Blink and you might miss it, but the village of Sayward is your first stop on the scenic highway north of Campbell River — and it’s well worth the detour if you’re making a trip to the north end of Vancouver Island.
Situated on the forested edge of the Johnstone Strait, the tiny village is known for its ancient Douglas firs that tower over White River Park, which has earned the nickname of “the Cathedral Grove of the North Island.”
According to B.C. Parks, there’s a short loop trail leading down to the river, the path lined with giant Douglas firs and western red cedars.
THE SCARLET LETTER (1995)
Visitors can stroll amongst the giant trees, taking in the remnants of the film site of The Scarlet Letter (1995). According to Tourism Campbell River, production found the forest so magical that they couldn’t help but film parts of the movie there. Starring Demi Moore, Gary Oldman, and Robert Duval, the film was set in the 17th-century English colony of Massachusetts Bay.
Today, visitors of the park will find remnants of the production, including wide boardwalks designed to accommodate horse-drawn carriages. There are also ample fishing opportunities and protection for important Roosevelt elk and black bear habitats.
Originally called Port Kusum, the community of Sayward dates back to the 1890s, which is pretty old by Vancouver Island standards. At the time, railroad logging gave the village its start, spreading major industry from 1904 to 1914 and in 1937, according to Tourism Campbell River. Visitors will find antique logging equipment strewn throughout the town and in the forests beyond.
Those who want to meet the village’s original inhabitants (bears, elk, birds, etc.) can spot wildlife at the Salmon River Wildlife Reserve or test their strength on the mile-high H’kusam Klimb.
Ready to add this tiny but beautiful village to your trip itinerary? Head to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal in West Vancouver and take the ferry to Nanaimo Departure Bay, where you’ll drive one hour and 45 minutes to Campbell River. From there, it’s about a 50-minute drive to Sayward via the Island Highway.
SAYWARD
How to get there: Take a ferry to Nanaimo Departure Bay, drive one hour and 45 minutes to Campbell River via BC-19 N, then another 50 minutes to Sayward via the Island Highway.
