Dogwood Bay Recreation Site is a fee based campground on Lower Campbell Lake. The $18 fee per night is in effect from the middle of May until the end of August. The rest of the year it is free to camp there. The same 14 day limited stay rule applies as all other campgrounds on Vancouver Island.
There are 5 campsites nestled amongst the second growth forest next to the lake. Picnic tables, a pit toilet, fire rings and a boat launch are also standard at this campground.
This is a first come first served style of campground on Vancouver Island so reservations are not available. It is a very popular campground during the summer months. Best to visit if you can during the off season to ensure a spot.
I stayed there in April and had the whole place to myself with the exception of a mating pair of Canada Geese. They were very curious but cautious of me and kept swimming close by to check me out. Based on the droppings in all the grassy areas I assumed they were also a little annoyed with me so I kept taking long walks throughout the day to allow them to feed on the grasses.
I was gone for over an hour and when I returned each day they became more trusting of me and didn’t automatically take to the water. It was nice to watch them feed on the grasses in the areas around the other campgrounds. Very peaceful actually.
Where is Dogwood Bay Recreation Site Located
Dogwood Bay Recreation Site is located at km 9.85 on Campbell Lake Road. When I was there the grader was working on the whole road and it was in excellent shape.
To get there you have to find your way to Campbell River on Vancouver Island and head north towards Sayward. Follow the “Alternate Route” signs to Loveland Bay Provincial Park that were put up after Brewster Lake Road was closed off of Highway 28 to allow for an upgrade.
About 8 km from Campbell River you will turn left onto Duncan Bay Road. 2 km later stay to your left where the road becomes Gordon Road. Roughly 2.5km later you come to a junction with Brewster Lake Road. Turn left here and go past the greenhouses on your left for another 1.5km and turn right on to Loveland Road.
At the entrance to Loveland Road there is a large green sign with some distances to recreation sites in the area. Follow this road for 11km and you will come to a three way junction connecting Snowden Forest Services Road on the right with Brewster Lake Road straight a head and Campbell Lake Road to the left.
Turn left and go roughly 10km and look for the sign on your left which says Dogwood Bay. Along the way you will pass Loveland Bay Recreation Site, Burnt Beach Recreation Site, Gosling Bay Recreation Site, Petite Gosling Recreation Site, Fir Grove Recreation Site and the reservation only Campbell Lake Recreation Site for larger groups.
Another way to get to Campbell Lake Road which I use sometimes is via the Iron River Road. Make your way toward Sayward for about 12–14 km, then hang a left onto Iron River Road. After 4 km, take a right onto Snowden Forest Road and follow it for roughly 9–10 km. You’ll come to the Loveland Bay/Brewster junction where the road becomes Campbell Lake Main. Then go to km 9-10 and you’re there.
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How To Find Your Way To Dogwood Bay Recreation Site Using Google Maps
Just fill in your current location where you will be leaving and the map will open with all the pertinent information for your travels.
Fishing At Dogwood Bay Recreation Site
I never fished while staying at Dogwood Bay Campground but I know from experience that (Lower) Campbell Lake is great for fishing. I have caught some nice Trout in this lake from almost every campground I have visited.
In the past I have found fishing from shore to be a challenge but doable. Preferably you will want to use a water craft to get off shore a bit for better results.
Car top boats, float tubes, poontoon boats etc will do the job nicely. You don’t have to go far to get to deeper water and away from the many submerged stumps that exist all around the lake.
Try using a trolling technique from a boat with a gang troll and a worm to catch Trout. Also using fly patterns with a float of float/sink tip lines produces very well. I have caught a few with my float/sink tip line and a leech pattern while paddling in my float tube. Pay attention to the current time of year and insect hatch to match your fly pattern to it.
Tidbits
Walk Thru Video of Dogwood Bay Recreation Site
Summing Up Dogwood Bay Recreation Site
I found Dogwood Bay Campground to be a great place to visit and recommend it to all of you who have never been. Just remember that it will be a hit or miss opportunity during the summer months due to its popularity with the locals.
But as I stated previously there are multiple other campgrounds in this area to check out so just keep looking until you find a site. If your heart is set on visiting Dogwood Bay on Vancouver Island, than pick a date between September to the end of April. Your chances improve tremendously during these times.
While I was there the usual wildlife were present. Including the two afore mentioned Canada Geese, Kingfishers, Loons, song birds, Diving Ducks, Deer, Elk, Squirrels, Wood Peckers, Humming Birds and Stellar Jay (Blue Jay) to name a few. I never saw any of the top predators like Black Bears, Cougars or Wolves but did see Bald Eagles. And of course the ever present Raven and Crows would make their presence known daily.
As always please pack out what you pack in and a little extra if you see someone else’s garbage left behind. Take care of Vancouver Island’s campsites and we can continue to use them for generations to come. Not to mention feel good about ourselves in the process.
One last thing, always ensure you are responsible with your campfires. Follow the law and keep a shovel and 20 litre pail of water nearby in case sparks land on the many grasses and pine needles etc that are around the campground area. Never leave a campfire unattended for any reason and ensure it is out before going to bed and leaving for home.
All it takes is one mistake or overlooked step and a forest fire can spring up quicker than you might think. Every year forest fires are started by careless campers who don’t understand the importance or just aren’t educated in campfire etiquette.
For more information on the current status of campfires and bans visit the BC Wildfire Service.
Most of all have fun and enjoy these gifts provided by nature and maintained by Recreation Sites and Trails BC.
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