Yrene Dee, Author at Backcountry Canada Travel

Author Archives: Yrene Dee

19 Best Alberta Towns to visit

March 10, 2023 11:14 pm Leave a Comment

When you travel across Alberta’s varied landscapes of mountains, prairies, barren badlands and vast coniferous forests, make sure to stop at the small Alberta towns along the way.

Meeting locals is the best part of road-tripping and a way to find out firsthand what the province of Alberta is all about. You most likely will spend time in the major cities, but it’s the small towns and the country people you meet that make travel so special.

My selection of best Alberta towns is definitely not complete and towns will be added after my next upcoming Alberta road trip.

Unique Alberta towns

Facts about Alberta towns

Alberta is scattered with historic towns telling stories of times gone by, stories about the old wild west, and the oil boom.

Alberta country folks are tough, down-to-earth and freedom-loving people shaped by small-town living, tough winters and harsh climates.

19 Unique Alberta Towns you should visit

1. Calgary (Cowtown)

Calgary Stampede and rodeo time Alberta Towns — Calgary Stampede

Of course, Calgary is a city, but with its nickname “Cowtown” it has to be included in the Alberta Towns list. Calgary is best known as the home of the Calgary Stampede, which takes place over ten days every July. It inspires you to indulge in a boots- and cowboy hat image that is still a way of life in the region.

Calgary is an energetic place with an art scene, excellent restaurants and coffee shops, beautiful parks and some lively neighbourhoods to check out. You can easily spend a few days here and you won’t get bored.

Bucket List Calgary:

Visit Fort Calgary and trace Calgary’s history.
Spend time at the Heritage Park Historical Village and learn about the Wild West.
Check out some of the city’s top craft breweries.
Load up on some fresh food at one of Calgary’s Farmer’s Markets.
Have lunch at a rotating restaurant at the top of Calgary Tower.
Spend an evening in historic Inglewood, Calgary’s oldest neighbourhood and home to an eclectic mix of boutiques, pubs, live music and fine dining.
Don’t miss the famous Calgary Stampede in July if you’re in the area.
Book a 3-hour tour through Calgary and gain an understanding of the city. Hear the interesting stories that helped shape Calgary into the city it is today.

2. Longview

Fairview Alberta towns collection — Colourful buildings in Fairview, one of the unique Alberta towns

There are plenty of reasons to visit Longview, located in the middle of cattle country. I ended up staying for a couple of nights and used it as a base to explore the surrounding Alberta towns. Longview is nestled in the foothills, near the Highwood River, along the Cowboy Trail. It’s known for the annual Longstock Music and Arts Festival and its rodeo various rodeo events.

The Twin Cities Hotel is a good place to spend an evening. If you’re lucky there will be live music and an axe-throwing competition while you’re there. This cowboy town of around 320 residents has lots to offer, as well as good country food and an excellent campground.

From Longview, you can start your adventure road trip to the west into Kananaskis country or south to the Bar U Historical Ranch and Chain Lakes.

Longview Bucketlist:

Stop in at the famous Longview Jerky Shop and pick up nutritious snacks for the road.
Spend an evening at the historic Twin Creek Hotel and Saloon.
Visit the Longstock Music and Arts Festival in August.

3. Lunbreck

Lundbreck, Alberta towns — Lundbreck Alberta

Lundbreck owes its economic origins to both the ranching & coal mining industries and later became a commercial centre for area ranchers & coal mines. The Lundbreck Trading Co. was established as a general store in the early 1900s.

Park your car and stroll around the old prairie town. Two blocks east of the hotel on Breckenridge Avenue, the main street, you come across Lundbreck’s one-block town centre dominated by a couple of elderly two-storey buildings proudly proclaiming themselves to be “Oldest in the West”. After that, you’ve pretty much seen Lundbreck. It’s a peaceful place There is no local museum or anything else.

Still, I love places like Lunbreck and I’m glad I stopped.

From Lundbreck head out to Lundbreck Falls Provincial Recreation area to watch the rushing Crowsnest River plunge into a deep pool in the canyon below. Watch the powerful Lundbreck Falls from the observation platform and then walk down into the limestone gorge for a closer look.

Spend a night at the scenic campground at Lundbreck Falls Provincial Recreation Area offering unserviced, powered and walk-in tenting sites along the Crowsnest River.

Bucket List Lundbreck:

Park your car and stroll around the small community of Lundbreck,
Head out to Lundbreck Falls located just a few minutes down the road.
Camp at Lundbreck Falls Recreation site for a night.

4. Belleview – Crowsnest Pass

Belleview Crowsnest Pass Alberta — Bellevue Main Street

Crowsnest Pass, or “The Pass” as the locals call it, is a collective of five historic mining towns — Bellevue, Hillcrest, Frank, Blairmore, and Coleman that make up the Crowsnest municipality, located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Probably the best known is the community of Frank for the Frank Slide disaster of 1903, Canada’s deadliest rockslide to date. Read more: Explore Southern Alberta

This Crowsnest mining town of Bellevue was built in 1905 on the flat land above the Bellevue mine. Bellevue is full of quaint miners’ homes from the last century. Key heritage buildings are identified on the self-guided Heritage Driving Tour and Historical Walking Tour. The Bellevue Underground Mine Tour gives an ‘in-depth’ experience of historic coal mining in Crowsnest Pass.

From town, you get a great view of Frank Slide.

Just across the highway is Hillcrest, where another mining disaster took place in 1914. The death of 189 men made this the worst mining tragedy in Canadian history.

Bellevue Highlights:

Take the underground tour and learn about the disastrous explosion in 1910 that took the lives of 31 miners.
Make sure to visit Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site on your way east, where the former coal processing plant operated between 1907 and 1915.

5. Frank – Crowsnest Pass

The Frank slide, deadliest rock slide in history, Alberta Canada — The Frank Slide, the deadliest rock slide in history

The Frank Slide of 1903 was Canada’s deadliest rock slide in history. The tragedy, when Turtle Mountain collapsed onto the mining town of Frank, is displayed at the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. Many residents were killed when over 82 million tonnes of limestone came down the mountain, partially burying the town below. Many bodies were never recovered below the massive amount of rock.

The Interpretive Centre uses engaging storytelling techniques to set the scene and educate visitors, and also covers the mining history of the region, even talking a bit about Crowsnest Pass.

Bucket List Frank:

Visit the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre to learn about this compelling story.
When visiting Frank, take a self-guided Historical Walking Tour.

6. Blairmore – Crowsnest Pass

Blairmore Alberta town — Blairmore Alberta when it rains

Blairmore’s heritage houses along Main Street remind of the town’s early days. Originally a Canadian Pacific Railway stop Blairmore served as an industry focal point for the region’s growing coal mining and lumber industries.

Blairmore was also home to an illegally operating alcohol import business which brought in alcohol from British Columbia during Alberta’s short-lived Prohibition phase.

Today, Blairmore is home to more than 2,000 people and has various services, shops and coffee shops in town.

Bucket List Blairmore:

Enjoy the self-guided Historical Walking Tour
Many buildings are identified on the Heritage Driving Route map.

7. Coleman – Crowsnest Pass

Canadian wildlife crossing the road — Canadian Wildlife

In 2002, Coleman’s mine site, commercial area, and streets lined with miner’s cottages has been designated a National Historic Site by Parks Canada. Its many historic buildings, some dating back to 1904, reflect the boom-and-bust nature of the coal industry. While walking down its historic streets, you can read the many interpretive signs and building plaques, see the ruins of its coal plant and coke ovens, and visit a regional museum. Many of these sites are identified on the Heritage Driving Tour map.

Bucket List Coleman:

Pick up the Coleman National Historic Site booklet, available at the Crowsnest Museum in Coleman.
Discover this historic community on a self-guided walking or driving tour.
The museum can also provide a guided tour of Coleman by advance arrangement

8. Nanton

Settled in the late 1800s, Nanton is the southern gateway to the foothills. With the surrounding prairies to the east and picturesque rolling foothills to the west, Nanton is an interesting little town where history is still alive.

Home to museums, famous rodeos, antiques and boutiques, great dining, and a sweet candy shop, Nanton’s interesting shops and artists make this destination a great place to come to. Stop here for a while and find out what this authentic Alberta town has to offer.

The Bomber Command Museum of Canada is home to one of the only Lancaster bombers in the world with a working engine which makes this place special. At the museum you get to enjoy virtual reality experiences, flight simulators to make you fly a Lancaster bomber plane, airplane tours, engine runs, and so much more.

Bucket List Nanton:

Walk along historic Main Street and check out antique and art stores.
Take a tour through the Bomber Command Museum.
Check out Nanton Nite Rodeo on a Friday night, one of Canada’s longest running night rodeos.
Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre
While in Town stop by the Candy store, family owned and operated since 2004.

9. Fort Macleod

This beautifully restored boomtown, located in Southern Alberta about an hour east of the Canadian Rockies is home to the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) museum and 100-year-old theatre, still in use. Take a guided tour of the historic main street, and learn about the rich history of the NWMP and First Nations.

In 1982 a government grant assisted Fort Macleod in restoring the original buildings of the 1910-1920s. An amazing collection of architecture resulted, which is still on display today. Many films have been shot using MacLeod main street as the background. Walking tour maps explain the original uses of the buildings.

Fort Macleod Highlights:

Visit the Fort Museum and catch the famous Musical Ride.
Take a walking tour along Historic Main Street.
Stop at the Empress Theatre and look for Eddy, the resident ghost.

10. Black Diamond

Black Diamond, Alberta Towns — Black Diamond, an old coal mining town

Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Canadian Rockies just 30 minutes from Calgary is the quaint little town of Black Diamond. Black Diamonds takes its name from coal discovered in the area in the late 1800s. The original mine site is still visible to the west of the highway approaching the Black Diamond bridge.

Ranchers settled in the area in the 1880s and ranching and farming remain the primary industry in Black Diamond.

The period from 1914 to 1947 was called the Boomtown Era in Black Diamond and Turner Valley as the oilfields formed the heart of Alberta’s growing oil industry. Many old buildings remain from this era and have partly been restored to preserve both their history and functionality.

Black Diamond is part of the Cowboy Trail along Highway 22.

Bucket List Black Diamond:

Check out the boomtown-style business fronts and welcoming banners while taking a Historic Walking Tour around town.
Visit the Bluerock Gallery and shop to experience high-quality fine art and craft.
To cool off during the heat of summer, float down the Sheep River.
Stop in at Black Diamond Bar and Hotel if you are looking for a watering hole or good food.
Visit Black Diamon Elk Ranch for locally raised elk products.
Don’t miss live music and award-winning brews at Hard Knox Brewery.

11. Turner Valley

Turner Valley, Alberta Distillery — Turner Valley, the birthplace of Alberta’s wealth

Turner Valley, known as the birthplace of Alberta’s petroleum industry, offers a variety of exciting adventures and outdoor activities, as well as specialty shopping, great dining and cultural events. During the second world World War, the Turner Valley oilfield produced more than 95 % of all the oil in Canada. A drive along Cowboy Trail through the Turner Valley oilfield still reveals hints of the oil booms in the past.

Turner Valley is known for some of the world’s top spirits and beer products. Brauerei Fahr continues to win awards for its innovative and premium products. Its patio is open for those willing to sample.

The town is a gateway to Kananaskis and is known to inspire artists from around the world to paint the rolling foothills, bubbling streams and majestic mountains.

Bucket List Turner Valley:

Check out the extensive hiking and biking trails. Download AllTrails app for maps.
Visit the Eau Claire Distillery.
Stop in at the microbrewery Brauerei Fahr patio on Kennedy Drive.
Book a horseback ride at a local outfitter.

12. Canmore

The majestic peaks of the Three Sisters stand over the town of Canmore, an outdoor adventure hub only minutes from Banff National Park. A stroll down busy Main Street takes you past art galleries, unique stores and a fine dining scene. Canmore hosts many festivals throughout the year.

Download the Canmore Downtown Sightseeing Smartphone Audio Walking Tour to find all the attractions. Visit as many sights and attractions as you like and at your own pace.

Read more: Alberta Rocky Mountains

Bucket List Canmore:

Stroll Down 8th Street busy Main Street takes you past art galleries, unique stores and a fine dining scene.
.Walk the 3.9 km Policeman’s Creek Trail, one of the best walking trails in Canmore.
Ski or Bike at Nordic Center, Canada’s first class cross country and mountain biking center.
Hike to Grassi Lakes and get rewarded with fantastic views out over the lakes with Canmore off in the distance.
Step back in time and visit the North West Mounted Police Barracks.
Explore the Canmore museum
Go Underground at the Rat’s Nest Cave – this is cave exploring at its best. You’ll definitely get a bit dirty, but by the end of the day, you may be hooked by the experience and craving for more.

13. Bragg Creek

Western Alberta town of Bragg Creek — The western town of Bragg Creek

Bragg Creek is a fantastic place to visit, located 45 km from downtown Calgary along the Cowboy Trail, with unique stores and a special vibe. The rich history of the early settlers who first called the area home in the 1880s is still on display all over town. Oel was discovered in the area around 1913 and later gas was found.

The area later became popular as a weekend and retirement destination. In 1933, North America’s first youth hostel was established in Bragg Creek, first as a simple tent but soon a permanent structure was built. Unfortunately, after the hostel burned down it was never rebuilt. If you’re looking for a wilderness hostel nearby, try HI Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel.

Just across the river from Bragg Creek Shopping Centre lies the trailhead of the Great Canadian Trail, which connects to a trail system that spans the entire country of Canada.

14. Drumheller

Royal Tyrrell Museum Drumheller Alberta — In the mouth of T-Rex in Drumheller

The small town of Drumheller is set in mids the dramatic badlands and is part of the famous Dinosaur Trail. Its Jurassic heritage shows at every street corner with its stegosauruses on display.

The first stop is Drumheller’s Visitor Centre. You can’t miss it. It’s the base of the world’s largest dinosaur. Climb up inside the T-Rex for fantastic views of the surrounding badlands through its large jaws and shoot some superb pictures to your dino photo collection.

15. Banff

Banff National Park and train — Banff National Park, Alberta scenery

Banff is a resort town located within Banff National park with souvenir shops, nightclubs and fancy restaurants and luxurious château-style hotels. This is not exactly what nature lovers and outdoor seekers would be looking for.

At least this was my first impression when I first arrived in town. But, give it some time and you will quickly discover that Banff is not an ordinary town. It is the service centre for the park that surrounds it. But you only have to wander five minutes in either direction and you will be in wild country where you will encounter Canada’s wildlife.

Read more: Alberta Rocky Mountains

16. Jasper

No list of Alberta small towns is complete without including the popular town of Jasper. Jasper is situated in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and is the gateway to some of the most incredible outdoor attractions in Canada.

The world-famous town caters to all types of travellers. In summer venture on a hiking tour into the mountains up to pristine glacial lakes and watch Canadian wildlife in the wild. In winter, bring your skis or snowboard and head out to some of the best slopes Canada has to offer.

There is nothing quite like a stay in Jasper, but make sure you book in advance. Accommodation in town is limited and fills up pretty fast.

Read more: Alberta Rocky Mountains

17. Historic Nordegg

Historic Nordegg, Alberta welcome sign — Historic Nordegg, Alberta

Nordegg is located in the North Saskatchewan River Valley at the foothills of the beautiful Canadian Rockies, along the David Thompson Highway about 3 hours from Jasper.

Nordegg began as a coal mining operation nearly 110 years ago. It’s now the Brazeau Collieries Mine National Heritage Site that offers guided tours of the industrial coal mine site during the summer months. Significant restoration has been completed at the Nordegg mine site to keep the historic building in place. It is Canada’s largest industrial heritage site and has stood abandoned since the mid-1950s.

The plan is to develop Nordegg into Alberta’s next mountain resort community. Stop in at the popular Miners Coffee Shop located near Nordegg’s gas station. Have a look at the restored church and the restored original bank building. Read more: Canadian Rocky Mountains

Bucket List Historic Nordegg:

Don’t miss the amazing view from the impressive 220-metre Taunton Bridge west of Saunders.
Take a tour of the Brazeau Collieries Mine if available.
Check on the Rail Trail, a project in process.

18. Hinton

William A. Switzer Provincial Park, view of the lake. — William A. Switzer Provincial Park

Hinton is known as the Gateway to the Rocky Mountains and is located just 15 minutes from the northern entrance to Jasper National Park. That makes it an excellent base for alpine adventures.

21 km northeast of Hinton is William A. Switzer Provincial Park a wilderness pure. There is a Visitor Information Centre operating during the summer months where you can pick up information about the park. Hike to the Athabasca Lookout for a stunning view over the mountains or rent a canoe and paddle the chain of five small lakes within the park.

Watch out for wildlife. The park is home to wolves, bears, cougars, moose, deer and elk. Read more: Alberta Rocky Mountains

Hinton Highlights:

Explore the Beaver Boardwalk, one of Canada’s longest freshwater boardwalks and watch beavers at work. Download the AllTrail app for maps and directions.
Spend time at the world-class facility at the Hinton Nordic Centre for some outdoor sports.
Visit William A. Switzer Provincial Park,, an undisturbed wildland where adventure awaits.

19. Grand Cache

Grand Central Station Alberta — Grand Central Station, time to gas up

Grande Cache was originally on the fur trade route of the early 1800s. Today, it’s on the tourist trail and has lots to offer. It’s a bit out of the way, situated on the famous Alberta Highway 40 approximately 145 kilometres northwest of Hinton and 435 kilometres west of Edmonton.

Staying in Grande Cache will give you access to many special places including the Sulphur Gates Provincial Recreation Area, Grande Cache Lakes Beach, the Crack of Doom (a huge crack in a rock left over from the last ice age), and a great Historical Drive Tour.

Pick up a brochure and directions for a Historical Drive Tour you don’t want to miss. It starts at the Tourist Information Center and it takes you along the nine stops on this historic and natural sites route.

Grand Cache region is an excellent place for outdoor fun and hiking with many trails to choose from. It is also the jump-off point for Wilmore Wilderness Park. Download the AllTrail app for maps and directions.

Read more: Alberta Rocky Mountains

Bucket List Grande Cache:

Stop in at the Visitor Centre for a brochure and head on the Historical Drive Tour.
Visit Grande Cache Lake recreation area just 5 km out of town for a picnic on the beach.
Sulphur Gates Provincial Recreation Area,12 km southwest of Grande Cache is another place that calls for wilderness adventures and offers camping.
Venture out to Twin Falls, a 3 km round trip.
Head out to Crack of Coom, the unique split rock which is a huge erratic leftover from the glacial period.
Hike to Muskeg Falls, a fairly short walk to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the region.

TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources? Book Your Flight Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on KAJAK or Momondo. Save money on airfare by searching for cheap flight tickets with these two search engines. Book Your Accommodation Book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you are planning to stay at other accommodation, use Booking.com as it offers the cheapest prices for guesthouses and hotels. Travel Insurance Don’t forget Travel Insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It gives you protection in case anything goes wrong. My favourite company that offers the best service and value is Safety Wing. Get Your Travel Visas Get your Travel Visa hassle-free with iVisa. Apply directly online with their simplified application process and personal assistance. They also offer a passport renewal service. Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Jump over to Travel Resource Page where I highlight all the great companies that I trust when I travel. Need New Camping or Travel Gear, Maps, or Outdoor Clothes? Check out Backcountry Store for the best companies.

Winter Camping In BC, Ken’s Story and Tips

January 20, 2023 7:24 pm 2 Comments

Kens, winter camp in the Nicola River Valley, British Columbia

Winter camping in a tent is something I haven’t experienced yet. Therefore Camper Ken is going to share his winter camping story with us and a few tips for staying safe.

Winter Camping in BC – Camper Ken’s Story

Summer, Thanksgiving and Halloween are over. My days of trolling the lake for Rainbow are numbered. Temperatures are dropping and every morning there is more ice covering the lake. So why am I still here in a 9’ x 12’ canvas army tent while my winterized 4×4 truck and camper sit in a driveway on the Coast? Well …

Arriving in camp

I arrived in the Nicola River Valley for the first time outfitted for a long weekend in the middle of summer. I brought shorts, T-shirts, Cooler, Tent, a Fishing pole, and an Inflatable Boat, all the gear that fits inside a V6 short box truck. Betsy, the V8 gas-guzzling full-size camper was left at home to sulk.

Well … I never went home! I spent the next five months, until Christmas, living off grid at five different lakes while my pension cheques covered expenses.

Arriving at camp outfitted for summer — *Arriving at my first campsite of the season in the Nicola River Valley on July 15*

I fell in love with the area and contemplated calling it my new home. Ok … summers are fantastic but what about the winter? Asking locals about the winter weather, I didn’t get the same answer twice. Well, I’ll just have to experience it firsthand to know for sure.

I’m a problem, no problem, solution kind of guy, a MacGyver of sorts. How to stay warm and dry in a canvas tent when it’s winter? How cold does it get anyways?

The dreaded freezing temperatures

During a cold snap in early December, my weather station at the top of the flag pole recorded -30°C, (-40°C with a 10 km wind chill). No problemo. It’s not like it’s never been done before. Gold prospectors in the early 1900s stayed in canvas tents and lived to tell about it … well at least most of them.

*Flag pole weather station readings – Orange – humidity % and temperature °C. Green – Outdoor. White – Calculated wind chill factor. December 2nd.*

Dry = Warm. With the dry snow of the Interior, I figured I had a fighting chance. Not like the “Pacific Cement” snow on the “Wet Coast”. The same principles as proper clothing apply. An insulation layer on the inside of the tent and a breathable, waterproof, windproof layer on the outside.

Winterizing my tent

While listening to the only FM radio station, Q101 Merritt, a commercial for the local Purity Feeds set my winterizing plan in motion.

Two $13, 40-pound bales of hay from Purity Feeds farm supply.
Two $12, 10’ x 20’ tarps from Fields Department Store (one of the few left in Canada).
A roll of 4’ wide 1/8” thick foil-bubble-bubble-foil insulation at $2.25/ft from Bryant at Home Hardware.

The 3-4 inch sandwich of hay insulation between the two tarps over the frozen ground worked amazingly well. The oversized tarps sealed off the drafts where the tent wall meets the ground, a floorless tent.

Xmas nativity scene – Moved into the barn to be closer to the animals, December 11

How to keep warm

At 100 square feet, no problem keeping the new insulated tent warm with a Mr. Heater Big Buddy propane heater on low (9,000 BTU). On high it puts out 30,000 BTU, typical of a mid-size backyard BBQ. I rarely need to use anything more than low. I never run the heater, just the pilot light, during sleep for safety reasons.

On really cold nights I’ll sleep in four-hour shifts so I can bring the tent back up to temperature in between. The heater has a built-in oxygen sensor that will shut off if the air quality becomes unsafe. The canvas tent is much more breathable than a nylon tent and still blocks the wind.

People think I’m absolutely crazy Winter Camping in a tent! No … I’m just properly outfitted. There’s a reason the Scout motto is “Be Prepared”.

4″ wide 1/8″ thick “rFoil” bubble-bubble-foil insulation on the tent roof

Camping tips for -12°C temperatures

Wrapping toilet paper around your palms increases the R-valve of your favourite gloves and still leaves dexterity for your fingers.
Include these items under the covers; lighter, phone, gloves, socks, and slippers. Bring some reading material as you’re likely to stay under the covers well after sunrise.
You can make ice cream by pouring a bit of 18 % coffee cream in the bottom of a takeout cup the night before.
Keep a 10″ spike handy to break the top layer of ice in the water bucket to brew your morning coffee. A spike makes an excellent stir stick when making ice cream. Preheat the spike with a lighter to get things started.
Donuts make excellent hokey pucks if you’re needing to practice your slapshot.
You now qualify for a Scouting winter camping BC badge.

It's important to keep the water hole open in winter for fresh water supply — *It’s important to keep the water hole open on the frozen lake for a freshwater supply*.

Survival Essentials

Mindset /Attitude – This is the number one, and the most important factor for an extreme adventure like winter camping in BC.
Clothing and Shelter – Being properly prepared with the proper clothing and shelter is dependent on the worst case weather. Bottom line, Dry = Warm. I pay special attention to my fingers and toes, if they’re warm, I’m warm. My favourite layer is a feather vest.
Gear / Tools – The basics, lighter, knife and hatchet, tarp, rope, and cord. Disposable, non-adjustable “BIC” butane lighters are the most reliable. I can’t recommend the Gerber Backcountry Tool Kits enough (Essentials or Pro) nothing compares. Hand Axe (knife in handle), Machete, Folding Pocket Knife. The other most used tool in camp, a pair of 10″ slip joint pliers, uses are too many to list.
Heat – I could write a book about it. It’s far more involved than I ever imagined to become a ninja-level master of the flame. You can’t beat free, dry heat, forest wood for fuel. The convenience of a set-and-forget propane heater/stove has its place. Barbeque coals/briquettes are a convenient fuel to bring in a dry bag.
Fire starter – Next time you’re doing a load of cotton sheets or jeans in the dryer, collect the lint in a cardboard toilet paper tube. Mix Kerosene (Citronella lamp oil) and organic material like dried cow chips or tree bark in a tin can. Pulverize it with a stick, and let it soak overnight. A woodsman will scrape dried yellow Sap/Pitch/Amber from a wound on a tree trunk, it smells like fuel, it’s waterproof and you can light it with a match. Find strike-anywhere (not safety) wooden matches, dip the heads in candle wax, waterproof.
Safety – The most common injuries in camp are cuts and burns. Know how to use an axe and split wood. The most dangerous thing in camp is vaporized fuel, Propane, Butane, Gasoline, and Naphtha/White Gas (Colman Camp Fuel). These fuels mixed with air cause an explosion/burn of the vapour in the air. You’re looking for trouble (an explosion) if you use gasoline as a fire starter. Use Kerosene, a lot safer AND more effective. Kerosene does not evaporate into the air very quickly. It burns on the surface of the wood, where you want it. If you want something small and handy in your packsack, a small can of Yellow ABS solvent used to glue plastic plumbing pipe will evaporate very slowly and surface burn.
First Aid Kit – The original bushman’s first aid kit, a roll of toilet paper and black vinyl electrical tape. It works better than any bandage I’ve tried.

*An evening walk at dusk across the frozen lake* to the latest water hole.

Winter Camping in BC, why it is worth it

I have a multi-acre living room that comes with a jaw-dropping light show most evenings at dust, followed by the Milky Way, clearly visible without city light pollution.

My fishing boat is 30 feet away ready to jump in when I see the fish start to surface. I’m a huge audio/music fan. Out here, I can blast my tunes as loud as I want whenever I want as I’m the only camper around. I sleep like a log, with fresh air, exercise, and dead silence. No traffic, police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, or reversing garbage trucks.

Everything I do in camp is to improve my living conditions and independence from the machine called “normal” society. I work for me, myself and I, and have a great boss.

I’m a lean muscle machine, constantly moving and exerting energy, no gym is required. Free, non polluting, solar/wind powered living off grid. No debt, no credit card, no worries. Surrounded by nature and wildlife I’m in total harmony with Mother Earth.

About Ken

Camper Ken is a retired industrial controls engineer from Vancouver, BC, Canada. He is an avid woodsman, fisherman, MacGyver, music lover, electronics geek, and all-around good guy.

Contact: CamperKenBC at gmail.com

Recommended Maps: Backcoad Maps for British Columbia

A good place to buy your gear: MEC Mountain Equipment Company

TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources? Book Your Flight Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on KAJAK or Momondo. Save money on airfare by searching for cheap flight tickets with these two search engines. Book Your Accommodation Book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you are planning to stay at other accommodation, use Booking.com as it offers the cheapest prices for guesthouses and hotels. Travel Insurance Don’t forget Travel Insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It gives you protection in case anything goes wrong. My favourite company that offers the best service and value is Safety Wing. Get Your Travel Visas Get your Travel Visa hassle-free with iVisa. Apply directly online with their simplified application process and personal assistance. They also offer a passport renewal service. Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Jump over to Travel Resource Page where I highlight all the great companies that I trust when I travel. Need New Camping or Travel Gear, Maps, or Outdoor Clothes? Check out Backcountry Store for the best companies.

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16 Best Towns and Places in Yukon

January 5, 2023 2:43 pm Leave a Comment

Yukon Territory is a thinly populated wilderness, home to Canada’s tallest mountains and the world’s largest ice fields below the Arctic. It’s the place where animals outnumber humans. Tiny towns, villages, and unique places in Yukon are scattered across the land, but they are wide and far apart.

Yukon residents have inhabited these regions for generations and many of Yukon’s communities have a majority of Aboriginal populations. Locals are welcoming to tourists and like to share their traditions.

Best Towns and Places In Yukon To Visit

Facts about towns and places in Yukon

There are long distances between towns in Yukon Territory but most communities can be reached by road all year round. Many roads and highways are gravel. Therefore, make sure your car and tires are up to traversing the Yukon roads. Please do your research and be prepared before heading out. Read more: Road Trip Planner for the Wilderness

Towns and places in Yukon are so different from the rest of Canada. I’m sure that it has to do with the Northern people that make visiting the Yukon towns and places so special.

Old Crow is another tiny place in Yukon that should be included on this list. You need to fly or charter a boat to get to Old Crow during summer, so I have not visited it yet. Once I do, I will add Old Crow to this list.

16 Best Towns and Places In Yukon To Visit

1. Dawson City

Dawson City just has to be on top of my list. If you haven’t been to Dawson yet then of course you have no idea what you have missed. When you first arrive it is like stepping into another world. A world that has gone by a long time ago. Still, in Dawson City, the Klondike theme is fully alive today.

As you wander the dusty streets of Dawson, keep your eyes peeled. You might run into your favourite Gold Rush star you watched on the Discovery Channel. Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush TV show is filmed in the Klondike.

There is plenty to do and see in Dawson City and the surrounding area.

Bucket List Dawson City:

Take a self-guided tour of Dawson and its historic sites.
Check out my Dawson City Travel Guide for more.

Access: Via North Klondike Highway

2. Tombstone Territorial Park

Tombstone Territorial Park Yukon — Tombstone Territorial Park on the Dempster Highway

Tombstone Territorial Park is a magical wilderness wonderland of rugged peaks and Arctic Tundra. If you make the effort of getting there and do some hiking, this place will stick in your memory forever.

When driving the Dempster, plan at least an overnight stop at the park. If you are skipping the Dempster Highway to Inuvik, take a drive to Tombstone when you’re in Dawson City. You not only will discover an amazing place, but you also will get a taste of driving the iconic Dempster.

Bucket list Tombstone:

Pull into Tombstone Interpretive Center for maps, permits, and info.
Stay at the Tombstone Mountain Campground.
Enjoy the short hikes near the campground or head out for a longer trek in the area.

Access: Via Dempster Highway

3. Mayo

On the Stewart River near Mayo — We started in Mayo and spent the day on the Stewart River

Mayo is a small town on the Silver Trail and Stewart River and is known as the coldest and hottest spot in Yukon.

It’s a special place where I got to experience the local hospitality firsthand and got to spend a great day on River. During that trip, one of many highlights was the sight of a mother bear with two cubs swimming to shore. No good picture to brag about it, unfortunately.

Definitely visit the Binet House and Interpretive Centre for information on local history.

4. Keno City

Keno City best towns in Yukon to visit — Keno City is one of the best old Frontier Towns in Yukon to visit

You will reach Keno City, a weathered collection of wooden buildings at the remote end of The Silver Trail. Keno City is the smallest community in the Yukon but has one of the most colourful histories. I visited this magical place a few times already and I want to go back.

Bucket List Keno City:

Visit the Mining Museum.
Meet Mike Mancini at Keno’s famed Snackbar.
Drive up to Keno Hill Signpost.
Hike up Sourdough Mountain.

Access: Via The Silver Trail

5. Pelly Crossing

Big Johnathan House Pelly Crossing Yukon — Big Johnathan House at Pelly Crossing

Pelly Crossing became a settlement when the Klondike Highway was built in 1950. A ferry transported people and vehicles across the Pelly River, where the road eventually continued to Dawson City.

The Heritage Center at Pelly Crossing is housed in a replica of Fort Selkirk’s Big Jonathan House. The Centre has a permanent exhibition of works by local artists, as well as locally made beaded clothing, birch bark baskets, traditional baby bunting bag, tools, and more.

Pelly Crossing is a friendly Northern Community and the Selkirk First Nation people are happy to see tourists stopping by. They also have one of the best free campgrounds where I have stopped many times.

6. Carmacks

Carmacks. list small towns Yukon — Welcome to Carmacks

The small village of Carmacks is the home of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation. The river town is named for George Washington Carmack, credited with the Bonanza Creek strike that triggered the famous Klondike gold rush.

Pick up a walking tour brochure at the Carmacks Visitor Centre, located at the Old Telegraph Office, or download here. The Telegraph Office also contains a mini-museum and a display of area geology.

7. Faro

Welcome to Faro, small town in Yukon to visit — Welcome to Faro, Yukon

Faro, on the Pelly River, is one of the two settlements along the Campbell Highway. You will find yourself deep into Yukon’s wild landscape on the way there. Faro once was the Yukon’s largest mining community.

Today, Faro is a delightful friendly community that makes a genuine effort to make visitors feel welcome.

Upon arrival, stop in at the beautiful Visitor and Interpretive Centre, meet the friendly staff and pick up information about the area.

Read more: Robert Campbell Highway Route

Bucket List:

Stop in at the visitor and Interpretive Centre, where you also have WiFi access.
Go and explore the great hiking trails.

Access: Via Robert Campbell Highway 4

8. Ross River

Places in Yukon- Ross River Ferry — Ferry access to North Canol Road and historic Suspension Bridge

Ross River, where one of the Hudson’s Bay trading posts was established in the 1840s, is another small community on the Campbell Highway wilderness route.

With the building of the Canol pipeline service road in WWII and the completion of the Robert Campbell in 1843 Ross River was linked to the rest of the Territory by road.

It’s an interesting small town to explore. Definitely head down to Pelly River to walk across the longest Suspension Bridge in the Yukon (182 m) that takes you to North Canol Road.

On the way to Ross River you will pass deepwater lakes, mountain views, and roadside streams full of Arctic grayling.

9. Watson Lake

Watson Lake, famous for the Signpost Forest

Watson Lake is a typical road town, long and narrow, spread out along the Alaska Highway. The town came into life as a staging area for the construction of the Alaska Highway in 1943.

Wander around the famous Watson Lake Signpost Forest and search for a sign of home town or country. Watson Bay is also the perfect base for exploring the backcountry beyond the town. It’s also a good place to stock up on supplies before heading out on the Campbell Highway route.

Bucker List Watson Lake:

Don’t miss a visit to the Northern Lights Centre.
Walk the trail at Wye Lake Park.
If you are in town in July, stay for the annual Watson Lake rodeo.

Access: Via Alaska Highway

10. Teslin

Teslin, one of best towns in Yukon to visit — Welcome to the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre

The village of Teslin is the home to the Tlingit First Nation, one of the largest places in Yukon Territory. Many here still add to their livelihood by trapping, fishing, and hunting, as well as through woodworking crafts, such as canoes, snowshoes, and sleds.

Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre features exhibits of Tlingit art, traditional demonstrations, and workshops.

Stop in at the George Johnston Museum to learn about John Johnston, whom the museum was named after, and about the area’s history.

11. Carcross

This tiny town is a place you don’t want to miss. It’s a place full of First Nation and gold rush history taking you back in time.

Check out the Railway Station built in 1910. The Cariboo Hotel is one of the oldest buildings in the Southern Lake Region. Stop in at the Matthew Watson General Store. There is so much to see and do in this unique small Yukon town.

Bucket List Carcross:

Take a walking tour of the town.
Visit the old cemetery.
Ride the historic White Pass and Yukon Route Railway to Skagway, Alaska.
Plan to trek the famed Chilcoot Trail.

Access: South on the Klondike Highway 2

12. Carcross Sand Dunes

Carcross, Desert, known as the world’s smallest desert is a must-stop. Here you can climb sand dunes surrounded by majestic mountains. The sand dunes are leftovers from a glacial lake, but the climate is too humid for it to be an ‘official’ desert.

Bucket List Carcross Sand Dunes:

Walk up the hill, enjoy walking through the fine sand and enjoy the amazing views.

Access: South on the Klondike Highway 2

13. Whitehorse

SS-Klondike-Whitehorse-Yukon — Taking a tour of SS-Klondike in Whitehorse

Located on the shores of the Yukon River, Whitehorse was once a sleepy village of 500. Not anymore. Today, as Yukon’s capital city, it is a fascinating place with a mixture of modern and pioneer spirit. There is plenty to do here. Stay a few days in Whitehorse and get to know its unique northern character and appeal.

14. Haines Junction

Haines Junction church small towns Yukon — At Haines Junction the churches are unique

The highway community of Haines Junction is nestled at the base of the St. Elias Mountains, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and amazing landscapes. Home to approximately 800 residents, “the Junktion” offers a wilderness adventure playground right in its backyard.

Here you find restaurants and accommodations, guides and a large selection of tours, and whatever other services you need. The huge Kluane Park Visitor Reception Centre is open all year round and its staff can supply you with heaps of information.

Bucket List Haines Junction:

Stop in at the Kluane Park Visitor Centre.
Visit the uniquely designed Roman Catholic Church and Anglican Church made of logs.
Visit the famous Bakery.
Take a day-trip hiking excursion.
Rafting, canoeing, glacier flights, hunting, and fishing, that’s the place to do it.

15. Kluane National Park and Reserve

Kluane National Park Yukon — The magic of Kluane National Park and Reserve

Kluane National Park and Reserve in the southwestern corner of the Yukon Territory contains Mt. Logan (5959 m/19,545 ft), Canada’s highest peak. Kluane is joined by Wrangell-St. Elias, Glacier Bay, and Tatshenshini, the parks that make up this World Heritage Site. Here you also find some of North America’s finest wildlife population.

Hiking is Kluane’s most popular activity. Opportunities range from short strolls to multi-day route-finding adventures. Whether you get out for an hour, a day, or a week, there is much to explore in Kluane.

Trailheads can be difficult to get to without a vehicle since there is no public transportation.

16. Burwash Landing

Canadian Moose - Yukon Canada — Yukon has an abundance of wildlife

One of the oldest settlements in the Yukon, Burwash Landing is now home to the Kluane First Nation a Southern Tutchone people who have lived in the Kluane area for countless generations. Before the Jacquot brothers built a trading post in the early 1900s, the current site of Burwash Landing was a traditional summer camp location for the First Nation people.

Following the construction of the Alaska Highway, Burwash became the administrative centre for the Kluane First Nation.

TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources? Book Your Flight Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on KAJAK or Momondo. Save money on airfare by searching for cheap flight tickets with these two search engines. Book Your Accommodation Book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you are planning to stay at other accommodation, use Booking.com as it offers the cheapest prices for guesthouses and hotels. Travel Insurance Don’t forget Travel Insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It gives you protection in case anything goes wrong. My favourite company that offers the best service and value is Safety Wing. Get Your Travel Visas Get your Travel Visa hassle-free with iVisa. Apply directly online with their simplified application process and personal assistance. They also offer a passport renewal service. Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Jump over to Travel Resource Page where I highlight all the great companies that I trust when I travel. Need New Camping or Travel Gear, Maps, or Outdoor Clothes? Check out Backcountry Store for the best companies.

17 Best Towns in Northwest Territories

December 23, 2022 6:38 pm 2 Comments

You will connect with something much bigger than yourself when you make the journey to the Northwest Territories. It was an authentic, life-changing experience for me. Visiting the tiny towns in Northwest Territories teaches you awareness of the beauty as well as the struggles of people living up there.

Getting to these small communities is half of the adventure. In summer, free ferries take drivers across unbridged rivers. A handful of the towns in Northwest Territories on my list are all-season road-accessible. Others can only be reached by ice road in winter, or year-round by air.

During fall freeze-up and spring break up these ferries do not run preventing overland access. In winter, ice roads give you access to most of Northwest Territories’ small towns.

I am planning to visit the small towns in Northwest Territories, the wonderful northern people, the vast land of waterfalls, and wild wonders again pretty soon.

I was always the first one in line to witness the wonders of the North, and most times I was the only one on the road. It felt like having the whole world for myself.

Best towns in Northwest Territories

Facts about small towns in Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories is home to a small population but a great many people, Dene, Metis, and Inuvialuit have lived here for thousands of years. The territory consists of a number of self-governing First Nations and more official languages than most countries have.

Coral Falls Northwest Territories — Coral Falls – Waterfalls Route NWT

Northwest Territories is the land of the midnight sun with dense boreal forests and wild open Barrenlands. It’s where herds of bison belong to the landscape. It’s the land where ice roads connect communities during winter, and where wild, rushing rivers reach into every corner of the land.

17 Best Towns In Northwest Territories to visit

1. Tsiigehtchic

Tsiigehtchic, small towns in Northwest Territories — Tsiigehtchic – Dempster Highway route

The name of this little town in Northwest Territory is translated to “Mouth of the Iron River” and has a population of just below 200.

Located on top of a bluff at the confluence of the MacKenzie and Arctic Red Rivers, you can stroll this Gwich’in community’s river bank, and hike a network of local trails. It’s a great stopover for Dempster road-trippers.

Bucket List Tsiigehtchic:

Have a picnic at the community’s picturesque 80-year-old church and enjoy the sweeping river views.
Enjoy the adventure to get here.

Access: Via the Dempster, with a ferry in summer and an ice bridge in winter

2. Fort McPherson

Dempster - Lost Patrol — Fort McPherson’s and Lost Patrol – Dempster Highway route

This friendly Gwich’in hamlet on the Peel River is the first you will encounter when driving up the Dempster.

The town with a population of approximately 790 people is located in the Mackenzie Delta and is home to the Telit Gwich’in people.

McPherson is famous for their Tent and Canvas Shop, a source of heavy-duty trapper’s tents. I ordered a trapper tent from them, long before I visited the small town in NWT and knew where this place was.

Here you also find the graves of the four Mounties who died on the Lost Patrol from Fort McPherson to Dawson City in the winter of 1911.

Bucket List Fort McPherson:

Visit McPherson’s world-famous Tent and Canvas Shop.
Visit the graves of the tragic Lost Patrol of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police.
Check out the Midway Lake Music Festival in August.

Read the true story about the Lost Patrol:

THE LAST PATROL by Keith Billington

Access: By road on the Dempster Highway

3. Inuvik

Inuvik - Igloo church - small towns NWT — Igloo Church Our Lady of Victory in Inuvik, Dempster Highway route

Inuvik is an Inuvialuktun word and means “place of man”. Built in the 1950s as an administrative centre in the Western Arctic, it is currently Canada’s largest town above the Arctic Circle, with a population of approximately 3,500.

Today, Inuvik is the Western Arctic’s cosmopolitan hub with hotels, restaurants, galleries, and a variety of tour providers. The Igloo Church is the landmark of Inuvik and it’s definitely worth having a glimpse inside and looking at the paintings by local Inuvialuit artist Mona Thrasher.

Behind the church is the Inuvik Community Greenhouse, the northernmost greenhouse in North America.

Bucket List Inuvik:

Drop in at the friendly Western Arctic Visitor Centre.
Visit the famed Igloo Church.
Take a tour of the Community Greenhouse.

Access: Via the Dempster or flights from Yellowknife or Whitehorse

4. Tuktoyaktuk

Welcome to Tuktoyaktuk, unique towns in Northwest Territories — Welcome to Tuktoyaktuk, the end of the road at the Arctic Ocean

When you get here, you made it to the end of the road, to the end of the continent. Take a dip in the Arctic Ocean, you deserve it.

With a population of approximately 980, Tuktoyaktuk is the biggest town in Northwest Territories above the treeline. “Tuk” overlooks the Arctic Ocean.

Tuk has a long history as a traditional whaling town. Since ancient times, the Inuvialuit have lived on the shores of the Arctic Ocean and established the permanent settlement at Tuktoyaktuk in 1905.

Over the years this small town in the NWT has served Inuvialuit as a base for caribou and beluga hunting. Tuk was also used as a DEW Line radar site and has been a centre for oil and gas exploration.

Bucket List Tuktoyaktuk:

Take a tour of Ibyuk, the world’s second-largest pingo.
Check out Our Lady of Lourdes Schooner.
Take part in the Beluga Jamboree in April.
Stay for the Land of the Pingos music festival in July.

Access: By road, year-round from Inuvik

5. Fort Liard

Fort Liard NWT — The small community of Fort Liard- on the Liard Route

Fort Liard is located off the Liard Trail, some 30 km north of the NWT-BC border, and is home to approximately 600 people. The local Dene have lived in the area for as long as 10,000 years, hunting, fishing, and trapping.

This riverfront small town in Northwest Territories is known as the tropics of the North, enjoying a mild climate and great vegetation, and is visited regularly by herds of bison.

6. Nahanni Butt

Nahanni Butt winter road in small towns in Northwest Territories — Nahanni Butte, winter road only

This small town in Northwest Territories is named for the impressive mountain guarding it. The Dene community of approximately 99 is situated where the Nahanni River joins the Liard.

Nahanni Butte is a common stop for paddlers and offers awesome hiking to the top of the butte.

7. Fort Simpson

Heritage Trail Mackenzie and Liard Rivers — Heritage Trail at Fort Simpson

This beautiful and historic Northwest Territories town with a population of approximately 1300 is located at the confluence of the massive Liard River and the even bigger Mackenzie. This area has been inhabited for nine thousand years by the Slavey peoples and their ancestors.

Most of the town’s resources are on the main drag, 100th Street.

There are riverside heritage sites to explore, like the old Hudson’s Bay Company post and an area known as the Flat or the Papal grounds.

Fort Simpson is also the jump-off point for visitors to the Nahanni National Park and Reserve and the surrounding mountains.

8. Wrigley

The road to Wrigley NWT town — The road to Wrigley, one of the remote towns in NWT

Driving all the way to Wrigley, the northernmost point of Mackenzie Highway will take you to the Dene community of approximately 200 people. This is a scenic two-hour drive north of Fort Simpson.

The little town sits on a big bluff overlooking the Mackenzie River. In the distance, the Franklin Mountains are calling to the adventurous.

Wrigley was relocated to its present spot in 1965 for easier access. The traditional Slavey lifestyle of trapping, hunting, and fishing is still practiced here.

9. Jean Marie River

Along the Frontier Trails NWT — Along the Frontier Trail

Pull into this tiny community of approximately 90 people on the Mackenzie River’s south shore. Jean Marie River got its start in 1915 as a trading post, strategically located on the flats where Jean Marie meets Mackenzie.

10. Fort Providence

Small towns in NWT Fort Providence — Fort Providence on the way to Yellowknife

Fort Providence with a population of 719 is stretching along a high bank overlooking the Mackenzie River. This historic Dene community in Northwest Territories is an essential stop for road trippers, with a gas bar and lodging.

Fort Providence has a beautiful quiet campground on the riverfront, top-notch fishing, and special crafts like porcupine quill work.

Bucket List Fort Providence:

Look out for some hulking bison, which ramble the dusty streets and graze in local yards.
Take a walk along the shoreline.

Access: By road

11. Kakisa

Kakisa Hamlet small town in Northwest Territories — Kakisa on the waterfall route

This small, traditional Dene settlement of log cabins between trees is nestled beside beautiful Kakisa Lake. The small village is just a short distance from Lady Evelyn Falls which is the place for camping, fishing, paddling, and sightseeing opportunities.

12. Hay River

Hay River beach Northwest Territories Canada — Hay River beach on Great Slave Lake

Hay River, situated on the south shore of Great Slave Lake is NWT’s second-largest town with a population of approximately 3,820. The town is known as the “Hub” because it’s the terminus of Canada’s northernmost railway, a launch point for Actic-bound barges, and a key commercial fishing port.

Here you can enjoy Northwest Territories’ best beaches 24 hours a day for weeks during the summer months.

Hay River has a variety of accommodation options, restaurants, and shops as well as a Territorial Campground and a friendly Visitor Centre.

13. Enterprise

Louise Falls, Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park NWT — Louise Falls, Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park near Enterprise

Enterprise is located along the Hay River Canyon at the junction of Highways 1 and 2, just an hour north of the Alberta border. This small town of approximately 110 people is within hiking distance of Louise and Alexandra Falls.

14. Fort Resolution

Fort Res town in Northwest Territories — Fort Resolution, a beautiful town in Northwest Territories

Fort Resolution is a small town in Northwest Territories where the Slave River washes into Great Slave Lake and it has a population of approximately 570 people. This beautiful Chipewyan and Metis hamlet is the oldest in the Northwest Territories. It was founded when the Hudson Bay Company began trading furs here in the the1780s. Trapping remains a key local industry, along with commercial fishing and timber harvesting.

A walk to Mission Island is a must. Fort Res is another one of the small towns in Northwest Territories where you find friendly locals who love sharing their stories.

15. Fort Smith

White pelicans Fort Smith NT — White pelicans, Fort Smith NWT

Fort Smith is another one of my favourite towns in the Northwest Territories I visited and have fond memories of. This frontier town once was one of the main entry point into the Northwest Territories. All the northbound river travellers passed through while portaging the Slave River Rapids.

Today, travellers arrive by road to tour Wood Buffalo National Park, a heaven for outdoors enthusiasts. Paddle in the Slave’s foaming whitewater and walk or cycle the riverfront Thebacha Trail.

Bucket List Fort Smith:

Visit the Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre.
Watch the pelicans at the whitewater rapids near town.
Have a picnic at Fort Smith Mission Territorial Park.
Enjoy great coffee at Rusty Raven Coffee Shop.
Gateway to Wood Buffalo National Park.
Stay up for the Northern Lights.

Access: By road, direct flights from Yellowknife, Edmonton

16. Behchoko

The territory’s largest Dene community on the way to Yellowknife with a population of approximately 2,150 occupies the two sites Edzo and Rae situated along Frank Channel. The town of Edzo was supposed to replace the more traditional community of Rae, on the shores of Marian Lake, but most residents refused to leave. The history of this is reason enough to add it to the list as one of the towns in Northwest Territories to visit.

Behchoko is a gateway to Great Slave Lake’s many islands on the North Arm.

Behchoko Bucket List:

Stop at the Tljcho Store to pick up an exquisite pair of moccasins.

Access: By road

17. Yellowknife

Yellowknife old town Northwest Territories — Yellowknife, old town

Over half of the Northwest Territories population lives in Yellowknife, which is the territory’s capital city. Here you meet Yellowknife’s Dene, Metis, and Inuit from the High Arctic and a blend of people from the rest of the world.

With droning bush planes and picturesque houseboats at Yellowknife’s Old Town, you will detect an old frontier spirit. It’s like being in a different world, far away from the rest, surrounded by wilderness.

Like the rest of the northern country, Yellowknife has an interesting First Nation history and was part of the gold rush era.

Read more:

Bucket list Yellowknife:

Visit the Old Town with funky cabins, floating homes, and bush planes.
Book a free tour at the Legislative Assembly.
Visit the NWT Diamond Centre.
Hike one of Yellowknife’s beautiful trails.
Best place in the world to view northern lights.
Take a drive along the Ingrahm Trail and explore the Provincial Parks.
Hit the ice road and drive out to Dettah if you are visiting in winter.

Access: Road, direct flights from Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Whitehorse.

Let me know in the comments whether you have visited additional towns in Northwest Territories that should go on this list.

TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources? Book Your Flight Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on KAJAK or Momondo. Save money on airfare by searching for cheap flight tickets with these two search engines. Book Your Accommodation Book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you are planning to stay at other accommodation, use Booking.com as it offers the cheapest prices for guesthouses and hotels. Travel Insurance Don’t forget Travel Insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It gives you protection in case anything goes wrong. My favourite company that offers the best service and value is Safety Wing. Get Your Travel Visas Get your Travel Visa hassle-free with iVisa. Apply directly online with their simplified application process and personal assistance. They also offer a passport renewal service. Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Jump over to Travel Resource Page where I highlight all the great companies that I trust when I travel. Need New Camping or Travel Gear, Maps, or Outdoor Clothes? Check out Backcountry Store for the best companies.

25 Best Small Towns In BC To Visit

December 12, 2022 6:02 pm 6 Comments

How many times have you driven through small towns in BC on your way to ‘somewhere’, only to find out later that you missed something interesting or special? That sure can be disappointing, especially if you’re unlikely to visit that area again. Hopefully, my collection of small towns in BC will get you to stop next time you drive through one of the towns.

I’m on the road a lot in my home province of British Columbia and I have visited many more small towns in BC than the ones mentioned here. This made it a real challenge to choose the most unique small towns in British Columbia to add to my list.

Here you have it, my selection of 25 unique small towns in BC to visit with a short overview and reasons why you should visit them.

Many other small towns in British Columbia are worth a visit. Some are located close to the ones I mentioned. Don’t miss out, stop at all places along the way and you will be surprised by what you will find.

In this selection, I included mostly small towns in British Columbia that are not on the official tourist routes. Some of the places will be out of the way. Please do your research and be prepared before heading out. Read more: Road Trip Planner for the Wilderness

Unique Small Towns In BC

Facts About Small Towns In British Columbia

British Columbia is the third largest and most westerly province in Canada. It is larger than France and Germany combined, or almost four times the size of Great Britain. The length of BC’s coastline is over 27,000 km.

That of course means that the 25 small towns to visit in BC can’t be achieved during a two-week vacation. Start with getting to know one region at a time and you will discover many unique towns you never knew existed.

25 Unique Small Towns In BC To Visit

1. Lumby BC

Lumby, one of my favourite small towns in BC to visit — Lumby in the North Okanagan, displaying its logging history

Lumby was my hometown for twenty-plus years and deserves to be the first one on my list. This unique small country town was a Canadian adventure destination for many, while I operated Silver Spur Trails Wilderness Guest Ranch in the Mabel Lake Valley.

Lumby is the getaway to the Monashee and the region is a hiker’s paradise with over 100 nearby trails. The many lakes invite you to fish, swim and enjoy watersports. It is easy to spot wildlife in the surrounding backcountry.

Don’t just rush through this unique BC town. A drive out to Mabel Lake Provincial Park and Echo Lake is a must to get a taste of what this special place is all about. What about wilderness camping at one of the forestry campgrounds for a night?

2. Silverton

Silverton, Kootenay small town in BC to visit — The town of Silverton in the West-Kootenay

Silverton, a tiny gem on the east shore of Slogan lake, 5 km south of New Denver is a great small town in BC for a relaxing break. The area was first settled in 1892 by the arrival of lead and silver miners working the south face of Idaho Mountain.

With a population of nearly 195 people, Silverton is British Columbia’s second smallest municipality. As you can guess it’s hard to get lost in this little town! Silverton has a lakeshore campground with a boat launch if you decide to spend a night.

3. New Denver

Denver West-Kootenay cool town to visit in BC — The town of New Denver in West-Kootenay

The small BC town of Denver, and other surrounding communities, are where hundreds of Canadians of Japanese heritage were brought during the Second World War. The Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre in New Denver is the only interpretive centre in Canada dedicated to the history of this tragic story.

New Denver had a number of abandoned houses from the boom times, but many more small dwellings were built to house the 2,000 men, women, and children of Japanese origins. Some of these tiny houses still exist today.

4. Sandon

Ghost Town of Sandon unique small town in British Columbia — Old Ghost Town of Sandon, West-Kootenay

Don’t miss out on a detour to Sandon, one of the best small towns to visit in BC.

If you’re a history buff, interested in abandoned buildings and old artifacts, old the ghost town of Sandon in British Columbia has to be on your bucket list. There was a time when Sandon was a thriving mining community. But when the silver ran out, it quickly lost its fame. After a fire in the early 1900s and later followed by two major floods, much of the town was burned down and washed away.

Today, less than a handful of people live permanently in Sandon. It’s free to walk around and visit the fire hall, the old abandoned busses, and abandoned buildings and tour the operational hydroelectric station.

Meet Vida and Hal and get inspired by their story and how they fight and work hard to keep the town alive. Sanden is located a short drive from New Denver.

5. Salmo

Salmo BC special place to visit in British Columbia — Drop in at the old Salmo Hotel in West-Kootenay

Salmo, another beautiful small town in BC to visit was originally just a whistle-stop on the historic Nelson/Fort Shepherd Railway. At the turn of the last century, it became a centre for supplies and entertainment for prospectors, miners, and loggers.

Today Salmo is a quaint town at the junction of two highways. Fishing and swimming holes are there to be discovered along the picturesque Salmo River. It’s a playground for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and BMXing at the ski hill. There is also the 48 km stretch of the old railway line that connects Nelson, Ymir, and Salmo.

6. Greenwood

Greenwood, romantic Canadian small town in BC to visit — Greenwood, Boundary region, Canada’s smallest city

If you dwell on the image of a romantic Canadian town, you should definitely visit Greenwood BC. Greenwood is a historic small town with approximately 675 residents and is located in the Boundary region of British Columbia. It is Canada’s official smallest city (and yes, there is Keno City in the Yukon, but that one is unofficial). Greenwood’s history goes back to 1891 with the discovery of gold, silver, and copper.

Today, Greenwood is a great destination for history buffs. Greenwood is the gateway to the Great Trail and has a large trail network to offer for any skill level. A visit to the museum is a must. Pick up pamphlets and maps of the area.

7. Oliver

Oliver, wine capital of Canada unique small town in BC — Oliver, Wine Capital of Canada in South-Okanagan

Oliver is another one of British Columbia’s hidden gems. The town is known as Canada’s Wine Capital and therefore is the place to go for wine tasting. On top of that, the town is rich in culture and has excellent cuisine. You can trust my word, as it was my home for a couple of years.

Oliver is close to Osoyoos BC and less touristy. Here you are close to lakes and many hiking and biking trails.

Bucket List Oliver:

Check out Oliver’s Movie Theatre on Main Street, the best little Theatre far and wide.
Visit the Museum and look into local history.
Walk or bike along the Okanagan River Canal.
Camp at one of the nearby Lakes.
Stop at the local wineries.
Stock up on fresh produce at the many fruit stands.
Visit Fairview Historic Site.

8. Hedley

Hedley, Most unique small town in British Columbia to visit — The cool small town of Hedley, in Similkameen Valley

Famous for gold since its first discovery in 1897, Headley was once a thriving mining boomtown during the 1900s.

Numerous Historic Sites and buildings let you peek into the past. You can reach them by car or foot, including a 1904 miner’s cottage, a Historic Log Barn, the Blacksmith Shop, as well as the Mascot Mine buildings. Take a stroll through small town Hedley’s Historic Cemetery to get an idea of who lived in these buildings. Maps are available at the museum.

Bucket List Headly:

Learn about the mining history at the Headley Museum.
Pan for gold at the Hedley Heritage Museum.
Check out Hedley’s Historic Sites.
Tour the historic Mascot Mine high above Hedley.

9. Coalmont

Coalmont BC, mining history and bucket list town to visit in BC — Old Coalmont Hotel at Calmont, Similkameen Valley

Coalmont was a coal mining town established in 1910 and the Historic Colemont Hotel still stands today. Driving into town is like stepping back in time. Old buildings from historic times are lining the main street. Nearby you will find the gold-mining ghost town of Granite City and the ghost town of Blakeburn. The Forestry Campground at Granite City is a great place to use as a base to explore this interesting place.

Bucket List Coalmont and Granite Creek:

Stop at the entrance of the town and check out the unique welcome signs and town information.
Walk along the main street and admire the old buildings.
Drive to Granite Creek, known as Granite City by locals.
Camp at Granite Creek Recreation Site.
At Granite Creek, visit the old ghost town and follow the interpretive signs.
Walk up to the old cemetery on the hill.
Cool off in the Tulameen River.

10. Tulameen

Tulameen unique town in British Columbia — The unique town of Tulameen in the Similkameen Valley

Tulameen is a beautiful hidden gem to visit in British Columbia. Located on the southern end of Otter Lake on Coalmont Road past the village of Coalmont it is heaven for outdoor enthusiasts.

You can access the Trans Canada Trail from here as well as several other trails with various levels of difficulty and terrain. There are more than forty good trout fishing lakes in the area, as well as the Similkameen and Tulameen rivers.

Tulameen has an excellent public beachfront and boat launch.

Otter Lake Provincial Park is 5 km north of Tulameen and is a great place to camp. The Cascade Mountain Range surrounds the park and includes awesome canyons and clear mountain streams.

Bucket List Tulameen:

Cycle along the Great Trai (Trans Canada Trail.
Hike the many scenic trails in the area.
Camp at Otter Lake and enjoy the beach.
Try gold panning at the Tulameen River.
Hike the Rice Historic Trail, a 4 km return trip.
Visit Tulameen Falls, 30 km on the Tulameen FSR.

11. Merritt

Merritt BC, country music — Merritt BC, Canadian Country singer hall of fame

Before Merritt was known as the Country Music Capital of Canada, locals used to rave about the beautiful Nicola Valley with their slogan “a lake a day, as long as you stay”. Once you spend a day at one of the many lakes in Nicola valley, you will know why the old slogan is still true.

Merritt is rich with Country Music Legend Murals and Walk of Star handprints throughout town. Country music inspires the country lifestyle, and with the huge surrounding ranch land, you know that you’re in Cowboy Country.

Once you start exploring the area around Merritt, you don’t want to leave.

Bucket List Merritt:

Visit the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Walk the walk of Merritt Walk of Stars and the Country Legends Murals.
Spend time at Nicola Valley Museum and Archives.
Spend a day at Monck Provincial Park.
Camp at Lundbom Lake.
Kentucky Alleyne Provincial Park is another great place for overnight camping.

12. Lillooet

Lillooet British Columbia - small towns in BC — First Nations Fishing grounds along the mighty Fraser River in Lillooet

Lillooet was founded as Mile 0 on the wagon road leading to the Cariboo and Barkerville gold fields and was the centre of the gold rush during the mid-1800s.

Today, a cairn sits on Main Street marking “Mile 0” of the historic trail. Formerly known as Cayoosh Canyon, Lillooet is one of the oldest communities in British Columbia.

This small BC town is surrounded by rugged mountain peaks with lakes, desert country, and the mighty Fraser River making this a unique place.

Bridge of the Twenty-Three Camels is the official name of the highway bridge crossing the Fraser River. Camels were introduced to the area in 1862 as fright animals. Unfortunately, the camel era didn’t last long and today the bridge honours their memory.

There is so much to see and do in this historic old town in BC. With all the camp and accommodation options you might as well stay for at least a night.

Lillooet Bucket List:

Visit Lillooet Museum and Visitor Centre, situated in a former Anglican church.
Pick up a self-guided walking tour map for the Golden Miles History walking tour.
Walk the “Jade Walk” downtown showcasing an impressive variety of jade boulders.
Visit the Miyazaki Heritage House, known as the most beautiful house in Lillooet.
Book a tour to visit historical fishing grounds and learn how salmon was dried.
Stop in at the Fort Berens Estate Winery.
Hop on the Kaoham Shuttle, the train that runs between Lillooet and Seton Portage.

13. Clinton

Scene of Clinton BC — Clinton BC Backyard

Clinton BC Palace Hotel - small towns BC — Clinton BC Backyard

Clinton is a charming small town on the Cariboo Highway with western-type heritage buildings, a beautiful little church, and antique shops to wander around in. Explore nearby provincial parks or stay at one of the guest ranches for a horseback riding adventure.

Clinton and its surrounding area have a rich history full of stories and changes. Settlement occurred in the mid-1800s with the discovery of gold and the development of the Cariboo wagon road.

Bucket List Clinton:

Visit the Clinton Museum.
Stroll around town and hunt for some treasures at one of the antique stores.
Detour to the famous Gang Ranch, 45 km north of Clinton, one of the largest ranches in North America for many years.
Stay at one of the nearby guest ranches and ride the range.
Visit Painted Chasm, 15 km north of Clinton.

Read the books to learn about the Gang Ranch:

The incredible Gang Ranch by Dale Alsager
Gang Ranch the real Story by Judy Alsager

14. Likely

Small towns BC to visit - Likely and Likely Hotel, BC — The small town of Likely in the Cariboo

Likely is a small rural community in the Cariboo Region, nestled in the foothills of the Cariboo Mountains. This area played an important role during the Cariboo Gold Rush of 1859. The region used to be so rich in gold that it was known as the Nugget Patch.

Today Likely is a friendly small rural town with a population of around 350 people.

In the surrounding areas of this small town in BC, you will find many crystal-clear lakes and rivers. It’s heaven for recreational activities and backcountry camping.

Likely is the gateway to the Cariboo Mountains and a unique small town in BC you don’t want to miss. The “Backroad through Barkerville” is a wilderness scenic trip that allows you to travel through sub-alpine meadows and view thundering waterfalls.

The small town of Likely is not on any tourist route and is a bit out of the way. Of course, this makes it even more appealing to visit and explore.

Bucket List Likely:

Stop at the scenic Cedar Point Park.
Check out the largest man-made bullion pit in North America
Take a side trip to Quesnel Forks.
Visit Horsefly Provincial park and camp.
Drive the wilderness road through the Cariboo Mountains.

15. Barkerville

Barkerville the must visit of the small towns in British Columbia — Historic Barkerville in the Cariboo

Billy Barker’s legendary gold strike on Williams Creek in 1862 brought fortune seekers from around the world into the remote wilderness.

Today Barkerville Historic Town is a Canadian National Historic Site and British Columbia’s best-known heritage destination. 125 restored buildings are on display with knowledgeable historic interpreters guiding you through Barkerville’s rich history. The town is full of activities, interactive lessons, storytelling, theatrical performances, gold panning, stagecoach rides, and more!

Historic Barkerville
Barkerville Highway 26 Travel Guide
Wilderness Road Trip through the Cariboo Mountains

Bucket List Barkerville:

Enjoy a show at Theatre Royal.
Take a horse-drawn stagecoach tour of the town.
Live a true Gold Rush experience, at the Eldorado Gold Panning.
Go for a walk on the historic Williams Creek Nature Trail.

17. Wells

Wells BC historic buildings - small towns British Columbia — Cariboo at its best in Wells, BC

The mountain town of Wells in British Columbia was built when the promise of more gold attracted new gold seekers in 1927 with the population reaching over 4000 people in the 1940s.

With fewer than 300 year-round residents in Wells today, the small community of Wells has become the home for artists and outdoor enthusiasts. Many of the heritage buildings have been restored, including the Wells Hotel and the Sunset Theatre, where you can enjoy live music, live theatre, and concerts all through the summer.

Bucket List Wells:

Visit the Wells Museum to take a step back to the glory days.
Explore the remains of the ghost town of Stanley 13 km west of Wells.
Jack O’ Clubs Lake is a great place to canoe, swim, sail, or fish.

16. Fort St. James

Fort St. James is located on the shores of Stuart Lake, and it is the gateway to recreation in the great northern backcountry. Here you will find a welcoming community where you can relax on the beach, and enjoy some of the most beautiful sunsets around.

Only at Fort St. James, British Columbia – a chicken race you can bet on. What a blast! And what a crowd! You heard right, Fort St. James has WORLD CLASS Chicken Racing – Place your bets and win Chicken Bucks!

Bucket List Fort St. James:

Enjoy Fort St. James National Historic Site.
Make a bet in a Chicken race.
This is the place to be if you’re a rock hound! Stoll the beach for semi-precious stones.
Check out Cottonwood Park.
Visit Our Lady of Good Hope Church.

18. Bella Coola

Welcome to Bella Coola — The small town of Bella Coola at the end of the road

Chilcotin Highway 20 from Williams Lake runs 465 km to Bella Coola, a small wilderness town in a fantastic setting. You will be in for a surprise when you leave the Chilcotin plateau and get to the bottom of the notorious Hill, a windy and steep stretch of gravel road.

There is plenty to see and do in the Bella Coola. Bella Coola’s wildlife sights are some of the best in British Columbia. From Bear Viewing to Bird Watching, Bella Coola’s Wildlife will amaze you. It’s like a vast, wilderness viewing stage.

The lush meadows, dense forests, and high mountain ranges are home to grizzly and black bears, blacktail deer, wolves, cougars, and mountain goats.

Learn about Bella Coola Valley’s rich history while you’re in town and get a real feel for this spiritual place.

Small Towns To Visit in Northern British Columbia

19. Hazelton

Historic Hazelton BC- unique small towns in BC — Hazelton, a pioneer community in Northwest BC

The frontier spirit lives on in Hazelton. The restored heritage buildings of the “Old Town” serve as a reminder of the days when Hazelton was the commercial centre of the Northwest wilderness.

From 1886 to 1913, Hazelton was the upriver terminus for a fleet of sternwheelers when the Skeena River was the transportation route for people and goods.

Today, Old Hazelton is a reconstructed pioneer town complete with a Trading Post, Barber Shop, Cafe, and City Hall buildings plus a sternwheeler on display on the Skeena River. The region is a great destination for remote wilderness activities and camping and First Nation Culture.

Bucket List Hazelton:

Park your car and walk across Hagwilget Canyon Bridge
Spend time at Ksan Historical Village and Museum, walk through longhouses and learn the history.
Visit Ross Lake Provincial Park and take the trail around the lake.
Kitwanga, a side trip from Hazelton to see outstanding carved cedar poles and St. Paul’s Anglican Church, was built in 1893. It is also the site of Gitwangak Battle Hill National Historic Site of Canada.

20. Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert on the northwest Coast of BC

Another end-of-the-road small town you don’t want to miss, is Prince Rupert, a colourful coastal town on British Columbia’s wild and beautiful Northwest Coast. Here is where you can board a ship to Alaska, Vancouver Island, or Haida Gwaii if you have a reservation or stick around for a few days.

To stick around was my plan, but after two days of pouring rain, I gave up and left. On a sunny day, this harbour town would be a jewel to explore. Check the weather forecast before driving all this way.

Plan your trip with The Milepost Road Planner

Bucket List Prince Ruppert:

Take a stroll along the waterfront District of Cow Bay.
Watch out for the totem poles around town and murals.
Visit Sunken Gardens Park, a local treasure.
For an easy hike, head down Rushbrook Trail.
Butze Rapids Trail is a 4.5 km loop starting 3 km south of town.
Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary is home to more than 50 of the giants.
Spend some time in the Northern Museum of BC
Visit Historic North Pacific Cannery, located in Port Edward, just a short drive from Prince Rupert.

21. Gitwinksihlkw

Gitwinksihlkw is one of the four villages on the Nisga’a Highway 113. From Terrace, BC Nisga’a Highway takes you through the Nass Valley on an amazing 170 km drive.
This off-the-beaten-track highway is not mentioned in any of my travel books. You will pass First Nations settlements along rivers and mountains and through a volcanic landscape. I can’t even imagine!

For years, the community of Gitwinksihlkw was accessible only by suspension footbridge. Today, a modern vehicle bridge provides direct access. Watch out for the four totem poles flanking the bridge.

Bucket List Gitwinksihlkw:

Walk across Ukws-Ts’agat, the suspension footbridge.
Stop at the village entrance bridge to take a picture.
Inquire at the village office about hiking trails and viewpoints.
Visit the other three villages on Nisga’a Highway 13.

22. Stewart

Stewart Northern BC — Stewart BC in northwest British Columbia

Stewart, this unique small BC town located at the head of the historic 90-mile-long Portland Canal is surrounded by rich forests and Cambria ice fields. On the way to Stewart, you will see glacier formations overlooking the highway and most probably encounter bears crossing the road.

From Stewart, continue the short drive to Hyder Alaska, Stewart’s border town to see Salmon Glacier, the world’s largest road-accessible glacier.

You can get there driving the Salmon Glacier Road from Hyder, Alaska. Navigating around the potholes will get you to the Summit Viewpoint and you will be rewarded with spectacular views.

Bucket List Stewart:

Walk through the Estuary along the boardwalk to enjoy great views out to the bay.
Visit the local museum.
Take a short trip to Clements Lake for a dip or a picnic.
Visit the neighbouring border town of Hyder, Alaska.
Venture on the epic drive to Bear Glacier Provincial Park.
Spend some time at the Fish Creek Wildlife viewing platform (Hyder Alaska).

23. Telegraph Creek

Telegraph Creek BC — Telegraph Creek, Northwest BC

Telegraph Creek is a small town in BC with roughly 250 permanent residents offering only basic services.

To get to the small town of Telegraph Creek in British Columbia you need to conquer 150 km of gravel driving, steep gradients (up to 20 percent), narrow passages along canyon walls, and sharply angled switchbacks. I was glad I had a 4WD and no motorhome or trailer to pull.

The Stikine Valley is home to the Tahlthan First Nation. In summer families gather at traditional fish camps along the Stikine River to catch and put up salmon.

The Stikine route was used to haul men and equipment to build the airport at Watson Lake during World War II with riverboats and trucks running to and from Dease Lake. The last riverboat made her final voyage in 1969.

Bucket List Telegraph Creek:

Enjoy the epic drive to Telegraph Creek.
Stroll the streets of Telegraph Creek and imagine the sights of the paddle wheelers on the Stikine River during the gold rush era.
Take in the sight of deserted buildings as well as restored ones dating back a century or more. The original Hudson’s Bay Company Store has been turned into a cafe, general store, and lodge.
Go river boating on the Stikine River with an experienced river tour operator.

24. Jade City/Cassiar

Jade City on Stewart Cassiar Highway, uniqye small town to visit in BC — Jade City on the Stewart Cassiar Highway, Northwest BC

Jade City is named for the extensive jade deposits found nearby and offers a glimpse into jade mining. Not so much of a city, but a special “spot on the road” in the Cassiar Highlands of northwestern British Columbia, on Highway 37 near Yukon.

With a population of approximately 20 people, the family-run jade mining operation is a stop of particular interest on the Stewart Cassiar Highway. The owners of the Cassiar Mountain Jade Store are experts in everything from prospecting to carving this beautiful stone.

Enjoy free coffee, free camping, and free Internet.

Bucket List Jade City

Spend time at the Cassiar Mountain Jade Store and learn about the area and jade mining. This is a great place to buy beautiful souvenirs.
Visit the ghost town of Cassiar, an old asbestos mining town 10 km west of the highway.
There are old mining trails into the mountains for the adventure seeker. Ask at the store.
Look out for Thinhorn mountain sheep, mountain goats, caribou, and moose in the area.

25. Atlin

Atlin BC Million Dollar View and a special small towns in BC to visit — Atlin BC, Northwest British Columbia

No wonder the remote community of Atlin on the eastern shore of Atlin Lake in the far northwestern tip of British Columbia is known as “Little Switzerland”. Atlin is a pretty unique small town in BC and worth a visit. By road, you only can get to this beautiful small British Columbia town from Yukon.

While there, make sure to hike up to the top of Monarch Mountain, a spectacular 4-hour hike with a million-dollar view.

TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources? Book Your Flight Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on KAJAK or Momondo. Save money on airfare by searching for cheap flight tickets with these two search engines. Book Your Accommodation Book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you are planning to stay at other accommodation, use Booking.com as it offers the cheapest prices for guesthouses and hotels. Travel Insurance Don’t forget Travel Insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It gives you protection in case anything goes wrong. My favourite company that offers the best service and value is Safety Wing. Get Your Travel Visas Get your Travel Visa hassle-free with iVisa. Apply directly online with their simplified application process and personal assistance. They also offer a passport renewal service. Need More Help Planning Your Trip? Jump over to Travel Resource Page where I highlight all the great companies that I trust when I travel. Need New Camping or Travel Gear, Maps, or Outdoor Clothes? Check out Backcountry Store for the best companies.

10 Iconic Yukon Highways

August 14, 2020 9:39 am 1 Comment

Fast, wild, and beautiful – a road trip on Yukon’s iconic highways.

The 10 Most Iconic Yukon Highways – Roads To Adventure

Get behind the wheel and get ready for a road trip of a lifetime, driving the Yukon highways.

There is no better feeling than driving the northern highways and having the roads to yourself. Forget about traffic jams, busy roads, and driving stress. Enjoy the fantastic scenery from desert and sand dunes to glaciated mountains and historic rivers. And finally, see wild animals in real-time. Enjoy the midnight sun during summer when the days stretch to almost 24 hours.

Facts about driving Yukon Highways

When planning your trip, consider the fact that Yukon Highways are mostly taking you through wilderness areas. Service stations and services are far apart and often you won’t have cell phone reception. You most probably will come across road construction sights. It’s important to follow posted speed limits and directions. Always watch for wildlife on Yukon Highways.

10 Iconic Yukon Highway

1) Alaska Highway: Yukon Highway #1

Connects: Watson Lake to Beaver Creek
Distance: 885 km
Highway Condition: Paved
Driving time: Approximately 9 hours 30 minutes
Related link: British Columbia portion of Alaska Highway

The Yukon portion of the Alaska Highway is winding in and winding out its way northwestward through wild river valleys and along tree-lined crystal clear lakes. The highway crosses many streams and rivers that are part of two great watersheds. The MacKenzie River drains to the Arctic Ocean and the Yukon River runs nearly 3,220 km to the Bering Sea.

In the west, the Alaska Highway parallels Kluane National Park and St. Elias Range, Canada’s tallest mountains.

Highlights Alaska Highway:

Add a sign to the signpost forest at Watson Lake
Experience the Teslin Tlingit Culture
Camp at Kluane Lake
Take a picture of Mount Logan, Canada’s highest mountain
Try to catch fresh fish dinner at a roadside stream

2) Klondike Highway: Yukon Highway #2

Connects: Skagway, Alaska, and Dawson City
Distance: 717 km
Driving Time: Approximately 8 hours
Highway Condition: Asphalt surfaced in good condition
Related Link: Klondike Highway Travel Guide

The Klondike Highway connects Skagway, Alaska and Dawson City, Yukon, the heart of the Klondike. From Skagway, Alaska the road climbs to the 1003 m summit near the Alaska/Canada border.

Between Skagway and the border the road roughly parallels the old White Pass Trail, an alternative to the Chilkoot Trail. The Chilcoot was the shorter route for the gold seekers and therefore the more popular one.

The only community between Skagway and Whitehorse is the small hamlet of Carcross.

Highlights Klondike Highway:

Get aboard the Scenic Railway of the World
Visit the world’s smallest desert
Pan for gold in Dawson City

3) Haines Highway: Yukon Highway #3

Connects: Haines, Alaska, to Haines Junction, Yukon
Distance: 235 km
Driving Time: Approximately 4 hours
Highway Condition: Paved, 2-line highway, open year-round

Black bears along northern highways — Frequent bear sighting opportunities

Highway 3 takes you to Haines Junction, a small community at km 1635 on the Alaska Highway. Enjoy spectacular views of mountains and glaciers, changing to forests and alpine tundra along the way. The road climbs up to an elevation of 1,070 m at Chilkat Pass.

Although the highway is maintained year-round if you plan on travelling the route between September 1st and June 1st be sure to check weather conditions.

Check on the Canadian and US customs opening hours before the trip and bring your passport. Note the different time zones between Canada and the US.

Highlights Haines Highway:

Birdwatching – gyrfalcons, snow buntings ptarmigan, red-throated loons, and other species
Venture on one of the many hikes
Fish for king salmon at Takhanne River in early June

4) Robert Campbell Highway: Yukon Highway #4

Connects: Watson Lake to Carmacks
Distance: 582 km
Highway Condition: Both gravel and pavement, all-weather road, can be rough and slippery in winter
Driving time: Approximately 7 hours
Related Link: Robert Campbell Highway Travel Guide

The Robert Campbell highway connects Watson Lake (km 1022 on the Alaska Highway) with Carmacks (km 356 on the Klondike Highway). This is mostly a narrow, windy gravel road is an alternative route to Dawson City.

At Ross River, you can choose to take the Canol Road 210 km which rejoins the Alaska Highway at km 1345 (Canol Road Junction). Make sure to check for road conditions on Canol Road, especially if you are driving a large vehicle.

Highlights Robert Campbell Highway:

Travel slowly and camp along the way
Take a canoe trip down the Pelly River
Explore the First Nations town of Ross River
Spend time at the Campbell Region Interpretive Centre in the former mining town of Faro

5) Dempster Highway: Yukon Highway #5

Connects: Klondike Highway to Inuvik, NWT
Distance: 736 km
Highway condition: gravel, open all year round, ferry service or ice bridge in winter
Driving time: Approximately 10 to 14 hours,
Related Link: Dempster Highway – a road trip to the Arctic

Yukons iconic highway - Dempster Highway — Iconic Dempster Highway

The Dempster Highway (Yukon Route 5 / Northwest Territories Route 8) was completed in 1979. This is a gravel and crushed stone highway which extends to Inuvik, an Inuit village 325 km above the Arctic Circle in the Northwest Territories.

This wilderness route takes you to extremely remote regions of the Yukon cutting through the rugged mountain ranges of the Ogilvie and Richardson Mountains.

During rain, the road from Eagle Plains to Inuvik can be pretty treacherous.

Highlights Dempster Highway:

Venture on a day or overnight hike in the Tombstone Mountains
Learn about permafrost and the tundra vegetation
Pick cloudberries for breakfast
Spend a night near the Arctic Circle
Look out for caribou, grizzlies, and other wildlife
Visit the gravesite of the Lost Patrol at Fort Pherson

6) South Canal Road: Yukon Highway #6

Connects: Johnsons Crossing to Ross River
Distance: 220 km
Driving Time:
Road condition: gravel, rough, narrow winding road, one-way bridges, and sometimes road closure due to washouts, closed to traffic in winter
Related Link: 5 epic gravel highways

South Canol Road, Yukon Highway 6 to Ross River

The Canol Road leaves the Alaska Highway at kilometre 1345 and cuts through the wilderness to Ross River, where it intersects with the Robert Campbell Highway.

The seasonal road takes you above the treeline with scenic views of south-central Yukon’s wilderness. You will be travelling through the traditional territory of the Kaska and interior Tlingit First Nations.

The South Canol Road turns into North Canol Road past Ross River across the river and ends at the border of the Northwest Territories.

North Canol Road: Yukon Highway #6

Connects: Ross River to Macmillan Pass at the Northwest Territories border
Distance: 206 km
Road condition: Rough, summer road only

North Canol Road Ross River — Start of the North Canol Road across the River at Ross River

This north section of the Canol Highway is a summer road only with no services or facilities beyond Ross River. It provides access to the wilderness of eastern central Yukon and the Canol Road Heritage Trail.

The road parallels the famed and short-lived Canol, or Canadian Oil pipeline. Until the end of the war, it carried oil from Camp Canol near Norman Wells, Northwest Territories to Johnsons Crossing, Yukon.

The North Canol Road is steep and narrow in places and can be extremely slippery when it rains.

Highlights Canol Road:

Grayling fishing on Ross River and dinner in the wilderness
Driving one of the most challenging Yukon highways
Test your wilderness skills in real-time

7) The Atlin Road: Highway #7

Connects: Atlin, British Columbia, with the Tagish Road and the Alaska Highway at Jake’s Corner
Distance: 94 km
Driving time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes
Road Condition: Narrow and windy at some sections but in good condition
Related Link: Atlin BC Travel Guide

Yukon highways Atlin Road — Floatplanes on Atlin Lake, BC

The Atlin Road turns south from the Alaska Highway (Yukon Highway 1), at 1.6 km from the junction with the Alaska Highway at Jake’s Corner, km 1393. The road parallels the eastern shore of Atlin Lake, the largest natural lake in British Columbia.

The road ends at the community of Atlin, located in the extreme northwest corner of British Columbia. Like other northern towns, Atlin was born during the great gold rush of 1898 when gold was discovered in nearby Pine Creek. Many historic buildings are still standing. To this day, there are active mining operations in the area.

Highlights Atlin Road:

Discover the gold rush history
Plan a kayak trip to the southern shore of Atlin Lake and hike to Lewellin Glacier
Book a floatplane for a spectacular sightseeing adventure

8) Top of the World Highway: Yukon Highway #9

Connects: Dawson City, Yukon to the Alaska-Yukon border, where it becomes the Taylor Highway (Alaska Route 5) and continues to Tetlin Junction, Alaska
Distance: 281 km
Travel Time: Minimum of 4 hours
Road Condition: Gravel and paved section, open from mid-May to mid-October, but possible to close earlier due to snow
Related Link: 5 epic Travel Highways

Top of the World is one of the Yukon Highways you don’t want to miss. As the name reveals, for most of the journey you drive along the peaks and crests of mountains and hills, leaving the valleys below. These mountains are rich with minerals and gold rush history and are the home to moose, caribou, and bear.

This gravel highway is winding and narrow in many places. Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. The road is maintained only during late spring to early fall, depending on the ferry service at Dawson City. Border crossings are only allowed when customs offices are open (9 am to 9 pm Pacific time).

Highlights Top of the World Highway:

Take a detour to the historic town of Eagle, Alaska
Explore Chicken, Alaska, the frontier town with a special charm

9) The Nahanni Range Road: Yukon Highway #10

Connects: 107.8 km on the Campbell Highway north of Watson Lake to Canada Tungsten Mine
Distance: 200 km
Road condition: Gravel, no services along this road

Nahanni Road Map, Yukon — Nahanni Road Map

Shortly after leaving the Campbell Highway, the road winds through a pass between 2,100 m mountains, and then the road parallels the Hyland and Little Hyland rivers towards the Northwest Territories border at Km 188.

The town of Tungsten (Cantung) is not accessible to the public and there are no services along the road. There are places to camp along the way as well as the small government campground at Km 84.

Highlights Nahanni Highway:

Fish for Arctic grayling
Paddle down the Hyland River
Camp under the midnight sun

10) Silver Trail: Highway #11

Connects: Klondike Highway at Stewart Crossing to Kino City
Distance: 110 km
Travel Time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Road Condition: Asphalt-surfaced to Mayo and rough gravel to Keno, open year-round
Related Link: Silver Trail Travel Guide,

Keno City at the end of the Silver Trail, Yukon's iconic highways — Keno City at the end of the Silver Trail

The Silver Trail to Mayo follows the Stewart River through an area that once was the richest silver-mining region in Canada. Pick up a Mayo Historical Buildings Walking Tour booklet at the Binnet House to have a peek into the history of the settlement.

After Mayo, the road turns to gravel and can be rough after a couple of days of rain. The road takes you to the old mining town of Elsa and ends at Keno City, the most unique frontier town in the Yukon.

Highlights Silver Trail:

Visit the Binet House in Mayo
Learn about the mining history at Yukon’s largest mining museum
Hike up to Sourdough Hill
Drive up to Keno Hill Signpost for a million-dollar view
Stop in at Keno’s Snack Bar for the best pizza in the Yukon
Find out about mushroom hunting in the Yukon

Yukon Resources and Related Links

Yukon Travel Guide
16 Best Towns and Places in Yukon
Driving on Gravel Roads
Road Trip Planner for the Wilderness
MILEPOST – Alaska Travel Planner is the only Travel Guide you need for your northern road trip.

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Keno City Yukon, the end of The Silver Trail
August 2, 2020 3:08 pm 2 Comments
UPDATE: Big tragedy! A devastating fire destroyed the Historic Yukon City Hotel on December 12, 2020, about 3-month after I left Keno City and the wonderful people there. Read More
Here I am, back again, driving the Silver Trail gravel highway on the way to Keno City
(This article was published in the July 2020 edition of Globerovers Magazine)
A small dot on Google maps marks the existence of this tiny, nearly forgotten, old Gold Rush town in the mountains of central Yukon, northern Canada. Despite its name, Keno City is the smallest community in the Yukon, hidden far off the beaten track. Not many travellers venture this way.
To get to this old historic mining town you have to take the Silver Trail (Yukon Highway 11) at Stewart Crossing and travel 110 kilometres (68 miles) to the end of the road.
Silver Trail Highway to Keno City
Why I missed Keno during my previous Yukon road trip
Two years ago I travelled on the Silver Trail with the destination of Keno City in mind. Unfortunately, I never made it past the village of Mayo, halfway down the Silver Trail. I stopped in front of the historic Binet House because I wanted to check out the interpretive information panels and the geology and mining display.
When I reached for my purse leaving the car, it was gone. I quickly realized that I left it behind at the Pelly Crossing Selkirk Centre where I filled up my gas tank and used the washroom, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) down the road. In big shock and panic, I remembered my purse with all my IDs, bank cards and money hanging on a hook in the women’s washroom.
Imagine me, all alone on a road trip in the middle of Yukon’s wilderness, nearly 3,000 kilometres (1,864 miles) from home without any ID and money.
I turned around as quickly as I could speeding down the dusty Silver Trail and the North Klondike Highway back to Pelly Crossing. And there my purse was, waiting for me to be picked up at the counter.
A paradise for waterfowls along the Silver Trails
Believe me, I was a happy camper that night. But because of my purse, I never made it to Keno City during that trip and continued up to Dawson City instead. The lesson of the day is never to keep all your valuables in the same place when you travel.
Two years later I’m heading for Keno City again
Now, two years later, on this warm, sunny Yukon morning in late August, I am back on the Silver Trail heading for Keno City. The winding road from the Stewart River Bridge cuts through the traditional Territory of the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation.
I stop for a short break at the Devil’s Elbow, a prime moose calving and protected habitat and hike the trail to the viewing lookout over the wetland.
Start of the Silver Trails Highway
The town of Mayo
Back at the Binet House in the small village of Mayo, I take a quick tour of their display and pick up information pamphlets about the area.
Mayo holds the record for the extreme temperature range. Imagine living where temperatures are recorded in the range from +36 degrees Celcius (100℉) and -62 degrees Celcius (-80℉).

From pavement to gravel
Shortly after Mayo the pavement stops and the Silver Trail turns into a gravel road. Yukon’s gravel highways and their potholes and sagging shoulders are not new to me.
I can easily imagine the condition of this road and the difficulty of keeping it maintained during extreme weather conditions.
Continuing along the gravel highway I pass idyllic, crystal clear lakes and large areas of marshland, home to an abundance of beautiful water birds.
A breathtaking view of Mount Haldane only lets me guess what mountain hiking would be like in this lonely, wild land.
The Silver Trail after the rain
Ghost town Elsa
Just a few kilometres before arriving in Keno City I pass the old silver mining town of Elsa. Elsa was the townsite for United Keno Hill Mines until it shut down in 1989. Along the hills, a few old buildings are scattered reminding us of times gone by.
Arriving in Keno City
Continuing down the dirt road I quickly approach Keno City which means that I have finally reached the end of the Silver Trail.
Within a flash of an eye, I feel like being transferred into another world. I fell in love with this historic frontier town at first sight – it’s like no other place I’ve ever been to.
Arriving in Keno City, Yukon
For a short time, Keno was part of Yukon’s Gold Rush. Later, silver was discovered which transferred Keno into a booming mining town in the early 1900s.
Keno City experienced the boom and busts of a mining town for decades. When the Keno Hill mine closed in 1989, many residents left. The ones that stuck around are the ones that make Keno so special today.
Yukon’s biggest Mining Museum
The mining museum tells the stories of the people who mined in the Silver Trail region and is Keno City’s landmark. It is surrounded by a collection of colonial buildings along the dusty streets.
Keno is home to a maximum of 20 residents, in summer that is. In winter there are only a few hard-core locals left.
The old-timers that stay around don’t want to turn their backs on this unique lifestyle. No matter how hard life is and the many sacrifices they have to endure to stay here, Keno beats the city life.
Best pizza in the Yukon at Mike Mancini’s Snack Bar
Keno has two rustic bars for its tiny population, a hotel housed in a historic building and a couple of other options for accommodation.
A drive up to Keno Hill
The summit of Keno Hill and signpost
While exploring the town I notice the sign for Keno Hill, an 11-kilometre (6.8 miles) drive to the famous signpost on top of Keno Hill. How can I resist!
Here I am off on another epic drive manoeuvring steep switchbacks around boulders and big rocks to get to the famous signpost on Keno Hill at 1849 metres (6,066 feet).
I’m rewarded with a breathtaking panorama overlooking the mountain range and the mining ruins along the hillsides.
On the way down to Keno City from the signpost
I stayed at the Keno City campground beside Lightning Creek that night. When the sun finally set before 11 pm my traveller’s heart was content once again.
On top of Sourdough Hill near Keno City
Related Links
The incredible Yukon Skies
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Memorable Morel Mushroom Hunt in Central Yukon
July 16, 2020 5:19 pm 1 Comment
Morel mushrooms are a delicacy and a sought-after food in kitchens worldwide.
My first introduction to morels
I remember the time growing up in Switzerland when each spring my dad got on his old bicycle and went to some secret spot in the forest to harvest a bagful of morels.
Morels come in different shades
Centuries later I came across morels while hiking on my property in the Okanagan, Canada with a mushroom picker friend. For many years before the first morel discovery on my land, I walked around the same area, but I never looked down to the ground to see the delicious camouflage mushrooms.
My interest in foraging wild food
In recent years foraging wild food has become a hobby of mine. Still, I never connected morel mushroom picking with the Yukon.
Before I came back to Yukon this year I searched for a book on foraging in the north and Arctic Plants but never got to purchase one. Instead, I took along the British Columbia “Edible and Medicinal Plants Canada” book and the “Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms” by David Arora just in case I needed a reference, and I’m glad I did.
Lack of fresh food supply in the north
I often wondered how people survive in the north with not having fresh food available as we do in the southern parts of Canada. Not all communities across Canada’s north have a grocery store. Gas stations sometimes offer juice, pop and packaged food. For many northerners, this means driving for hours and hundreds of kilometres to get a fresh food supply.
Another problem with the northern food supply is that fruit and vegetables don’t stay fresh for long because of the long travel time. And on top of that, fruit and vegetable prices are shockingly high. Therefore, foraging wild food in the north makes sense.
I know for sure, harvesting wild food would be a way of adding to my food supply for the long winter months if I would live in Yukon permanently.
Of course, harvesting is limited to the short Yukon summer. But in the land of the midnight sun there are plenty of daylight hours to get out there into the wild to harvest wild food and freeze, can or dry it, and stock up for the long, dark winter months.
How I found out about the precious morels in the Yukon
Last year on my way to Keno City I watched the wildfires roar in a distance but I never imagined that I would be picking morels a year later in these burnt areas.
During my long road trip north up the Stewart Cassiar Highway #37 this year, the last week of June, I met other travellers on their way to the Yukon. I quickly found out that morel mushroom harvesting in areas where wildfires burnt the year before was the reason for many to travel north. This, of course, sparked my interest.
An abundance of morels growing in burnt Yukon forests
When I arrived at my Keno City destination I heard the locals talk about the abundance of morels and the areas where they could be found.
I learned, that every spring, Yukoners venture to their favourite harvesting places, which are often closely kept secrets, to pick morels. For some, it’s to enjoy them as part of their diet, for others to sell and make some money.
I feel privileged that Yukon locals shared their knowledge with me, told me where the burnt areas were and how to get there.
What you need to know about mushroom picking in the Yukon
- To commercially harvest morel mushrooms in the Yukon you will need a permit, which is free of charge.
- If you are harvesting for your own use, you don’t need a permit.
- Morels emerge in the spring following a forest fire. Check out last year’s wildfire maps to see potential picking areas
- You can only harvest mushrooms on vacant public land.
- Stay away from First Nations lands.
- If you travel to rural Yukon communities, be respectful when you’re there.
Morel mushroom buyer’s camp
Identifying and eating wild mushrooms
- Identify morels with up-to-date mushroom guides or better yet, go out with an experienced mushroom picker.
- Morels are easily recognized by their hollow, honeycombed cap that is intergrown with the stalk along its full length.
- All morels should be cooked for at least 5 minutes before eating. Don’t eat them raw.
- Watch out for the “false morels” which are dangerously poisonous.
Morel mushroom picking lesson
A rough side road off The Silver Trail took me to the edge of one of the burnt areas of last year’s wildfires. I wasn’t there alone. A couple of mushroom buyers had set up their camps nearby.
Burnt forests, a morel mushroom heaven
Soon after I arrived, appeared from between the burned tree skeleton with a full basket of Morels. Mike introduced himself as a professional mushroom picker and buyer with years of mushroom picking experience. He can be hired for mushroom harvesting excursions.
As soon as I shared the fact that I’m new to picking morels, he followed me between the blackened trees and gave me a short lesson, what to look for and which morels to pick. He assured me that my bucket would be full within an hour. And he was right, it didn’t take me long to fill up my metal pail.
Harvesting the morels
It was fantastic walking around the ghostly burned forest and harvesting absolutely delicious food, for free.
Morel harvesting takes place at different Crown land locations each year, depending on the burn of the previous year.
After filling my bucket I walked down to Mike’s secluded campsite next to the lake surrounded by burned forest. It somehow looked eery but beautiful. I noticed all the new plants emerge and begin to flourish all over the burnt forest and that is pretty special to see.
A mushroom picker’s camp
Mike Boudreau summer camp
Camping in a burned area might not sound like the most enjoyable experience, but Mike Boudreau looked quite content.
Mike’s basic camp setup seemed to be self-sufficient and quite comfortable for a few weeks of outdoor life. He had various mushroom drying systems in use from wire racks, constructed in front of the log shack as well as in tents and in his car.
It proves again that people with this kind of lifestyle need to be innovative and flexible to make things work.
I fully enjoyed my day of mushroom hunting in the Yukon, walking around in the woods breathing the fresh air and taking home a pail of delicious wild food.
For the serious mushroom hunters out there, this is a great way to stay fit and make some money on the side!
Related links
- Yukon Travel Guide
How to keep safe on a solo road trip in Canada
June 7, 2020 6:53 pm 2 Comments
Venturing on many epic road trips has taught me how to be safe travelling solo through Canada’s most remote places.
I’m pretty much relaxed and I feel safe when I’m on the road. Of course, we never know what can happen during an extended trip. Fortunately, after travelling solo on many of Canada’s wild highways I have the experience and the skills needed to deal with most situations.
Solo road-tripping in Canada and safety
I have travelled to many parts of the world. But, it is only been the last few years that I started to explore Canada’s big north and drive the lonely highways to the most off-the-beaten-path places. I always camp along the way.
My first extended solo road trip was from Lumby, BC to Bella Coola, the wilderness town in Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest, on BC’s northwest coast. The road to Bella Coola with its famous Hill is known as one of BC’s most treacherous roads. It was already late in the season and not the best time for tenting along the way. I learned a few important lessons on that trip.
Since then I have travelled through most of the Northwest Territories can be reached by car and ventured on two extended road trips to Yukon and Alaska.
Most tourist areas are safe. Violent crime in Canada is low compared to other countries, but it does exist. Yes, there were a few situations during my trips when I was worried and scared, but it was never as bad as it seemed and I survived. In the end, it is up to us to decide how much risk we want to take and what we are comfortable with.
You don’t have to spend a night on a road pullout along a lonely highway or boondock where there is no one around like I often do. Find out what your comfort level is and adapt your trip accordingly.
Everyone advised me not to go north after three travellers were killed along the Stewart Cassier highway, the highway I wanted to take to the Yukon border. Once it was known who the killers were and that they were seen in a different province, I went anyway. I couldn’t see the risk anymore. The night I spent at the side of the road, close to where the murder happened, it was raining and cold. And yes, I was pretty restless all night.
The most important advice I can give you is: Listen to your guts!
My 12 Top Tips to keep safe on a solo road trip in Canada
1. Use a reliable vehicle
Make sure that your vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition. Have a tune-up and inspection done by a trustworthy mechanic. Let the mechanic know what kind of driving you are planning to do. Invest in good tires and a full-size spare.
You don’t want to get stuck on a lonely highway. Unless you’re in a town, cell phone reception in Canada is not guaranteed.
Learn how to change a tire before heading out on a road trip.
If you decide to rent a car for your adventure, let the rental company know what kind of driving you’re planning to do.
The famous gravel highways in Canada
2. Get a Roadside Assistance Membership
I’ve been a member of BCAA for years and have never used them on any of my trips. Still, knowing that I can get help on the road when I need it gives me peace of mind. The Premier Membership covers 320 km for free, which is often the distance I travel between places. Depending on your travel plan, a cheaper membership might work for you.
3. Plan your route and let someone know where you are going
Know what kind of roads you will be driving. Will you need to bring extra gasoline?
I plan my trips using google maps. When I adapt my travel route I try to send a message about my whereabouts to my daughter or a friend whenever I have cell phone reception or Internet.
Check how long the distances are between towns and gas stations. Is there camping along the way?
- Where to find Free camping in Canada
- Backcountry camping in the wild
My mini camper between campers
4. Pack the right gear
Check out my Road trip planner for the wilderness and adapt it as necessary. Do not overpack and keep your gear to a minimum. It is easier to get organized this way so that everything you take along is within easy reach.
Store your valuables in different places. Don’t keep all credit cards and bank cards, plus all your cash in your wallet. Believe me, I know what I’m talking about.
5. Know what the road rules are in Canada
It’s important to know Canada’s road rules for keeping safe on Canadian roads.
You will encounter fast and aggressive drivers wherever you go and especially on lonely highways. Drive slowly on gravel roads. Slow down for approaching trucks, it will save your windshield. Watch out for wildlife at all times. In Canada, every year many accidents happen because of wild animals.
6. Use a navigation tool to keep on track
Since I invested in a car GPS I feel much safer and I don’t get lost anymore. I always know where I am, what direction I’m heading, and how far it is to my destination. Make sure you update the software before you leave for your trip. Using your cell phone might be sufficient for shorter trips, but I trust my car’s GPS more than I trust my cell phone.
I also carry all available paper maps for the area I’m going to and I use my cell phone navigation as a backup.
7. Always check on road and weather conditions
Roads and highways in Canada can be treacherous at any time of year. The further north you go, the bigger the chance that you encounter roads in bad condition. It only needs a couple of rainy days to change a gravel highway into a muddy disaster.
To keep up with road conditions download the appropriate Highway Conditions app for the province or territory you’re travelling in.
8. Don’t pick up strangers
It’s kind of hard for me to suggest this, after my hitchhiking era in my twenties. But for my own safety, I don’t pick up anybody along the road. My RAV4 is converted into a mini camper and there is no room for a passenger, which makes it easy for me to decline any rides.
9. Don’t drive at night
Unless you have accommodation booked and you know where you will spend the night, don’t drive at night. This keeps you from stopping at a place for the night where you don’t want to be and you don’t feel safe.
Also, collisions with wild animals are more common at night and can result in serious accidents.
Watch out for wildlife on the road
10. Sleep in your vehicle
During my first few solo road trips, I slept in a tent. That might be a good option if you stay at the official campgrounds. But, it could be pretty scary when you’re on your own in a wild place where bears, cougars, and other wild animals are a common sight.
Since I converted my RAV4 into a mini camper, I enjoy travelling alone much better and feel safer.
If you are not an experienced solo wilderness camper yet, you might want to stay at official campsites.
My top tips for sleeping in a vehicle:
- Lock all the vehicle doors at night;
- Keep one window open a crack for oxygen and fresh air;
- Hang the car key on a string within reach, just in case you need it quickly to drive off;
- Keep bear spray and flashlight within reach.
11. Protect your identity
Be cautious when using the free Internet in public places for doing money transactions and keep safe from online identity theft.
If you’re worried, you can invest in a VPN (Virtual Private Network), an app that’s added to your computer or phone to increase security. I don’t use an app, but I’m careful where I do my online banking.
12. Get travel insurance
I never leave home without travel insurance. As a BC resident, I need additional insurance whenever I travel to another province or Territory in Canada. Check with your insurance before leaving home.
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Instead of going North, I’m stuck at home
April 29, 2020 2:35 pm Leave a Comment
The situation hit me this morning. A beep on my cell phone and my Google Calendar popped up with the message: Going North. This was a reminder of the timeline planning I did when I was in Mexico in February. I never heard of this new virus at the time. Now I’m stuck at home in my mini-home in Oliver BC.
I’m grateful that I got to enjoy life in beautiful Mexico during the eight weeks I spent there. When the news about the coronavirus emerged, I knew I had to book a flight back to Canada pretty fast. I made it back just in time before things turned bad.

What I learned during the Coronavirus Pandemic
One way to survive the coronavirus era
Make Memories
Don’t postpone your dreams. Do what you want to do and instead of dreams, you will have memories.
There is not one day that I don’t think about my solo road trip to the Northwest Territories and the Yukon last summer.
I might be stuck here for a while and not be able to travel far, but I can dwell on my memories. I am planning for my next adventures and will be ready once the time comes.
Be Patient
Usually, being patient is not my thing. Now I have no choice.
I have to be flexible, adapt to the situation, and be open-minded. Staying positive and being patient are the keys to getting me through a difficult and crazy time.
Look around you to see what’s available in the situation you’re in. Spend time and reflect on your present circumstances and then make a plan.
Don’t listen to news broadcasts
I keep listening to News broadcasts to a minimum to stay sane. I’m not a follower and I like to make up my own mind about what I believe.
When I look behind the scenes at what is going on in this world, I realize that I have to let go of the craziness and instead concentrate on myself and my well-being.
Mind searching
What are my core values and beliefs? What makes me comfortable and content?
What do I want to do when life gets back to more normal? How can I plan my next trip and be ready for it?
What’s important in life
Do a soul search and find out. For me, it’s health, freedom, adventure, exploring, healthy eating, nature, a healthy environment, animals, and of course, travel.
Male Mallard doing social distancing
Where do I want to be
I’ve been living a nomadic lifestyle for a while now without a permanent home. When a situation like the coronavirus strikes, having a home becomes a priority. Having a base and being independent is important.
The importance of family and friends
In my case, I don’t have family nearby, I’m totally on my own. Reaching out to friends becomes an important factor in dealing with unseen situations.
On top of that, it is a way of learning who your real friends are.
What can I do NOW?
What is it that I always wanted to do and never had time for?
For all of us with a busy lifestyle, this is the time to catch up on postponed projects and educate ourselves about new topics we’re interested in.
Being stuck gives me the opportunity to continue the online photography course I never finished.
Even with social distancing in place I can go out for a wild food hunt and improve my foraging skills.
Foraging edible wild plants
The value of connecting with old friends all over the globe
Chatting, video calls, and phone calls are now more important than ever. Communicating with family and friends on a regular basis is a must during social restrictions.
Reaching out to people I haven’t talked to forever brings back a new social feeling.
The importance of freedom
We don’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone.
Without freedom, life would be miserable. Like in many countries, we would live in fear and insecurity.
Let this pandemic make us all stronger and wiser, but don’t let it take away our freedom.

Why I want to keep travelling
After having been out of the box for a while, it’s hard to go back in and adjust to a restricted lifestyle. Being stuck in one place is hard on me. While on the road, the days hold limitless potential and opportunities.
I’m the happiest camper when I head out into my world with my mini-camper. There is this feeling of having ultimate flexibility, time, and freedom for real living.
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RAV4 Camper Conversion for Minimalists
September 8, 2019 11:23 am 45 Comments
Some prefer it fancy, I like it simple. I used to tent on the way. Now I sleep in my Toyota RAV4 which I converted into a mini-camper. What an immense improvement in camping quality. I will never go back to tenting unless it’s during a multi-day hiking trip.
On my recent road trip to the Canadian north, Northwest Territories and Yukon, I travelled in my RAV4 mini camper to places not many people have. The most remote places are the ones I like best and those are the ones I will always remember. Partly it’s because of the uniqueness of the places, but mostly because of the local people I met.
They are the best, don’t leave home without them.
What did I miss as a minimalist traveller in the north?
Not much. All I needed I had with me in my converted Toyota RAV4 camper. Everything I had with me I used. After a few trips to the Canadian North, I know what I need and what I don’t, and I travel with a minimum of gear. And still, I live comfortably in my converted RAV4 SUV.
A Toyota RAV4 SUV conversion makes a comfortable mini camper with lots of space for one person. It’s just about perfect.
It would work for two people as well. You would need a larger sleeping platform and perhaps a storage box on the roof and you would be totally fine. Probably a bit crowded but okay.
For a single person, a RAV4 is the ideal vehicle for an extended road trip. Actually, you can convert any car into a mini camper, just adapt the layout to the size of the car.
Living in the small space of my RAV4 camper has taught me to be organized. Everything has its place and I only carry with me what I need.
I bring along a camp chair and table in my RAV4 camper
Experience helps
I am a minimalist road-tripper who learned during previous road trips what works for me and what doesn’t. This time, the trip was pretty much perfect.
You don’t need a campervan to enjoy van life. My miniature home on wheels might look lost between the enormous rigs on the road, but I’m not jealous of any of them.
With my 4×4 SUV, I can go anywhere, it’s cheap on gas and easy to manoeuvre. It’s comfy and cozy and gives me enough space, even on a rainy day.

My camper conversion design
Simple and cheap were my priorities. To be able to sit in my RAV4 comfortably and have lots of headspace was important as well. My bed had to serve as my couch and I wanted space for a portable table.
Many plans and instructions I found on the Internet were too fancy for my taste with drawers, built-in cupboards and platforms to accommodate a double mattress. I spent quite some time sitting in the back of my RAV visualizing the design. What I came up with was much simpler than I ever expected.
The steps I took to convert my 2009 RAV4 into a camper
1. Take out the back seats
After the backseats are removed in a Toyota RAV4
The back seats had to come out. Unfortunately, the seats were connected with an electro cable and bolted in. Not like my old RAV4, where the seats easily slid out.
I inquired at Toyota, but they wouldn’t take the seats out for me, because of safety and liability reasons, they said. It was easy to find a mechanic to do it.
You could also inquire at a car recycling place to help you with that.
2. Build a sleeping platform on the passenger side
Piece of plywood for the sleeping platform
For a one-person sleeping platform, you need a piece of plywood approximately 96 cm long x 76 cm wide, and 1 cm thick. This works for the 2019 Toyota RAV4 which comes with the storage compartment. Please note: Measurements are only approximate.
The sleeping platform is adjacent to the storage compartment
The plywood touches the storage compartment. If your car is flat all the way to the back, you will have to extend the platform to the back.
Cut out a rounded piece to fit the plastic moulding that covers the wheel.
Screw on four or five legs cut from a piece of 2” x 4” to keep the platform in place and to be parallel with the storage compartment.
Attached legs on the sleeping platform for RAV camper conversion
Cover the plywood with a beautiful piece of material and attach it with a few table clothes clamps to keep it from sliding.
Cover the plywood with fabric and fasten with clamps
The gap towards the front of the bed when the passenger seat is pushed forward I built up with two storage containers and a couple of pillows on top. This can easily be removed if I want to put the passenger seat back into a seating position.
3. Buy a memory foam
Buy a memory foam mat, 8 – 10 cm thick to put on top of your bed platform. I cut my foam to my height. The space below my feet on the passenger side I use to store my water bottle and my coolbox.
If you are tall, you will need the whole length of the car for sleeping.
Cut out the rounding for the armrest.
Foam mattress on top of the sleeping platform
Cover the foam with a nice bedsheet. Bring your pillow and your feather duvet and you will never be cold. My sleeping bag I carry just in case of extremely low temperatures or if I stay at someone’s place.
Below the sleeping platform, I store my Colman Stove, my backpack, my foldable camp chair, and cans of food for an emergency.
My comfortable bed in my RAV4 camper conversion
4. Install Rain Guards
Rain guards for Toyota RAV4
For my last extended northern road trip, I invested in a set of rain guards, also called wind deflectors, for my Toyota RAV4. This was a worthwhile investment and it made my trip much more enjoyable. The set I bought had to be mounted above the windows and attached with the included tape. Just clean around the window and apply, an easy no-drill application.
The mounted rain guards keep the rain out when the car windows are open a couple of inches. There is no dripping down the inside of the windows anymore.
Rain guards also reduce wind noise and allow windows to be cracked discreetly when parked.
5. Mount a Basket Roof Rack
Roof rack for my RAV4 SUV conversion
A basket roof rack is the best solution to carry extra gasoline and a second spare tire if necessary. You can get extended racks as well, but the small one gives me plenty of space for what I need.
6. Mosquito net for windows
Attach the mosquito net with magnets
I bought half a metre of mosquito netting at the fabric store and cut the width in half. The pieces are large enough to cover the front or back window. I attach the netting on the outside of the windows and use magnets to keep them in place. It’s easy, fast and works great. In Canada, sets of magnets are available cheap at any of the Dollar Stores.
Now I can open the window from the inside of the car and mosquitos and other bugs stay outside.
Most times I only use the netting on the passenger side front window. That’s also where I keep the window open a crack during the night.

7. Window curtains
I didn’t like the idea of permanent curtains on the car windows. My car windows are tinted and most times I don’t use any curtains when I camp. Still, if I have to stay in a Walmart parking lot or in a campground with big rigs on both sides, curtains come in handy. In the far north, where you have the midnight sun, the curtains keep the sun out and help me fall asleep.
Attached wire to hang curtains
At the fabric store, I bought a bag of curtain sash cord with eyelets. I attached the cord around the inside of the car, using the eyelets to fasten the wire at various places. The sash cord stays in there permanently as long as I use the RAV4 as my camper.
At a Thrift store, I picked up a new, dark blue bathroom curtain with blackout material on the back.
I cut three panels about 80 cm wide and sewed a seam on all sides. At the Dollar Store, I bought a couple of bags of office clips which I use to hang up the curtains. All it takes is a couple of minutes to get the curtains up and a few seconds to take them down.
Curtains for privacy if needed
8. Storage for the RAV4 camper conversion
For storage in my RAV4 camper, I use plastic crates, plastic storage bins, string bags, and nylon pouches for some of my clothes. All the containers I bought at Walmart.
- 1 plastic storage bin for dry food storage, approximately 43 cm x 30 cm x 35 cm h. This container fits in between the fitting from the removed seat. The container narrows at the bottom. It serves as my night table where I put my solar lamp, flashlight etc. during the night.
- 3 black crates approximately 46 cm x 43 cm interlock, which keeps them from moving around. (Interlockable is not necessary) One container stores all my kitchen equipment, pots, pans, dishes, cutlery, another stores my camera and electronic equipment, in the third crate I keep more food, cans, etc.
Please Note: Measurements are only approximate!
Maybe a better option would be to use solid containers with lids instead of crates to keep the dust out.
Back shelve RAV 4 and storage below
- The Toyota RAV4 netting storage shelf – If your car doesn’t come with this, you might want to build a shelf in the back. I love this simple addition to my RAV4. On this net shelve, I keep the rest of my clothes, rolled up jackets, tripod, plastic container for dishes and whatever else needs a space. During the day I store my solar lamp on the shelve to get charged by the sun.
- My Cellar – The spare tire for the RAV4 is mounted outside the back door. Therefore the RAV4 actually has cellar storage. To get to it I only have to remove the black crate and coolbox. Keep this in mind if you decide to build a shelve in the back. Make sure you can get access to the storage below.
Toyota RAV4 Cellar Storage
Keep safety in mind
Make sure to build the structure to prevent injury in case of an accident. Also, consider that with everything you add to the RAV4 camper conversion and when you load it up with your equipment. Use straps to tie down equipment if needed.
My Mini-Camper and home away from home for minimalists
Power Source I use in my RAV4 camper
One of the most useful gadgets to take along on a road trip is the one that lets you power up all the other gadgets while. An inverter changes the 12-volt direct current from the car’s battery into the 115-volt alternating current used by most appliances.
Inverters come in all sizes. Smaller ones, like the Energizer I have, fit into the glove box and plug into the lighter/power outlet. In addition to giving me AC power, it lets me charge my smartphone through a USB cable.
What else to pack for a road trip
- Basic Packing List for Wilderness Camping
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Are you planning to convert your car into a miniature home? Do you have any questions about my simple design? Please leave a comment below!
Camping in the Old Ghost Town of Quesnel Forks BC
May 24, 2019 1:16 pm 9 Comments
Old Ghost towns always intrigued me. Quesnel Forks is one of the earliest boom towns in the Cariboo, British Columbia with many restored buildings, information kiosks and free riverside campsites.
Likely BC is the starting point for visiting Quesnel Forks. A 13 km drive along a winding gravel road with a couple of steep switchbacks will take you to the abandoned townsite.
Ghost Town History
Long before the gold seekers arrived, the valley had been a favourite summer camp for the ancestors of First Nations. This changed rapidly in the mid 19th century when miners arrived at the Quesnel River and discovered gold.
A smallpox epidemic broke out in 1862. The native population with no natural immunity was decimated. Smallpox and other diseases brought to Native communities by white explorers had devastating effects on the native population all through early history.
“Forks City”, or “Forks at the Quesnelle” as it was called at the time was founded in 1860 at the junction of the Quesnel and Cariboo Rivers and served as a supply center for miners heading north on the gold trail to Barkerville. When the Waggon Road was built in 1865 and completely bypassed Fork City, the population declined as the miners moved further north.
In the late 1860 white miners had abandoned this section of the gold trail and Chinese miners and traders moved into the Quesnel Forks. With a population of at least 500 gold miners, the town became alive again with a general store, hotels, a butcher shop, markets and other businesses.
As the gold was running out, most of the population left. Only a few Chinese were determined to stay on. In 1954 the last Chinese/Canadian resident, Wong Kury Kim passed away from exposure while returning from Likely. As the story goes, his body was found by the town’s only other resident, Leo “Shorty” Lahaie.
Historic buildings at Quesnel Forks, BC
Walk through the cemetery
I arrived at Quesnel Forks early afternoon, mesmerized by this old settlement of the early 1860s. Walking through the old cemetery reading the gravestones I tried to visualize the life of the gold miners. How did they all die? Some were killed by the elements, others died of mining accidents, some from smallpox and others were murdered by their rivals.
Abandoned cabin at Ghost Town of Quesnel Forks
Where is my axe?
I just started to put up camp and oh no!! How is it possible that I left my axe behind. A backcountry road trip in Canada without an axe is bad news. Thinking about it, I remember exactly what happened. During my trip to the Northwest Territories and the Yukon two years ago I took my small axe along and it was pretty much useless.
Free firewood at Recreational Campsites; you need an axe
Why I need an axe
Most of the Territorial Campgrounds in the north of Canada and many Recreational Campsites supply heaps of free firewood cut into big logs. Not so at Provincial Campgrounds down in the Okanagan Valley where you have to pay for every piece you burn.
To make use of the free supply of wood, you have to be able to split the logs. From my experience, this just doesn’t seem to work with the small axe I used to make kindling with back at the ranch.
At the time when I camped in Canada’s Territories, I made up my mind to bring the big axe along on my next northern road trip.
Unfortunately, my big axe didn’t come along and it is still in my storage trailer down in Vernon. So, now here I’m spending a night in the old ghost town of Quesnel Fork with lots of firewood piled up, and no axe.
No Excuses
It looks like I’ll be the only camper for the night. What the heck, I didn’t bring any newspaper either… Shame on me!
I didn’t use my own wilderness road trip planner which I so carefully created for everyone else who is planning a road trip, and wants to be prepared.
Maybe I’m excused, after spending the winter in Europe as a minimalist backpacker. It has been eight months since I sold my guest ranch and my belongings are packed in a utility trailer at my friends in Vernon BC. Of course, all this is no excuse for leaving on a road trip without an axe.
How to light a fire if you come unprepared
Dreaming of a Campfire
I’m still determined to build a fire tonight and cook some beans. I could use my gas stove, but a real campfire is so much more appealing in tonight’s wilderness surroundings. The roaring sounds of the Quesnel and the Cariboo Rivers, a campfire and pot of beans, what else would I want here in the deep backwoods of the Cariboo. In addition to that, the campfire will keep the mosquitoes away.
A piece of netting material attached to one of the car windows keeps the little bloodsuckers out and lets a fresh breeze into my car.
Bean Stew at Quesnel Forks Ghost Town
I cooked up a hearty stew with a can of black beans, fresh sweet potatoes and carrots, spiced up with vegetable stock and chilly powder. Not bad at all for the first campfire meal I cooked this season.
A hearty campfire bean stew for dinner
I found a stick of fire starter left in the basement of my Toyota RAV4, tor up a brown paper lunch bag, added some twigs and small pieces of wood I gathered around the area. Most wood was still soaking wet from the rain pour last night.
In the end, the campfire burnt but it was not the best one I ever lit. Did it ever smoke, they must have seen the grey cloud rising up at Quesnel Forks Ghosttown all the way in Likely, 13 km away.
Alone in the ghost town of Quesnel Forks
I sat in my comfortable Helinox camping chair at the rocky beach of Quesnel Forks at the confluence of the Quesnel and Cariboo rivers and ate my bean stew. It evoked a feeling of peace and serenity.
I had it all for myself, the sheltered River Valley, shaded by ancient black cottonwoods, the rocky beach, and Quesnel Forks, the ghost town.
Solitude in a Ghost Town
How to get to Quesnel Forks
The drive from Williams Lake to Likely takes about one hour. Quesnel Forks is 13 km from Keithley Creek Road in Likely. Turn at the Community Hall on Keithley Creek Road (you will see a sign) and follow Rosette Lake Road which turns into a gravel road. Rosette Lake Road changes to Quesnel River Road, keep on going. Watch out for potholes and road hazards along the way. Drive slowly.
The site is only accessible in the summer after the snow melts.
What to See and Do at Quesnel Forks
Quesnel Fork is managed by the Likely Cemetry Society, which researches and repairs many of the markers and is slowly restoring the historic cabins.
- Stroll among the restored buildings of the past.
- Walk through the old cemetery, read the gravestones that survived the years and check out the old graves.
- Walk the mobility trail which goes along the river and through the heritage village. There are even two wheelchair accessible outhouses on the site.
- Have a picnic.
- Camp in the wilderness.
- Visit Quesnel Forks for the summer festival. Check for dates at the Info Centre in Likely, Phone: (1) 250 790 2459
Camping in a Ghost Town
Quesnel Forks Recreation Site is is a campers paradise. The free campsite is a user-maintained campsite and all sites come with a picknick table, fire pit, free firewood, view of the Rivers and a short trail to a rocky beach.
- Please respect the forest environment, don’t litter and take the garbage with you when you leave.
- 7 days stay maximum
- I was there in May and had the whole town for myself.
Quesnel Forks British Columbia Recreation Site
Maps and Guide books
- Canada Topo Maps and Backroad Mapbooks
- Canada Travel Guides by Lonely Planet
Tourist Information
Likely Info Centre and Museum
Located at Cedar Point Provincial Park. Opens in June and summer only.
Phone: 1 250 790 2459
Williams Lake Visitor Centre
A friendly place located at the Discovery Centre, 1660 South Broadway Avenue, with gift show and coffee bar and free Internet service.
Phone: 250 392 5025 or 1 877 967 5253, www.williamslakechamber.com
Abandoned cabin at Ghost Town of Quesnel Forks
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Have you camped at any other ghost towns in Canada? Please leave a comment and share your experience.
Guaranteed Rugged Rail Journey On The Kaoham Shuttle
May 10, 2019 12:59 pm 12 Comments
(This article was published in the June 2019 edition of Globerovers Magazine)
The Kaoham Shuttle is Canada’s most breathtaking hidden Train Journey from Lillooet to Seton Portage, British Columbia
The train adventure starts in the small town of Lillooet, a special place surrounded by towering mountains, deep canyons, roaring rivers, and crystal clear lakes. This unique piece of heaven situated along the mighty Fraser River captured my heart the first time I was in town. Lillooet is accessible via the famous Sea-to-Sky Highway from Vancouver.
Please check the latest comments below for updated information on the shuttle!
Lillooet’s History
The rich history of Lillooet began with the people of the St’àtäimc Nation that continue to live in the area today. Much later during the British Columbia gold rush of 1860, Lillooet was Mile “0” on the Cariboo Pavilion Road, the first wagon road to be surveyed in BC and the route to the Cariboo goldfields.
When you travel through Lillooet in July and August you notice the rock shelf in the Fraser River near the town dotted with orange and blue tarpaulins. The site belongs to the Aboriginal people who still come every summer to gather their salmon for the winter as the fish make their way upriver to spawn. You will notice old drying racks scattered around the banks of the river canyon.
Fishing grounds of the Aboriginal people along the Fraser River, Lillooet
The Journey from Lillooet to Seton Portage
The train journey on the Kaoham Shuttle is something you won’t experience anywhere else. For the local people, it remains a vital service in an area where backcountry roads are often impassable. If you’re fortunate enough to get on the ride you will be amazed.
The train runs along the edge of Seton Lake next to impressive rock faces and cliffs and connects passengers between Lillooet and Seton Portage, every day of the week. Most of the passengers travel between the two towns for work, for family visits and for shopping.
Train tracks on the edge of Seton Lake
What You Need To Know
The Kaoham Shuttle is not meant to be a tourist attraction and priority to board the train is given to the local people. Therefore, getting a spot on this train is a privilege.
How I got a seat on the train
I soon found out that patience and plenty of time were necessary if I wanted to venture on this iconic train journey. At the Lillooet Railway station, I was told to phone the reservation number listed at the door to get on the shuttle the next day, but no one answered my call. Booking ahead doesn’t always seem to work and I waited around until noon when finally the Kaoham Suttle arrived from Seton.
I was happy to talk to the friendly train driver before he headed back towards Seton at around 3:30 pm the same day. “I’ve been running the shuttle for sixteen years and would like to retire”, he said, “but no one wants to take over my job”. That made me think and wonder how much longer this train journey will be available. I made sure to let the driver know that I wanted to get on the shuttle the next day, whatever it takes.
Apart from Friday’s, there is only one train run per day, Seton Portage to Lillooet and back to Seton, so I had to look for accommodation.
I finally got ahold of the Lil’tem’ Mountain Hotel to find out that it was fully booked by BC Hydro workers but was promised that there was an empty trailer in town I could rent for a night.
A seat on the Kaoham Shuttle on the way to Seton Portage
The Epic Journey
The next day at 3:30 pm I boarded the train with a few locals. There wasn’t much space in the tiny passenger train this afternoon. The space next to the driver was filled with packages, groceries and other supplies and was also used by the driver to do his paperwork.
The one-car carriage followed the old train tracks along the base of one of the sheerest mountain rock cliffs with a view of the beautiful jade green shimmering lake. The little train puffed through the spectacular backcountry and made a few whistle and photo stops along the way. The driver slowed the train to point out eagles, mountain goats, and even a black bear far in the distance. The final highlight before arrival at Seaton Portage was the 1.2 km hollowed tunnel dug into the base of the mountain. The impressive journey lasted just over an hour.
On the Kaoham Shuttle along Seton Lake
Seton Portage
After arrival in the small town of Seton Portage, I stopped in at the Lil’em’Mountain Hotel to get the directions to my trailer accommodation. Later I checked out the Highline Pub & Restaurant, found a small grocery store, and met friendly locals. This tiny community is a piece of heaven in the deep backcountry of British Columbia, a special place to explore.
Mountain View from my trailer at Seton Portage
The Road Back To Lillooet
For a different adventure, I caught a ride with friendly locals back to Lillooet along Mission Road the next morning. The steep gravel road cut into the edge of the mountain took us to the tiny community of Shalalth and past the massive Bridge River Generating Station. From the top of Mission Mountain, the road dropped down to Carpenter Lake with plenty of switchbacks and incredible views. The drive back to Lillooet was 72 km journey and took just over two hours.
Mission Road Seton Portage to Lillooet
Is it worth the hassle?
I know for sure that for the five dollars the train journey cost me I would have never been able to experience a more breathtaking train ride anywhere else. It was worth every second of waiting around at the train station.
Views along Mission Road on the way from Seton Portage to Lillooet
Places to stay
Seton Portage Accommodation
- The Lil’tem’ Mountain Hotel – the only hotel in town. If the hotel is booked out, they will be able to find accommodation for you somewhere else in town.
- Camping – Seton Portage Historic Provincial Park close to the hotel and pub. Other camping is possible in the area.
My Top Pick for Camping in Lillooet
Texas Creek Campground – a small, friendly place a few minutes from Lillooet with 3 RV sites with water, power, and free WiFi; 1 tent site; 1 cozy one-room cabin all with a shared flush bathroom.
Useful Links
If you enjoyed this story and are interested in learning more about hidden adventures in Canada please sign up for the monthly Backcountry News, LIKE my Facebook Page, and Follow me on Instagram to see more.
Please leave a comment below if you have been on the Kaoham Shuttle or driven the road to Seaton Portage and have any tips to share.

Alberta Trip Planner and Travel Guide	Roadtrip Planner for the wilderness
Canada Destination Guide	RAV4 Camper conversion for minimalists
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Authentic Wilderness Ranch Vacations	Backcountry Destination Guide
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Road Trip Planner for the wilderness	25 Best Small Towns in BC to visit
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Yukon Travel Guide	Best Maps for Canada Travel
17 Best Towns in Northwest Territories	Road trip Planner for the wilderness
25 Best Small Towns in BC to visit	RAV4 Camper Conversion for Minimalists

Author Archives: Yrene Dee

Unique Alberta towns

Facts about Alberta towns

19 Unique Alberta Towns you should visit

1. Calgary (Cowtown)

2. Longview

3. Lunbreck

4. Belleview – Crowsnest Pass

5. Frank – Crowsnest Pass

6. Blairmore – Crowsnest Pass

7. Coleman – Crowsnest Pass

8. Nanton

9. Fort Macleod

10. Black Diamond

11. Turner Valley

12. Canmore

13. Bragg Creek

14. Drumheller

15. Banff

16. Jasper

17. Historic Nordegg

18. Hinton

19. Grand Cache

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Pemberton: Birkenhead Lake Half-Day Mountain Ride

Pemberton: Full-Day Horseback Riding Experience

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Winter Camping in BC – Camper Ken’s Story

Arriving in camp

The dreaded freezing temperatures

Winterizing my tent

How to keep warm

Camping tips for -12°C temperatures

Survival Essentials

Winter Camping in BC, why it is worth it

About Ken

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Best Towns and Places In Yukon To Visit

Facts about towns and places in Yukon

16 Best Towns and Places In Yukon To Visit

1. Dawson City

2. Tombstone Territorial Park

3. Mayo

4. Keno City

5. Pelly Crossing

6. Carmacks

7. Faro

8. Ross River

9. Watson Lake

10. Teslin

11. Carcross

12. Carcross Sand Dunes

13. Whitehorse

14. Haines Junction

15. Kluane National Park and Reserve

16. Burwash Landing

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Best towns in Northwest Territories

Facts about small towns in Northwest Territories

17 Best Towns In Northwest Territories to visit

1. Tsiigehtchic

2. Fort McPherson

3. Inuvik

4. Tuktoyaktuk

5. Fort Liard

6. Nahanni Butt

7. Fort Simpson

8. Wrigley

9. Jean Marie River