtown Campbell River*
75 SITES:
✔︎Water, outdoor washrooms, firewood, fire pits.
Gates open April 1 – October 31.
36 sites reservable from May 11 – Sept 2.
Rates $20/night.
LOVELAND BAY
*30min from downtown Campbell River*
*only accessible via logging roads*
31 SITES:
✔︎Water, firewood and outdoor washrooms.
✔︎Swimming, fishing and hiking.
28 sites reservable May 11 – Sept 3.
Gates open with full services May 11 – September 30.
Rates $22/night.
MORTON LAKE
*40min from Downtown Campbell River*
*only accessible via logging roads*
24 SITES:
✔︎Water, picnic and day-use areas, swimming, fishing and boat launches.
✔︎Outdoor washrooms.
12 sites reservable May 11 – Sept 3.
✱Please note that there is 20km of gravel road.
☀️Summer Rates $18 (May 11 – Sept 30)
.
❄️Winter Rates $11 (no services provided).
SMELT BAY (CORTES ISLAND)
24 SITES:
✔︎Oceanfront location, fishing, swimming. Pets on leash. Dry toilets.
Day use Park, open year-round.
9 sites reservable May 11 – Sept 3.
☀️Open May 11 – September 30
Rates $20/night.
✱No camping in the off-season.
Private Camping Accommodations
Campbell River is home to a number of comfortable and convenient private campgrounds that offer full-service RV pads, cozy cabins and glamping experiences. If you’re looking to stay close to town Thunderbird RV Park and Driftwood by the Sea are both great options featuring all the amenities for RVs as well as cabins. Or if you’re looking to get out of the city Browns Bay Resort is located about 19km north of town, this scenic campground is located on the entrance to the Seymour Narrows take your pick from cabins, glamping tents, RV pads or tent sites. Check out the list below for a full rundown of private campgrounds in the Campbell River and Strathcona Region.
Filter Listings
Recreation Sites
Recreation sites (rec sites) are un-maintained and unserviced campsites that are typically free; however, if there is a site host, a small fee may be charged. Rec sites take a little bit of extra work to find as they are dispersed along logging roads (these roads are gravel and can be very rough). However, they are a really great and economical way to explore the region. These sites do not allow reservations so if you are traveling during peak times, be prepared to do a bit of driving (aka poking around) before finding an available site. If you are planning on rec site camping it is advised to buy a BackRoads Map Book which is available at the Campbell River Visitor Centre. You can also consult sites and trails BC for an idea of what is available in the region and what amenities the different sites have to offer (ie. boat launch, pit toilets etc.). It is especially important when using rec sites to follow Leave No Trace Practices, and leave them as pristine as you found them (remember they’re not full service or monitored sites) so that these rustic campsites can be enjoyed for years to come and remain accessible for the public.
Backcountry Camping
Strathcona Park is home to many backcountry campgrounds equipped with bear caches and outhouses. In the Forbidden Plateau area of the park Lake Helen Mackenzie, Kwai Lake, Circlet Lake, and Croteau Lake (group campground) all have backcountry campsites. Camping is only allowed in the designated sites in this core area of Strathcona. There are backcountry sites at Baby Bedwell Lake, Bedwell Lake, Arnica Lake (Phillips Ridge Trail), two spots along the Elk River Trail and on the Della Falls Trail. Pay your backcountry camping fees at the trailhead dropbox using cash or on the BC Parks Discover Camping website. Campfires in the Strathcona Park backcountry are strictly prohibited. Strathcona Park also hosts 4 marine access campgrounds: Rainbow Island (4 sites), Titus (5 sites), Wolf River (4 sites) and Phillips Creek (4 sites).
