A Signature Fall Tour by FarOut Wilderness – Experience the magic of fall on Vancouver Island with cozy lodges, wild coastlines, and wildlife encounters. Discover fall on Vancouver Island your way.
Looking for activity ideas for fall on Vancouver Island? Fall on Vancouver Island is when the wild meets the whimsical. The air sharpens with the scent of cedar. Rain softens the landscape into lush moss and mushroom-scattered forests. And the rivers come alive with the pulse of salmon returning home.
Salmons Runs & Stormy Suns is FarOut Wilderness’s answer to the question: What’s the most magical way to experience fall in coastal British Columbia?
With a perfectly blended itinerary of cozy lodge stays, raw nature encounters, autumnal brews, and peaceful overland camping, this is an unforgettable 8-day journey through Vancouver Island’s most iconic fall landscapes.
Autumn adventures await
Let’s walk you through it, day by golden day.
Day 1: Welcome to the Island | Victoria Charm & Tea Traditions – Fall On Vancouver Island
Your adventure begins in Victoria, where your overland camper awaits. After a personalized handover and orientation, spend your first day wandering the cobbled corners of BC’s capital.
Suggested Stops:
- Beacon Hill Park – golden leaves, quiet corners
- Craigdarroch Castle – ivy-covered elegance
- Butchart Gardens – still in bloom through fall
- Victoria Inner Harbour – sailboats and seabirds
Included Highlight:
Afternoon High Tea at the Fairmont Empress – delicate pastries, steaming tea, and colonial charm under chandeliers.
Overnight: Boutique hotel in downtown Victoria. Walkable, elegant, and cozy.
Day 2: Head North – Autumn Drives & Craft Brews
Depart Victoria and follow the scenic Malahat route north, where fall foliage lines your path and ocean views spill across the horizon. Along the way, stop at island craft breweries that truly shine in autumn.
Brewery Trail:
- Red Arrow Brewing (Duncan)
- Longwood Brewery (Nanaimo)
- Mount Arrowsmith Brewing (Parksville) – wood-fired pizza plus beer
Camping Options:
- Qualicum Falls
- Englishman River Falls
- Miracle Beach
Build a fire. Watch the steam rise from your mug. Listen to the woods.
Great Views! Fall on Vancouver Island
Day 3: Coastal Wandering & Into the Wild North
Take the slow road to Campbell River, hugging the coastline and making peaceful pit stops.
Suggested Stops:
- Fanny Bay – sea lions and salt air
- Elk Falls Suspension Bridge – roaring falls and fall colours
- Discovery Pier – classic fish & chips with a view
Overnight: Settle into Campbell River and rest up — tomorrow is a big day.
Day 4: Grizzly Bear Tour – The Wild Heart of Fall
This is the main event: a full-day Grizzly Bear Expedition with Campbell River Whale Watching.
Cruise through fjords to the Orford River Valley, traditional territory of the Homalco First Nation.
With expert guides, watch grizzly bears from raised platforms as they fish for spawning salmon, surrounded by ancient forest.
Bonus sightings? Whales, bald eagles, sea lions — it’s all on the table.
Overnight: Campbell River.
Day 5: Slow South to Lake Cowichan
Ease into the day and wind your way south through the Cowichan Valley, one of BC’s best-kept fall secrets.
Top Picks:
- Skutz Falls Trail
- Gordon Bay Provincial Park – forested lakeside serenity
- Merridale Cidery or Riot Brewing – crisp seasonal drinks
Camp: Lakeside, quiet, and star-dappled.
Day 6: Into the Storm Coast | Craidelona Oceanside Lodge
Follow winding forest roads west toward Port Renfrew. This stretch is pure coastal drama.
En Route:
- Botanical Beach – tidepools and crashing surf
- Fairy Lake Bonsai Tree – the Island’s most famous little tree
Arrive at Craidelona Oceanside Lodge, your self-catered cabin perched above the Salish Sea.
Included Amenities:
- Wood-fired sauna
- Hot tub and cold plunge
- Private beach access
- Fireplace and ocean air
Optional: Add a gourmet meal, hot-delivered by a private chef — no cooking, just candlelight and deliciousness.
Day 7: Stay Still. Breathe Deep.
This is your pause. A full day to unwind, read, soak, stroll the beach, or watch the storm from the sauna windows.
This is what fall is for: rest, restoration, and remembering what matters.
Day 8: Coastal Route Home via Sooke
Make your final drive through the sleepy surf towns of the southern coast.
Suggested Stops:
- French Beach
- Sooke Brewing Co.
- Sooke Oceanside Brewery
Drop your camper back in Victoria — with wild stories, misty smiles, and a full heart.
Feeling Inspired? Your Fall Adventure Awaits.
Whether you’re sipping cider under the trees, waking up lakeside, or watching grizzlies feast beneath golden leaves, Salmons Runs & Stormy Suns is your invitation to connect with the rhythm of the season.
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