3 Unforgettable Road Trips to take in British Columbia this Summer

If you’re anything like me, the freedom of packing up the car and setting off to a new destination is unbeatable. We all crave that awe and wonder, the leisure time and play that comes with travel, and when it’s in your own vehicle, at your own pace, it’s even better.

With only 5.5 million people across nearly 950,000 square kilometres, British Columbia holds an abundance of off-the-beaten-path gems to discover this summer.

Summer in British Columbia offers just about everything – beautiful mountains, freshwater lakes, ocean and beach access, funky small towns, and a unique Indigenous culture and history.

Here are a few of our favourite routes to inspire your next road trip:

1 | Vancouver to Madeira Park – Sunshine Coast

Arriving in Vancouver, British Columbia’s largest city, enjoy a night of pampering at a luxury hotel in the city, such as the Loden Hotel or the Indigenous-owned Skwachàys Lodge. The next day, from just north of Vancouver, catch the short, scenic ferry to the town of Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast. With views of the Howe Sound and Coast Mountains, you begin to immerse in the slow coastal lifestyle and warm hospitality of this unique region.

Further north towards Madeira Park and Egmont, our favourite hikes include Smuggler Cove Provincial Park (easy/moderate), Pender Hill (moderate), and Skookumchuk Narrows (easy) where you can watch the kayakers surf the standing waves. Once in Egmont, a must-do is the full-day boat tour to Princess Louisa Inlet, a stunning journey through deep fjords with as many as 60 waterfalls including the iconic Chatterbox Falls at the head of the inlet.

Ready to sample the local cuisine? You can’t go wrong with oysters from Smitty’s while overlooking Gibsons Harbour, brunch at the Gumboot Cafe in Roberts Creek, or dinner at the Lighthouse Pub in Sechelt to watch the sea planes come and go. Speaking of planes… arguably the most unique dining experience on the Sunshine Coast is the ‘Fly-and-dine’ 3-course dinner at the West Coast Wilderness Lodge (departs from Sechelt).

For those travelling with kids, the Sunshine Coast is a popular destination for family vacations, with self-catered lodging like Painted Boat Resort & Spa coupled with endless beaches, parks, and freshwater lakes for swimming (check out our favourite, Ruby Lake).

Travelling as a couple or with friends? We have lots of recommendations for cozy waterfront B&Bs and more rustic ‘glamping’ style accommodations to suit all budgets.

2 | Nanaimo to Port Hardy – Vancouver Island North

Vancouver Island is one of our most popular destinations, offering some of the best wildlife viewing, sandy beaches, and rugged wilderness that southern British Columbia has to offer. While destinations like Tofino and Victoria get most of the attention, Vancouver Island is over 450 km long with many options to get off-the-beaten-path (in comfort!). Nanaimo is a great place to start your journey, just 1.5 hours’ drive from Victoria or about 2 hours from Vancouver via ferry, with a regional airport and seaplane access as well.

From here, we invite you to venture north, ‘up island’ as the locals say, perhaps stopping to explore the beaches of Parksville, wineries in the Comox Valley like 40 Knots Winery – bonus, they are Sustainable Tourism Certified! – and Miracle Beach Provincial Park.

Arriving in Campbell River, spend a few days exploring what’s known as the Salmon Capital of the World. Be sure to check out Elk Falls Provincial Park for its leisurely trails through old growth forest, and, if you’re feeling adventurous, get out hiking in Strathcona Provincial Park. 

Pack a lunch and continue north for another 2-3 hours until you reach the quaint fishing village of Telegraph Cove.

Grab a coffee and meander the boardwalk that stretches the cove’s shoreline, past the historic homes that have been turned into lodging for adventure-seekers. Visit the Whale Interpretive Centre, check out the local artists like Don Bastian, and grab a bite on the patio of the Old Saltery Pub.

Ready for an adventure of your own? Set out for a day (or half-day) sea kayaking tour along the Johnstone Strait, or join an Indigenous-led wildlife tour to discover the ecological and cultural significance of these waters. Keep an eye for the Northern Resident Orca, humpback whales, sea otters and sea lions, and an abundance of seabirds who call this place home.

Looking for more cultural immersion? Alert Bay is our favourite destination to learn about the cultural traditions and important history of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw First Nations – including viewing the renowned collection of potlatch masks and regalia at the U’Mista Cultural Centre. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the ‘awakwas’ by the water, stop in to Culture Shock Gallery for a coffee and locally-made jewelry and gifts, and check out the many hiking trails too. We recommend staying a few nights in Alert Bay to truly soak in the small-island life and friendly locals.

Our final stop – the end of the road – is Port Hardy, where a stay at the First Nations-owned Kwa’Lilas Hotel is a must. This is the jump-off point to Cape Scott Provincial Park, where hiking enthusiasts may embark on the 43km rugged hike across the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Too intense? We don’t blame you! Instead, catch a ride to San Josef Bay (located within the park) with our local guides to spend the day hiking the easy trails through the old-growth forest, out to the incredible 2km stretch of sandy beach with its sea stacks and sea caves waiting to be explored.

The North Island is the perfect region for those seeking rugged nature and impressive wildlife coupled with cultural immersion and unique, comfortable accommodations.

3 | Williams Lake to Bella Coola – West Chilcotin

Spanning the heart of British Columbia, the Cariboo Chilcotin Region holds space for a range of adventures. Whether you’re interested in hiking in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, staying at an authentic guest ranch, or scouting for wildlife like bighorn sheep or grizzly bears, the open roads are waiting for you.

For those who don’t mind the distance, you may wish to start your road trip in Vancouver, driving the scenic Sea to Sky highway, heading west over the Coast Mountain range, and into the wild interior of British Columbia (roughly 7 hours drive to Williams Lake). Be sure to stop at Historic Hat Creek Ranch in Cache Creek, and the Sugar Shack in 70 Mile for the ‘Best poutine west of Quebec’. 

Alternatively, you can fly from Vancouver to start your road trip in Williams Lake, with rental cars available at the airport. As you make your way across the interior of BC, we encourage you to take it slow, staying 2 or 3 nights in each place, to truly connect with the landscapes and people who call this place home.

One of our favourite day tours in this region is the scenic flight from Nimpo Lake into the mountains, over icefields and glaciers, to Turner Lake and the impressive Hunlen Falls – Canada’s highest free falling waterfall.

Rest your head at a classic guest ranch or wilderness lodge, enjoying horseback riding and long-table dinners with other adventurous travellers. A few lodges offer photography tours if that’s your interest, like Eagle Bear Lodge (on the plateau) and Great Bear Chalet (in Bella Coola, specializing in bear viewing).

Speaking of grizzly bears… once you make your way into the Bella Coola valley, where the landscape changes drastically from dry desert to temperate rainforest, these wildlife tours await. From mid-August to mid-October, the best way to spot grizzly bears is on a rafting tour of the Atnarko River. Local experts will steer you gently down the river where the bears gather to hunt for salmon.

More of an ocean-goer? Once in Bella Coola, be sure to check out the sailing and boating tours which travel along the stunning azure-coloured glacial fjords, past the estuary for more chances of wildlife, and even onto natural hot springs nestled in the rocky shoreline.

If you’ve heard of Bella Coola, you’re likely familiar with Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, which spans 989,616 acres of epic wilderness. Join a locally-guided hike in the park – with the option of helicopter-access hiking and sightseeing too – to follow in the footsteps of Alexander McKenzie and the Nuxalk Carrier Grease Trail.

The important thing is you’re here – in the wild West Chilcotin, surrounded by towering peaks, endless valleys, and the friendliest locals around.

Explore British Columbia by Road This Summer

I do believe we’ve only scratched the surface of ‘unforgettable road trips’ in BC! Each of these regions offers enough to fill a 1-2 week holiday, or if you’re staying longer, consider connecting a few of the routes via BC Ferries by travelling up the Sunshine Coast and onto Vancouver Island, or taking the Inside Passage route from Port Hardy to Bella Coola.

There is so much to discover in this beautiful corner of the world. Our specialty is seeking out the quieter destinations and those locally-owned gems that truly immerse you in the wild landscapes and vibrant cultures that make each place unique.

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