START YOUR JOURNEY HERE
Northeastern British Columbia
JOURNEY THROUGH THE UNTAMED WILD OF BC’S NORTH
The trip-of-a-lifetime road adventure!
The Alaska Highway is renowned as one of the most scenic drives in the Province of BC and is a “must see” of any circle tour through the region. Northern BC is the place to drive in summer for long daylight hours, unspoiled wilderness and unlimited fishing, hiking and outdoor enjoyment. Your trip along Highway 97 will offer stunning scenery and historic towns with many stops along the way.
Over the years, the Alaska Highway has evolved from a rough challenge to one of the Northeast British Columbia’s major tourist attractions. Today, the highway has been straightened and flattened as much as possible, and is now entirely paved. The steepest hill is a ten percent grade, at Steamboat Mountain — a far cry from the 25 percent grades of the past. The highway is continuously being repaired, as the freezing and thawing of the ground causes frost heaves, buckling the asphalt. The highway now has two lanes, and ordinary automobiles regularly traverse it.
There’s more to a Geopark than meets the eye!
UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK
Tumbler Ridge is home to the second UNESCO Global Geopark (tumblerridgegeopark.ca) in North America! Explore our network of 50 signed and designated hiking trails. Hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging lead to alpine peaks, thundering waterfalls, ancient dinosaur trackways, other-worldly geological formations, mysterious caves, spring meadows ablaze with wildflowers, and tranquil pine forests, where wildlife is an essential part of the scenery. Get out and enjoy the crisp mountain air, sunny skies and pristine landscapes of our winter wonderland. You may even be treated to the sight of the Aurora Borealis dancing across the night sky.
There is an outdoor geo-experience for everyone, with activities ranging from guided hikes and rock climbing in the summer to ice climbing a waterfall, snowshoeing through rock towers or skiing a creek in the winter. The Murray River is fantastic for paddling or riverboating. The river is graded as a Class 2 with flat sections interrupted by gentle rapids. There is a boat launch 1 km south of town on Highway 29, and riverboat tours are available upstream to Kinuseo Falls or downstream through the Painted Canyon.
DAWSON CREEK, BC
THE OFFICIAL START OF THE ALASKA HIGHWAY
Whether you are interested in history, wildlife, nature, art, music, or adventure northeastern BC offers something for everyone! The experience routes between the surrounding communities, trails, heritage attractions, historic walking tours and shopping districts await the visitor. Give yourself a few days in the Peace Country to explore all that the region offers. You’ll love every minute you spend here as you immerse yourself in the amazing history of the building of the Alaska Highway. Meet the locals and tap into the endless stories and special places that connect to the Alaska Highway.
MAJESTIC NATURE
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
From the official Mile “0” the Alaska Highway rises steadily from the vast land of muskeg and boreal forest to Steamboat Mountain, where the highway leads right into the Northern Rocky Mountains. From that point on, the Rockies accompany you … offering both the wide-open mountainscapes of craggy peaks marching off to the horizon and the up-close views where the rugged rock flanks the highway.
While travelling the Alaska Highway is an adventure in itself and a non-stop feast for the eye, there’s more to the Northern Rockies than what you can see from the roadside! For the outdoor enthusiast who really wants to capture the energy of the land, there are wonderful opportunities (both guided or self-guided) to get beyond that first mountain — to immerse yourself in the awe and majesty that surrounds you. It is not uncommon to see herds of (or lone) bison and stone’s sheep along or on the highway. A bison herd lives year round on the Alaska Highway right-of-way, and about 20 bison are killed by collisions with vehicles every year. Drive with extreme caution.
A HIDDEN JEWEL
MUNCHO LAKE
One of the region’s primary jewels Muncho Lake, is a deep, cold glacial lake (11 km / 7 m long and 1.6 km / 1 m wide) where you’ll find a variety of lakeside lodges, several RV parks / campgrounds and boat launches. Set up here for a few days and enjoy fishing on the lake or fly-in fishing and lodging at remote cabins. Flightseeing, wildlife viewing, and some relatively easy hiking options are also available.
Some of the most outstanding views of natural beauty anywhere can be experienced at this park. Spectacular folded mountains, bountiful wildlife, brilliantly-colored wildflowers are just a few of the wonders to discover here. In the southern portion of the park, you will see the very impressive geological formations of Folded Mountain towering above the road. Tectonic deformations have folded the limestone giving these mountains their unique appearance. Further along the highway you will have the opportunity to travel across the alluvial fans.
MAJESTIC NATURE
LIARD RIVER HOT SPRINGS
Relaxation seeps into your body as you ease into the second largest hot spring in Canada. Liard River Hot Springs provides relief to Alaskan bound travellers after a long day on the road.
The hot springs complex is of national ecological significance and is well known for its natural setting in a lush boreal spruce forest. The park is such a popular stop over for tourists that the campgound fills up early each day during the summer months. Liard is also open year-round. There is a hot spring open to the public called Alpha pool with water temperatures ranging from 42°C to 52°C. Facilities include a change house and composting toilet. A boardwalk, which leads to the hot spring pools, passes through a warm water swamp and boreal forest that supports rich and diverse plant communities as well as mammal and bird species.
Visitors are required to stay on the boardwalk at all times in this area so as not to disturb the sensitive habitat. Watch for moose feeding in the warm water swamps. Due to the lush plant life influenced by the warmth of the springs, the area was originally known as the “Tropical Valley.”
BE SURE TO VISIT
Communities Along the Way
District of Mackenzie
Mackenzie… Gateway to Northern Rocky Mountain Adventure. Its tranquil location in the Rocky Mountain Trench provides access to an abundance of year round outdoor recreation.
District of Chetwynd
The four seasons combined with virgin forests, rolling hills, snowcapped mountains and crystal clear lakes and rivers make Chetwynd a playground for the nature lover.
District of Hudson's Hope
Hudson’s Hope is located on the bank of the Peace River in the Rocky Mountain foothills. The local museum’s fossil display is the finest collection in the Peace River area.
District of Tumbler Ridge
Waterfall Capital of the North! Mother nature has carved out dozens of waterfalls from roadside falls to secluded cascades. The most famous – Kinuseo Falls – is taller than Niagara Falls.
Village of Pouce Coupe
The Village of Pouce Coupe is a quaint historical Village, located in the northeast corner of BC. The Pouce Coupe Museum offers visitors a chance to journey back to a period long ago, with permanent displays from the very founding of the village.
City of Dawson Creek
Your Journey begins here! This is the place! In March of 1942, American troops began their monumental exploits and these are the first days of your Alaska Highway adventure! Stay a while and get to know us and our amazing Pioneer and World War II history.
District of Taylor
Historic Mile 36 – KM 56. The community of Taylor is home to Peace Island Park. Surrounded by the back waters of the Pine and the Peace rivers it is truly one of the most beautiful campgrounds in the area.
City of Fort St. John
The Energetic City is located in the heart of the Peace River country. Fort St. John has grown with opportunity since the completion of the Alaska Highway and is now the region’s largest service centre.
Fort Nelson
Gateway to the Northern Rockies. On the edge of the vast Muskwa-Kechika region, also known as the “Serengeti of the North”, Fort Nelson visitors are treated to spectacular vistas and the variety of wildlife within it.