CWL | Wilderness Retreats

Wilderness Retreats

Gloriously remote and set in one of Canada’s wildest and most astounding natural settings, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge offers groups an unforgettable experience of Vancouver Island’s Clayoquot Sound. The camp's secluded location is perfect for inspired corporate retreats, immersive team building, incentives and milestone celebrations. A program can be developed for five or more luxury tents travelling together, non-exclusive use groups and exclusive use groups for up to 50 guests in 25 luxury canvas tents.

Feel at home

Contents quick links

> Suite types

> Dining and amenities

> Experiences

> Itinerary inspiration

> Essential information

A feeling of generosity extends from the all-inclusive tariff and guests are invited to enjoy the lodge as their home away from home, making group planning effortless.

All dining reflecting the natural surrounds of Vancouver Island’s wild west coast and using locally sourced, sustainable produce to offer a real taste of the destination.

One 60-minute relaxation massage per person in the Healing Grounds Spa, a sanctuary set along the ocean foreshore promising luxurious and restorative treatments for body, mind and soul.

A generous selection of drinks, including premium wines, local craft beers and ciders, small batch spirits and non alcoholic beverages.

Guided signature excursions offering an extraordinary experience of Vancouver Island’s grand wilderness through unforgettable wildlife encounters and nature-based adventures.

Our luxury

Twenty-five luxuriously appointed white canvas tents in the style of turn-of-the-century prospectors, line the banks of the magnificent Clayoquot Sound and are dotted among the region’s pristine old growth temperate rainforest. Inside, a fresh new contemporary look designed with the discerning adventurer in mind invites stylish refuge. Clean lines, organic linens and specially commissioned furnishings from local designers evoke a personal connection with the Vancouver Island landscape.

Rainforest Deluxe Tent

Rainforest Deluxe tents are enveloped in the cool reserves of old and new growth forest. A separate private bathroom is located just steps outside the tent and includes a shower and luxurious heated floors. Each tent opens to a verandah with traditional Adirondack chairs made for relaxing with a book and drinking in the view.

Waterfront Deluxe Tent

Clayoquot’s Waterfront Deluxe tents line the banks of the sound and offer sweeping views of the ocean and Bedwell River. The tents welcome in the rising sun each morning and feature private decks and a private bathroom. A luxurious king bed can be split into two king single beds and a double sofa bed provides even more flexibility. Step outside to the separate bathroom with shower for bathing.

Rainforest Ensuite Tent

Rainforest Ensuite tents are set amongst Clayoquot’s magnificent temperate rainforest. The tent’s ensuite bathroom features heated floors, double sinks and a private outdoor cedar shower with views up into the lush green rainforest canopy. An outdoor verandah overlooks the rainforest with Clayoquot Sound beyond.

No of tents 4 Size 48m2 (517 ft2)

Capacity 4 guests in existing bedding

No of tents 1 Size 48m2 (517 ft2)

Capacity 4 guests in existing bedding

No of tents 3 Size 55m2 (592 ft2)

Capacity 4 guests in existing bedding

Waterfront Ensuite Tent

Waterfront Ensuite tents are located on the banks of the estuary offering direct views to the water and its boisterous wildlife. These tents either face the rising sun or are situated on the secluded side of the Bedwell River, alongside the rainforest. An in-tent ensuite bathroom features heated floors, double vanity and a private outdoor cedar-clad shower.

Hillside Family Tent

The generously spacious Hillside Family Tent is made up of two adjoining tents and is set high on the hillside among the lush old and new growth rainforest with views of Clayoquot Sound. Adjoining each bedroom is an ensuite bathroom with heated floors, double vanity and private outdoor cedar-clad shower, while a deep bathtub is ideal for a post-hike soak. Outside, a private outdoor deck is perfect for relaxing among the sights and sounds of the rainforest.

No of tents 16 Size 55m2 (592 ft2)

Capacity 4 guests in existing bedding

No of tents 1 Size 115m2 (1,238 ft2)

Capacity 4 adults and 4 children in existing bedding

Around The Outpost

Clayoquot's hub for dining, lounging and recreation, The Outpost is centrally located near the Bedwell Bridge and broadly comprises The Cookhouse and adjoining dining and social gathering tents, The Ivanhoe bar, lounge and rooftop deck, the pick-up point for water sports equipment including kayaks and canoes and the meeting point for guided tours.

The Cookhouse

Located on the foreshore of Clayoquot Sound

The Cookhouse is the hub of dining, drinking and lounging. The main restaurant features an open kitchen promising entertaining coal-face style theatre and a menu of locally sourced sustainable produce. Generous lounging flows to the decks outside. Adjacent canvas tents welcome special occasion or private dining, live music events and a friendly game of billiards.

The Ivanhoe

Located adjacent to the restaurant, The Ivanhoe is a dedicated bar and lounge with floor-toceiling glass welcoming in views of the sound. Inside, guests lounge with handcrafted cocktails in generous leather armchairs warmed by a cast iron stove, while the open-air rooftop deck offers a spectacular venue to chill-out by day or night. A menu of canapés and bar snacks complements premium wines, craft beers and small-batch spirits.

The Healing Grounds Spa

The Healing Grounds Spa features two indoor treatment rooms, a waterfront tent, woodfired sauna and a series of relaxing hot tubs set in the decks, looking out to the sound and surrounding coastal forest. A morning stretch is offered each morning, the perfect way to limber up for a day of adventure.

What's included

• All gourmet dining

A premium selection of wines, beers and spirits

• Non alcoholic beverages

• Guided experiences

• One 60-minute relaxation massage per stay (adults and youths only)

Meeting space

Clayoquot is an unconventional location for meetings, with various meeting spaces that may be set up for relaxed gatherings. Please enquire with our team to discuss your specific needs.

Additional charges apply

Individual spa treatments may be scheduled in and around your tailored group itinerary.

Wild west playground

The lodge offers a series of extraordinary nature-based experiences and opportunities abound for adventure, education, natural enrichment and personal connection. Clayoquot challenges leadership groups to reach new heights and provides educational opportunities through wilderness experiences, raising awareness around such themes as environmental protection and sustainability. Our team will work with you to design an event itinerary that is truly unforgettable.

Included signature experiences

These experiences are included in the tariff and are provided on an intimate shared basis with fellow guests at scheduled times (unless reserving the lodge on an exclusive basis).

Sights of the Sound

Encounter Clayoquot's 'wow' wildlife on an action-packed marine adventure that tours Clayoquot Sound’s vast ocean expanses and estuary reserves in search of the region’s wildlife superstars: whales and bears.

Watersports

Clayoquot Sound is a wonderful playground for marine activities where guests can try their hand at either relaxing or more challenging paddling adventures, from canoes and kayaks to stand up paddle boards.

Canyoning

A short paddle from the suspension bridge reaches a glacier-fed waterfall channel, with access to some wonderful hidden waterholes. Here, guests have the chance to swim, float and explore the crystal-clear waters and see fish swimming below the surface.

Duration 2-4 hours

Duration 1-3 hours

Duration 2-3 hours

Horseback Riding

Clayoquot presents a lush and diverse landscape ideal for exploring by horseback. The lodge’s thirty horses are stabled in a barn and paddocks up the valley ready for guest use, along with tack and cowboy boots!

Hiking Experiences

A wide variety of trails for hiking, nature walking and trail running is on offer at Clayoquot, ranging from one hour to full-day excursions complete with a gourmet packed lunch.

Duration 1-4 hours

Duration 1-6 hours

À la Carte experiences

We offer an additional menu of À la Carte experiences included in the tariff, providing groups with even more options to explore.

Mountain biking

A great way to explore Clayoquot’s 600-acre property is by bike. A range of bike trails to suit any level of skill, while the lodge’s high-quality full suspension and hard tail mountain bikes come in all sizes.

Rock Climbing & Rappelling

A challenging skill and concentration-boosting experience, guided rock climbing is available for adventurers of all ages and stages on a dedicated climbing wall looking out over Bedwell Sound.

Archery

A four-stall archery range is set up in the meadows in the valley behind the lodge, a perfect spot to hone skills and take in some practise shots before opting for a more competitive game.

Duration 1-4 hours

Duration 1-2 hours

Duration 1-2 hours

Disc Golf

An exciting game of skill to attract young and mature players, disc golf is similar to the traditional game of golf but rather than golf clubs and tees players use a flying disc or Frisbee and shoot for baskets. The Backcountry 9 disc golf course offers a relaxing nine-hole game.

West Coast Fishing

A fun ocean fishing experience, guests take a guided tour around Clayoquot Sound and cast a line to see what's biting. Be sure to keep an eye out for all kinds of wildlife, from orcas to otters.

Tariff Included Duration Typically 1-2 hours

Bespoke Heli Experiences

To make a group stay at Clayoquot Sound truly unforgettable, consider a Bespoke Helicopter adventure as part of the itinerary. Chat with the team about making arrangements. Our helicopter tours are operated by Atleo River Air Service Ltd - additional charges apply.

Scenic Transfers

Make it a stylish transfer from A to B, or even to B.C with a helicopter pick-up or drop-off combined with wilderness hike and get the best of both worlds.

Duration 2-6 hours

Scenic Flights

From sipping sparkling wine atop a mountain to capturing a bird's eye view of a glacier, there's plenty of exhilarating options to get airborne while staying at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge.

Duration 6 or 18 minutes flying time

Half Day Experiences

Half day tours offer a wonderful chance to combine special interests with an exhilarating aerial adventure and may be seamlessly worked into a complementary itinerary of experiences.

Duration Up to 30 miutes flying time

Duration Half day

Itinerary inspiration

Adventures abound in the natural playground that surrounds Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge with seemingly endless options from exhilarating heli-flights and remote hiking to rewarding wildlife-spotting and horse riding. The experiences on offer at Clayoquot promise groups an unforgettable journey of shared discovery.

Four night sample program

The following represents an indicative experience over four nights. Many factors influence the delivered itinerary, including length of stay, flight arrival and departure times, pre-booked activities, vehicles and guide availability, weather conditions and seasonality. Any special arrangements made in advance, or once at the lodge, will be choreographed by our team and your itinerary customised to ensure the very best experience of both lodge and destination.

Experiences

Signature and À la Carte experiences are included in the group rate and can be used in the group program. View more details on our website

Please note

This itinerary is based on exclusive use of Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge.

Day 1 Welcome

Transfer from Vancouver via floatplane to Clayoquot’s private dock, where you will be met by a horse-drawn wagon for the short transfer to the lodge. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome glass of sparkling wine and a guided tour of the facilities.

Day 1 Evening

Dine tonight in The Cookhouse, styled as a gold rush era general store and drink in mesmerising views of Clayoquot Sound through floor to ceiling glass windows. Savour contemporary coastal cuisine prepared by Executive Chef duo Olivia Bolano and Mark Ota, featuring the very best of the region's produce.

Check-in Check-in and check-out days are on Sundays and Thursdays only. Check-in time is 3.30pm.

Dining Dinner is served from 6-9pm in The Cookhouse.

Day 2 Morning

Encounter Clayoquot’s ‘wow’ wildlife on an action-packed marine adventure that tours Clayoquot Sound’s vast ocean expanses and estuary reserves in search of the region’s wildlife superstars: whales and bears. Guests jump into a Zodiac boat and zip off to explore, keeping an eye out for sea lions, sea otters, eagles and more.

Day 2 Evening

Take in the majesty of the Bedwell River from the rooftop lounge, with sunset drinks followed by a sumptuous three course dinner. Afterwards enjoy fine company and s’mores around the fire, reflecting on the day under a glittering canopy of stars in the inky night sky.

Dining

Breakfast is served daily from 6-10am in The Cookhouse.

Experience duration 4-5 hours

Day 3 Morning

Fuel up with breakfast in The Cookhouse before taking a paddle along the maze-like estuary by kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board.

Sunset drinks

Sunset drinks and canapés are served from 5pm in The Ivanhoe.

Day 3 Afternoon

Take the plunge with our action-packed canyoning adventure - a fun way to discover the valleys and waterways that run to Clayoquot Sound. Guests can jump on a paddle board from the top of Bedwell Sound and paddle up the glacier fed Bedwell River to a waterfall channel and several hidden waterholes.

Day 3 Evening

Pull up a stool at the bar and let our bartenders shake or stir up a tipple or two as you reminisce on your day’s adventures, before enjoying a sumptuous dinner in The Cookhouse.

Sunsrise stretch

Optional sunrise stretch in the yoga room from 7.30am.

Upgrade option

Treat your group to our Sip to Sky bespoke heli adventure and toast the incredible days spent together at Clayoquot on high!

Day 4 Morning

After breakfast, grab a hat and a pack and take to the many hiking trails. The popular hike to Penny Falls waterfall includes an optional swim in the cool crystal pools.

Upgrade option

Take part in our challenging Ursus Valley Hike - perfect for bear spotting!

Day 4 Afternoon

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, or select an À la Carte experience such as rock climbing, archery or mountain biking. For the brave at heart, Clayoquot’s 250 year old Sitka fir tree sports a canopy-level viewing platform, allowing guests a climb to the top for panoramic views through the canopy to the sound beyond. Have fun rappelling back down to earth!

Day 4 Evening

Gather in The Ivanhoe for spectacular sunset drinks - look out for wildlife in action! Enjoy your final dinner at the coalface with all the theatre of an open kitchen as Chefs Mark and Olivia and their team create dishes showcasing a bounty of local ingredients.

Upgrade option

Fly high above Clayoquot Sound by helicopter to an exclusive mountain lake for hiking, swimming or picnicking.

Day 5 Morning

For your last morning at Clayoquot, enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking the sound. Farewell the Bedwell Valley by horseback on one of our signature trail rides - a truly unforgettable experience.

Day 5 Farewell

The horse drawn carriage awaits for transport to the dock, to meet the departure transfer via floatplane to Vancouver.

Check-out

Check-out time is 12pm. The lodge provides a complimentary horse drawn wagon shuttle to Clayoquot’s private dock for floatplane departure.

Essential information

Location

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is surrounded entirely by the pristine, untouched wilderness of Clayoquot Sound on Vancouver Island's west coast in the remote Canadian province of British Columbia. Guests have direct access to 600-acres of gloriously wild nature reserve.

Getting there

Arrival by scenic seaplane flight is the most popular, convenient, and generally spectacular means of transport to and from Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. From Vancouver, groups connect with a scenic 45-minute seaplane flight directly to the lodge dock on Clayoquot Sound. For detailed information on arrival and departure locations for seaplane and boat transfers, please visit our website. For group charter options, please contact our team. Please visit our website for more information.

Vancouver Island seasons

The temperate rainforests that dominate the landscape and ecosystem at Clayoquot Sound also drive the weather systems. While the region generally receives good rains that sustain its forests, in summertime the conditions are warm and quite dry, ideal for marine sports and outdoor activities and making summer and shoulder months an ideal time to visit.

Season Average daytime temp Average overnight temp

Spring (March – May) 7-14°C (44-57°F) 11-13°C (52-55°F)

Summer (June – August) 11-19°C (51-66°F) 6-10°C (43-50°F)

Fall (September – November) 9-17°C (48-62°F) 2-4°C (36-39°F)

Winter (December - February) 1-8°C (33-46°F) 5-10°C (41-50°F)

Group policy

A group is defined as five or more tents travelling together. Please refer to the Group Policy for full terms and conditions.

Our all-inclusive rate structure makes planning for a group effortless:

• Luxury tented accommodation

• All gourmet dining

• A premium selection of wines, craft beers and spirits and non-alcoholic beverages

• Signature guided experiences

One 60-minute relaxation massage per person

Evening turndown service

• In-room amenities

• Laundry service

• Horse-drawn wagon shuttle

• Unlimited enjoyment of amenity tents and waterfront lounge

Operating season

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is open seasonally during the warmer months from May to September.

Arrival and departure days

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge offers three night stays arriving Thursday and departing Sunday, four night stays arriving Sunday and departing Thursday, or seven and ten-night stays arriving either Thursday or Sunday.

What to bring

Reflecting the adventurous nature of the Pacific Northwest wilderness, dress is relaxed at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. Solid walking shoes, comfortable clothes, layers for warmth, and a rain jacket are recommended. A hat and sunscreen are every day essentials.

Communication Complimentary wireless internet (limited bandwidth) is available throughout the lodge.

How to book

To speak with a groups specialist, please call +61 2 9918 4355 during business operation hours: Monday–Friday 8am–6pm and Saturday 8.30am–4.30pm (AEST) or contact groups@baillielodges.com.au.