Are you looking for a secluded campground to get away and de-stress for a few days?  Or something to do while visiting Port Alberni and the middle of Vancouver Island?  I recommend Stamp River Provincial Park.  The campground is tucked away from traffic, secluded, and quiet.  The only constant sound is the surging of the river.

The campsites are laid out in a D – ring shape.  Several campsites on the outer curve back up against the river, with their own path down the embankment to the water.  These are prime spots, as you can imagine.  There are plenty of other paths to the water for those campers not lucky enough to nab a piece of waterfront.  Just coming out for a day?  The day use area leads to the river!

Stamp River is fast-flowing, and there are waterfalls about ½ km from the day use away.  That distance is really close when caught up in a current that you can’t escape from!

Do be careful.  There are plenty of areas with boulders set up to create small pools, or potholes have formed in the sandstone. If you enjoy playing in the water, these areas are the safest, and more fun!

A 2km trail from the day use area leads to the main attraction, the waterfalls and fish ladder. From late August to December, you can watch as thousands upon thousands of salmon try to make it up the river to spawn.

This trail is part of the 7 km Stamp River Long Trail.  If you enjoy day long hikes (14 km return), here is a map and some information:  http://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/stamp_rv/stamp_river_trail_map.pdf?v=1599672079375

My camping buddy Trish and I spent a few days at Stamp River Provincial Park in the beginning of August, just when the huckleberries were ripening.  We tasted some, and I found them quite tart.  I imagine a huckleberry pie would use a lot of sugar!

The huckleberries always grow from rotting stumps, and areas where the stumps have rotted down in to a pile of rich humus.   Warning! Don’t eat anything in the forest you aren’t positive about!  There are a lot of yummy looking berries that will make you very sick.

The only amenities in this campground are a hand pump for fresh water, and pit toilets.  The day use area has several picnic tables and access to the trail and the river.

Not far from Stamp River Provincial Park are two more provincial parks, Fossli and Sproat Lake.  Fossli Provincial Park is day-use only, with a 30 minute trail through second growth forest to an old homestead lot, and a lovely little pebble beach.  Check out my blog Fossli Provincial Park.  Sproat Lake Provincial Park is much bigger, with 2 campgrounds, a wonderful beach and day use area, and a trail leading to some petroglyphs.

Port Alberni is a lovely little port town with a shopping district, restaurants, and several tourist adventure outfits.  For more info on what to do in Port Alberni, click here: https://albernivalleytourism.com/