Campbell Lake, or Lower Campbell Lake, is one of the largest artificial lakes on Central Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The area is peaceful enough to sit on the lakeshore or top of a mountain with a great Campbell Lake view. The magnificent reflections of mountains and trees, specifically pine forests, on the lake create photogenic scenes.
These breathtaking landscapes make Campbell Lake a perfect spot for camping. The lake has several campgrounds; at least nine well-supported sites, which include boat launches. At the top of the list are Loveland Bay and Miller Creek Recreation Site.
If you are a fan of fishing, it is possible all year round. You can catch some fish by the shore or rent a boat. Do fishing, swimming, or just relax and enjoy nature, all making you feel as if you've left urban life far behind.
Campbell Lake is located on the eastern side of Vancouver Island, about 27.5 km (17 miles) west of the Campbell River city. At the lake's northernmost point, where Loveland Bay Provincial Park is placed, you can park your vehicle. Then, take a walk toward Campbell Lake and enjoy the forest. There are at least five recreation sites from the north of the lake to the southwest of it.
The area consists of several lakes. You can drive to some nearby lakes less than an hour apart, including Upper Campbell Lake, Boat Lake, Quinsam Lake, Fry lake, and John Hart Lake. To relax and spend time with your companies, bars and restaurants are available within 30 km (18.6 miles).
From Nanaimo:
Getting to Campbell Lake from Nanaimo is via BC-19 N. It is 182 km (113 miles) and takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Take Third St to BC-19 N for 3.3 km (2 miles). Turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R) and drive 164 km (101.9 miles). Continue your way to Lower Campbell Lake Rd, and after 14.8 km (9.1 miles), you will reach Campbell Lake.
From Victoria:
The fastest route from Victoria to Campbell Lake is Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N. It is 292 km (181.4 miles) and takes about 3 hours and a half.
Get on BC-19 N in Nanaimo from Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N
and drive 106 km (65.8 miles). Merge onto BC-19 N and go on for 172 km (106.8 miles). Drive to Lower Campbell Lake Rd, and after 14.8 km (9.1 miles), you will reach Campbell Lake.
There is no designed hiking trail to reach Campbell Lake.
Campbell Lake was constructed in the late 1950s. One of the residents named David Alm built an earthen dam to impede the outflow of Campbell Creek. The Ladore Dam was built in 1958, and it was flooded in for a huge hydroelectric project then. It impounds Campbell Lake.
Whether locals or tourists, everyone has a chance to enjoy the opportunity to do several activities in the Campbell Lake area. It provides some excellent plans such as wildlife viewing and bird watching, swimming, and fishing tours. Also, there are magnificent sites nearby to improve your adventure levels, such as Elk Falls Provincial Park.