British Columbia Wildlife Watch - Visit Our Wildlife in Campbell River (North Central Vancouver Island)

   Visit Our Wildlife in
   Campbell River -
   North Central Vancouver Island

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The following map will assist in locating 13 wildlife viewing sites in the Campbell River area of north central Vancouver Island, including Gold River, Quadra Island and Black Creek. These sites are featured in the Visit Our Wildlife in Campbell River - North Central Vancouver Island brochure. There is a series of Visit Our Wildlife brochures.

For wildlife viewing highlights and detailed directions to each site:

Conuma River Hatchery - southwest of Gold River
Discovery Passage - between Campbell River and Quadra Island
Elk Falls Provincial Park - Campbell River
Miracle Beach Provincial Park - Black Creek
Mitlenatch Island Provincial Marine Park - offshore southeast of Campbell River
Oyster Bay Shoreline Park - Black Creek
Quinsam River Hatchery - Campbell River
Rebecca Spit Provincial Marine Park - Campbell River
Ripple Rock - north of Campbell River
Strathcona Provincial Park - west of Campbell River
Strathcona Provincial Park (Elk River Valley) - west of Campbell River
Strathcona Provincial Park (Thelwood Creek) - west of Campbell River
Woodhus Slough - Black Creek

Detailed Location Map (click here for a map showing the location of the above 13 viewing sites)
WARNING - this will take some time to load!!

General Information
Campbell River is the gateway to the northern end of Vancouver Island and to Strathcona Provincial Park. Located about a 2-hour drive from Nanaimo, Campbell River is situated on the east coast of Vancouver Island along the biologically diverse Discovery Passage.
In this brochure is information for 13 sites where you may visit our wildlife. The river and streams in the Campbell River area are important for spawning salmon and the extensive forests are home to large herds of deer and elk.
The tidal shorelines contain miles of accessible beaches where intertidal invertebrates may be observed, and where a wide range of birdlife and marine mammals are common offshore.
In addition to Campbell River, this area includes the communities of Black Creek, Gold River and Tahsis, and several Gulf Islands including Salt Spring Island. Strathcona Provincial Park, British Columbia's first provincial park in 1911, is a hiker's paradise and is located a short drive from Campbell River.
Highway Change - With the completion of the Inland Island Highway from Courtenay to Campbell River, the Vancouver Island Highway referred to within as Highway 19 will be renumbered to Highway 19A.

Tourism Information
home page
Campbell River Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 400, Campbell River, B.C. Canada V9W 5B6
phone: (250) 287-4636
fax: (250) 286-6490
e-mail

Wildlife Are Everywhere
While opportunities to observe or to learn about wildlife and fish populations are highlighted at 13 sites, remember, wildlife are everywhere. Visit these sites to develop your observation skills. Once you do, you will see, hear and find evidence of creatures everywhere you go.
When visiting these areas please remember that you are visiting wild creatures in their home. Leave their homes clean, and keep your pets under control on a leash at all times.
Some animals are only present for short periods of time, so it is best to plan your visit when they are at home.

Marine Environments
Salt water habitats provide excellent opportunities to view birds and sea mammals. Seals and diving waterbirds are commonly viewed from shore. Small rock islands and open water areas are also visited by sea-lions and by bird species such as guillemots, cormorants and murrelets.