Powell River
Around Powell River
Photo: Hameltion · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · British Columbia · 17k people
Powell River
Where the ocean meets the forest, and community thrives.
navygold
Welcome to Powell River, where the forest meets the sea. Whether you're here for the hiking, the fishing, or just to enjoy the laid-back coastal vibe, you'll find a friendly community ready to share its favourite spots.
Clubs for Powell River
No clubs for Powell River yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Powell River. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Powell River. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Sunshine Coast Trail 180-km hut-to-hut trail through old-growth forests and along the coast.
- Powell Lake Large freshwater lake popular for swimming, boating and fishing.
- Inland Lake Swimming lake with a sandy beach and camping.
- Willingdon Beach Sandy beach and park with a trail along the water.
- Patricia Theatre Oldest continuously operating movie theatre in BC.
- Powell River Townsite National historic district with heritage buildings and a paper mill.
- Outdoors Hike a section of the Sunshine Coast Trail
- Outdoors Kayak in Desolation Sound
- With kids Build sandcastles at Willingdon Beach
- With kids Take a paddle boat on Powell Lake
- Evenings Catch a live show at the Patricia Theatre
- Evenings Watch a Powell River Kings hockey game
- Locals love Lake beaches
- Locals love Hiking trails
Through the year
- Blackberry Festival August Celebrates the local blackberry harvest with pies, jams and family fun.
- Sea Fair July A waterfront festival with boat shows, food vendors and live music.
- PRISMA Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy July Classical music performances and workshops by international artists.
- Fall Fair September Agricultural show with exhibits, contests and a midway.
- Farmers Market Saturdays, year-round Weekly market with local produce, crafts and baked goods.
Mild maritime climate with wet, mild winters and dry, warm summers. Best time to be out is June through September. Best: June through September
Talk like a local
- “The Coast”
- The Sunshine Coast region
- “Townsite”
- The historic neighbourhood of Powell River
- “The mill”
- The paper mill, a local landmark
- “The lake”
- Powell Lake
Getaways
- Take the ferry to Courtenay for the Comox Valley Great hiking, dining and the Comox Valley Farmers Market.
- Head to Campbell River for salmon fishing World-class fishing and the Discovery Passage.
- Relax on the beaches of Parksville Sandy beaches and the famous Parksville Beach Festival.
- Explore Port Alberni's trails Access to the Alberni Valley and Stamp River Falls.
Local flavour
Teams
- Powell River Kings BCHL
Eat and drink
- Spot prawns Local delicacy from the surrounding waters
- Oysters Fresh from the coast
- Salmon Wild and abundant
- Fish and chips Classic seaside fare
Where people go
- Coastal hiking trails Endless trails along the ocean
- Old-growth forests Ancient cedar and fir
- Lakes Clear freshwater for swimming and paddling
- Marinas Boating and fishing hub
Heritage and traditions
Powell River is proud of its deep-rooted history as a company town, its stunning natural setting on the Salish Sea, and the strong sense of community that has adapted and thrived after the mill's closure.
This time of year in Powell River
- Salmon runs Summer–Fall Summer and fall bring salmon back to local rivers and the sea.
- Oyster season Fall–Winter Months with an 'r' (Sept–April) are traditionally best for oysters.
- Powell River Film Festival October An annual independent film event held in the fall.
Say it like a local: “The Coast” — The Sunshine Coast, as opposed to other coasts.
Festivals
- Kathaumixw International Choral Festival July A biennial choral festival in July attracting choirs from around the world.
- Powell River Film Festival October An annual independent film event held in the fall.
- Spot Prawn Festival May A spring celebration of the local spot prawn catch with cooking demos.
- Powell River Heritage Week February Celebrates the Townsite's history with tours and talks.
Landmarks with a story
- Powell River Townsite A National Historic Site and one of the best-preserved company towns in Canada.
- Patricia Theatre The oldest continuously operating cinema in British Columbia, opened in 1928.
- Powell River Museum Showcases local history, from Indigenous culture to the pulp mill era.
- Sliammon Village (Tla'amin Nation) The ancestral home of the Tla'amin people, with a cultural centre and traditional grounds.
- Old Mill Site The former pulp mill, a symbol of the town's industrial heritage, now being redeveloped.
- Powell River Townsite Heritage Trail A self-guided walk past historic homes, the post office, and the old school.
Food traditions
- Spot prawn boils In May, locals gather to boil fresh spot prawns with beer and garlic—a true coastal feast.
- Smoked salmon A time-honoured method of preserving salmon, often done in backyard smokers.
- Oyster shucking With oyster farms nearby, shucking and eating fresh oysters on the half shell is a local pastime.
- Blackberry jam making In August, wild blackberries are picked and turned into jam, a staple at the Fall Fair.
- Fish and chips at the wharf A classic meal after a day on the water, often eaten outdoors overlooking the harbour.
Music and arts
- Choral music tradition Kathaumixw has made Powell River a hub for choral music in Canada.
- Visual arts community Numerous galleries and studios in the Townsite and beyond.
- Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA) Attracts young musicians for summer training and performances.
- Woodworking and carving A tradition influenced by both Indigenous and Scandinavian heritage.
A little history
- 1910 Founded as a company town for the Powell River Pulp and Paper Mill.
- 1995 The Townsite was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.
- Pre-contact The Tla'amin (Sliammon) people have inhabited the area for thousands of years.
- 2017 The pulp mill closed after 105 years of operation, ending an era.
- 1990s The Sunshine Coast Trail was developed, connecting many communities.
Rivalries
- Powell River Kings vs Nanaimo Clippers BCHL hockey rivalry.
- Powell River Kings vs Alberni Valley Bulldogs BCHL hockey rivalry.
- Powell River vs Courtenay Friendly debate over best fishing spots.
- Powell River vs Campbell River Who has the better outdoor recreation?
- Game day Powell River Kings hockey
- Game day Fishing derbies
- Outdoors Hiking the Sunshine Coast Trail
- Outdoors Kayaking in Desolation Sound
- With kids Exploring the Townsite on a self-guided walking tour
- With kids Watching a movie at the Patricia Theatre
Locals speak with a relaxed West Coast Canadian accent, often using 'eh' and a few Chinook Jargon words. They refer to Vancouver as 'the city' and the Sunshine Coast as 'the Coast'.
Only here
- The Powell River Townsite is the only intact company town in British Columbia.
- The Patricia Theatre is the oldest continuously operating cinema in BC.
- The Sunshine Coast is not connected to the rest of BC by road—only by ferry or plane.
- The region has a unique microclimate with some of the warmest winters in Canada.
New here? A few tips
- Take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) to Langdale, then drive 45 minutes; or fly into Powell River Airport.
- Be ready for rain—bring a good raincoat and waterproof shoes.
- Learn a few Tla'amin place names and acknowledge the traditional territory.
- Try the local seafood: spot prawns in May, oysters year-round, and salmon in summer.
- Join community events like the Blackberry Festival or Kathaumixw to meet people.
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Nearby
Every areaCourtenayBritish ColumbiaWhere ocean, forest, and community thrive.StrathconaBritish ColumbiaWhere the wild coast meets the quiet forestCampbell RiverBritish ColumbiaWhere the river meets the seaParksvilleBritish ColumbiaWhere the forest meets the sea, and time slows down.Central IslandBritish ColumbiaSalt air, old growth, and small-town warmthSunshine CoastBritish ColumbiaWhere the forest meets the tide.Port AlberniBritish ColumbiaWhere the rainforest meets the PacificNanaimoBritish ColumbiaIsland life, harbour charm
Powell River. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.