 Hay bales in Vanderhoof, Sarah Artis photo Vanderhoof has wide-open spaces great for agriculture, hence the town's ranching history. The landscape of the surrounding area, which was carved by glaciers, is full of dense forest, unique rock formations, peaks, valleys, and meadows. The closest large city to Vanderhoof is Prince George, approximately 100 km/60 mi and less than an hour's drive east. The closest community to the west is Fort Fraser, about 35km/22mi away.
Nechako RiverThe Nechako River, a major tributary of the Fraser River, splits the town in two. The downtown core is south of the river while the local College campus, exhibition and rodeo grounds, golf course and more residential homes sit north of the river. Highway 16 and the train tracks, travelling east to west, from Prince George to Prince Rupert, also cut through the middle of downtown.
Big River CountryThe area south of Vanderhoof, referred to as "Big River Country", features a thousand lakes of various sizes. A network of logging roads, with routes exiting at various points along Hwy 16, allows assess to the incredible trails and lakes in the area. The Big River Country is and outdoor recreation hub of fishing, outfitting, ATVing, and boating. About 15 drive-in, boat-in or fly-in leads to wilderness lodges spread widely throughout this region.
Climate and WeatherVanderhoof's average July temperature is 22°C/72°F, while January's average is –13.5°C/9°F. The town's annual snowfall is approximately 177cm/70 in. Winters can be quite snowy and very cold.
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