In Bella Coola, visit the local museum, take a walking tour around town to view the historic sites or pick up a picnic at the farmers market, open every Sunday morning during the summer. Photographers and artists flock to Bella Coola every year in increasing numbers, enjoying the multitude of wild subjects and scenic backdrops. Several galleries and gift shops offer a wide variety of Aboriginal and contemporary art, crafts, and books.
Air and Land Activities
Bella Coola is an ideal base for wilderness adventures because of its proximity to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park and an impressive network of alpine hiking trails, lakes and water falls. Drive-in camping opportunities abound both in the park and in private campgrounds in the Valley.
A drive along Highway 20 reveals the valley's rich history, reflected in the Aboriginal totem poles, the stunning artwork on the longhouse-style school building, and the square-timbered log homes built by the Norwegian settlers at the turn of the century. Visit the Bella Coola Museum in Bella Coola and the Norwegian Heritage House in nearby Hagensborg for excellent displays on the Valley's Aboriginal and European settlers' history.
Flightseeing charters, including those by plane or helicopter, are available and are a spectacular way to view the glaciers, mountain peaks and fjords.
Water Activities
Charter a boat to inspect an 18th-century explorer's inscription on Mackenzie Rock, or do a bit of fishing or prawning with local fisherpeople. The estuary is excellent spot to vew seals, sea lions, dolphins and the occasional whale.
Drift the rivers looking for bears, do some fly- or gear-fishing or just enjoy the scenery. One adventure tour operator even runs a unique salmon-snorkelling excursion for those who want to get up-close and personal with the "locals."
Winter Activities
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along the many back-country roads is also popular here, as is family-style or extreme snowmobiling along unmaintained trails. Two heli-skiing companies operate within the region taking to skiers to untouched powder and incredibly long verticals on the Coast Mountains. Bring gear or sleds, though - Bella Coola has no winter equipment rental shops.
Guided Tours, Self-Guided Trips and Driving Routes
Hire a guide for a hike, or to drift along the rivers to view bears and wildlife. Or pick up the Bella Coola Valley Trail Guide at the Visitor Information Booth for self-guided hiking trips. This guide points out great trails and spots, including Clayton Falls, pictured here. History buffs should also check out the Bella Coola Valley's Museum society's A Historic Walking Tour of Bella Coola booklet, which provides a self-guided walking tour around the village's many historic sites and buildings.
Explore the expansive wilderness landscape and amazing wildlife of Bella Coola and its surrounding area along mapped driving routes.
Bear/Wildlife Watching
The meadows and forests near the Atnarko River and Bella Coola Valley's are home to an abundance of wildlife. Beginning in late August, grizzlies and black bears join the eagles and river otters along the river banks to feast on the sluggish, spawned-out salmon. Several guides will take visitors out on the Atnarko and Bella Coola rivers for a chance to view this magnificent and ancient ritual in nature. On land, local guides are available for wildlife viewing and bird watching hikes between early May and late October.
Festivals and Events
Take in the Bella Coola Rodeo on the July 1st long weekend, one of the largest amateur rodeos in Western Canada. The community-wide annual Bella Coola Fall Fair is held the first or second weekend in September. Visitors are also welcome to attend many of the numerous ceremonial "Pot Latches," hosted by the Nuxalk community, and should visit the Nuxalk Nation website for more information on these.
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