Ministry of Environment - Elk Falls Provincial Park

Parks Listed Alphabetically: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

BC Hydro will be limiting access at selected times through February 2008 to the upper day use trails and the upper section of the Canyon View trail in Elk Falls Provincial Park. Full closure to vehicle traffic is required for security gate installation on the approaches to the John Hart Dam Facility and the John Hart Generating Station office on the Campbell River. Alternate parking sites will be made available to park visitors at these work sites and walk-in access to park trails will remain possible. Thank you for your cooperation.
Quinsam Campground in Elk Falls Provincial Park will be subject to water system reconstruction activities through to March 15, 2008. Please adhere to site specific closure information and construction safety notices during your visit. All other day use areas and trails including the Canyon View trail and Quinsam River Trails will remain open to the public through these times.
CAUTION- Please be advised that portions of the Quinsam River trail above the campground have been damaged by flooding. Sections of trail have been eroded - please use rerouted trail areas and keep back from river edges.
Thank you for your cooperation - BC Parks.

Park Info:

A thundering waterfall and some of the finest year-round salmon fishing in Canada are just two of the reasons Elk Falls is one of the most popular provincial parks on Vancouver Island. Add to that the extensive network of forest trails, the nearby Quinsam salmon hatchery and, in the fall, the sight of spawning salmon in the Quinsam and Campbell Rivers, and it’s easy to see why this provincial park is considered one of the best campground accommodations in the “Salmon Capital of the World”.

This convenient location - just 2 kilometers from downtown Campbell River on central Vancouver Island - provides quiet riverside camping in the heart of a world-renowned fishing area. And you don’t have to go far to find fish—from November to March, the Steelhead run right by the campsites on the Quinsam River. As spring progresses, lakes in the area--many of which have been stocked--ripple with Rainbow, Cutthroat and Dolly Varden trout. During late spring and through the summer, fishermen head to the tidal waters to fish for Chinook for coho salmon.

After a morning fishing, pack a picnic lunch and take a cool stroll to the Elk Falls day-use area. Just 3 km from the campground, this picnic area contains easy walking trails and the plunging 25-meter waterfall that gives this park its name. Hiking trails also lead to other areas in the park, which is home to the only significant stand of old-growth Douglas fir north of MacMillan Provincial Park.

The large campground at Elk Falls Provincial Park provides a convenient base camp for day tripping. Gold River, destinations in the Sayward Forest, Kelsey Bay, Rock Bay, and the parks of Quadra and Cortes Islands are within easy reach.

Park Size: 1,087 hectares

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management planning information for this park is now available in pdf format.

Location:

Location Map

The Quinsam Campground at Elk Falls Provincial Park is located 3 km north of Campbell River on central Vancouver Island on Hwy 28 toward Gold River. The Elk Falls day-use areas are located 3 km west of the campground off Hwy 28.

Map/Brochure:

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Location Map
Park Brochure (72 KB PDF)
Park Map (87 KB PDF)

Nature & Culture:

In the campground, each of the campsite posts identifies a tree, shrub or flower growing adjacent to the post or near the campsite. Here is a Guide (15 KB PDF format) explaining the plant names and additional comments.
Wildlife - Wildlife in Elk Falls Park includes a variety of small mammals and birds. Great blue herons, killdeer, Glaucous-winged gulls, crows, Chestnut-backed chickadees, Golden-crowned kinglets and starlings are the most abundant resident bird species. Mammals include deer, bears and cougars, as well as shrews, squirrels, voles, raccoons, mink, river otters, muskrat and beaver. A beaver dam and pond are located west of the campground. Roosevelt elk also utilize portions of the park for winter range. Fish species include steelhead, Cutthroat and Dolly Varden trout, Three Spine Stickleback, fresh water Sculpin and Chinook, chum, coho, pink and sockeye salmon.
General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Visitor Safety:

Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

Campsite Reservations:
Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

Contact Information:

R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.
E-mail address: office@rlcparks.ca
Phone: (250) 474-1336

This park offers 122 vehicle accessible campsites. Approximately 25 of these sites border the Quinsam River; the rest are set in a second-growth forest. The Quinsam Campground entrance is located on the west side of the Quinsam Bridge. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only): $7.50 per senior's couple/night Winter Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $10.00 per party / night

Hours of Operation - All dates are subject to change without notice
Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.)	Open year round
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:	May 1 - September 30
Campground Reservable Dates:	May 15 - September 8
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:	122
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served)	30
Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts.

Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is not permitted at this park.

There are no group campsites at this park.

This park has a day-use area, located 3 km west of the campground off Hwy 28. The area has 2 parking lots – one adjacent to a viewpoint and the other with picnic tables, pit toilets, and an information shelter. Trails link the parking lots. This area also offers opportunities for picnicking on the rocks near the river.

Some facilities in the park are wheelchair accessible.

Cold water taps are located in the campground. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Pit toilets are located throughout the campground and day-use area. Flush toilets are located at the sani-station in the campground.

No showers.

A sani-station/dump is located in the campground and is available during the collecting season.
Sani-station Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge

While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. Campfire rings are provided at each campsite.
Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility Operator. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.

There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.

There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

An extensive 6 km trail system offers a variety of hiking opportunities within Elk Falls Provincial Park. Click Here to View Detailed Trail Information.

In the day-use area there is a short trail to the magnificent old growth Douglas fir forest. Another system of trails will take you to Elk, Moose and Deer Falls, found along this portion of the Campbell River. Detailed trail maps are located at the day-use areas and in the campground.

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

There is an adventure playground and sports field at the campground at this park.

There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks. There are swimming holes near the falls at the day-use area of the park.

There are no opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.

This park does not have a boat launch.

Fresh water fishing in Quinsam and Campbell River, as well as, saltwater/ocean fishing near the town of Campbell River. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. Warning to all mountain bikers - The new Millennium-Canyon View trail and the Quinsam River trail within Elk Falls Provincial Park are strictly for hiking and walking opportunities. Mountain bikers may use the trails on the eastern side of Elk Falls Provincial Park, access being from the water tower location at the Campbell River logging bridge. These rules will be strictly enforced with an $86 fine. If mountain bikers continue to use unauthorized trails, it may result in all trails being closed to mountain bikers.

No horseback riding.

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Viewing platforms are located at the day-use area near the falls, as well as along the Canyon View Trail. These sites offers spectacular views of the deep rock canyons and waterfalls.

No winter recreation opportunities.

No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

No windsurfing opportunities.

No waterskiing opportunities.

This park is closed to hunting.

No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

No spelunking or caving opportunities.

No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.