Frequently Asked Questions
Campbell River FAQ
Helpful information about Campbell River and the Strathcona Region is below. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, email us at [email protected].
Wildlife Viewing
Campbell River is home to a wide variety of wildlife.
Bears, deer, songbirds, waterfowl and a host of other animals are frequently spotted in urban and rural settings.
The best way to see an array of wildlife is on a wildlife tour with one of our experienced local operators. On these tours, it is possible to see Humpback whales, orcas, eagles, seals, sea lions (California and Steller), dolphins, porpoises, bears and more.
We are very lucky to see dolphins in Campbell River at a variety of times throughout the year! As with whales, the guided tour season is typically during the summer months from March to October. You may also be able to see porpoises out in the Discovery Passage from the shores. Campbell River has two species of porpoise that are here during the warmer months. The Harbour Porpoise is here typically from March to October, and the Dall’s Porpoise from May to October. The area also plays host to Pacific White Sided dolphins, from June to November.
While there are no grizzly bears that live on Vancouver Island or the surrounding Gulf Islands, Campbell River is the base for a large amount of tour operators who are happy to take you to the inlets and coastal regions of mainland British Columbia to see grizzly bears in their natural habitats. Popular viewing areas include Toba Inlet, Bute Inlet, Desolation Sound, and the Great Bear Rainforest. Our local guides are experienced in preserving the sacred spaces that these animals call home, and how to find them while keeping distance and safety in mind. The prime months for Grizzly Tours are from mid-August to mid-October.
Seeing whales in Campbell River is something that can be experienced all year, as we have orcas who stay in the area through the winter. For organized tours that offer the chance to view a variety of species, including Humpback, Minke, and Gray whales, the best months to see them are May through November. In the winters they migrate to warmer waters.
Fishing
For those without their own vessel keen to try saltwater fishing, one must hire a fishing charter.
Always check for restrictions and closures on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada website. Campbell River is Area 13. They have a myriad of resources for regional information, licensing and recreational angling, marine navigation, aquatic species, protections, and more. Ahoy BC is another great provincial resource.
Yes, a fishing license is required for both salt and freshwater fishing. Head to the Government of BC website for all your freshwater licensing needs, or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for your saltwater licensing needs for more information.
Yes, tons! The Quinsam River and the Campbell River, both situated close to town, are well-known and popular destinations for freshwater fishing in Campbell River. Additionally, this region offers an abundance of angling opportunities in its numerous lakes. You can check out the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC for stocked lakes in the area.
Campbell River has year round salmon fishing, however the optimal time for salmon fishing can vary depending on the species of salmon:
- Chinook (also known as King) salmon: The best months for Chinook salmon are from May to September, with the peak season occurring in July and August. These summer months are considered the prime time for Chinook salmon fishing in Campbell River.
- Coho (also known as Silver) salmon: Coho salmon are typically caught from August to October, with their peak season taking place in September.
It's essential to be aware that fishing regulations may change from year to year, so it's advisable to review the current regulations before embarking on a fishing trip.
Rod rentals are available seasonally (May – September) at the Discovery Fishing Pier.
The salmon run is dependent on a number of factors but they usually begin swimming up the river to spawn in late July, continuing into the beginning of November. A good place to view salmon is at the Quinsam Fish Hatchery. ***during the spawning period there are black bears in the area, please exercise caution.
Tours
Age limits are up to the individual operator’s discretion. Typically children are allowed on whale and wildlife tours, however, most bear watching tours require all guests to be over the age of 12.
No there is not. Visitors can go on a self-guided tour of Pier Street. The city has installed signs throughout downtown that mark historically significant places.
Due to the fact that there are no grizzly bears on Vancouver Island, local operators travel to nearby inlets on the mainland. Tours last about 8 hours with a bear viewing time of 3 hours.
Although there are no tours offered of the dam, guests can go to the interpretive centre at Elk Falls to learn about the project.
Whale watching tours run from the beginning of May until mid October. For a list of operators, visit our marine and wildlife tours page.
Bear watching tours start mid-August and run until mid-October. Generally, the best time to see bears all depends on the timing of the yearly salmon run. Tours book up quickly so be sure to book in advance!
Hiking
There are a number of great hiking trails in the Campbell River region for all levels of fitness. The Elk Falls Provincial Park and the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands have a number of popular trails. For those wanting to venture a little further out of town, the Strathcona Provincial Park offers a number of beautiful trails for all comfort levels.
Biking
Campbell River is home to a number of excellent biking areas. For those looking for a leisurely ride along the water, check out the Rotary Sea Walk, a 6km paved path that gives riders an excellent ocean view. For those looking to mountain bike, the Beaver Lodge Lands have a variety of trails for all levels. The Snowden Demonstration Forest is also a popular network for more advanced terrain.
Community & Culture
You can check out a wide variety of art at the Campbell River Art Gallery, or hop over to Quadra for the Artisan Studio Tour.
Approximately 35,000. For more information about the city, check the city’s website – campbellriver.ca
Apart from our city museum, the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre on Quadra Island has a collection of potlatch regalia that has been repatriated. The Cultural Centre is a great place to go to learn about the traditions and values of local First Nations groups.
The Museum at Campbell River is a great spot to go to learn about local history. It’s galleries cover local Indigenous history, early settlement, and industrial histories such as logging and fishing. The Maritime Heritage Centre is great for those wanting to learn more about marine history. The centre features the BCP45, a local fishing boat that was featured on the Canadian five dollar bill in the seventies.
The Tidemark Theatre is a great place to get tickets for a variety of concerts and acts throughout the year. In the summer, Spirit Square hosts weekly live music and entertainment events. Many pubs and restaurants offer live entertainment on the weekends. Check out our Events calendar as well for upcoming shows!
Dine
Yes, it is called Beachfire Brewing and Nosh House and on Tuesdays, they do a specialty small batch. There is also a whiskey distillery called Shelter Point Distillery, they do free tastings and tours.
Camping
There is no way to tell how many campsites are left online, the only way to know if the park is full, is to visit the campground. If it is full, there is typically a sign out front saying so.
In the summer months from June to early September, booking for a private or provincial campsite is strongly recommended. Bookings for provincial parks are done online through the BC Parks website. Reservations must be made at least two days in advance. Bookings for private campgrounds can be made directly through the campgrounds themselves.
Recreation sites (rec sites) are unmaintained and unservices campsites that are typically free or if there is a site host, they may have a small fee. Rec sites take a little bit of extra work to find as they are dispersed along logging roads (gravel, can sometimes be rough). However, they are a really great and economical way to explore the region. If you are planning on rec site camping, it is advised to buy a Backroads Map Book, which are 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 toilet, etc.)
There are many options for camping in the area. There are private campgrounds with fully serviced sites, provincial parks, recreation sites, and glamping.
Most of the private campgrounds remain open year round. The Quinsam Campground at Elk Falls is open all year, however, during the winter months, there is no services available, so campers must be self-sufficient. You can also camp at most rec sites during the winter months but you must be self-sufficient as well.
There are seasonal sani-dumps at Miracle Beach and Elk Falls, and there is a year round sani-dump located at the Quinsam Crossing.
Planning Your Trip
Reservations are strongly advised for the summer months (June – early September). For the long weekends, Canada Day, BC Day, and Labour Day, reservations are strongly recommended.
Events Calendar
The downtown Farmers Market happens every Sunday on Shoppers Row in front of the Visitor Centre.
Our city’s signature events are the Canada Day Celebrations, Logger Sports & Highland Games, and Transformations on the Shore. For dates and other events, check our events calendar.
Beaches & Parks
Beach fires are allowed on public beaches in Campbell River as long as they are below the high tide line. Before lighting a fire, make sure to check for any seasonal closures or restrictions.
See It for Real
Scenes From the Real Campbell River
Be sure to share your images with #TheRealCampbellRiver for
chance to be featured!
The Latest Campbell River
Travel News
Travel Tips, Local Insights, and Much More
Campbell River
Newsletter
Get in the Loop and Sign Up
for News from Campbell River.
To stay up to date on what’s happening in Campbell River and get curated itineraries for your next trip, sign up for the Campbell River newsletter today!