The ultimate 5-day North Vancouver Island road trip itinerary

Find out everything you need to plan the ultimate North Vancouver Island road trip in this guide. I’m sharing my tried-and-tested 5-day itinerary, including a detailed route map and practical tips.  

Vancouver Island is arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world. A lot of the well-known spots such as Victoria and Cowichan Valley are located on the southern part of the island. However, drive north and you’ll find a remote and rugged wilderness. From secluded beaches and lush rainforests to unparalleled wildlife experiences like kayaking with orcas and watching grizzly bears hunt salmon, North Vancouver Island has so much to offer. 

I love travelling to wild places in search of wildlife so I did a 5-day road trip around North Vancouver Island back in 2022. It was one of the best experiences I had while living in Canada! To help you explore it for yourself, I’m sharing my exact North Vancouver Island road trip itinerary. I’ve also included additional things to do on North Vancouver Island in case you want to extend your trip. Enjoy! 

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North Vancouver Island road trip overview 

North Vancouver Island refers to the more remote northern region of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It’s generally considered to include everything an hour north of Campbell River and extends all the way to the northern tip at Cape Scott.  

This area is known for its rugged wilderness, dense forests, and rich Indigenous culture. It’s a place where wildlife outnumbers people, offering incredible opportunities for whale watching, bear viewing, kayaking, and exploring local communities like Telegraph Cove, Port Hardy, and Alert Bay. 

There are so many wonderful things to see and do on North Vancouver Island. This 5-day itinerary starts and ends in Nanaimo and will take you to Campbell River and onto Telegraph Cove. I recommend spending at least two days in each place so you have time to explore.  

The drive is around 820km in total. Below you’ll find an itinerary map for your North Vancouver Island road trip which features pins for each day’s locations. You can save the map by clicking on the star next to the title and use it to help gauge daily driving distances. 

North Vancouver Island road trip: 5-day itinerary 

Day 1: Nanaimo to Campbell River

Driving distance: 155 km (96 miles) 

I recommend starting your road trip from Nanaimo as early as possible to make the most of this 5-day itinerary. If you’re travelling later in the day, you can adapt this itinerary and pick a few spots to see on day 1 and fit the rest into day 2 and 3.

First Stop: Discovery Fishing Pier 

For those of you starting your road trip in the morning, you’ll probably arrive at Campbell River around 10.30/11am. Walk down to the water to see Discovery Fishing Pier, Canada’s first saltwater fishing pier and one of Campbell River’s best attractions. The pier is over 180m long and offers amazing views of Discovery Passage and Quadra Island. Unsurprisingly, the pier is a popular fishing spot for both locals and visitors. It even has built-in rod holders, bait stands and fish cleaning tables!

There is a seasonal concession stand which is open from May to October. If it’s open during your visit, don’t miss a chance to try their delicious ice cream. They have lots of flavours to choose from so pick one or two and then wander along the pier and enjoy the views.

Second Stop: Downtown  

Spend the afternoon exploring the town. If you’re looking for gifts or souvenirs, Campbell River is home to many incredible local businesses. Most of the shops are located along Shoppers Row, Tyee Plaza and Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre. Here are a few of my favourites:   

• Westcoast Wildflowers: This Indigenous owned lifestyle boutique supports small business owners, Indigenous artists, and female entrepreneurs.
• Wei Wai Kum House of Treasures: This shop showcases West Coast First Nation art, clothing and handmade products.
• Mussels and More: They specialize in nautical pottery so you’ll find beautiful ocean-inspired mugs, plates, and bowls, as well as art made from glass, metal and wood.
• French Creek Collective: This vintage lifestyle boutique carries locally sourced home décor, artisanal foods, clothing and jewellery.

As you’re walking around, keep an eye out for the beautiful art murals and driftwood sculptures which are dotted throughout the downtown area. If you’re interested in learning more about Campbell River’s growing art scene, I highly recommend stopping by Campbell River Art Gallery. They have some great exhibitions which showcase the work of local Canadian artists.

Third Stop: Tyee Spit 

Once you’ve explored the shops downtown, it’s time to head to the next stop on this itinerary – Tyee Spit. This lovely little peninsula juts out into Discovery Passage and is one of my favourite things to do in Campbell River. It’s an easy walk (4.7km out-and-back) and that takes you all the way along the spit to Dick Murphy Park. If you’re visiting in the summer months, you’ll see lots of wooden rowboats flock to the water trying to catch the traditional Tyee fish – a 30lb+ salmon. This local tradition is so much fun to watch!

Fourth Stop: Riptide Marine Pub 

With all the walking you’ve probably built up quite an appetite! For dinner I suggest checking out Riptide Marine Pub which is on the way back to the core downtown area. The restaurant has beautiful views of the ocean and has a great selection of dishes including vegan and vegetarian options. It’s a lovely place to dine if you’re celebrating a special occasion.

Read next: The best things to do in Campbell River >

Day 2: Elk Falls and Strathcona Provincial Park

Driving distance: 100 km (62 miles) 

Head into town and grab some breakfast at Island Grind. Once you’ve fuelled up for the day, it’s time to get back into the car and get ready for a fun day of sight-seeing. Today you’ll explore two of my favourite places on North Vancouver Island – Elk Falls and Strathcona Provincial Park.

Travel tip: Pack a picnic in a cooler for the day as there won’t be many places along the way to stop for lunch.    

First Stop: Elk Falls 

Take Highway 19 for 2km and merge onto Gold River Highway (Hwy 28) west for about 4.5km. Turn right onto Brewster Lake Road and then right again onto Elk Falls Park Road which will take you to the main parking lot.

Elk Falls Provincial Park is a really unique park, with a thundering waterfall, a gorgeous suspension bridge, and beautiful scenic viewpoints. The suspension bridge is the main attraction but there are over 6 km of hiking trails that take you through old-growth forests. It’s incredible to see the giant Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir trees, some of which are over 60 metres tall and hundreds of years old!

As you’ll also be exploring Strathcona Provincial Park on today’s itinerary, I recommend just doing the short trail from the car park to the suspension bridge. The trail is about 2km long and is relatively easy and flat but there are a few sections with steps. Once you get to the suspension bridge, you’ll be rewarded with an amazing view of Elk Falls. There are also some steps down to a lower viewing deck.

If you don’t want to go all the way to Strathcona, you can do some of the longer trails here instead.  

Second Stop: Elk Portal In Strathcona Provincial Park 

After spending a couple of hours at Elk Falls, jump back into the car and head back onto Gold River Highway (Hwy 28) to Strathcona Provincial Park. The park is home to some of Vancouver Island’s biggest mountains and most beautiful lakes and spans over 2,458 square km.

In this itinerary, I’ve included a few of the best spots that you can easily see on a day trip. However, if you want to see more of the park, you can always add on an extra day or two and do some camping and hiking.

Drive west along the highway for about 40 minutes. Along the way you’ll be treated to beautiful views of Upper Campbell Lake on your right and the lush forest on your left. After 40 minutes of driving, you’ll be in Strathcona Provincial Park, the oldest provincial park in British Columbia.

Elk Portal is a great place to stop and stretch your legs. The large pull in area looks out over Upper Campbell Lake and has some picnic tables, public washrooms and the official ‘Strathcona Park’ sign. This is a great place to enjoy your lunch before continuing on to the next stop.   

Third Stop: Lupin Falls 

After lunch continue along the highway for 10 minutes. You’ll reach a junction where the highway will go right over a little bridge but you’ll continue straight. Keep driving on Westmin Road for a couple of minutes until you see a small pull in area on the right hand side. This is the official trail head for Lupin Falls. If you can’t get parked, I would suggest continuing to the next stop and trying again on the way back.

From here, it’s a short but scenic hike (1km loop) to the picturesque Lupin Falls. There is a junction at the beginning of the trail. You can go in either direction but most people go straight on. You’ll cross a wooden bridge across Lupin Creek onto a well-maintained path which is surrounded by large Cedar and Fir trees. There are a few switchbacks which will take you uphill to the waterfall. Lupin Falls has two tiers so you can walk down to the base of the waterfall for a closer view.

Fourth Stop: Lower Myra Falls  

Head back to the car and continue along Westmin Road for about 30 minutes. The road will take you around Buttle Lake, passing some scenic viewpoints along the way. You’ll probably want to pull over and take some photos on your way to Lower Myra Falls!

Once you pass the southern tip of Buttle Lake, keep an eye out for a sign to the parking lot which will be down a little road on your right. At the parking lot, you’ll find an outhouse and an information board with a trail map. The short 1.5km trail to Lower Myra Falls is relatively easy. It’s a downhill walk but bear in mind you’ll have to walk back uphill to the car park! After about three minutes on the trail, you’ll see a junction for the upper and lower viewpoints. Go left to the upper viewpoint and walk for a few minutes until you reach the small viewing platform. While it’s not as impressive as the lower viewpoint, it’s still a great vantage point.

After you’ve taken some photos, walk back to the main trail and continue downhill to the lower viewpoint. After about 5 minutes, you’ll reach the lower falls. For the best view, carefully walk out onto the rocks. They can be quite slippery so watch your footing and stay away from the edges. Behind you, you can see Buttle Lake through the clearing of trees as well as Syd Watts Peak and part of Mt. Albert Edwards.

Fifth Stop: Lady Falls (Optional) 

Once you’ve finished up at Lower Myra Falls, it’s time to drive back to Campbell River. Follow Westmin Road back the way you came until you reach the junction where you split from Gold River Highway.

Depending on how much time you have, you can go left across the bridge onto Gold River Highway and drive out to Lady Falls. It’s about a 15-minute drive to the trail head which starts at Lady Falls Picnic Area.

The short 900m trail will take you along a well-marked path through the mossy, old growth forest. You’ll reach the waterfall within about 10 minutes so it’s definitely worth including this stop if you are doing okay for time. Lady Falls plummets nearly 30m to the canyon floor below and is one of the prettiest waterfalls in the park.

Sixth Stop: Session Taproom & Kitchen 

Drive back into town and finish the day with dinner and drinks at Session Taproom & Kitchen. It’s a favourite with locals and visitors alike and has a great lively atmosphere. The menu changes regularly but I highly recommend their pizzas and cocktails. They also have 12 rotating taps for craft beer and cider if you want to try a few different local options. If the weather is nice, wander down to the water and catch the sunset.

Day 3: Campbell River to Telegraph Cove

Driving distance: 201 km (125 miles) 

Wake up and grab a delicious breakfast from Daves’ Bakery. This is one of my favourite spots in Campbell River as everything is freshly made with locally sourced ingredients. There is plenty to choose from including stuffed croissants and deli sandwiches to pot pies and Paninis.

Travel tip: Pick up a few extra things for lunch as it’s a long drive to Telegraph Cove and there aren’t a lot of food options along the way.  

First Stop: Woss 

Follow Highway 19 north for about 1 hour and 20 minutes until you reach Woss. The drive will take you through the island’s most rugged and isolated scenery and is my favourite part of this North Vancouver Island road trip. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way as you may spot black bears along the side of the road. If you do see bears, please be respectful. Slow down, stay in your car and give the plenty of space.

Once you reach Woss it’s up to you how much time you want to spend here. It’s a small logging town just off the highway and was home to the last operating logging railway in North America. In 2017, the railway finally closed after 100 years of operation. You can drive into the town to visit the historic Steam Locomotive 113. There are also some interpretive panels where you can learn more about the town’s railway logging history. 

If you need to pick anything up, there is a General Store which sells drinks and snacks. There is also a gas station if you need to fill up on gas.

Second Stop: Little Huson Caves (Optional) 

Little Huson Caves will be your next stop on this North Vancouver Island road trip itinerary. The caves are one of the island’s hidden gems and not that many people know about them as they’re off the beaten path.

Travel tip: Little Huson Caves can only be accessed via gravel logging roads. The roads are quite bumpy so if you don’t have a 4WD with high clearance and/or haven’t driven on logging roads before, I’d probably skip this stop.

From Woss, follow Highway 19 for about 21km until you reach the Zeballos Road turn-off. After 2.5km you’ll cross a bridge over the Nimpish River which will take you to a fork in the road. Here you’ll need to go right to stay on Zeballos Road. At the next fork, take the downhill road to the right (Atluck Forest Service Road). In 2.5km you’ll reach a 4-way intersection. Go left to stay on Atluck FSR for another 1.8km. There will be another fork which you need to go left at to stay on Atluch FSR. After 300m, turn right onto HU1000 Branch Road.

After 2.3km you’ll reach the parking area. The short 0.5km trail will take you down to the caves. It’s a beautiful spot with the creek funnelling through the canyon into the cave and out the other side. If you are tight on time though, I’d skip this stop.  

Third Stop: Telegraph Cove 

Now it’s time to head to Telegraph Cove – your final destination of the day! Continue on Highway 19 for approximately 55km until you reach Beaver Cove Road. Here you’ll turn right and drive for about 16 km until you get to Telegraph Cove. 

Telegraph Cove is one of the last boardwalk settlements left on Vancouver Island. Get settled into your accommodation and then wander out to explore Telegraph Cove Resort. The resort is actually quite compact so you’ll be able to see a lot in a short space of time.

Pop into the General Store and browse their selection of gifts, clothing and snacks. If you’re feeling a bit hungry, stop at Sally’s Food Bar. The owner, Lesley, is so friendly and welcoming and makes all of the delicious pastries, cookies and cinnamon buns from scratch every day. There’s also an assortment of wraps, sandwiches and specialty coffees.

After you’ve had something to eat, head down to the boardwalk and check out the colourful houses and buildings.

Forth Stop: Sunset Kayaking Tour 

Finish the day by getting out on the water! The scenery surrounding Telegraph Cove is nothing short of spectacular and the best way to see it is on a kayaking tour. North Island Kayak offers a range of guided sea kayaking tours, from 2-hour short trips to multi-day adventures. The 2-hour evening tour is a must when visiting Telegraph Cove. Your guide will take you into the world-renowned Johnstone Strait where you’ll kayak along the shoreline and out to Wastell Islets. The waters in this area are home to sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, sea birds and bald eagles so keep your eyes peeled!

Read More: The best things to see and do in Telegraph Cove >

Day 4: Whale watching in Telegraph Cove

Driving distance:  0 km/ miles 

Today is going to be quite the adventure! Get up early and wander down to the General Store to grab some breakfast. They serve fresh coffee and delicious baked goods. Consider grabbing a take-out hot drink to sip on as you wait for your first activity of the day – whale watching!

First Stop: Whale Watching Tour 

Whale watching is a must on your North Vancouver Island road trip and Telegraph Cove is one of the best places to do so. The picturesque village sits on the edge of Johnstone Strait, across from the Broughton Archipelago, the largest marine park in British Columbia. This area is home to one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems. Each year, orcas, humpback whales, and other marine mammals come to feed in the nutrient-rich waters surrounding Telegraph Cove.

Prince of Whales offers half-day fully guided whale watching tours on both their semi-covered, custom-built express cruiser and their smaller Zodiacs. They run a couple of tours each day but I recommend booking the morning one (normally 9am) to maximise your day.  

The tour usually lasts for about 3 to 4 hours depending on where the whales are. Make sure you pack your binoculars and camera as you’ll likely to see a lot of wildlife on your tour. I have a full guide all about our experience whale watching which covers everything you need to know.

2026 Prices: 

• 3-Hour whale watching tour (in cruiser): $179 CAD per person   
• 3-Hour whale watching tour (in zodiac): $199 CAD per person 

Second Stop: Stop: Telegraph Cove Art Gallery 

If you haven’t had any lunch yet, stop by Sally’s Food Bar and try one of their spinach and feta pastries or freshly bakes almond croissants. After fuelling up, wander up the hill to the Telegraph Cove Art Gallery. The gallery features the beautiful work of Don Bastian, a renowned carver and wood artist. You’ll also find work by other local artists so if you’re looking for some gifts or souvenirs from your trip this is a great place to visit.

Day 5: Telegraph Cove to Nanaimo

Driving distance: 356 km (221 miles) 

It’s the last day of your North Vancouver Island road trip! Wake up early and enjoy breakfast at Sally’s Food Bar or The General Store before you get back on the road.  

I suggest stopping in Campbell River on your way home to break up the drive and maybe get some lunch. Java Shack is located on Shoppers Row and serves a nice range of salads, sandwiches and soups. If you just want to grab a hot drink and keep driving, I recommend stopping at Foggdukkers which is on the highway. It’s easy to miss this little coffee shack but it’s a great place to grab a drink and a quick snack.  

Extending your North Vancouver Island road trip 

This 5-day North Vancouver Island road trip will give you a taste of area’s epic scenery. If you have more time and want to see more of North Vancouver Island, you could continue on to some of the below destinations:

Port McNeil 

There are some fantastic wildlife tours that leave from Port McNeil such as Sea Wolf Adventures’ grizzly bear tours. This local indigenous-run company will take you up to Knight Inlet where you can see grizzly bears and their cubs searching for food along the coastline.

The journey there is an experience in itself. The inlet cuts through a vast area of pristine wilderness, known as the Great Bear Rainforest. It’s the only place in the world where you can find white Kermode bears, also known as the ‘Spirit bears’. They’re a subspecies of black bear that carry a recessive white gene which gives them their unique appearance. Only 10% of black bears in this area are born with this gene so they are incredibly rare and elusive. 

Port Hardy 

Port Hardy is the largest town on North Vancouver Island. It’s a popular spot for scuba diving, fishing and other water sports. Walk along the riverside Quatse Loop Trail and you’ll probably spot resident bald eagles foraging on the beach, feasting on salmon, and flying back to their nests in nearby treetops.  

One of the most popular things to do in Port Hardy is to visit the Quatse Salmon Stewardship Centre. The centre offers a number of hands-on activities for kids and adults alike to learn about the local ecosystem and salmon conservation.  

Cape Scott Provincial Park 

Cape Scott Provincial Park sits on the northern tip of Vancouver Island and is a truly wild and beautiful place. I haven’t had the chance to explore this part of North Vancouver Island but it would be remiss not to mention it in this guide!

The park offers some of the best hikes on Vancouver Island, from short day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips such as the challenging 6-day North Coast Trail. A lot of people opt to visit the park for the day and just stick to San Josef Bay. This is where you’ll find the towering sea stacks, which visitors can access at low tide.

Planning your North Vancouver Island road trip: FAQs 

When is the best time to do a North Vancouver Island road trip? 

As far as timing goes, I would recommend doing this road trip in summer or early fall. A lot of businesses on North Vancouver Island are seasonal and are closed from November to May. For example, Telegraph Cove Resort only operates from May to October. As a result, the majority of businesses such as the restaurants, coffee shops, and General Store are only open during these months.  

Summer and fall also offer more opportunities to see local wildlife such as bears and whales. While you may see whales anytime between May to October, August and September are said to be prime whale watching season. The salmon also arrive in August which draws the grizzly bears to the shallow water where you can see them on tours.  

Spring is also a lovely time to visit and can be cheaper and quieter too. We went in May and were fortunate to see a couple of black bears emerging from hibernation. We also saw grey whales and humpback whales on a whale watching tour. There is a chance you will see orcas earlier in the season as Transient killer whales also pass through the area as early as May.  

How long do you need for a road trip around North Vancouver Island? 

In my opinion, 5 days is the perfect amount of time for most people to spend on a North Vancouver Island road trip. There are so many amazing things to do on North Vancouver Island but 5 days will give you enough time to see the main sights and attractions without feeling rushed.  

Where should you stay? 

Campbell River and Telegraph Cove are both great bases for exploring North Vancouver Island. In this itinerary, you’ll spend two nights in Campbell River and two nights in Telegraph Cove.  

Campbell River

• Comfort Inn & Suites is one of Campbell River’s newer hotels and is located close to the downtown area.
• Above Tide Motel is such a nice motel. The rooms have recently been renovated and have gorgeous views of the ocean.
• Brown’s Bay Resort is a 22-minute drive from downtown Campbell River so it’s a bit further away than the other places but is still a great option with cozy cabins and glamping tents

Telegraph Cove

The majority of accommodation in Telegraph Cove is part of Telegraph Cove Resort. The resort is spread out over Telegraph Cove and has a variety of accommodation options, including historic cabins, waterfront suites, and, my personal favourite, the lovely lodge rooms which overlook the cove. Hidden Cove Lodge is another great option and is just a 15-minute drive from Telegraph Cove. The lodge has 9 rooms and two oceanfront cottages.

Is North Vancouver Island really remote? 

Northern Vancouver Island covers approximately one third of the island yet only 3 percent of the island’s population lives in this area. It definitely feels quite remote in places and requires more planning than other trips. Here are a few things to bear in mind: 

• Cell service: While you’ll have service in the small communities, there are long stretches along the way where you won’t have any signal. I recommend downloading offline maps before you set off so that you always know where you are. 
• Gas stations: There are gas stations in most of the towns; however, some places only have one or two and they may close earlier than advertised. I suggest filling up in the larger towns even if you still have plenty of gas so that you aren’t relying on filling up in the smaller towns.  
• Wildlife: As you’re driving through one of the most remote parts of the island, it’s very likely that you’ll spot wildlife along the way. Drive carefully as you may see wildlife grazing on the side of the road or even trying to cross. If you do spot wildlife while driving, give them plenty of space and admire from a distance. Be respectful and don’t put these animals at risk.  
• Weather: Northern Vancouver Island has a wet climate and gets a lot of rain between October and March. Temperate wise, it doesn’t get too hot or cold at any point throughout the year. Expect temperatures to be anywhere between 12 – 20°C from June to October and -1 – 8°C from November to March.  

Please also remember that you are visiting an area that has been home to several indigenous groups and they still live there today. This road trip will take you through the heart of the traditional First Nations’ territory of the Kwakwaka’wakw, the We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah to name just a few. If you can, please consider supporting local indigenous-owned businesses during your trip. 

Final thoughts

I hope this North Vancouver Island road trip itinerary helps you start planning your own trip! It’s one of my favourite road trips on Vancouver Island and I can’t wait to go back and explore more. While things have changed in Telegraph Cove following the fire, it’s still a wonderful place to visit – you can still see and do so much here. It’s more important than ever to support the local community as they continue to rebuild, and your visit really will make a difference.   

Where to explore next?

If you’re looking for more road trip inspiration, here are two other scenic drives on the island to check out:

• Pacific Marine Circle Route
• Victoria to Tofino

Love from Steph

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