Kelowna 
The city of Campbell River on Vancouver is named for the River which runs through town and drains into the Georgia Strait. This river, which begins to the east at Butte Lake, forms a series of gorgeous landscapes across the central Island from the rushing waters and falls, deep canyons, and expansive lakes/reservoirs.
Credit: Destination Vancouver/Jordan Dyck
One of the best places for exploring this diverse and rich natural environment is located directly beside the city of Campbell River. Elk Falls Provincial Park is close enough to the city that campers can easily bike to town, while those in Campbell River can easily access the park’s amenities or trails.
Elk Falls Provincial Park offers dramatic canyon views, a 25-metre waterfall, and lush old-growth forests, making it a top destination for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing on Vancouver Island. From salmon fishing to scenic trails and birdwatching, there’s something for everyone. Here are all the ways to make the most of your trip to Elk Falls.
The Beauty of the Park’s Namesake
The Campbell River, while not considered a long river by Canadian standards, cuts a deep valley and canyon across Vancouver Island. The river begins at Butte Lake in the centre of the Island and flows east toward the city of Campbell River and the Georgia Strait. And for much of the river’s journey, much of it is divided into large reservoirs from hydro dams. The section that runs through Elk Falls Provincial Park is one of the narrowest sections of Campbell River and also provides some of the best scenery.
Elk Falls to the east of the John Hart Lake and dam drops into the canyon at an impressive 25m. At the tops of the canyon walls are old growth Douglas firs and other greenery to create a stunning backdrop for a hike. Get views of Elk Falls from several angles, too, with the help of staircases, platforms, and the park’s suspension bridge. The wildlife is another defining feature of Elk Falls Provincial Park and helps add to park’s popularity.
More specifically, the park’s access to incredible fishing opportunities makes it popular for anglers from all over. There are hatcheries on both the Campbell and Quinsam Rivers, and more tidal fishing opportunities on the city’s coastline. But for the most part, people come to Campbell River, or the “Salmon Capital of the World,” for salmon fishing!
Year-round Camping at Elk Falls
The Elk Falls Provincial Park offers four-season camping with cheaper rates in the winter, and no services. And while these campgrounds are a short walk away from the Campbell Rivrebanks, they do border the Quinsam River. So, there are possibilities for riverside camping. The campgrounds offer amenities like washrooms, tap water, and tables/firepits for each site. Elk Falls offers a more rustic camping experience without services; however, the city of Campbell River is a short drive or bike ride away for services.
Hiking to the Falls & More Park Trails
Credit: Destination Vancouver/Jordan Dyck
Elk Falls and the nearby suspension bridge over the Campbell River are the major highlights of hiking around the Provincial Park. The trail begins at the Hydroelectric Discovery Centre and continues for 1km to views of Elk Falls and to the suspension bridge. Along the way are several viewing platforms to get views of the waterfall from all sorts of angles.
The suspension bridge, accessible from a staircase, then brings the hiker over the top of the waterfall! Altogether, the hike is about 2km out-and-back. There are still more trails to explore within Elk Falls Provincial Park. These are all accessible via hiking trails that start at the park’s day-use areas. Plus, a few park trails also permit bikes.
- The Canyon View trail creates a large loop around the Campbell River with a bridge, access from the campground, washrooms, and rest areas along the trail. The entire loop, from bridge to bridge, is about 5km.
- Starting from the same area as the Canyon View Trail is the Millennium Trail. The path follows the river west to the Elk Falls and could be considered the scenic route to the waterfall views. The Millennium route is an 8km out-and-back.
- Take the Beaver Pond trail for a quick and scenic hike from the campground with opportunities for viewing wildlife large or small.
- Explore the lush Old Growth trail and Douglas fir forest on the west side of the park. This 1km loop can also be extended by another 0.8km to include the Riverside Loop.
- The multi-use trails for hikers and bikers are on the north side of the park and away from the river but still run parallel to it. The Ridge trail and its adjacent loops create the perfect mountain biking adventure.
Wildlife Viewing, Nature Photography, & Birding at Elk Falls
The opportunities for nature and landscape photography are abundant across Elk Falls Provincial Park; and on top of that, the park provides a huge array of different scenes to capture. And if you’re lucky or patient enough, these scenes could include the animal residents of Elk Falls Provincial Park.
- Spot a wide variety of bird species like great blue heron, killdeer, chickadees, starlings, and more.
- Among the mammals to be the most aware of are black bears and cougars. While more elusive, they are the most dangerous to encounter. Smaller or more docile mammals of the park include deer, raccoons, river otters, muskrats, and beavers.
Dining, Accommodations, & More to Explore in Campbell River
As mentioned, many amenities and services in Campbell River are within a quick walk or bike ride from the Elk Falls Quinsam Campground. Head to Campbell River for local drinks and dining, beautiful views of the Strait, and the local attractions.
- Among some of the closest dining spots to the campground are Campbell River’s Ideal Café, More Eatery, or Popsey’s Restaurant. Many more spots are located near the water like LOCAL Pizza, Miki’s Breakfast & Sushi, the Session Taproom, the Sunny Day Café, or Fratelli Pizzeria.
- This small city is a thriving hub for arts and culture with public pieces decorating the streets, local public galleries, or the Tidemark Theatre. Explore the Campbell River history along with the arts and culture through the Museum at Campbell River, or Maritime Heritage Centre.
- Whale watching season around Vancouver Island begins as of April each year; and, there are tour operators who depart from Campbell River near the Provincial Park: Campbell River Whale Watching and Wild Waterways Adventures both offer whale watching excursions.
Planning Your Trip – Elk Falls Provincial Park
Credit: Destination BC/Jake Byrne
What: Elk Falls Provincial Park gets its name from the waterfall within the park and on the Campbell River. The park surrounds the deep river valley and borders with the city of Campbell River. The park is open year-round for camping and offers numerous different trails to explore around the river. The highlight of these trails is Elk Falls, on one of the park’s easier hikes. The 25-meter waterfalls is visible from multiple viewpoints along staircases, platforms, and the suspension bridge.
Location and how to get there: 3km north of Campbell River on Hwy 28 toward Gold River.
Elk Falls Provincial Park is located approximately 155 km (1 hr 30 min drive) from Nanaimo and 265 km (3 hr 10 min drive) from Victoria.
The nearest ferry access from the mainland is 57km south of the park at the Little River Terminal with a ferry to Powell River.
Best time to go: year-round
How much: camping $22 per night and up
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