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Getting to Powell River

 

Powell River is on Highway 101, about 4-5 hours north of Vancouver. Although the city is on the mainland and there are roads in the area, it is not connected to the Provincial Highway network and will require a couple of ferry rides from Vancouver, or a single ferry if coming from Courtenay/Comox, to get here. Click Here for a map of Powell River

For a schedule of sailings and times go online to http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/mainland/ . If you are traveling from the mainland, choose the West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast and the Sechelt Peninsula- Powell River schedules. The Sechelt Peninsula takes approximately 1hour 45 min to drive so make sure your ferries connect. If you are coming from Vancouver Island choose the Powell River- Comox schedule.
If you are planning to come by air, the Powell River Airport (YPW) is centrally located within city limits. Pacific Coastal Airlines offers daily flights to and from Powell River. For more information go online to pacific-coastal.com or call Pacific Coastal Airlines Office > Powell River Airport Tel: 604.485.7216

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Groceries

Powell River has a number of grocery stores to choose from, Large stores such as Save On Foods, Safeway and Quality Foods that are easily found. Mitchell.

Brothers locally owned at 5687 Manson Ave.

The Chopping Block 4741 Marine Ave, where you will find the healthiest selection of meats and a wide variety of exotic meats.

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Trash

Powell River has a great recycling program with multiple drop-off locations with attendants to help you sort it all out, you can even drop off you food scraps in our composting program.  Check out the Lets Talk Trash team website for details at http://letstalktrash.ca/  . For propane canisters and non-recyclable or unsorted garbage there’s Augusta Recycling at 7346 Hwy 101

 

Drinking Water

Drinking water can be found at several locations around town, all grocery stores have water vending machines where jugs can be filled. Mermaid Cove Provincial Park in Saltery Bay, and Willington Beach campground in town both have drinking water available. If you are camping in the Eldred valley, the rivers run with clean water that the locals drink freely, it is up to you to take precautions on your own if you have reservations.

 

Alpine Drinking Water

We live in one of the wettest places on earth with an average annual rainfall of 48 inches, water is not really that hard to find.  However everyone is responsible for protecting our pristine alpine waters. 

Pay attention to local drainage patterns and burry human waste at least 50m from the nearest water source.  Do not leave toilet paper or personal hygiene products laying around on the ground, use a Ziploc bag and pack out all soiled toilet paper.  Human coliform bacteria in water is an increasing global problem, please help keep our local waters clean.

When washing dishes or yourself in alpine lakes or tarns, don’t use soap not even biodegradable soap directly in the tarn or lake, rinse the soap off at least 10m away.  Don’t swim in tarns with your skin covered in sunscreen or insect repellent.  People are not the primary users of these delicate water sources and poisoning them is not a “leave no trace” practice.

Showers and Laundery

  1. Best Bet for a shower is at the Westview Harbor Government Dock, it has washrooms, shower, laundery, and internet access. open 7 days a week 7 am to 8 pm. showers are $1 for 4 minuets, internet may be slow due to heavy use from boats in the Harbor.

  2. Laundery facilities close by can be found below the Hostel, across the street from the Westview Ferry Terminal.

  3. Laundery, Westview Drycleaners 4296B Joyce Ave

  4. Willingdon Beach Campground, ask at the office for availibility and a key to the building, showers are $1 for 4 min tokin.

  5. Mermaid Cove Provincial Park has free showers!! however they are cold water only.

  6. You can get a shower hot tub, sauna and a swim at the Powell River Recreation Complex 5001 Joyce Ave. However you pay the regular entry fee of aproximatly $6.

 

Good Eats

Powell River has a great selection of restaurants to choose from, so Im going to recomend some hidden gems. 

  1. Iguanas Mexican Grill, the best authentic mexican food in town 7053C Glacier Plaza

  2. Little Hut Curry, Incredible Indian food! make a reservation as it is a very small restaurant 6423 Marine Ave 604-223-2446

  3. Magpie’s Diner, the best place to get a great breakfast made with local foods 6762 Cranberry St.

  4. Base Camp, not just any coffee shop! local ingredients, local art and local entertainment.

  5. Townsite Brewing, the only place to fill that growler! great locally brewed beer can be sampled in their tasting room. 5824 Ash Ave.

Camping Options

 

There are lots of camping options around Powell River, everything from RV resorts to forest service campgrounds. I will list a few that are close to town and nice to camp at but I suggest you make a trip to Powell River visitor information and pick up a recreation map. For information on camping in the Eldred Valley Click Here.

  1. Camping south to north:

  2. Mermaid Cove Provincial Park Saltery Bay

  3. Seabreeze Resort has tent and RV camping

  4. Willingdon Beach Campground has tent and RV camping

  5. Inland Lake Provincial Park, tent and RV camping

  6. Dinner Rock forestry campground tent camping

 

There is also the Powell River Harbour Guesthouse located at the Westview Marina, a beautiful full facility hostel.

Phone 604-485-9803

e-mail: prhostel@gmail.com

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