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Few activities are more rewarding in the Houston area than fishing for steelhead—it’s one of the finest places in BC to drop your line.
Great fishing lakes and rivers abound in the area, including the well known Morice River and Bulkley River.
There are also fine spots to swim, paddle, or just settle in for a lakeside picnic.
You can hike along meandering lakeside paths or climb steep and strenuous trails for spectacular views. Hop on your mountain bike to explore the 40 km (24.5 mi) of trails along the Silverthorne Lake area of the Houston Community Forest.
At the heart of Houston is beautiful Steelhead Park where you’ll find the World’s largest Fly Rod, the World’s largest Sawmill, as well as picnic areas and a playground among other attractions.
Tyhee Lake Provincial Park, north of Houston, features a scenic lake and campground with great bird watching.
In winter, enjoy ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing or the fresh powder while downhill skiing at Ski Smithers Resort.
Stand at the tip of China Nose Mountain to view mountain peaks, lakes, alpine flowers and wildlife species such as mountain goats. The sight is well worth the 2-3 hour steep hike (one-way) it will take to get you there.
Just south of Houston, the Old Pines Trail winds 3km (1.8 mi) around Silverthorne Lake. Stop at the picnic area located at the trailhead to relax and fuel-up with snacks.
Hardcore hikers will enjoy the strenuous 20 km (12.4 mi) hike to Nadina Mountain which features challenging terrain. When you reach the 6 km (3.7 mi) point, you can camp or rest at Base Lake before attempting the steep and rocky alpine ahead of you.
For invigorating mountain biking, head to the Silverthorne Lake area of the Houston Community Forest to peddle 40 km (24.5 mi) of trail, including the 9-km (5.6 mi) trail to Morice Mountain.
For an unbeatable view, arrange for a helicopter ride through a local helicopter company.
Tyhee Lake Provincial Park, just 45 minutes from Houston, offers vehicle accessible campsites. A dozen private recreational and RV campsites also surround Houston.
Test your rock climbing skills at Owen Hat, not far from Houston. Approaches are varied and can follow easy to moderate routes, including bolted routes rated from 5.6 to 5.9 and top-roped routes rated up to 5.1 in difficulty.
Test your swing on Houston’s two nine-hole golf courses or try mini golf.
Picturesque Steelhead Park is home to the Worlds largest Fly Rod and the Steelhead sculpture water fountain. Also see the Worlds largest Sawmill at Canfor. Across from Steelhead Park, see the statue of Robbie Bell, Houston’s famous bull rider.
When avid fly fisher Warner Jarvis wanted to celebrate his passion, he designed the World’s Largest Fly Rod. Project supporters donated hundreds of hours to make the dream a reality.
The rod is made entirely of aluminum and is anodized bronze to simulate graphite. Installed near Houston’s Visitor Information Centre, the rod measures 18.3 m (60 ft) long and weighs 363.6 kg (800 lbs). The reel is 90 cm (36 in) in diameter. The fly is 52.5 cm or (21 in) long.
Visit the Houston Farmer’s Market from May to September to sample food and crafts from local farmers and artisans. Open from 9:00am to 1:00pm on Saturdays.
Learn how the forests are being reforested and harvested during a six-hour forestry tour offered in July and August.
Tour the high-tech lumber mill to see a log transformed from raw wood to the finished boards found in houses and buildings.
You’ll find dozen of parks in Houston, many with nature paths and great recreational facilities. At Steelhead Park, see the World’s Largest Fly Rod, explore walking trails and enjoy the picnic areas and playground.
Tyhee Lake Provincial Park, north of Houston, features a scenic lake and campground. Walk the lakeside trail to spot wildlife including osprey, belted kingfishers, common loons, and red-necked grebes.
Visit the farming country around the community of Telkwa in April, when thousands of migrating sandhill cranes emerge at dawn.
A spectacular sight in any season, catch the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Smithers. The viewing is best in winter but you can also see the dark skies dance with light from October through March.
Bird watchers can spot bald eagles, Canadian geese, Steller’s jays and other bird species in Houston. Take the walking trail around Duck Pond to spot many interesting species of waterfowl.
For family picnics, swimming, or finding a serene place to dip your paddle, try Irrigation, Sunset, Owen, Babine and Nadina lakes.
As one of the best places to fish for steelhead in BC, Houston’s renowned fishing spots include the Morice River and the Bulkley River. But there are plenty of well-stocked lakes in the area too. You can catch chinook and coho salmon, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, whitefish and Dolly Varden. Anglers will also find plenty of guides and full-service lodges in the area.
To explore the region by canoe or kayak, dip your paddle into the region’s many lakes and rivers.
For a wondrous multi-day paddling trip, try the Nanika-Kidprice Canoe route, which traverses four lakes that flow southwest from the Nechako Plateau into the snow-capped Coast Mountains. The minimum three-day return trip requires about 32 km (20 mi) of paddling and eight km (5 mi) of portaging. Just over an hour from Houston.
Houston offers groomed mountain and range trails as well as cabins for snowmobiling. Popular spots include Dungate Meadows, Telkwa Range, Rhine Ridge or the Sibolas. Snowmobile rentals are available in nearby Smithers.
When temperatures fall, ice fishing is popular on many Houston area lakes.
Snowboarders and skiers can play in the dry powder of Ski Smithers Resort, in nearby Smithers. Explore more than 118 hectares (292 acres) of skiable terrain including spectacular glades and a welcoming family atmosphere.
Winter in Houston means cross-country skiing The Morice Mountain Nordic Ski Trails, situated 8km (5 mi) south of Houston on Buck Flats Road. There are also 45 kms (28 mi) of challenging and beginner trails around Silverthorne Lake.
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