Northern Vancouver Island

[DJK555]

We are exploring th e posibility of touring vancouver Island north of Campbell River this summer. We travel in a truck camper with kayaks on top and mountain bikes on the front. We'd like to explore less populated areas and get away from large campsites tht required reservations far in advance. Comments from others who have done this trip would be appreciated.

David

[crabbin_cabin]

JohnQ wrote:
Try Alder Bay Resort & Marina just south of Port McNeil. Probably the Best Deal on the entire Island. Their Website -- http://www.alderbayresort.com/

And take the ferry over to Alert Bay for a day. While there see the U'Mista museum for great displays and information on the history of the local First nations!! IMHO - the best of all the Native museums on the Island!!
Just FYI - I worked on building the railroad from Beaver Cove to Nimpkish Lake - waaaay back in 1956!!
John

[JohnQ]

Try Alder Bay Resort & Marina just south of Port McNeil. Probably the Best Deal on the entire Island. Their Website -- http://www.alderbayresort.com/

[fly-swatter]

If you can, go up the island to Port Hardy, it's beautiful there. We stayed at Quatse River campground just out of town, awesome spot. Make sure you take a drive to Port Alice, it's well worth it.

[DerekV]

Lots of kayakers head out from telegraph cove. Take a whale watch tour. Telegraph cove is very near Robeson Bight whales frequent this area like dirt on a road.

[gk]

For your kayaks you may want to check out Cortes Island. Ferry leaves Campbell River to Quadra and then on to Cortes. Provincial park there and smaller spaces appropriate for a camper. Island changes north of Campbell River. You have to love fishing fishing or an outdoor activity. You will love it. Second Ralph River as well. Continue to Gold River and from there you can also take back roads from Gold River to reconnect to the north. Gravel, can be dusty or muddy depending on weather.

[Tothill]

Check out the Village of Sayward Sayward BC.

It is a small town near the water. There is a lovely campground in the village on a big pond with washrooms and a free sanistation.

If you drive past the Village you will come to Kelsey Bay where there are about 15 full hook-up sites right at the water. Last summer we saw a man land a 30+ pound halibut right off the pier.

The local community runs a lovely gift shop on the dock and there is a whale listening station there too.

An expensive trip, but to a beautiful location is a Gorge Harbour Marina and Campground on Cortez Island. It is expensive to get there, first the Ferry to Quadra Island from Campbell River, then another Ferry to Cortez. Cost us $170+ for 4 adults and a 27 foot RV last summer. But what an incredibly beautiful location.

We usually camp at Forestry sites or Provincial Parks, Gorge Harbour is not our usual sort of place, but we will be back.

[paulj]

Of the Buttle Lake campgrounds, Ralph River is prettier, with more old trees, and better access to hiking. The one at the bridge crossing has easier water access for kayaks and swimming.

[sue_t]

Google Sayward Forest Canoe Route for a good adventure. Read this too: Sayward Canoe Route Brochure

And these:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/schoen_lk/

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/nimpkish/

http://www.vancouverislandnorth.ca/mount-waddington-regional-parks/alice-lake-loop-tour/
don’t confuse the Alice Lake on north VanIsle with the Alice Lake near Squamish/Whistler area.

More reading from the Regional District of Mount Waddington
http://www.rdmw.bc.ca/regional-services/parks/

Check the BC Rec Site map to see the location of some of the great spots.
http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/
Interactive Map: http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/recst/

There are many recreation sites around Campbell Lake:
- Burnt Beach Rec Site
- Loon Bay Rec Site
- Long Point Rec Site
- Orchard Meadow Rec Site
- Gosling Lake Rec Sites
- Dogwood Bay Rec Site
- Campbell Lake Rec Site
- Fir Grove Rec Site
- Petite Gosling Rec Site

Ralph River provincial campground on Buttle Lake is a very pleasant spot as well. One of our favourites west of Campbell River.
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/strath/

[GaryKH]

02CumminsGuy wrote:
Never camped there myself, but check out bc ferries over height pricing. It can be very pricey !

There is no overheight charge on the ferries going over to Van. Island. Only on the Northern runs, from Pt. Hardy & up. They are still not cheap though!!

[paulj]

For the OP using a WA ferry has several disadvantages:
- requires crossing into the USA and back into Canada
- longer drive
- extra long drive, or an added WA ferry ride to get to Port Angeles
- fewer crossings per day
- exchange rate is going against Canadians

Tsawwassen to Duke Point bypasses most of the Vancouver area, and also Victoria. It even skirts Nanaimo.

[Seamutt]

Check out prices on the Washington State Ferries and Black Ball ferries for getting on and off the island. BC ferries expensive.

[paulj]

The Backroads Mapbooks Island volume should be your basic resource, not only for roads, but also for rec-sites, lakes and trails. I've also bought backroads guide books, kayaking guides and hiking guides, many of them in the Ferry bookstores.

For fast access to Campbell River I use the Tsawwassen-Duke Pt ferry, and the inland freeway. Alternatives are old coast road through resort towns, and the Sunshine Coast (with good kayaking options at Sechelt and Powell River).

In Campbell River I use Elk Falls PP as a base. From there I've spent time on Quadra Island, and time out west Stillicomb PP. There is also a collection of canoe trails and campgrounds near Campbell River (see the mapbook and local forestry resources).

North of CR, the first PP is Schoen Lake, which is a ways down a gravel road. I've driven there, but not camped. Until it returns to the coast, the highway is mostly passing through logging territory. Many years ago I took a small sail boat to Kyuquot Sound, and spent 5 days sailing and camping. That's a gravel side trip.

On one trip north we spent a night a Telegraph Cove, having made a reservation over the phone in Campbell River earlier in the day. It was a lot more crowded than provincial parks.

Malcolm Island is an interesting place, quiet and quaint. There's a community campground on the NW shore, and various locally maintained trails. Alert Bay gets more tourist traffic (even cruise ships).

10 years ago we drove out to Cape Scott (50 miles of gravel?). The hike from parking to the nearest campsite on San Joseph bay is 3 miles. It might be possible to park at a rec-site or private lot before the PP parking, and kayak down the river.

[StewB]

Vancouver Island south of Camblell River is busy in the summer. North of there, not as much to very little.
If you go north for sure go into Port Alice.

[02CumminsGuy]

Never camped there myself, but check out bc ferries over height pricing. It can be very pricey !