Welcome!  We have your wilderness adventure waiting for you!

Please see below for all that we offer, including a seasonal description of the Bute Inlet Lodge environment. 

Rates:

Guided Stay $$$
Leisure Stay with Transportation $$

We are a small, intimate lodge, usually catering up to 10 guests. 

Key features of Bute Inlet Lodge and area include:

• A healthy black and grizzly bear population, frequently in sight of the lodge.
• Incredible scenery from every location and building on the property, and the length of the 80 kilometre long Bute Inlet on which we are situated.
• A remote setting, 10 kilometres from the nearest neighbor. 
• Fantastic saltwater fishing beginning at your doorstep.
• Fantastic freshwater fishing, just 20 minutes away by boat.
• Crabbing and prawning, again at your doorstep.
• Canoes for local paddling adventures.
• A south facing property with lots of sun
  and warmth, and room to stretch your legs.
• A wharf over plenty of small fish to keep
  kids busy every spare minute.
• Experienced, friendly staff.

With so much available to do and see, guests arrive for many different reasons.  Attractions vary with the changing seasons. See below for season specific descriptions.

Feb 15 to March 15

• Bears are still hibernating.
• Winter is still in evidence close to sea level, with fresh snow on the peaks    
  with each passing storm.
• Woodstoves and warm beverages keep guests cozy.
• Fantastic saltwater fishing beginning at your doorstep .
• World-class freshwater fishing, just 20 minutes away by boat or less by helicopter.

March 15 to April 15

• Grizzly and black bears start awakening in late March and begin to forage at lower elevations along the shoreline including areas near Bute Inlet Lodge.
• Multiple waterfalls throughout Bute Inlet, some hundreds of feet high, build in strength as the freezing level begins rising.  Passing storms still coat the surrounding peaks with snow.
• Fantastic saltwater fishing beginning at your doorstep.   Chinook salmon may be kept and coho salmon must be released.
• World-class freshwater fishing, just 20 minutes away by boat or less by helicopter.

April 15 to May 15

• Grizzly and black bears are frequently viewed along the shoreline including areas near Bute Inlet Lodge.
• Spring snowmelt accelerates, further building area waterfalls into tumultuous torrents.  Passing storms leave fresh snow, but mainly above the treeline high on the mountain slopes.
• Thunderous roars occasionally echo through the inlet, especially on the warmest spring days as melting snowpacks, glaciers, and cornices yield to gravity and crash thousands of feet to the valley floors or down gullies toward the shoreline.
• Fantastic saltwater fishing beginning at your doorstep.  Chinook salmon may be kept and coho salmon must be released.
• Fantastic freshwater fishing, just 20 minutes away by boat or less by helicopter.

 May 15 to June 15

• Grizzly and black bears are frequently viewed along the shoreline including areas near Bute Inlet Lodge, but have also begun moving further upslope to other areas.
• Spring snowmelt and waterfall flows peak.  Storms continue to recede in strength and number, with any fresh snow usually falling above the treeline far up the mountain slopes.
• Avalanches are still heard and at times seen, but begin to reduce in frequency.
• Sunny days at Bute Inlet Lodge are shirtsleeve warm and gloriously long.
• Fantastic saltwater fishing beginning at your doorstep.  Chinook salmon must be released after May 30.
• Fantastic freshwater fishing but best by helicopter as higher waterflows restrict boat access.

 June 15 to August 1

• Grizzly and black bears are seen along the shoreline including areas near Bute Inlet Lodge, but less frequently than in the previous month.
• Waterfalls are impressive but have begun decreasing in strength.
• Summer arrives and it gets swimsuit hot on the numerous sunny days.  Brave guests cool themselves quickly in the glacial meltwaters of Bute Inlet, about 99% freshwater on the surface!  Inland heating powers a daytime wind cycle.
• Glacial meltwaters reduce ability for fish to see bait, both fresh and salwater, but fishing can still be good, especially in freshwater where clear tributaries enter the Homathko or Southgate Rivers.  Salmon must be released when caught.
• Heli exploring opportunities as some alpine ridgelines become clear of snow.
• Alpine flowers peak near the end of this period.

 August 1 to August 25

• Grizzly and black bears are seen less along the shoreline, having dispersed to higher elevation forage locations.  However, most days focussed on bear viewing will yield a black bear sighting and sometimes a grizzly bear on shoreline locations, especially near times of low tide.
• Summer carries on with swimsuit heat on the numerous sunny days.  Brave guests continue to cool themselves quickly in the glacial meltwaters of Bute Inlet, still mainly freshwater on the surface!  Inland heating continues to power a daytime wind cycle but reducing in strength and duration.  Early mornings can be refreshingly cool.
• Heli exploring opportunities grow significantly as most alpine ridgelines become clear of snow.  Alpine flowers peak near the beginning of this period.
• Glacial meltwaters reduce ability for fish to see bait, both fresh and salwater, but fishing can still be good, especially in freshwater where clear tributaries enter the Homathko or Southgate Rivers. Freshwater fishing is generally by helicopter as boat access is limited due to high water flows.
• Beginning August 1, coho salmon may be kept (as determined by seasonal regulations).
• Salmon begin to complete their migration and return to the rivers to spawn, with grizzly bears soon to follow.

August 25 to Sept 30

• Summer heat cools by the end of this period.
• Inland heating simmers down, leaving many flat calm incredibly beautiful days and a landscape photographer’s dreamland! Ruggedness of the peaks is fully exposed, with snow having receded to its greatest extent.  Periodic precipitation begins to coat highest peaks with snow, usually quickly melting.
• Heli exploring opportunities peak in the remnant summer heat with a maximum area of exposed alpine ridgelines.
• Grizzly bears congregate in nearby rivers, providing guests with controlled, close viewing opportunities at numerous viewing towers.
• Glacial meltwaters begin to recede, improving both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Freshwater fishing is still best by helicopter due to still restricted boat access due to higher water flows.
• Beginning Sept 16, coho salmon must be released (as determined by seasonal regulations).

Sept 30 to October 30

• Grizzly bears remain gathered in nearby rivers, providing guests with controlled, close viewing opportunities at numerous viewing towers.
• Fall arrives in earnest.  Sunny days less frequent but can still be shirtsleeve warm midday at the lodge. Snow on higher peaks may begin to accumulate.
• The rest of the time, woodstoves and warm beverages keep guests cozy.
• Glacial meltwaters recede further. Freshwater fishing remains best by helicopter as fall rains raise water flows.
• Beginning October 1, spring salmon may be kept.

October 30 to Feb 15

• Inquire if interested and adventurous!

Guided Stays  $$$

    
The Guided Stay rate includes the following:

1. Gourmet meals.
2. Complimentary wine and beer.
3. Heated and covered transportation by water taxi to and from Bute Inlet Lodge (departing Campbell River).
4. Accommodation for up to 10 guests total between two residences,
   
   A rear cabin with wood heat, one full bathroom,  two separate sleeping areas; one double bed and a single bed downstairs, and a double bed and two single beds upstairs.
   
   The front residence with wood heat, one full bathroom, two separate guest sleeping areas, one with a double bed and one with two single beds.
5. 10 hours of guided activity daily, except for arrival and departure days, chosen from the following activities:

• Bear viewing by boat, or after August 25 at the Orford River Bear Viewing Facility
• Inlet tour, including waterfall and bear viewing
• Salmon fishing
• Crabbing and prawning
• Walking tour near the Homathko River Estuary (6 km return), or along the Bear River Valley (8 km return)

Inquire for rates for additional adventure options, including;

• Jetboat tours, including fishing of the lower reaches of the Homathko and Southgate rivers is available for an additional supplement.
• Heli-tours and heli-fishing are available via an A-Star helicopter.  Campbell River is a 30 minute flight from Bute Inlet Lodge.
  
  

Leisure Stay with Transportation $$

For those that wish to just relax in the incredible setting of Bute Inlet Lodge, we offer a leisure stay rate single night stay, plus return trip transportation for up to 10 people from Campbell River.  For 6 persons, return trip transportation would be $500 per person. Watch the aquatic and terrestrial wildife from the deck, enjoy a book, photograph it all, go for a local paddling adventure, explore the nearby estuary, etc...  Longer stays are available upon request.

The Leisure Stay rate includes the following:

1. Gourmet meals.
2. Complimentary wine and beer.
3. Heated and covered transportation by water taxi to and from Bute Inlet Lodge for up to 10 persons (departing Campbell River).
4. Accommodation for up to 10 guests total between two residences,
   
   A rear cabin with wood heat and three bedooms, each with its own bathroom.  Beds can be arranged as twins or queens in each room.
   
   The front residence with wood heat, one full bathroom, two separate guest sleeping areas, one with a double bed and one with two single beds.
5. Use of canoes for local paddling adventures.

Trip Departure and Return Schedule

Our tours depart from Campbell River, located in the middle of the east coast of Vancouver Island.  Tours generally depart from Campbell River at 3pm. Tours are scheduled to return to Campbell River at approximately 1 pm, however inclement weather may delay this on occasion. Due to the possibility of delays, we recommend that you plan to stay the night after your tour in Campbell River.

Please Note:

Our rates and packages do not include gratuities or applicable taxes.
Rates are subject to change.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy:
Deposits are 50% of total due per person.
 Deposits are refundable up to 90 days prior to arrival, less a 15% administration fee.