Sayward
A Tranquil Adventure To the North Island
Head out on the picturesque highway situated north of Campbell River and you’ll find the charming town of Sayward.
Wander through the majestic Douglas firs at White River Park, or challenge yourself with a hike up the mile-high H’kusam Klimb, a trek that will undoubtedly test your legs.
Bird enthusiasts will find delight in the Salmon River Wildlife Reserve, a haven where various avian species thrive.
Sayward
A Short Journey From Campbell River
The North Island at Its Very Best
Nature and Adventure Entwined
Originally called Port Kusum, Sayward is a relatively old community by Vancouver Island standards. First established in the 1890s, settlers began arriving by boat and then pushed inland, spreading into the lush valley. Logging has been a major part of Sayward’s history, with railroad logging as a major industry from 1904 to 1914 and again starting in 1937. These rail beds are now Sayward’s major transportation arteries, and antique logging equipment is featured throughout the town and in the forests beyond.
The abundance of their natural environment sustained the area’s original inhabitants. Elk, bear and other wildlife were plentiful, and the rivers teemed with steelhead and trout. That hasn’t changed much today, as hunting and fly fishing are still extremely popular.
This is nature and the North Island at its best. In Sayward, nature truly is right outside the door.
Beautiful Vistas in All Directions
A Quiet Place Ready for Discovery
Despite the village’s small population of 400, there is a lot to see and do in Sayward. One of the most popular tourist attractions is the Cable Cookhouse, a steel-framed building wrapped with 8,200 feet (2,700 metres) of wire cable weighing 26 tons. It is located on the east side of the one-lane bridge on Sayward Road.
Take in the natural surroundings by visiting the World’s Largest Yellow Cedar, hiking the 8 km Dalrymple Creek Trail with interpretive signs along the path, visiting the Salmon River Wildlife Reserve, taking part in the Kusam Klimb Challenge, taking a romantic picnic while viewing Mounts Romeo and Juliet, and walking along Kelsey Bay which was once home to the southern terminus of the BC Ferries’ Inside Passage Route. Nearby Mount Cain offers skiing and snowboarding in the winter months.
