Head North If You Like Big Mountains

Northern BC: Part 11 — July 31, 2025

If you’ve ever dreamed of standing where mountains touch the sky, paddling a glassy lake under the Northern Lights, or tracing ancient Indigenous trade routes through untouched wilderness—this is your sign to go north. Way north.

Northern BC is wild in the best way possible.
It’s bigger than you think, quieter than you expect, and more jaw-dropping than your camera roll can handle.

This isn’t just British Columbia—it’s the part most people miss.
And that’s exactly why you need to go.

Here, the roads stretch for hours without a billboard in sight.
The forests are thick with history.
And the adventures? Anything but ordinary.

🌌 Aurora & Midnight Silence

Up here, the stars don’t twinkle—they blaze.
From fall to spring, the Northern Lights often put on a show that stops you in your tracks.

Whether you’re camping near Dease Lake or soaking in the Liard River Hot Springs, always keep an eye on the sky.

🏞️ The Stewart–Cassiar Highway

One of Canada’s most underrated road trips.
This wild stretch runs through dense boreal forest, past glacier-fed lakes, and into tiny frontier towns like Stewart—where grizzlies outnumber tourists.

Don’t miss the Bear Glacier on your way.

🛶 Sacred Waters & Legendary Lakes

This is the land of paddlers and peace-seekers:

• Drift along Bowron Lake’s famous canoe circuit—one of the world’s best

• Glide down the ancient Skeena River, a lifeline for Indigenous cultures for millennia

• Explore Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park—lava fields, waterfalls, and sacred stories woven into the landscape

⛰️ Unreal Hiking & Wildlife

Epic terrain. Zero crowds.

• Mount Pope Trail in Fort St. James for panoramic lake views

• Towering hoodoos in Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark

• Moose, black bears, mountain goats—and maybe even a lynx 🐾

🧭 Culture That Goes Way Back

History here isn’t just in the past—it’s alive.

• Visit ‘Ksan Historical Village in Hazelton to explore Gitxsan culture and carved longhouses

• Stand beneath ancient totem poles in Kitwanga

• Learn the tragic, powerful story of the Highway of Tears and the women whose spirits still call for justice

🚂 Off-the-Grid Adventures

Sometimes the best experiences aren’t on the map:

• Ride the Skeena Train from Prince Rupert to Jasper—arguably Canada’s most scenic rail trip

• Soak in Liard River Hot Springs—remote, but worth it

• Drive the Alaska Highway and feel what it’s like to truly disappear into the wild

🍁 Small Towns, Big Character

• 🛻 Smithers – alpine charm + big mountain energy

• 🦀 Prince Rupert – coastal culture + incredible seafood

• 🧀 Telkwa – tiny but full of character (and great cheese)

• 🧗 Terrace – mountain biking, riverside patios, local craft beer

Travel Tips

✈️ Getting There

• Fly into Prince George, Terrace, or Smithers

• Road trip from southern BC along Highway 97 or the Alaska Highway

• Arrive by ferry via the Inside Passage from Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert 🛳️

🎒 Pro Tips

• Cell service can be spotty—download maps offline

• Bring layers—it might be 30°C one day and hailing the next

• Respect Indigenous lands—many areas are unceded territory with living cultural significance

📅 When to Visit

• Summer: Midnight sun, epic road trips, full lake days ☀️

• Fall: Golden larch, berry season, northern lights 🌌

• Winter: Snowshoeing, skiing, hot spring soaks under the stars ❄️

• Spring: Waterfalls, wildlife, crisp hikes 🌱

Coming Up in Part 2

Hidden gems, insider road trip routes, and must-visit towns you won’t find on most maps.

Until then—forward this to a friend, mark your calendar, and start planning your escape into the wildest part of the West.

All partnerships are official and unpaid. We do this because we love Canada.
📍 Photo Location: Haida Gwaii, British Columbia

Northern Sun: Built for Life in Canada