THE BEAR CAMP EXPERIENCE

We want to make your stay at Bear Camp an experience that has you coming back again and again.

Imagine a group of friends or family, all with different interests: some want action and adventure in the mountains with a group, others prefer a tranquil day on the water, some want to decompress through yoga and massage, while others want to sample the whole menu! Bear Camp is a place where you can have it all, and still come together for something that everyone can get on board with – happy hour on the patio, overlooking stunning wilderness.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT BEAR CAMP

“No urban noise or city lights, just a sky full of stars and the stillness of night.”

Here, nestled off-the-grid at the north end of Chilko Lake and the headwaters of the Chilko River, is our gateway to paradise: spacious safari tents are perched up on wildlife viewing platforms along the water’s edge. Your days here are flexible, with an incredible menu of activities for any palate. Kayak the crystal clear waters of the lake, hike the stunning trails in the area, horseback ride to mountain peaks, fish a world-class waterway, watch the wildlife from every angle, or simply soak in the views and relax into a world that society left behind.

LEAVE THE DETAILS TO US

Put away your watch, no need for a fixed itinerary, each day we make our plan based on what you want to do to optimize your time.

At Bear Camp we have many ways to fill your days: kayaks, SUP’s, fishing boats and gear, hiking trails, mountain bikes, horseback trails, and if you want to treat yourself, a helicopter can be booked for high alpine experience. When you’re not exploring the incredible landscape, you’ll enjoy wholesome and plentiful chef-prepared meals, an interesting selection of boutique wines and local beer and even hand-ground coffee delivered to your tent every morning. “Bear Camp is like a summer camp for grown-ups.”

YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

You could say accommodations at Bear Camp are ‘elevated’.

Bear Camp is a safari-style adventure camp—an interconnected network of elevated decks and platforms, standing riverside on the Chilko River. With eight safari tents for a maximum of sixteen guests, you are sure to have all the attention or privacy you want.

Your spacious tent in the trees offers either a King or two double beds, with ample room to lounge on comfortable chair sets both inside and out of the tent. Plush down duvets keep you warm at night and power stations available to light up your reading light or charge your camera battery.

A 1954 fishing cabin is nucleus of our safari camp; we have transformed this space to present our open kitchen, where you can watch our Chef in action, cozy up in the lounge or toast to your day in the funky dining hall with full bar.

Meals can enjoyed deck-top or in the cabin and there are a total of five full bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets, all closely centered in and around the main cabin.

BEAR CAMP ACTIVITIES

Do a little. Do a lot. We’re here when you’re ready to explore…

HIKING

There are an endless number of great trails accessible right from Bear Camp.   From undulating paths through lush aspen groves, to salmon forest with towering old growth Douglas Fir, to challenging mountain top ascents, there is something for everyone, everyday.

Heli hiking can also be arranged at additional expense (but is worth every penny) and visits a number of valleys and nearby glaciers where few if any, have ever set foot.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Our horseback guides grew up in these parts and were riding high in the saddle before they could even walk (true story). Now third generation professional cowboys, our wranglers will introduce you to the rest of family: the herd of sturdy mountain horses that take you steadily and safely to vistas beyond description. These rides are the real thing, and meeting the locals that care for these beautiful animals is a pleasure of it’s own.

FISHING

Explore the 65 km long lake and its freshettes by boat. Deep pools are full of massive bull trout and rainbows. In August and September, the big rainbows are drawn into the shallow reefs to feed on salmon eggs making them accessible by spin or fly. 

 The river is “fly fish only, catch and release” and we have jon and drift boats with all the necessary gear to wade and fish this pristine waterway.

We can teach beginners to fly fish or you can take a spin rod on the lake, the choice is yours.

KAYAK OR SUP

Chilko Lake is one of the world’s premiere alpine lake destinations where you can explore by boat in total tranquility.  Surrounded by massive glacier-capped peaks and a road-less wilderness, you will spend the days paddling the lake and enjoying shore-side picnicking.  We get plenty of sun up here, so it’s ideal for maximizing your day, and just when you think it can’t get any better, the alpenglow sunsets take your breath away.

During bear viewing season, most of the bruins congregate right at our doorstep so we do not have to paddle far to watch bears feeding on Mother Nature’s bounty.

BIKING

Flowing single track, winding dirt roads, coasting along the rivers edge or gliding through pine-scented forests, we’ve got it all. Our fleet of Kona mountain bikes come with vehicle support and a knowledgeable guide. What more could you want? Eliminate the hills? We can do that too – just hop in the truck!

RIVER FLOAT OR PADDLE

Float right from Bear Camp, we can travel a half-day (10 miles) or an entire day (21 miles with a picnic lunch) by raft or inflatable kayak (aka “ducky”) and navigate some fun and scenic water that is still appropriate for little ones.

The ultimate in scenic rides – and ideal for photographers – try a dory ride on this breathtaking stretch.  In a drift boat you get a fun ride but soak up the scenery instead of waves.  Our drift boat is also ideal for fly fishing outings and during salmon season, the dories provide an unobtrusive way to float among the bears.

LAKE EXPLORATION

A 30 minute journey up the lake takes you into even more dramatic scenery and to one of our favorite places on Earth, “Honeymoon Point”. For a perfect day on the water we bring kayaks, SUP’s, fishing rods, beach games, and a deluxe picnic. You will be stunned at the scale of this majestic place and wonder how an area of such vast wilderness could be kept secret from the rest of the world.

BUSHCRAFT

Hike or drive up to Scotty Meadow to meet, 75 year old survival expert, Mike Yates, a.k.a. “Grizz”. Mike ran a survival school for decades, and was better known as the official Marlboro Man for the cigarette manufacturer’s advertising series in Europe and abroad. Participants will see how to live off-the-grid, learn about plants and wildflowers, as well as learn about constructing traditional log homes. By the day’s end you will be ready to face even the worst zombie apocalypse…or at least light a fire and build shelter!

HELI-HIKE

If you really want to get high, let the helicopter do the work and whisk you away to the high alpine. You’ll feel like you are on top of the world as you stare out at the largest peaks in British Columbia, challenge yourself on a mountain traverse or simply relax with a champagne lunch after a swim in glacial pool or waterfall (ok, maybe just a quick dip!). One thing is for sure, this luxury is work every penny!

WHITEWATER RAFTING

A 2-day/1 night or 2-day/2-night Chilko River Expedition can be added on to any Bear Camp adventure as they dovetail perfectly

The Lava Canyon section of the Chilko River offers the longest stretch of commercially navigable whitewater in North America.  You will be treated to rollicking hydraulics and towering standing waves that cascade for more than 18 miles through a deep and narrow lava gorge.

We think celebrated author Pam Houston sums it up best:

“What I love best about being on the river is the way you move through space at a speed humans were meant to move, and the whole day becomes about making your miles, making your meals, making a comfortable, if temporary, home.”- Pam Houston
Limited availability

READY TO BOOK?

Bear Camp books up quickly. We strongly urge you to get in touch now to secure your preferred dates.

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