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Houston

Steelhead Park, George Rhoades photo
Steelhead Park, George Rhoades photo
Houston (Pop: 3,200) is a small Northern British Columbia town through and through; the people here are friendly, open, and proud. For visitors, the town offers an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities: Hike the area's a vast stretch of forest, or canoe and fish in creeks, rivers, and hundreds of lakes. Winter brings cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

Fishing

Houston is known as the Steelhead capital of the world because so many anglers flock here for the mighty fish – even though it is catch and release only. Anglers also come for Spring and Coho salmon, Dolly Varden, Rainbow Trout and other species making Houston an angling hot spot. Fortunately, the many lakes and vast terrain make it so that no one place is too crowded.

Just outside the Houston Visitor Centre on Hwy 16 is the largest fly fishing rod in the world – a great symbol of Houston's fishing pride. The statue was designed by a local resident. Next to the structure is the fittingly named Steelhead Park, where visitors can take a small stroll, have a bite to eat at one of the picnic tables, or just stop for a rest.

Seasonal Activities

The area surrounding Houston offers incredible summer activities such as swimming, canoeing, and hiking. Visitors can also get the feel for the landscape on various circle tours, or on a camping stay in the nearby wilderness.

Winter is also an active time in Houston. Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are hugely popular here, and some downhill skiers venture into the outback too. The town's areas for these sports are well-maintained and mapped out, which allows visitors, not necessarily familiar with the area to enjoy them as much as the locals.

About Town

Visitors to Houston have the choice of several accommodation options, from motels to lake lodges and cabins. Restaurants in town serve a variety of hearty food. And all necessary services such as banks, grocery stores, gas stations and even a new, comfortable leisure centre with a nice pool, are available here.

Houston officially began as a tie-cutting centre for the Grand Trunk Railway, the rail line that now passes through downtown, almost parallel to Hwy 16. In the 1940s, however, forestry took over and continues to be the dominant industry still. The town has two massive wood processing plants just a few minutes drive west of town.

Where to Begin?

Stop by the Houston Visitor Centre on Hwy 16 for more information about things to do, accommodations, and dining options in the area.