The village of Gold River on north-central Vancouver Island is a trek and a half from the city, but for those who have always wanted to get into the art of spelunking (AKA caving), there’s no place better to visit. According to Destination Campbell River, the nearby Upana Caves have earned Gold River the title ‘Cave Capital of Canada,’ offering visitors an easy-to-access, safe, self-guided intro to caving.
The deepest caves north of Mexico
Located within 10 miles of Gold River, the Upana Caves were created from the movement of groundwater seeping into limestone, according to the Gold River Chamber of Commerce. This movement created an acid that slowly dissolved the limestone, forming underground caves and passageways, as well as icicle-like rock formations.
Considered the deepest caves north of Mexico, the cave system consists of nearly 1500 feet of passages, accessible via 15 known entrances.
Once underground, the village’s Chamber of Commerce recommends spelunkers keep an eye out for the Upana River as it merges for a 90-foot stretch through the Main cave before disappearing, reappearing in the aptly named Resurgence Cave.
Prime fishing
Prefer ocean activities to spelunking? Gold River is also known as the gateway to some of the most ‘varied and plentiful’ fishing grounds on the Canadian west coast, according to Destination Campbell River.
Fishing enthusiasts will find large amounts of Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, and Chum Salmon, in addition to fascinating wildlife like whales, black bears, eagles, and elk – particularly during the warmer months in the neighbouring Strathcona and Gold Muchalat Provincial Parks.
One of Gold River’s main attractions is at the dock, where visitors will find a converted U.S. minesweeper. Here, adventurers can embark on a scheduled excursion to remote communities throughout the scenic Nootka Sound.
Historic village of Yuquot
Want to head to the nearby Nootka Island during your trip? There’s another tiny village worth exploring called Yuquot (Friendly Cove), which happens to be the site of the first meeting of the English and local First Nations in B.C.
Now a National Historic Site, Yuquot is where Captain Hames Cook landed on the Pacific Coast in 1778 and traded with the Mowachaht people, according to Destination Campbell River.
So if you’re ready to embark on a trip to the Island before the busy season hits, and prefer to take the road less travelled, Gold River and the Upana Caves may be calling your name!
Gold River
How to get there: Take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Nanaimo, and drive one and a half hours to Campbell River via BC-19 N. Keep driving for one hour and 13 minutes to Gold River via Gold River Hwy/BC-28 W.
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