Getting Here

Let us help plan your trip to and from Bamfield. Below is a list of options for getting here via road, air, bus or boat to make planning your trip to Upnit Lodge as easy as possible. Questions? Let us know. Our helpful, friendly Lodge staff are always available to offer travel tips and advice. Contact us by phone at 250-728-3231 or email us: Info@UpnitLodge.ca.

Driving

Bamfield is nestled in Canada’s Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island. Below are some tips for traveling by road from Victoria, Port Alberni, and Youbou / Lake Cowichan area.

Starting From Victoria

Travel Highway 1 north to Duncan (approx 84km) and then continue on in the same direction for another five kilometres, until you reach the junction at Highway 1 and Highway 18. From this point, you can continue driving down Highway 1 to Nanaimo, and then on to Port Alberni, or you can turn left at Highway 18 and travel west towards Youbou.

From Youbou / Lake Cowichan

From the junction just north of Duncan, you’ll want to turn left onto Highway 18 and drive through to Youbou (approx 45km). From Youbou, follow the gravel logging roads: Nitinat Road to South Road (8km); left onto Flora Main for 13km; Central Main for 17km; Right onto Klanawa Main, Left at Between the Lakes and turn Left onto Bamfield Main Line and follow the signs to Bamfield.

This drive takes approximately 2 ½ hours, and although the Youbou route is shorter you will be driving more gravel roads by going this route. While the roads can be dusty they are in good condition and this drive is very scenic, but again please keep an eye out for logging trucks.

From Port Alberni

Once you’ve entered Port Alberni you’ll want to take a left at the fork in the road by the tourism information centre. From here, follow the signs that say: “to City Centre” and “Bamfield.” This is the Port Alberni Highway that you can follow through Port Alberni towards Bamfield. You will be led to Franklin River Road, which is the start of approximately 83km of gravel logging roads. You can expect about a one hour to one-and-a-half hour drive – please watch for logging trucks, and allow them to pass when you see one coming.

Flying

Catch a Ride with Pacific Seaplanes

Fly to Bamfield from Port Alberni, or from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) with Pacific Seaplanes. This service offers flights regularly, but please check schedules for current flight times (dependant on flight sizes) and availability. Flights range from 15 – 45 minutes in length. For more info and to reserve, call toll free: 855-933-5922.

Boating

Sailing in with Lady Rose Marine Services

The M.V. Frances Barkley is a sailing vessel that runs via the Lady Rose Marine Services, and sails daily out of Port Alberni at 8 am, down Alberni Inlet to Barkley Sound and Bamfield; or the Broken Group Islands and Ucluelet, and returns to Port Alberni in late afternoon. This is a passenger and freight service for communities along Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound.

The trip to Bamfield via the M.V. Frances Barkley takes approximately 4 ½ hours, arriving at around 12:30 pm. The vessel departs again at 1:30 pm, to arrive back in Port Alberni at 5:30 pm.

For more information call 250.723.8313 or toll free at 1.800.663.7192.

Shuttle Service

Meet Other Travels on the West Coast Trail Express

The West Coast Trail Express makes daily stops between Port Renfrew and the Juan de Fuca trail head with services to Bamfield and Pachena Bay from Victoria. For more information, call toll free: 1.888.999.2288.