Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre

Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre Strathcona Park Lodge invites you to escape to Vancouver Island's wilderness. Strathcona Provincial Park, B.C.'s oldest protected area, is just down the road.
(227)

Our mission is to teach the wonder, spirit and worth of people and the natural world through outdoor pursuits. Living on the edge since 1959, Strathcona Park Lodge pioneered self-propelled and off the grid wilderness experiences on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. From the lake side cottages, chalets and rooms experience wilderness inspired summer holidays, guided trips and group gather

ings. Home base for WYLD youth summer camps, the COLT leadership training program and outdoor education programming, SPL is a leader in experiential education and wilderness vacations. The setting
The Boulding family chose well when they picked the site for Strathcona Park Lodge. From almost every room on the property you can get an amazing view of glacier carved valleys, big pristine lakes and rocky/snowcapped peaks. There are several hikes, viewpoints, protected bays and beaches, climbing bluffs, old growth trees, high ropes courses and zip lines -- and that's just on the property. Within 30 minutes go whitewater paddling, mountain biking, more rock climbing, or lace up for interpretive walks, hikes and mountaineering routes. A little further is world class sea kayaking and whale watching on both sides of Vancouver Island. Summer vacations
Perfectly poised between the mountains of Strathcona Provincial Park and a sprawling lake chain the Lodge is an ideal base for exploring the heart of Vancouver Island. Hike, paddle, climb or just sit back and relax on the beach. Stay in lake-side cabins, mountain view chalets or hotel style rooms overlooking it all. Refuel on delicious and healthy food. Disconnect from the wired world and return recharged. Group Gatherings
The Lodge loves groups. Big or small, 200 to 10, we have the capacity, facilities and experience to make any gathering unforgettable. Every year we host multiple weddings, family reunions and other large groups on our picturesque and family friendly setting. With a dedicated staff we take care of every detail. Outdoor education/school programs
In the spring and fall schools visit Strathcona to learn outside of the classroom. Removed from their everyday, challenged mentally and physically and exposed to new experiences, our specially trained leaders help students gain confidence, leadership, teamwork and camaraderie - skills that can’t be learned from a desk. These experiences students remember forever. WYLD summer camps
A summer camp like no other, Wilderness Youth Leadership Development (WYLD) Expeditions are 8 to 12 day expeditions for adventurous teens, 12 to 17 years old. Based out of the Lodge’s lakeside location, the camps explore the hiking trails, lakes, inlets, beaches, islands and mountains of Vancouver Island by foot, sea kayak and canoe. COLT Leadership Semester
We believe COLT is the best outdoor leadership program in Canada. Founded in 1977 by Canada’s oldest outdoor education centre, COLT is a learn-by-doing program with the best job opportunities, instructors and learning environment. And for the price no other program comes close to offering as much. Participants graduate with hard skills, like sea kayaking, rock climbing, mountaineering, whitewater paddling, but even more soft skills, like leadership, group dynamics, teamwork, confidence and determination.

WYLD Backcountry Classic ✨We are gearing up for our outdoor education season and getting excited for WYLD summer youth p...
03/20/2026

WYLD Backcountry Classic ✨

We are gearing up for our outdoor education season and getting excited for WYLD summer youth programs! Who’s joining?

Register on our website or give us a call to connect about WYLD camp options.





Exciting day today kicking off the season with our 2026 management team!A nourishing morning connecting with one another...
03/04/2026

Exciting day today kicking off the season with our 2026 management team!

A nourishing morning connecting with one another and our values as well as looking back and ahead and sharing a meal in a beautiful place full of opportunities!

We are excited for the season ahead!

New WYLD camp alert! WYLD Backcountry Escape is a 6 day backpacking trip that takes participants into the heart of Strat...
02/25/2026

New WYLD camp alert! 

WYLD Backcountry Escape is a 6 day backpacking trip that takes participants into the heart of Strathcona Provincial Park, on a challenging through hike.This trip is an excellent choice for previous WYLD participants who want to expand on previous skills learned. 

On this expedition you’ll put many of your skills to the test, traveling through rugged old growth forest and steep off trail terrain to gain Strathcona’s subalpine. Once in the subalpine, you’ll experience pristine lakes, glacial views, and be surrounded by the steep mountains. Throughout the trip, some skills participants will develop are: route finding /navigation skills, how to travel through difficult terrain as a group, and camp cooking.

Reach out if you have more questions about this trip! 



The magical time of year when the sun sets in the center of the Elk River Valley is here!For us at Strathcona, this is o...
02/20/2026

The magical time of year when the sun sets in the center of the Elk River Valley is here!

For us at Strathcona, this is often the beginning of the cold, sunny, snowy and bright days of winter!

☀️

☀️

02/17/2026

Once again COLD but perfect lake conditions for snowy mornings rows for the Team.



❄️

We are thrilled to be offering our Q***r Youth and Allies Backpacking camp again this summer, in partnership with Alana ...
02/06/2026

We are thrilled to be offering our Q***r Youth and Allies Backpacking camp again this summer, in partnership with Alana Norie! Its official new name is WYLD Huckleberry Camp.  

We are excited to have already received a lot of inquiries so we have added another Camp for 2026!

Camp Huckleberry is a 5 day backpacking trip that focuses on supporting Q***r, Trans, and 2-spirit teens in creating connections, celebrating q***r and trans joy, and accessing the outdoors in a fun and supportive way.  This program will be led in partnership with Alana Norie, an experienced trans non-binary outdoor instructor and is for 2sLGBTQIA+ and allied teens. Camp Huckleberry is funded by the generosity of grants, and donations from community organizations. Check out the link in the story for more information about the camp, funding, or how to support.

If you are interested in participating fill out the interest form, on our website. Link in story!

Parent Testimonial: “Our teen loved their time at the camp, and I think that is an understatement. It was the most psychologically safe experience they had ever had being in an entire group of q***r folks. They felt that it was "transformational", and as their parents, we are so grateful that they could have that experience. Plus being outdoors, what an amazing, positive and life affirming opportunity.” 

Dates and age ranges:

July 21-25, 2026 - Ages 16 - 18
August 2-6, 2026 - Ages 12 - 15



WYLD Backcountry Classic is a 12-day, multi-sport expedition.This is a human powered trip! Campers will make their way f...
01/20/2026

WYLD Backcountry Classic is a 12-day, multi-sport expedition.This is a human powered trip! Campers will make their way from the Lodge via canoe before spending about 6 days hiking amongst the alpine environment. With the support from SPL instructors campers will learn to travel together as a cohesive group. If weather and other variables permit the group might have the chance to summit a peak! 

Parent Testimonial: “Boys made a life long friend and have already been back to the alpine to practice their skills!”



💪

We love a canoe trip at SPL! Our WYLD Backcountry Beginnings campers get the chance to explore Upper Campbell & Buttle L...
01/13/2026

We love a canoe trip at SPL! Our WYLD Backcountry Beginnings campers get the chance to explore Upper Campbell & Buttle Lakes - which hold so much history and beauty and are an ideal location for multi-day canoe trips. Get ready for lots of swimming, amazing views, and finding the ease and flow that comes from being out in nature for 8 days.  

Parent Testimonial: “An amazing experience. The leaders provided an excellent opportunity for self discovery, leadership skill development and fun. This trip was a highlight of my son’s summer!”



Looking to explore more backcountry this summer?Our WYLD Discovery camp is the perfect trip for youth ages 12-13. On thi...
01/06/2026

Looking to explore more backcountry this summer?

Our WYLD Discovery camp is the perfect trip for youth ages 12-13. On this 8 day trip, participants get to sample both canoe camping and backpacking. Blending these two modes of travel is a great stepping stone for those looking to take on our longer trips in the years to come. This camp also features our onsite High Ropes & Rock Climbing bluff - we love watching these campers expand their comfort zones throughout the trip.

Give us a call if you have questions about signing your youth up for one of our WYLD camps. 



12/25/2025
THE OCEAN holds a special kind of magic...Our WYLD Nootka camp is the ideal introduction to sea kayaking expeditions. Ca...
12/22/2025

THE OCEAN holds a special kind of magic...

Our WYLD Nootka camp is the ideal introduction to sea kayaking expeditions. Campers will learn about the significance of Nootka Sound, an area that is rich in Indigenous significance & culture as well as Western exploration.

Campers will learn backcountry camping, leadership and have the opportunity to learn other essential sea kayaking skills such as paddling and rescue techniques, chart navigation, weather interpretation, tides, marine wildlife etiquette as well as leave no trace principles. Weather permitting, the group will make their way to the historic Mowachaht village of Yuquot (also known as Friendly Cove).

All dates are live on our webpage!



Address

41040 Gold River Highway
Campbell River, BC
V9W5C5

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12502863122

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre:

Share

Category