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Highway 28: Campbell River to Gold River, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Photo: dvs · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

Drives British Columbia Vancouver, the Sea-to-Sky and the BC Coast

Highway 28: Campbell River to Gold River

Gold River Highway, BC 28, Strathcona Dam Road · Campbell River → Gold River

Sweeping51 mi1 hr 25 min4,500 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,200 ftOne way
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The drive

Highway 28 runs 51.4 miles west from Campbell River to Gold River across Vancouver Island. The drive takes about 1 hr 23 min, with 4,452 feet of climb and a high point of 1,214 feet. It follows Upper Campbell and Buttle lakes inside Strathcona Provincial Park, then crosses the divide.

Buttle Lake Campground and Ralph River Campground are reached from the highway. The road is a winding two-lane with frequent bends and little traffic.

Logging trucks use it.

Along the way

  1. Campbell River (Highway 19)
  2. Gold River
Elevation
4,500 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,200 ft
Campbell RiverGold River
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Campbell RiverGold River
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • No gas stations between Campbell River and Gold River, and phone signal is absent for much of the way.
  • Few passing areas; the speed limit is low.
  • Logging trucks share the road; winter snow near the summit.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check DriveBC.

Questions about this drive

How long does Highway 28 to Gold River take?

Campbell River to Gold River is 51.4 miles and takes about 1 hr 23 min.

Is there gas on Highway 28?

No gas stations between Campbell River and Gold River.

Is Highway 28 twisty?

Yes, winding with frequent bends.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 28: Campbell River to Gold River, from Campbell River to Gold River