Grizzly Bears of Knight Inlet Lodge

Day 1 : Vancouver > Campbell River

Fly from Vancouver South Terminal to Campbell River, where you’ll be met and transferred to your accommodation.

Day 2 : Campbell River > Knight Inlet Lodge

This morning depart Campbell River by floatplane to Knight Inlet Lodge in Glendale Cove. Upon arrival you will receive a welcome orientation then head out to enjoy your first bear viewing tour. Overnight at Knight Inlet Lodge.

Knight Inlet is home to a dense population of grizzlies. It is common for numerous bears to be near the lodge throughout the season, and especially during the autumn when the salmon are running in nearby rivers.

Day 3 : Knight Inlet Lodge

Spend the full day viewing grizzly bears and other wildlife, or opt for one of the other activities offered by the lodge.

Optional Activities

Walking tours: Take a walk in an ancient, old-growth rainforest in the pristine Kwalate valley, a 20-minute boat ride from the lodge. Walk up the valley along the beautiful Kwalate River to see giant moss-covered trees and stunning waterfalls, and learn about the rainforest and the various plants and wildlife that abound here. This 4 – 8 km pleasant hike at a gentle pace offers a handful of rocky sections and a steep section at the beginning of the hike, making it feel like a small adventure. Usually a morning’s walk, you return to the lodge in time to enjoy lunch on the front deck and then opt for an afternoon activity if you wish.

Interpretive tracking tours: On this tracking tour you can observe bear habitat you don’t normally get to see on the bear-viewing tours. Your guide will take you on a slow drive down an old forestry road looking for signs of bears, which can include day beds, bear trails, “rub” trees and tracks, and tell you about the fascinating bear research that the lodge supports. A fascinating way to experience being on the ground in bear country, and follow in their footprints.

Walk above the clouds: On this tour, you follow a raised wooden boardwalk to a scenic lookout with spectacular panoramic views of Knight Inlet. Access to the trail is via 4 x 4 vehicle along an old mountain road – getting there is part of the adventure! With a total walking time of about an hour, this is one of the lodge’s easier walking tours.

Big Cedar hike: Walk through dense young forest with limited understory as it gradually progresses upwards and deeper into older forest. Tree species on the Big Cedar Hike include Western Red Cedars, Western Hemlock, Sitka Spruce and even a few Douglas Fir high on the ridge. You will see cedar trees that show signs of being Culturally Modified Trees that have been marked or used by Indigenous people for hundreds of years. You will learn of the ecological significance of Western Red Cedars, and how historical logging practices and targeting of these valuable trees has threatened these ecosystems and species. As a bonus, a variety of birds are typically heard here in the spring and early summer.

Sea kayaking: Drifting quietly in your sea kayak, you may see grizzly bears foraging along the shoreline near the lodge. Never kayaked before? No problem. You kayak in a sheltered cove in calm water, and trained guides will coach you in the fundamentals of sea kayaking so that you feel confident to paddle these seaworthy craft. The lodge uses stable, roomy, single and double kayaks designed by Necky Kayaks.

* Please note that some tours may not be available occasionally due to weather or time constraints.

Day 4 : Knight Inlet Lodge > Campbell River > Vancouver

Enjoy an early morning visit to the bear viewing platforms in search of wildlife before returning to Campbell River by floatplane. On arrival, transfer to the local airport in Campbell River for your return flight to Vancouver.