Transportation

Strathcona Park Lodge is isolated. It’s 40 minutes to the nearest town, Campbell River, where most services and products can be found. Having a car to get to and from the Lodge is an asset but not necessary.

Getting to COLT

COLT students take all manner of transportation to get to Strathcona Park Lodge. Some drive themselves; others get dropped off by family and friends. Some fly or bus to Campbell River. For those relying on planes and buses a representative of Strathcona Park Lodge will happily meet you in Campbell River and drive you to the Lodge.

The drive to Strathcona is worth the effort. The road is scenic and interesting.  There is safe parking at Strathcona for your vehicle.

Directions

Driving: From Vancouver take BC Ferries to Nanaimo or Victoria on Vancouver Island. Nanaimo is closer. Drive north on Highway 19 to Campbell River. If you’ve got time drive on Highway 19A, the Oceanside Route, from Parksville north; it’s more scenic but adds an hour or so. In Campbell River follow the signs to Highway 28 and Strathcona Provincial Park. (Hint: If you cross the river you’ve gone too far.) Drive 42 kilometres, about 45 minutes, to Strathcona Park Lodge. Check in at the office.

Flying

The closest airports are in Campbell River and Comox. Central Mountain Air and Pacific Coastal Airlines fly to Campbell River from Vancouver several times a day. WestJet (westjet.com) flies to Comox a couple times a day from Calgary and Edmonton.

Bus

Greyhound operates regular bus service on the east coast of Vancouver Island. From Victoria or Vancouver take the bus to Nanaimo. The Vancouver fare includes the ferry. You will transfer in Nanaimo to a Campbell River bound bus.

Trips to Town

Going to town? Strathcona Park Lodge is 45 minutes by car from the nearest community, Campbell River. While the Lodge has most of the basic necessities, most COLT students will want to make a trip into town at least a couple times during the semester.
COLT students can make a town run whenever there is free time – evenings and days off, mostly. There are no organized trips into town, so students will have to use their own car or catch a ride with staff or other COLT students.