Oyster River is a small community located between Campbell River, BC (12 km to the north) and Black Creek, BC (100m to the south) mainly along or shortly off of Highway 19A. Located just north of the estuary of the Oyster River

Oyster River (British Columbia)

The Oyster River is located on the east side of Vancouver Island between Courtenay and Campbell River, British Columbia, in Canada. The Oyster River runs from Pearl Lake to Saratoga Beach. Spawning channels located on the river are visited yearly by many salmon...

, it is home to around 1500 people and a very small commercial sector.

Location

Oyster River is named after the river that draws its southerly border with Black Creek. Three bridges cross the river and signify the entrance into Oyster River when traveling north. The northerly border is somewhat ambiguous as the similar community of Willow Point occupies the land between Oyster River and Campbell River and there is no clear line between the two. The "Driftwood Restaurant," a Chinese-food establishment, is located on the coastal strip of the highway about where most people consider Oyster River to end.

Businesses and Commerce

Small campgrounds and resorts dominate the small community's economy with some notable ones being Salmon Point Resort and Pacific Playgrounds (technically located in Black Creek, but on the banks of the Oyster River.) The only major business in the area is a small grocery store, Discovery Foods. It is owned and operated by three local families and it provides part time and full time employment for many local residents of both Black Creek and Oyster River. In the same complex as Discovery Foods, a restaurant, a liquor store, and a medical clinic have been set up.

Notable Features

The Oyster River itself is a popular swimming and fishing spot all throughout the summer months. There is access at highway 19, 19a, 19b (old bridge), York rd., Macaulay Road, and various other smaller, private locations.



The Oyster River estuary, as well as the entire oceanfront of the community are home to a large run of pink salmon that return every second year.

Climate