Elk River Trail

Elk River Trail in Strathcona Provincial Park (Vancouver Island) is a wilderness out-and-back hike that follows the Elk River valley up to Landslide Lake, ending at the shores below Mount Colonel Foster.

Expect mostly valley-bottom walking early on, then a steeper climb in the final approach as the route leaves the river corridor and works up toward Landslide Lake.

The trail is paced around two designated backcountry gravel-bar camping areas along the Elk River at about the 6 km and 9 km marks: Butterwort Creek Camp and Gravel Flats Camp. These are the only camping options on-route; camping at Landslide Lake is not allowed.

Water access is a core part of the hike planning: the route stays with the river, and camp sites are set up for refilling. The trip also involves frequent creek crossings—some with bridging, others requiring log/stone hopping depending on conditions.

A common way to run this hike is as a one-day push to Landslide Lake, using the river campsites as breaks if you’re not staying overnight; or as an overnight backpack with one night at Butterwort Creek Camp or Gravel Flats Camp.

For backcountry planning, permit camping is season-limited (June 15 to September 30) and camping fees apply during that window; the camps are first-come, first-served and do not reserve specific sites.

More information: Hiking to Landslide Lake via Elk River Trail – Vancouver Island, BC, Landslide Lake Hike or Backpack via the Elk River Trail (Strathcona ..., Discovering Strathcona Park – OAC Skinbased