Not extremely birdy, but otherwise sublime: old-growth forest, waterfalls and rapids, salmon leaping and Black Bears! And if you’re after amazing American Dippers, Stamp River is Dipper Central.
Historically, salmon return to the Stamp River in late summer through December, when they can be seen jumping in the falls and swimming in the fish ladders: Coho (mid-August to December); Sockeye (late June to early September); Chinook (mid-September to mid-November). Adding to the spectacle is the large number of bears attracted to the homing fish.
© Nicole Beaulac
Speaking of migrations, the Alberni Valley is on the migration route of the the coastal population of Sandhill Cranes, which winters mainly in the Central Valley of California. If not high overhead, cranes can sometimes be seen foraging/resting in farm fields along Beaver Creek Rd, both before and past the park, during spring (April) and fall (September) migrations.
© Penny Hall
© Penny Hall
© Penny Hall
From the Visitor Info Centre in Port Alberni, take Hwy 4 west through Port Alberni until the road comes to a T intersection with traffic lights. Shortly after turning R at the T junction, turn R onto Beaver Creek Rd, just before the Petro-Canada station (~4.5 km from the Visitors Centre). Follow Beaver Creek Rd for ~12.5 km. Turn L into the park entrance and follow the road down to the river, ~1.7 km (the park road is unpaved and rough at times).