Making Room for Your Coastal Lifestyle

Lots of people move to Campbell River, and the central/north Vancouver Island region, because of the wonderful outdoor lifestyle opportunities. Camping, boating, kayaking, hiking, atv-ing, mountain biking, skiing, hunting, fishing - the list goes on; as a home base, this region offers some of the most accessible outdoor activity area anywhere. Within 45 minutes of town one can be on a ski hill, at a beach, enjoying a lake, fishing a river, camping in a forest, or exploring the ocean and islands off shore.

With all that recreation, however, comes equipment. And if you are moving here to take advantage of the great outdoors, thinking about where you are going to keep your equipment is important.

Are you thinking of downsizing so you can spend time RVing? Then you need to have somewhere to store your RV. Coming here to fish on the ocean or lakes? Will you have a boat and if so, where will you keep it? Skis, ATVs, mountain bikes, kayaks - all need a place to sit when not in use.

Listings in this region should tell you if RV parking, extra outdoor space and good storage space is available. Most properties allow these types of outdoor items, although there are still some neighbourhoods that do not, so check if there are any covenants on the title restricting property use.

When you come to the area, come prepared to take advantage of all it offers and make sure your home allows you to easily access what you need. Whether that means a sturdy pair of walking shoes or a state-of-the-art RV beside the house is completely up to you!

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

Overnight Hiking on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is renowned for water-based recreation and exploration, but there is also a lot of land-based recreation available. The island has such a variety of ecosystems that someone looking for a multi-day hike adventure has many choices. 

You want mountains? Head to Strathcona Park where you will find a number of over-night or longer hikes that will take you to a number of iconic mountains in the park, such as Mt. Albert Edward.

Strathcona Park

Looking for southern rugged shores? Head to the Juan de Fuca Trail.

The West Coast Trail is a world-famous trail that requires signing up to a waiting list at least a year in advance to even get to hike it.

Looking for remote? Head over to Nookta Island and the multi-day trail there. Or drive to the northern tip of the island and hike the Cape Scott Trail, along boardwalks and mud, and then move onto the North Coast Trail which extends from the Cape Scott Trail.

Cape Scott

Want to add some canoeing into the hiking adventure? Della Falls, Canada’s highest waterfall, is the spot for you.

There are many more that can be done by pushing in one long day or split more comfortably into two days. The island is absolutely the place for outdoor adventuring of all kinds, including serious hiking.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

BCO Coastal Gems: Gold River

Tucked in to the mountains on the central west coast of Vancouver Island is the village of Gold River. In its heyday Gold River was a resource and mill town; it was the first town in Canada to have all wiring underground and was known for its excellent community facilities. In 1998/99 when the mill shut down the village reinvented itself into a gateway to the tourism and fishing sectors on the west coast.

Gold River is the jumping off point for fishing in Nootka Sound, as well as for kayakers and hikers heading over to the Nootka Island trail. 90km west of Campbell River on Hwy 28, it is the end of the paved road before heading out to Tahsis on logging roads. Outdoor enthusiasts come for the mountain climbing (the Golden Hinde is Vancouver Island's tallest mountain), the hiking (Elk Lake trail)and even cave exploring (Upana Caves). The road itself draws motorcycle enthusiasts to Gold River, as it is considered an excellent riding experience.

Gold River provides an easy access to the beautiful and wild west coast of Vancouver Island, as well as a nice place to stop for a while.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

Exploring Strathcona Park

As the oldest provincial park in BC, Strathcona Park is considered one of the jewels of the provincial park system. It is 250,000 hectares and encompasses mountain ranges, valleys, lakes and waterfalls at the centre of Vancouver Island.

This park has many entry points and there are a variety of experiences one can have to enjoy it and explore. Numerous hiking trails provide for either short day hikes or experienced multi-day hikes that take you high up into the mountains. Buttle Lake provides boating and fishing opportunities, and there are two large campgrounds in the park - Buttle Lake and Ralph River.
 

Buttle Lake

 Without needing to hike up you can access the alpine meadows of the park through Paradise Meadows and Mount Washington (the ski resort sits on the edge of the park) where you can do gentle short walks through the meadows or more challenging 1-2 day hikes to some of the surrounding peaks.

Paradise Meadows boardwalk

Waterfall hunters won't be disappointed, as there are a number of large falls in the park. Most of them are accessible by a short hike, while some are more of a day hike. Della Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Canada, is a more serious trek that starts with a boat ride.

Lower Myra Falls

Lady Falls

While there are the easier, car-accessible recreation opportunities on Buttle Lake and at Paradise Meadows, the majority of the park is wilderness and still untouched in some places.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

Multi-day Hikes on Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is renowned for water-based recreation and exploration, but there is also a lot of land-based recreation available. The island has such a variety of ecosystems that someone looking for a multi-day hike adventure has many choices. 

You want mountains? Head to Strathcona Park where you will find a number of over-night or longer hikes that will take you to a number of iconic mountains in the park, such as Mt. Albert Edward.

Strathcona Park

Looking for the southern rugged shores? Head to the Juan de Fuca Trail.

The West Coast Trail is a world-famous trail that requires signing up to a waiting list at least a year in advance to even get to hike it.

Looking for remote? Head over to Nookta Island and the multi-day trail there. Or drive to the northern tip of the island and hike the Cape Scott Trail, along boardwalks and mud, and then move onto the North Coast Trail which extends from the Cape Scott Trail.

Cape Scott

Want to add some canoeing into the hiking adventure? Della Falls, Canada’s highest waterfall, is the spot for you.

There are many more that can be done by pushing in one long day or split more comfortably into two days. The island is absolutely the place for outdoor adventuring of all kinds, including serious hiking.

Provincial Parks on Vancouver Island

You can't drive more than an hour on Vancouver Island without hitting a Provincial Park, or so it seems. Did you know there are 85 provincial parks on and around Vancouver Island, with another 30 in the Gulf and Discovery Island groups?

Buttle Lake, Strathcona Provincial Park

Vancouver Island is home to the very first provincial park in BC - Strathcona - which stretches along the centre of Vancouver Island and encompasses a variety of mountains and lakes providing serious hiking, boating, rock climbing and camping opportunities. Strathcona is a popular destination for wilderness seekers, as it provides two large drive-to campgrounds as well as a myriad of hiking trails and back country camping sites.

Paradise Meadows, Strathcona Provincial Park

While many of the parks are well known, such as Miracle Beach, Rathtrevor, Little Qualicum Falls and Bamberton, others are often known only to a select few. Parks such as Artlish Caves, White Ridge and Sooke Mountain are not featured in magazines or tourist brochures, but are simply there to be found for those seeking an adventure.

Miracle Beach Provincial Park

Some of the parks are marine parks, encompassing bodies of water that have been deemed worthy of protection. While beaches or small islands may be associated with these parks, generally they are accessed by boat. A few, like Raft Cove, do have trail access but it is not well maintained.

Raft Cove Provincial Park

The numerous parks on the island provide a wonderful opportunity for exploration and speak to the amazing natural beauty of this area.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

Provincial Parks on Vancouver Island

You can't drive more than an hour on Vancouver Island without hitting a Provincial Park, or so it seems. Did you know there are 85 provincial parks on and around Vancouver Island, with another 30 in the Gulf and Discovery Island groups?

Strathcona Provincial Park

Vancouver Island is home to the very first provincial park - Strathcona - which stretches along the centre of Vancouver Island and encompasses a variety of mountains and lakes. Strathcona is a popular destination for wilderness seekers, as it provides two large campgrounds as well as a myriad of hiking trails.

Strathcona Provincial Park

While many of the parks are well known, such as Miracle Beach, Rathtrevor, Little Qualicum Falls and Bamberton, others are often known only to a select few. Parks such as Artlish Caves, White Ridge and Sooke Mountain are not featured in magazines or tourist brochures, but are simply there to be found for those seeking an adventure.

Miracle Beach Provincial Park

Some of the parks are marine parks, encompassing bodies of water that have been deemed worthy of protection. While beaches or small islands may be associated with these parks, generally they are accessed by boat. A few, like Raft Cove, do have trail access but it is not well maintained.

Raft Cove Provincial Park

The numerous parks on the island provide a wonderful opportunity for exploration and speak to the amazing natural beauty of this area.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

Summer Beauty in Strathcona Park

Vancouver Island has an abundance of natural spaces to explore, including a number of provincial parks. Strathcona Park stands out as the oldest provincial park in BC. It straddles the mountains of the central island and provides a variety of opportunities for those wanting to explore a more rugged and remote wilderness. There are also great campgrounds and lakes to enjoy for a more relaxed adventure, as well as small hikes and roadside rest stops.

Upper Myra Falls is about a 1.5 hour hike round trip, through a mountainside forest. There are some tricky bits along the trail where trees have come down. The falls are viewed from a platform built onto the opposite side of the ravine.

Lower Myra Falls empties into Buttle Lake, and are one of the most spectacular falls around. It is a short, but very steep, walk to the viewing area and the middle rocks.

 

Buttle Lake is a long, narrow lake framed by high mountains. It is popular for those with power boats and kayaks/canoes and is also a wonderful place to swim and enjoy a day.

There are nice trout in the lake, and a morning or afternoon fishing is a great way to spend time in this stunning park.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Pass It On!