Mountain biking in Campbell River is accessible for all skill levels and is particularly enjoyable as a far quieter alternative to the busy zones elsewhere on Vancouver Island. Before you head out, our three local bike shops—Swicked Cycles, Bike Chameleon, and Pedal Your World—are all eager to help with route suggestions, trail condition insights, rentals, and tune-ups.
For mountain bikers of all abilities, the Campbell River region boasts some of the best cross-country mountain bike terrain in British Columbia. The ride length is up to you, with plenty of free exploration available where the terrain varies from rolling single track to technical traverses with rock outcroppings and lakeside descents.
Mountain Biking in Beaver Lodge Forest Lands
One of our most popular mountain biking trail systems is centrally located and just a 5-minute drive from most areas of Campbell River. The mellow trails of the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands cut through the forest and wind alongside waterways where riders will bounce over tree roots and cross several bridges. The trails range from wider paths formerly used as a rail line and logging road to winding single-track. Most trails are accessible for beginner mountain bikers. The trail system here is shared with hikers, runners, dog-walkers, and even horseback riders, so it is important to ride in control and aware. Trail maps can be found at most entrances to the forest or online using your favourite trail app.
Mountain Biking the Pumphouse Trails
West of Campbellton in Elk Falls Provincial Park is a more secluded zone that is still primarily beginner-friendly, with a few more intermediate or even advanced trails depending on the route. Head west from Campbellton along Highway 28 and take the first right over the logging bridge across the Campbell River. Don’t stop at Canyon View Trail, which is not open to people riding bikes, but instead head up the hill along the paved logging road. There will be a yellow gate on your left and often cars parked in the laybys on either side. This zone is called Pumphouse Trails. Here, you’ll find the 10.5 km out-and-back route of the (green) Water Tower Trail, (blue) Ridge Trail, and (blue) Dean Martin route. Offshoots to the north offer a few other blue and black additions to your route, including one particularly steep hill.
Mountain Biking in Snowden Demonstration Forest
Snowden Demonstration Forest is often cited as the best area for mountain biking in Campbell River with over 100 km of single-track trails. The expansive trail network includes trails and routes suitable to riders of most skill levels. Many trails here are graded as blue or black, so it is important to review the trail network using your favourite trail app before riding. The extensive trails here follow rocky bluffs, skirt along lakes, and reach incredible lookouts. There are many circular routes to keep things more interesting than a singular out-and-back. It is a remote area that does not have cell service or consistently clear signposting in some sections, so it’s important to come prepared and let people know where you’re going.
An a-MTB trail system in the Snowden Demonstration is currently under development and has been made possible by Destination Development BC funding.
Mountain Biking at Radar Hill
The mountain biking trails of Radar Hill have been revitalized and developed further in recent years. Parking can be found at a layby to the right of the Gold River Highway, beside a yellow gate, shortly after the Elk Falls Cemetery. Alternatively, parking and access can be found at McIvor Lake’s large Hill Beach parking lot, which is better sign-posted and has the added benefit of offering a swim post-ride. The McIvor Lake Access Trail will get you to the edge of the Radar Hill series of blue and black rated trails that cross over toward John Hart Lake and several lookouts. The style of trails found here is clear from the name—you’ll spend time climbing uphill before enjoying flowy, sometimes very steep, trails back down. For the advanced rider, this is one of the only zones that feature double black diamond trails. Be aware of several access trails and double-track cut-through sections of this area.
Many of the trails in Campbell River are maintained by volunteers from the River City Cycle Club and other local groups, with donations from local bike shops, other community-minded businesses, and occasional provincial funding.
