Lakes
Beavertail Lake
Campbell River
THINGS TO DO · LAKES & RIVERS
Grab a towel for a warm freshwater dip just outside town, or drive west to find deep mountain basins.
24 places · Updated October 2026Things To Do Guide · Campbell River Guide
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (see credits)
01AT A GLANCE
The details that matter.
A massive watershed links the high country to the ocean. Huge reservoirs sit behind hydroelectric dams up the hill. Closer to the salt water, the Quinsam merges with the main current to carry returning salmon.
- In town
- McIvor Lake
- Rivers
- Campbell River, Quinsam River
- Mountain lakes
- Upper Campbell & Buttle Lake
- Good to know
- Lake levels and water flows change with dam operations
02THE STORY
Freshwater swims and quiet paddles just outside town.
Behind the coast are hundreds of lakes and rivers, from warm swimming lakes near town to deep mountain lakes in Strathcona.
West of town, logging roads lead to quiet lakes like Beavertail Lake, good for a paddle or a fish. Rent a kayak or board from Creek2Coast Paddlesports and explore the Campbell Lake chain.
The Campbell River itself runs through town to the sea, with walking trails along its banks and some of the best salmon water in the world.
On the islands, Quadra Island Kayaks rents boats for lakes and ocean. Freshwater fishing needs a BC licence.
01LAKES & RIVERS
Start here
A few places locals love.
Parks
Rotary Beach Park
Campbell River
Beaches
Stories Beach
Campbell River
Parks
Octopus Islands Marine Provincial Park
Quadra Island
Paddling
Quadra Island Kayaks
Heriot Bay
Paddling
Creek2Coast Paddlesports
Campbell River
Paddling
Island Life Expeditions
Black Creek
Parks
Quadra Island Community Centre
Quathiaski Cove
Hover for a closer look.Tap a card for a closer look. A conversation takes you further.
•LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Freshwater Swims and Mountain Basins
Snowmelt from the peaks eventually makes its way down to the Strait of Georgia. The resulting pools and channels give locals plenty of spots to cool off or cast a line.
The short answer
Head straight to McIvor Lake for an easy afternoon of swimming and paddleboarding. If you want a longer drive and bigger scenery, take Highway 28 out to Buttle Lake.
01Close to town
McIvor Basin
Locals pack the sandy beaches here as soon as the weather warms up. It takes only a few minutes to drive up from downtown, making it the easiest spot to launch a canoe or float on an inner tube.
02Moving water
Salmon Corridors
These waterways act as vital highways for returning fish each autumn. You need to stay well back from the banks below the hydroelectric dams, as water levels can spike without warning.
03Mountain water
Strathcona Provincial Park
Upper Campbell and Buttle lakes stretch deep into the protected interior. The highway follows the shoreline for miles, passing forested campgrounds and gravel boat launches along the way.
•THE FULL LIST
All 24 places.
Search by name or narrow by type.
See them on the map24 places
Fishing SpotsBeavertail LakeCampbell RiverParksRotary Beach ParkCampbell RiverBeachesStories BeachCampbell RiverParksOctopus Islands Marine Provincial ParkQuadra Island
Fishing SpotsMorton Lake Provincial ParkCampbell River
Fishing SpotsButtle LakeCampbell River
ParksWillow Point ParkCampbell River
ParksRobert V. Ostler ParkCampbell River
ParksElk Falls Suspension BridgeCampbell River
ParksOyster River Nature ParkCampbell River
ParksHagel ParkCampbell River
BeachesHill BeachCampbell River•FAQ
Good to know
The sandy beach at McIvor Lake draws a steady crowd in July and August. You can also find quieter day-use areas by driving west into the provincial park.
