Are you planning your summer holidays and looking for a unique road trip filled with camping, hiking, mountain biking and adventure?! Take a look at this guide that outlines the best Vancouver Island road trip from Nanaimo to Campbell River. 

Where is Vancouver Island in Canada?

If you’re not familiar, Vancouver Island is located in the southwestern most part of Canada and is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Georgia. Vancouver Island is known for its stunning natural beauty, lush coastlines, and moderate weather (for Canada). Victoria, which is also home to the University of Victoria, is the largest city on Vancouver Island and the capital of British Columbia. Vancouver Island has a population of roughly 870,000 people and also has one of the most beautiful national parks in Canada, the Pacific Rim National Reserve.

What is the best way to explore Vancouver Island?

To have the best Vancouver Island road trip, you’ll definitely need a car! Being an island, Vancouver Island can be tough to access, so you’ll want to plan and reserve the ferry and a car rental as soon as possible. Cars from the rental car places at the airport tend to sell out quickly, so it’s important to prioritize booking these in advance.

What is the best month to visit Vancouver Island?

The best month to visit Vancouver Island can depend on personal preferences and the activities you are looking to do while visiting. However, the most popular time to visit Vancouver Island is June, July, and August due to the beautiful weather during these months. Temperatures during this time can range from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), making it the perfect time to enjoy all the outdoor activities that the island has to offer, such as hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and camping.

That being said, the lovely weather during these months will also attract crowds! If you would like to explore Vancouver Island and avoid the busiest season as much as possible, we would recommend booking your visit in the shoulder seasons (April to May and September to October). Although you are likely to experience a little more rain during these months, it will be easier to book hotels and activities, and the costs are likely to be lower.

How many days do you need to explore Vancouver Island?

You could spend the whole summer exploring Vancouver Island and still not see everything! That being said, for this particular road trip and depending on whether you would like to add any extra destinations, we would recommend allowing at least 6-8 days to explore. Like any road trip, it’s important to have time for relaxation and outdoor activities to balance out any long driving days. There are multiple destinations you can add to this road trip, such as Tofino, Salt Spring Island, Victoria, and the Sunshine Coast. Be sure to check out our guide on the perfect trip to Tofino, a 3-day itinerary for more inspiration on how to have the best Vancouver Island road trip!

The Best Vancouver Island Road Trip

Arriving in Vancouver | Vancouver to Nanaimo

Vancouver is an ideal place to start your road trip from Nanaimo to Campbell River. As mentioned above, you will want to have your car rental situation sorted out months in advance, but once you arrive in Vancouver, the car pick-up process is quite simple.

The next important reservation, if not the most important, is reserving the Vancouver to Nanaimo ferry through BC Ferries! The ferry reservations in the summer fill up very quickly, so in order to avoid moments of disappointment, prioritize booking the ferry ASAP!

Vancouver to Nanaimo Ferry | BC Ferries

Here’s some information directly from BC Ferries regarding the Vancouver to Nanaimo ferry:

Horseshoe Bay terminal is located in West Vancouver, at the west end of the Trans-Canada Highway. The terminal is a 25 minute drive from downtown Vancouver. Sailings departing from Horseshoe Bay provide service to Langdale (Sunshine Coast) and Snug Cove (Bowen Island).

Check-in times

For travel to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) with a reservation – Arrive at the terminal 30 to 120 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. Your booking will not be honoured and travel will be based on your order of arrival at the terminal if you arrive before booking check-in has opened, or after booking check-in has closed.

• Booking check-in for foot passenger groups and vehicles opens 120 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.
• Booking check-in for foot passenger groups and vehicles closes 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

For travel without a reservation or on a non-bookable route – Travel is based on your order of arrival at the terminal. 

• Ticket sales and check-in close 10 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing departure for foot passengers and vehicles

Outdoor Activities in Nanaimo | Nanaimo to Campbell River

Once you arrive in Nanaimo, you can decide how long you would like to spend in this charming waterside town. There are a variety of outdoor activities that you can do in Nanaimo, and you could easily spend three days here. However, here are some popular outdoor adventures to enjoy as you stop in Nanaimo:

• Hike or mountain bike the Abyss / Extension Ridge and Hidden Labyrinth – These trails are south of Nanaimo and primarily single track on rock that runs north to south with trails to connect the ridges. Ride the famous Abyss trail, which is known for having an earthquake fissure!
• Explore the technical mountain bike trails of Doumont.
• Stop for a bite at Gabriel’s Gourmet Cafe for fresh soups and salads sourced from local ingredients .
• Hike Mt. Benson Loop – Hard, 7.1 km, 728 m, Loop. A challenging peak with rewarding views of Nanaimo and the surrounding area.

Things to do in Comox Valley | Nanaimo to the Comox Valley

The scenic drive from Nanaimo to Comox Valley is short and sweet, taking only 1.5 hours. Along the way, there are plenty of beaches, cafes, and viewpoints to stop at and enjoy. One must-not-miss attraction is the Old Country Market in Coombs, where you can find a quaint little shopping market with goats grazing on the roof—yes, you read that right! Additionally, you’ll discover charming clothing shops, the best ice cream, and fruit stands in the area. Once you have arrived in Comox Valley, here are some suggestions on how to spend the next couple of days:

• Cumberland Forest mountain biking trails – we could spend a week hanging around Cumberland enjoying all their trails! Be sure to check out Space Nugget and this route. 
• Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park – stop for a refreshing swim or bring a picnic and enjoy the sunshine.
• Stop into the stunning Englishman River Falls and go for a cold plunge! 
• Camp at the Englishman River Falls Provincial Park and go for a morning bike ride at the surrounding HammerFest riding area – check out Jughead and Locomotion.
• Hike Rosewall Creek Falls (6.3 km, 134 m) or some of the other top trails in the Comox Valley area.
• Explore the hiking in Mount Washington park.
• Kin Beach Provincial Park for relaxing or camping.

What to do in Campbell River | Comox Valley to Campbell River

The drive from Comox Valley to Campbell River is a quick 38-minute commute. Once you reach Campbell River, you will definitely start to feel a sense of remoteness and a departure from touristy crowds. Campbell River is renowned as the “Salmon Capital of the World” due to its abundant fishing opportunities. It is the perfect destination for immersing yourself in nature through activities such as biking, kayaking, and wildlife watching in a more rugged environment. Additionally, this stop serves as the gateway to the northern part of Vancouver Island, including places like Port Hardy, Port McNeill, and Cape Scott Provincial Park. Here are some recommended outdoor activities to enjoy while in Campbell River:

• The beautiful Elk Falls with a thrilling suspension bridge – Quinsam Provincial campground is an option to stay for the evening.
• Sushi Jo – the best sushi restaurant in British Columbia. Period.
• Pye Lake for an off the beaten path and incredible recreation camping experience. There’s a perfect spot on the lake that is completely secluded and you will have the place to yourself!
• Hike on the Ripple Rock trail that displays a view of Seymour Narrows lookout where one of the most notorious marine hazards in North America used to destroy ships as they sailed through the narrows. The stone masses were then removed in 1958 with the largest man-made, non nuclear explosion in history!
• Radar Hill mountain bike trails – check out You Sister > Southside Deli.

Adios, Chicos!

That is a start to the best Vancouver Island Road trip from Nanaimo to Campbell River. As mentioned, there are other destinations to add on to this itinerary such as Tofino, the Sunshine Coast and Victoria. Be sure to comment and let us know your favorite part and don’t forget to subscribe for more adventures!