Why Retire Here

Recreational Activities

Campbell River boasts an abundance of opportunities for sports and recreation with modern facilities and programs designed to enhance the life style and health of the community. These opportunities are available to people of all ages, stages and abilities and are supported by dedicated and well trained staff.

Indoor facilities include a new downtown Community Center that hosts major community events. The Sportsplex is located in the beautiful 54 acre Willow Point Park which offers a wide variety of sporting activities including squash, racquetball, weight and fitness training plus large gymnasium activities. The Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex offers 2 ice rinks, 1 leisure rink, a 37.5-meter indoor swimming pool, waterslide, 2 saunas, large hot tub, etc.

Retirees report that walking is their most frequent outdoor recreation. Campbell River's increasingly popular Rotary Sea Walk extends 7 km along our shoreline and is a level, paved walkway, suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, roller blades and bicycles. Moms with tots, teenagers and seniors can be seen enjoying the sea air and the sweeping vistas of Discovery Passage throughout the year. Active and passive greenways and trails in wilderness areas such as the Beaver Lodge Lands, the Willow Creek Conservancy area and trails along the Campbell and Quinsam Rivers provide quiet and beautiful areas to enjoy the natural environment.

For those that enjoy activity on or near the water, Campbell River has an abundance of beaches along the ocean and refreshing, clean, clear fresh water lakes and rivers where you can enjoy beachcombing, swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and diving. Campbell River provides opportunities for sport fishing at a popular dedicated fishing landmark, Discovery Pier and there are numerous locations to launch small boats, as well as charters and guides available.

Mt. Washington Alpine Resort, a year-round alpine destination, is just a 30 minute drive away and offers downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and tobogganing in the winter months. Once the snow has melted you can follow the trails into Strathcona Park, B.C.'s largest provincial park, or ride the chairlift to experience breathtaking views of the Strait of Georgia, Mt. Albert Edward and numerous communities and islands along the coast.

Golfers enjoy an extended season at three local courses with a total of nine courses in the area, six of which are open year round. A variety of options and challenges are available for golfers of all abilities.

Many more outdoor activities are enjoyed in Campbell River such as, biking, camping, boating, wilderness tours and wildlife. Be sure to read Rivercity: a natural retirement choice. Whatever your recreational choice is, we are certain that the combination of facilities available combined with the year round temperate climate will enhance your lifestyle and benefit your health.

Enjoy!