british columbia
This experience is great if you like:
Amazing scenery - endless trees, towering mountains, sapphire waterways, plunging waterfalls, massive glaciers, and relaxing hot springs. British Columbia may be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Top that off with abundant wildlife and you have an Epic Road Trip! Prepare to drive 3500 miles with side trips and expect 3-4 weeks minimum to travel. If you are adventurous, bike riding on the KVR trail, flightseeing, hiking and camping are great experiences.
When to go:
Summertime: Mid May through Mid October. Summer tempuratures are cool, with rain nearly every day. Fall colors should be awesome. We traveled in July and August and had exceptionally dry weather.
Reconsider if:
Riding in a car 3-5 hours per day is not appealing - Epic Road Trips aren't for you! You need to stay connected. You don't like rain. You are highly selective about lodging, bathrooms, and showers (hence my camper toilet and shower). You want to do a lot of hiking (prepare to share the trail with bears).
Route
Hope to Prince George
Spokane to Hope
Start in Spokane, WA; then Hope, BC; Prince George, BC; Stewart, BC; Watson Lake, YT; Fort Nelson, BC; Dawson Creek, BC; Jasper, AB; Golden, BC; End in Kalispell, MT
Spokane to Hope
Hope to Prince George
Spokane to Hope
Our route went through Osoyoos, BC and it was hot, hot, hot for boating at the lake. Like edgy? Try the KVR train trestles on your bike. The Kettle Valley Rail Trail (KVR) runs from Kelowna, to Penticton, into Tulameen. Pictured here is the tragic Hope slide, which occured January 9, 1965.
Hope to Prince George
Hope to Prince George
Prince George to Kitwanga
The cone zone is part of the summer driving experience. Fraser Canyon, Alexandra Suspension Bridge, and the Gates of Hell are striking attractions on the way to Prince George.
Prince George to Kitwanga
Prince George to Kitwanga
Prince George to Kitwanga
Mountains, hiking, waterfalls. Don't miss Smithers, BC and the hike to Twin Falls. Here a unique view of First Nation locals net fishing in Bulkley river at Widzin Kwah Canyon and Falls. First Nation cultural exhibits can be seen at nearby Witset museum.
Kitwanga to Stewart
Prince George to Kitwanga
Stewart to Watson Lake
Go off the beaten path for an artic experience. Get views of Bear Glacier and here Salmon Glacier near Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK.
Stewart to Watson Lake
Prince George to Kitwanga
Stewart to Watson Lake
This segment through British Columbia can be lonely and a little rough. At the northmost point, the 60th Parallel, people from all over the world have added a sign to Watson Lake, Yukon's Sign Forest. The picture shows only a small portion.
Watson Lake to Liard Hot Springs
Watson Lake to Liard Hot Springs
Watson Lake to Liard Hot Springs
God's animal kingdom awaits! View herds of bison crossing the road, grizzly bears meandering at the edge of the forest, black bears with their cubs feeding nearby. Stay at Liard Hot Springs Provencial Park, with it's campground surrounded by 8' electric fence to keep the grizzlies out.
Liard Hot Springs to Fort Nelson
Watson Lake to Liard Hot Springs
Watson Lake to Liard Hot Springs
Waterways brimming with sapphire blue water, distinctive mountain formations, and super-abundant wildlife await. Views here of Toad River and wildlife in pictures below.
Fort Nelson to Dawson Creek
Watson Lake to Liard Hot Springs
Fort Nelson to Dawson Creek
Drive the Hudson's Hope Loop. Experience Chetwynd, home of chainsaw sculptures, one shown here. Hike or ride trails on Tumbler Ridge, with tumbling rivers, plummeting falls and dinasaur tracks. Appreciate panoramic views of Kinuseo Falls, dropping a distance equal to Niagara Falls.
Dawson Creek to Golden
Dawson Creek to Golden
Fort Nelson to Dawson Creek
Bear-jam alert! That's the mile long traffic jam that occurs at a bear sighting. New snow dusts the mountains, narrow canyons, and icy glaciers of Jasper and Banff and scenic views abound.
Golden to Kalispell MT
Dawson Creek to Golden
Golden to Kalispell MT
Pretty scenery along the Columbia Riverway, marshes, lakes, and beautiful towns with golf courses. Here, a vista near Radium Hot Springs.
What to Take
- Get and use the Milepost.
- Cell service is spotty and non-existent for long distances further north. We used StarLink.
- Don't expect to find many supplies along the way. Towns have fuel, groceries, some lodging and dining. Only larger cities have supermarkets and access to non-basic goods.
- Take a cooler for extra food and drinks. Distances between towns in northern BC can be far.
- For outdoor activities bring: rain gear, layers of clothes, insect repellent, and bear spray.
- Keep your fuel tank topped off. Have a spare tire.
- Frequent rest areas with toilets are available, usually clean enough.
- Laundry facilities are available in larger towns, or developed campgrounds.
A pickup camper was the best option for us. We could stop when we wanted, easily find campsites, stay safe, stay dry and have access to our bikes and gear (and a bathroom) all the time. We mostly camped in Provincial Parks and cooked our own food.
- Take a generator. Keep water tanks filled. Keep waste water emptied. Many campgrounds have no electricity, and no potable water or sani-dump.
- It's not legal to camp along the road and camping on Crown Land may require a permit.
If you are interested in a car trip with local lodging, check other websites for recommendations and plan carefully.
