Gosling Bay Recreation Site is located on Campbell Lake and is one of many recreation sites in a line along the Campbell Main Road. This is one of my favourite places to camp during the off season as it is not as busy as it is during the summer months. There is also cell service close to the water which is a bonus when trying to write articles about camping.
If you plan on camping there during the off season, keep in mind during rain events it can get a little sloppy around the campsites. The road in however is in good shape so no worries there.
How To Get To Gosling Bay Recreation Site
Gosling Bay Recreation Site is the second site after Burnt Beach Recreation Site on the Lower Campbell Lake road. When leaving Campbell River make sure to check if the John Hart Damn project is still in progress as they have blocked access to Brewster Lake road from the top of General Hill (the quickest way).
Your best bet (longer drive) is to head north on highway 19 towards Sayward and turn left at Duncan Bay Road. From there follow the road for about 5km. Along the way the road changes names a couple of times but just stay on the main road and you’ll come to the Brewster Lake road and signs that say Loveland Bay. Turn right here and go another 11km and turn left on Lower Campbell Lake Road.
From there it is another 3km to the Boot East Road junction. Stay to your left and drive another 4.5km to Gosling Bay and Gosling Lake junction. Turn left into the Gosling Bay Recreation Site. It is a short road to the campsites.
What You Need To Know About The Campsites
After a short drive (1km) you pass the first campsite on your right. There is a picnic table and fire pit. It isn’t close to the lake shore but not much of a walk either. If you’re a camper who like a little solitude than this campsite will suffice as it is a little isolated from the other campsites.
Leaving the first campsite and heading towards the lake you’ll see the only pit toilet on the left. It is in good shape as far as pit toilets go with trails leading to it from the road and campsites. The first campsite you’ll see is on the lake shoreline next to a gravel boat launch that usually needs work to remove driftwood that accumulates over the winter. This is also where canoes and kayaks depart Campbell Lake to start the portage to Gosling Lake as part of the Sayward Forest Canoe Route.
This campsite has a tendancy to get saturated during a rain event due to the ground being lower than the rest of the land around it. So be prepared to deal with water if camping during a rain event. There is a picnic table and fire pit.
The second campsite is just beside the first one and can be accessed where the road turns off the main road to the left. It is nestled in the trees and situated on higher ground so not much of an issue during a rain event. There is a picnic table and a fire ring. Also a short trail to the beach.
The last campsite is situated next to the second campsite on the same road branch off of the main road. This campsite is my favourite as it provides clear access to the beach and Gosling Creek runs beside it. There is room for a couple of campers in this site and it is equipped with one picnic table and a fire ring. Straight across from it is a short trail to the pit toilet.
What I like best about this campsite is I found the cell service stronger here and the sunrises were astonishing. And there was a manmade dock tied to the stumps in the lake which allowed me to fish the deeper waters of the creek mouth.
Fishing Campbell Lake and Gosling Bay
Fishing at Campbell Lake is good almost everywhere along the shoreline from a boat. If you don’t have a boat look for creeks and secluded bays where the water drops off a little deeper. During the hot dry summer months the lake level drops significantly and this is usually when I shift to my float tube and seek the deeper cooler water.
Gosling Creek enters into Campbell Lake next to the last campsite and during the spring months I’ve found it to be a great place to catch Cutthroat Trout when they are feeding off the freshets which supply nutrients to the surrounding waters. My favorite way to fish them is using a bobber and worm with split shot weights attached.
If you have some waders or a float tube than fly fishing is also effective once you get a way from the shoreline to mitigate the entanglement with the trees. As always match the hatch or insects you see flying around you. Using midges is also effective this time of year (spring) as is leech patterns.
Management of The Recreation Site
Gosling Bay is managed by Recreation Sites and Trails BC who visit regularly during the summer months to ensure the rules are being followed by all campers. They are also the caretakers of the campgrounds when work is required to fix picnic tables, pit toilets, tree removal etc.
Camping Rules & Etiquette for Vancouver Island Recreation Sites
Camping in Vancouver Island’s recreation sites is a great way to enjoy nature—just be sure to follow these simple rules to keep things safe, respectful, and enjoyable for everyone:
Stay Duration
- You can camp at most Vancouver Island recreation sites for up to 14 consecutive days (or 14 nights per park per calendar year).
Camp in Designated Areas
- Set up only in marked campsites—random camping isn’t allowed.
- Don’t build long-term structures or leave anything behind without permission.
Fire Safety
- Keep fires small and only in designated fire rings or pits.
- Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure it’s fully out before you leave.
Respect Quiet Hours
- Keep noise levels down, especially at night—quiet hours are enforced so everyone can enjoy a peaceful experience.
Pack In, Pack Out
- There’s often no garbage collection, so take all your trash with you when you leave.
- Keep your campsite clean—leave it as you found it, or better.
Wildlife Safety
- Store food and anything scented (like toiletries) securely to avoid attracting wildlife.
Fees & Permits
- Some sites charge a camping or service fee—pay it directly to the recreation site operator if required.
- If you’re staying at reservable frontcountry or backcountry sites, make sure you have the right permit.
Don’t Reserve With Gear
- You can’t hold a campsite by leaving gear or personal items unattended. Campsites are first-come, first-served unless otherwise posted.
To Sum Up Gosling Bay Recreation Site
Gosling Bay Recreation Site is a campground worth checking out when visiting the Campbell Lake area. It is a great place to camp and bring your family. Lots of other campgrounds near by to choose from if Gosling Bay is full so don’t despair. It is a short distance from Campbell River in case you need more supplies.
It can be quite crowded during the summer months which is why I recommend it for those campers who like to camp during the cooler months of fall or spring. I also have camped here during the winter months however, at times the snow fall accumulation can be severe. Be prepared and bring tire chains.
I have yet to be skunked when fishing here and if you have a smaller boat you will be able to cover more fishing spots which are abundant around Campbell Lake.
Enjoy your stay and please leave it in better shape than when you arrived so it will remain a free campground for all of us in the years to come. Please leave a comment below if you have stayed here or would like more information I neglected to provide in this article.