Elk Falls Provincial Park
Elk Falls Provincial Park
Elk Falls Provincial Park
4.5
About
A popular destination family campground on Vancouver Island! Explore the incredible camping, hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities this region has to offer. Be sure to check out the new suspension bridge! Park visitors to Elk Falls will enjoy the extensive forest trail network and the hiking and biking opportunities available. Impressive waterfalls serve as a beautiful backdrop while hiking through coastal forests. Minutes from the main campground, visitors can explore the impressive new suspension bridge. Access to the bridge can be found off the Canyon View Trail. Adventurous park users will be awe-struck at the views found from this newly-built attraction! Firewood is available for sale from the Park Operator. Reservations are recommended during peak season, however last-minute campers may be able to find a spot in July and August. Reservations for this park are accepted for arrival dates from mid-May – Labour Day. Elk Falls is open year-round (Winter Camping $11/night).
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- TripletASeattle, Washington139 contributionsGreat place to see a lot in a short timeThe three mile loop taking in Elk Falls, the suspension bridge, then Deer Falls is a great way to break up a long drive along the island. Conveniently close to the major highway, the forest is beautiful and so are the falls. Almost no elevation change if that's a concern. The main issue for me is that the metal stairs and suspension bridge are incredibly slippery when it's raining. My hiking boots have great grips for mud and dirt, but there was no grip at all to be had on the wet steel. Hang onto those railings tights as you go down! There is currently major construction work taking place involving the nearby dam, so it's not quite as scenic and peaceful in parts as it might otherwise be, but there are really only a couple of very short stretches where it's intrusive.Visited March 2024Travelled soloWritten 22 April 2024
- Carol WCamas, Washington24 contributionsDon’t go to Campbell River without seeing Elk Falls!It was a great hike through beautiful old growth forests, much of it on boardwalks or well kept trails. The view of the falls from the suspension bridge was breathtaking, and loud! The bridge is quite new and very very safe.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 1 July 2024
- Sue PPhoenix, Arizona147 contributionsMust SeeThis is a lovely park with a moderately easy trail. It is easy to ignore the construction improvements on the hydro as everything is fenced off. The falls have great observation decks and the suspension bridge is fun to cross. Great explanation of the area’s history.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 July 2024
- Frank K46 contributionsElk Falls are CoolWe were going to do the Elk Falls via Millenium Trail but ended up doing the shorter Elk Falls Loop Trail. It's a nice hike, once you get past the construction for the salmon run, and the Elk Falls are cool. When the salmon run is completed the whole hike will be very nice.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 28 July 2024
- Paul HExeter, United Kingdom6 contributionsThe best bit of Campbell RiverEasy to get to from Campbell River about ten minutes in a car. Parking was easy, but we were at the end of the season. Short ish walk to the falls which are spectacular. Plenty of trails to explore and we'll worth the visit.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Sue P
Phoenix, AZ147 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
This is a lovely park with a moderately easy trail. It is easy to ignore the construction improvements on the hydro as everything is fenced off. The falls have great observation decks and the suspension bridge is fun to cross. Great explanation of the area’s history.
Written 3 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mausie
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK431 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We visited on a glorious sunny day. Parking is free. There are several trails at varying lengths to take and we really enjoyed walking around. The bridge is pretty impressive as are the falls but some are closed off due to maintenance work currently, would recommend visiting here. And it is free
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vera D
Leopoldsburg, Belgium153 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Very nice park, with nice trail to the beautiful waterfall and the suspension bridge. The bridge was solid, I even dared to ride it..
NOTE: do not go there with your dog unless you can carry him/her for a long time.. both the stairs and the bridge are made of metal with holes with pins in them.. very painful for dog feet!!!
NOTE: do not go there with your dog unless you can carry him/her for a long time.. both the stairs and the bridge are made of metal with holes with pins in them.. very painful for dog feet!!!
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Written 20 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laurie213
Milna, Croatia55 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
A pretty incredible waterfall, a short walk from the car park. There is a viewing platform and a suspension bridge to view the falls from different angles. It was amazing as there were no other people there despite it being the afternoon during the Summer to just see the falls rather than doing the full walking route does not take long at all - no more than an hour in total. Definitely a top thing to see in the area!
Written 17 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen C
Renton, WA1,093 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
There are different trails to different viewpoints of the falls. We took the shortest one (0.9 miles) which included several flights of stairs. There's a suspension bridge at the viewpoint which leads to a different path back to the parking lot, but we didn't take it. Late afternoon wasn't a good time for taking pictures of the falls.
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manbyk
Minnesota581 contributions
Sept 2021
There is nothing like viewing and listening to the thunder of a waterfall which you can do from the rocky outcrop, viewing platform or suspension bridge. From the parking lot it is a easy 1/2 mile walk up and back from the waterfalls. Should you desire to hike further, there are additional trails to satisfy your urge to stretch your legs. So very beautiful, a MUST SEE & DO.
Written 14 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank K
46 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We were going to do the Elk Falls via Millenium Trail but ended up doing the shorter Elk Falls Loop Trail. It's a nice hike, once you get past the construction for the salmon run, and the Elk Falls are cool. When the salmon run is completed the whole hike will be very nice.
Written 28 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deepblue
Orlando, FL81 contributions
Aug 2022
We were lucky at the end of August and the water was 12x normal amount (per signs displayed). The falls were HUGE!! Lot's of water coming down. There's a suspension bridge and several shorter hikes with good paths. Not very crowded near end of day. Short drive from Campbell River and well worth the time.
Written 24 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rlmptl
Lloydminster, Canada1,269 contributions
Jun 2023
this was a great stop after a lot of driving and not to far and easy to find from Campbell river. We hiked to the fall its about 2 km there a back some of it is easy and would be wheel chair accessibly some of it is not especially if you are wanting to get down to the suspension bridge and get a good look at the falls. We got lost on the trails a couple of times its easy to get turned around. I was very winded from the up and down trail but i am older too ...this is a must see and do
Written 19 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelengnancy
Vancouver, Canada1,029 contributions
Jul 2020
Always nice to stop in to see the waterfalls and suspension bridge. Very sturdy bridge, good for kids even.
A short 20 minute walk gets you to the bridge and waterfalls. Several viewing platforms available if you don't want to cross the bridge. You can hike into the park more if you like, but that's the main attraction.
Donation box at the entrance for Rotary Club to maintain the bridge.
Washrooms available at the entrance.
A short 20 minute walk gets you to the bridge and waterfalls. Several viewing platforms available if you don't want to cross the bridge. You can hike into the park more if you like, but that's the main attraction.
Donation box at the entrance for Rotary Club to maintain the bridge.
Washrooms available at the entrance.
Written 18 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are any of the trails handicapped accessible? My mom uses a motorized scooter and I would like to involve her as much as possible.
Written 3 November 2022
I don't really think so. The parts that are level are on dirt or gravel. Many parts are paved but have a steep grade. There's also wet sections and stairs.
Written 4 November 2022
Is the TA map pin incorrect? The maps even has the park printed in green on in inland to the west. Thanks!
Written 21 December 2020
Hi
Not sure I understand your question.
Can you rephrase?
Ert
Written 22 December 2020
What is the bottom of the suspension bridge ... wire grate? wood boards? Is it OK for dogs to walk on?
Thanks.
Written 15 August 2020
We are heading over to Campbell River at the end of September, are the trails and suspension bridge open then.
Written 30 July 2019
Yes , weather permitting the trails and suspension bridge are indeed open.
Written 30 July 2019
I plan to stay at the Quinsam Campground (Elk Falls) from october 1 until october 3. Reservation is not possible. Is it likely that there is a campsite available for a RV 32 ft ?
Written 6 September 2018
We don 't think you will have any trouble finding a campsite there. It is a large campground and season is ending. When you want to be very sure then our advice would be : try to arrive early in the afternoon. We were there in july around 6 in the evening and could still make a choise. The only question is: do they close in the autumm. Have a good time staying there. Gr Rob and Marian
Written 13 September 2018
Sorry I do not know because where we were was like a day park.. There is an elk falls provincial park but it is back towards town .. And it would be the same price as other provincial parks .. But.. It you stay on the main road and go hmmm 7-10 miles further towards Gold River there is Strathcona park.. It is free and in the overload area you park where you can staying I think up to 14 days .. You drive across an earth dam follow it down a fairly steep hill and as you drive down the hill on your left you will see some of the campsites..these are usually full but there is once your into the area a road to your right..that takes you to the overflow area.. It's lovely there.. Hope this helps..
Written 1 September 2017
Please describe campground. Thanks.
Written 18 August 2016
After leaving the town of Campbell River, heading west towards Gold River, you will be traveling along the Campbell River itself. Shortly after going through the last traffic light, you wlll cross a bridge going over the Quinsam River. The Elk Falls, or Quinsam River campsite, is on the left, immediately after the bridge. The campsite is one typical of BC's provincial campgrounds. Treed, large sites. Some have raised tent pads. The ones along the Quinsam River fill up fast and also have the most sun exposure. We prefer the ones at the back of the site as they are bigger and more private. We have a few favourites that we visit over and over. The roads in the campground are paved at the river frontage, then turn to gravel for the rest of the site. There is a playground and field in the paved area with parking spots and the beginning of the trail along the river start there. Also pit toilets and garbage cans. If you follow this trail to an area with a fence along the trail, there is a deep pool below the fence perfect for swimming or for throwing a tube in to float down the river. The trial has eroded alot over the years past this point and is becoming less used. It does carry on, if you like, to the Campbell River Fish Hatchery. It is mainly along the river's edge that the trail has degraded.
There is a sani dump, fresh water and flush toilets to the right of the campsite entrance. The sani dump is coin operated. Fresh water taps can be found around the campsite as well. No firewood, so either be prepared to buy from the camp caretakers or bring your own. Pit toilet are located at intervals along the roads. In the spring of 2016, the cost for each site is $22 cdn. Only one vehicle (aside from what you are camping in) is allowed in each site unless you pay extra, but you can park them outside the gates. We love this site. It is close to town, close to the falls, across the road from the River Walk and you can usually find a site to your liking, as long as it is not a long weekend. Reservations can be made on the Park website.
Written 19 August 2016
Hi Lisa, it's about 275 km and maybe 3 hours,15 if you don't have traffic issues coming north out of Victoria. Exit off Highway 1 when you see 19North.
Written 18 April 2016
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