During our roadtrip through Canada we stayed a few nights in Campbell River, a town on the east coast of Vancouver Island. It is known as the place to spot bears, and of course we wanted to experience that with our own eyes. No expensive tour this time, but just going out ourselves – with the camera at the ready and a healthy dose of excitement.
Luckily we were in good company: a local biologist took us into the forest and told us exactly where to go, when you have the best chance and how to behave safely in bear country. We share these valuable tips in this blog, so that with a bit of luck you can independently and safely spot black bears in the wild.
We take you to the exact location, show you what we saw and finish with an extra tip for a spectacular waterfall nearby. If you want to explore Vancouver Island, Campbell River should definitely be on your list.
Our journey through the United States and Canada
This article is part of a large one-year tour the United States en Canada, with a Dutch 4×4 camper that we shipped ourselves… It is a bucket list worthy expats must register with the local municipality and obtain a once in a lifetime experience that will never be forgotten.
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Campbell River
Campbell River is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, roughly halfway between Victoria and the north of the island. The town is often seen as the gateway to the rugged nature of the interior and is known as one of the best places in Canada to spotting bears in the wild.
Many travelers come here for whale watching tours, but if you know where to look, you can easily encounter a black bear without a tour. Especially in the right season, at the right time of day. We got help from a local who knew exactly where, when and how You have the best chance of seeing bears here and of course we will share that secret with you.
This is where you need to be to spot bears
If you want to spot bears independently at Campbell River, then the Quinsam River the place to be. The trail starts near the Quinsam Fish Hatchery, a place where bears are regularly seen along the riverbanks, especially during the salmon season.
Starting point: park at the small parking lot immediately after the bridge (here). From there you follow the path along the water.
Best moments: the first two hours after sunrise and the last two hours before sunset. These are the times when bears become active. They are looking for flowers, berries or fish.
Follow the path quietly, look carefully along the banks and stand still if you hear or see anything moving. With a bit of luck, and a bit of patience, you might just come face to face with a black bear.
Our experience: 4 bears spotted
During two short walks along the river we saw a total of four black bears and a mother bear with two cubs – all in the wild, without a guide or tour. Below you can read how it went and what we felt during these impressive encounters.
Bear 1: spotted at dusk
Our first encounter took place in the evening. Malou saw a black spot between the bushes, and sure enough: a black bear looked at us from a distance. He stood still for a while, before disappearing into the greenery again. An exciting start!
Bear 2: Mother bear with two cubs
The next morning we saw something magical: a mama bear with two cubs appeared between the bushes. They remained mostly hidden, but every now and then we saw them moving between the branches. Too short for photos, but long enough for a wow moment.
Beer 3: impressively close
A little further on we saw movement again along the river. Sure enough, another bear emerged from the undergrowth, directly across the shallow water from us. He spotted us immediately and looked straight at us. For a moment we held our breath.
He slowly started walking towards us, thankfully still on the other side. As he walked through the water, he sniffed around intently – looking for food, probably salmon. Every few metres he stopped for a moment, looked up, and let his gaze slide back to us. We stood there, still, full of adrenaline, and let him do his thing.
At one point he came within 30 meters, close enough to see his wet fur and powerful build. That moment, when he passed us and continued on his way as if we were not there, was truly magical. And yes, our hearts were pounding in our throats.
Beer 4: surprise on the way back
On our way to the camper we spotted another bear. This one had a striking brown snout – clearly another one. He completely ignored us and just went about his business. And we? We stood there breathlessly watching. What a morning!
Safe bear spotting
During our walks along the river we soon noticed: the bears had often seen us before we had seen them. Sometimes they suddenly appeared from the bushes, less than 30 meters away. This resulted in beautiful, but also exciting moments. It underlines how important it is to be prepared, even if you do not book a tour.
Below are some important tips, specifically for spotting bears in Campbell River:
- Never go out alone. Alone you are more vulnerable and make less noise. With more people you are more audible and you show yourself better.
- Make noise while walking. Just talking is enough. That way you avoid suddenly being face to face with a bear you didn't see coming.
- Keep an appropriate distance. Keep at least 30 feet away from black bears. If a bear appears to be approaching, back away slowly and don't turn your back.
- Carry bear spray. A can of bear spray can literally save your life if an encounter gets out of hand. Make sure you know how it works and keep it within reach.
Want to learn more about how to safely interact with bears and other wildlife in Canada? Read Taking bears and other wildlife into account (tips).
Bonus spot: Elk Falls
If you want to spot bears in Campbell River, you don't have to look far. But the area has more to offer. Less than a 15-minute drive from the city, you will find Elk Falls, an impressive waterfall in the middle of a dense, almost fairytale-like rainforest.
Elk Falls Provincial Park is only a 15 minute drive from Campbell River and is easily accessible by car. Parking is free and the walk to the waterfall and bridge is short and easy.
We walked here through a fresh green forest full of ferns, moss and meter-high trees. Upon arrival we heard the roar of the water from far away. The waterfall itself is beautiful, certainly from the viewing platform, but what makes it extra special is the suspension bridge (free access) that hangs high above the gorge.
On the day of our visit we were lucky: due to maintenance work on a dam upstream there was extra water. The waterfall was at its most powerful, with splashing water and even a small rainbow in the sunlight.
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Closing note
Spotting bears in Campbell River was one of the most special experiences of our roadtrip through Canada. Thanks to tips from locals we came face to face with several black bears, sometimes only tens of meters away - without an expensive tour, just in the middle of nature. It was certainly exciting, but also unforgettable
With the right preparation, knowledge of behavior and a bit of luck you can see wild bears here independently. And as a bonus, Elk Falls is also a beautiful waterfall with a suspension bridge around the corner. As far as we are concerned, Campbell River is the place on Vancouver Island for those looking for adventure off the beaten track. So definitely consider a stop in Campbell River during your roadtrip through Canada – it will create memories you won’t soon forget.
