Nestled on the east coast of central Vancouver Island, and long known as the Salmon Capital of the World, Campbell River is a natural destination, in more ways than one. Capture the spirit of Campbell River ... stroll in sea breezes on Discovery Pier and you might see a salmon, eagle, or whale. Take in views of Discovery Passage, Quadra Island and, in the distance, the rugged Coast Mountain range of mainland British Columbia. Explore trails along Campbell River's namesake, a designated British Columbia Heritage River. Restore your soul amidst streams and lakes in forests kept green by the mild Pacific Coast climate.
We are also your gateway to Strathcona Park, the Discovery Islands, and remote north and West Vancouver Island. In these renowned wilderness destinations, you'll find a world of mountains, coastlines, and islands just waiting to be explored.
Our communities offer a wide range of visitor services, so make this the year to discover the nature-and spirit-of Campbell River.

Campbell River is also your gateway to outdoor recreation and eco-touring. For summertime seclusion, or winter snow activities, venture into Strathcona Provincial Park, where the mountains draw climbers, heli-skiers, and other enthusiasts from around the world. Continue into remote reaches of north or West Vancouver Island. Head offshore to the Discovery Islands' region for whale watching, kayaking, and other unparalleled wilderness opportunities.
So come and discover Campbell River, and feel the rhythms of an Oceanside community, where salmon are our heritage ... and our cherished legacy.
Some great places to see whilst in Campbell River.

• Visit Haig-Brown House, a restored 1923 farmhouse set amid forests and gardens beside the Campbell River. This was the home of pioneer conservationists Roderick and Ann Haig-Brown.

• Campbell River's rich native heritage is proudly showcased in the Campbell River Museum, housed on the highway south of the town centre, which features a fine collection of Northwest Coast Native masks, ceremonial items, and other fine art.

• The Campbell River & District Public Art Gallery in the Centennial Building in Shoppers Row offers 45-to 60-minute tours for school children and community groups throughout the year. The tours include a talk about the exhibitions on display, and an art activity afterwards, and can be modified to meet each groups needs.

• The Campbell River Optical Maritime Museum in the Dogwood Centre has a collection of over 500 maritime artifacts, some dating back 2,000 years. Open year-round, Monday to Thursday.

• Built in 1924, Pier House is the oldest house in town and stands at the entrance to Campbell River's famous fishing pier. This building is a charming mixes of old curiosity shop and museum, where you can examine the many relics.

• Totem poles can be viewed at various sites throughout Campbell River; Tyee Plaza Shopping Centre, Foreshore Park, Coast Discovery Inn, Wei Wai Kum House of Treasures and the Discovery Harbor Centre. Visitors to the region have many opportunities to share and experience First Nations culture, by visiting museums and art galleries, or taking part in cultural tours, festivals, and special ceremonies provided in the region.

• Hollywood has discovered Campbell River's scenic locations for film making - The Scarlett Letter and Eaters of the Dead (released as 13th Warrior) were filmed here.

• Don't miss the annual Transformation on the Shore (Driftwood Carving Contest) that lines the 4.2 km Rotary Beach Seawalk, and Campbell River Children's Festival held on the Canada Day long weekend (1 July).

• During the Salmon Festival in August, the town is abuzz with famous and ordinary sports fisher folk. Some of the more popular annual celebrations include the Logger Sports in August, and The Haig-Brown Festival in September.

• About 12 miles (19 km) south of Campbell River, you'll find exceptional birding in Woodhus Slough. Viewing trails lead out into the slough from the parking lot in Oyster River Regional Park. To reach the park, turn east on Glenora as it follows the north side of the Oyster River.

• Take a whale watching tour during the summer, a flight-seeing tour over the outer islands or a bear watching tour to world famous Knight Inlet.

• Golf: Campbell River caters well to golfers, with three golf courses in the area; the Storey Creek Golf Club, the Sequoia Springs Golf Club, and Saratoga Beach Golf Course.

• Kids Adventure: Take the kids to the beaches south of town; Oyster Bay, Saratoga or Miracle. Check out the sandy beaches on McIvor Lake, a favorite swimming spot of locals. Visit nearby Strathcona Park and sign them up for kid's outdoor education classes at Strathcona Park Lodge, or take a course with the whole family. A trip to the top of Mount Washington on the chairlift will keep them occupied for hours. How about renting bicycles, hopping on board a ferry and visiting Quadra Island for the day?

Spend some time learning about fishy stuff at the Quinsam Salmon Hatchery, and then go for a family fishing trip down to Discovery Pier where you can rent poles by the hour. On weekends, try Saratoga Speedway for some up-close stock car racing in the evenings, or go-carting in the afternoon all summer long. And the Museum offers daily programs, including the popular Puppet Theatre.

• You don't actually have to dive in order to enjoy an unusual underwater experience on the Campbell River. Snorkelling here from July to September provides an opportunity to watch from the surface as salmon, some as large as 50 pounds (28kg) school in the estuary in advance of spawning.

• Diving: Discovery Passage teems with marine life. The Jacques Cousteau Society rates it the "second best cold water diving destination in the world, after the Red Sea." There's no wreck like an old wreck, and that's what the HMCS Columbia is fast becoming. The vessel was scuttled by the Artificial Reef Society of BC near Maud Island in Discovery Passage, just north of Campbell River. Crystal clear waters, abundant sea life, plus certified charters, guides, and instructors have made Campbell River a major dive centres for beginners and experienced divers. Check with local scuba dive shops for information and locations.

• Canoeing: West of Campbell River, the Sayward Forest Canoe Route covers almost 30 miles (50 km) of lakes and rivers connected by a series of portage trails. Allow 3 to 4 days to complete the circuit, which begins on Campbell Lake. Wisdom has it that the best approach to the route is to journey in a counterclockwise direction, putting in at the boat launch on Mohun Lake in Morton Lake Provincial Park. The well-marked route continues through 10 lakes before returning to the park. Road access to most of the lakes within the canoe route means that paddlers can pick and choose from a variety of put-in and take-out points. Portages range in distance from a stone's throw across a log jam at Brewster Bridge to about 1.4 miles (2.2 km) between Surprise and Brewster Lakes. BC Forest Service publishes a detailed map of the route. To reach the Mohun Lake boat ramp, travel west of Hwy 19 via the Menzies Bay Mainline Logging Road and then the Mohun Lake East Road.

Rustic Loveland Bay Provincial Park offers paddling at Loveland Bay on Lower Campbell Lake, although the main attraction in these parts is Mohun Lake, with a section of its shoreline lying within Morton Lake Provincial Park. Car-top boats can be launched at Morton Lake and Loveland Bay, and there's a boat ramp on Mohun Lake. Loveland Bay is reached from Hwy 28 west of Campbell River on the John Hart Dam Road and then the Camp 5 Logging Road. Mohun Lake is accessed via the Mohun Lake East Road.
Waterspouts are big; the beautiful Discovery Islands off Campbell River offer prime sea kayaking. Whitewater rafting on the Nimpkish River is a great way to enjoy a day and take home last memories.