Those in the know head to Campbell River year-round. While every season offers visitors unique experiences, autumn is a fantastic time of year to enjoy quiet trails, world-class wildlife tours, and Campbell River’s inspiring venues. There’s the fact that autumn is the best time of year for bear-viewing tours and to witness the incredible salmon run in the Campbell River. Check out our warm and welcoming accommodations to book an autumn stay in Campbell River and read on to make sure you make the most of all this season has to offer here on the beautiful east coast of Vancouver Island.
Autumn in Campbell River is for enjoying some of our most popular summer activities, like hiking and camping, with less heat. The salmon run is a huge draw whether you’re snorkelling in the Campbell River, heading to the hatchery, watching for wildlife, or fishing.
Autumn is Bear Viewing and Salmon Season
Campbell River is renowned as a world-class wildlife-watching destination. Visitors spot eagles, whales, seals, dolphins, and bears. Embark on a bear-viewing tour from Campbell River with local operators and journey into the southern edges of the Great Bear Rainforest. Learn about this storied region from expert guides and watch for grizzly bears enjoying the nourishment of the salmon run in the traditional lands and waters of the Homalco and Klahoose First Nations.
The salmon run is a spectacle all of its own. Head to the Campbell River to see the water come alive from above and below the water line. Fly-fishermen line the river (be mindful of the correct zones), snorkellers float between the salmon (being mindful of fishing lines), and spectators watch from the bridge and shoreline of the Canyon View Trail. The Quinsam River is another fantastic spot to take in the salmon run with the Quinsam Hatchery located further upstream.
For ocean enthusiasts, whale watching and the fishing season continues, and the Discovery Passage Aquarium releases the sea life that has made up their catch-and-release aquarium over the summer back into the wild in mid-autumn.
Autumn Colours in the Forest
Autumn is the perfect time to take to Campbell River’s extensive trail systems to soak in the beautiful autumnal colours of the changing trees. Mountain bikers enjoy a respite from dusty trails in Snowden Demonstration Forest and Radar Hill thanks to the start of autumn rain. Beaver Lodge Forest Lands’ primarily flat and accessible trails are popular for dog walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. The Canyon View Trail, Quinsam River trails, and Elk Falls also provide picturesque scenes that showcase both the autumnal colours and the increase in the flow of our rivers and cascading waterfalls.
Autumn Events in Campbell River
Meanwhile, in the city’s heart, the Campbell River Farmer’s Market continues until the end of September, and a Trick and Treat event draws families downtown in October. Other festivities move inside with plenty of live music, theatre, and other performances at Campbell River’s various performing arts venues, breweries, and restaurants through autumn.
