Fort St. James

Fort St. James

Fort St. James (population: 1,355) was one of BC’s earliest European settlements, founded in 1806 as a trading post for the North West Company. Today, the trading post is a National Historic Site, restored to look as it did in the 1890s.

The community is situated on Stuart Lake, near the rolling hills of the Nechako Plateau that mark the southern edge of the Omineca Mountains. Both hunting and fishing are major sources of tourism in this district. Many canoeists head to the area as well, particularly to paddle the celebrated Nation Lakes Canoe Route. The area also has ample hiking and camping activities throughout the region.