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The McBride area boasts many private campgrounds and fine hiking, ranging from scenic walks to alpine treks.
Stunning peaks, diverse wildlife and sparkling lakes draw campers to Mount Robson Provincial Park, just 45 minutes from McBride.
West Twin Provincial Park and Protected Area is a wonderful wilderness setting where you might spot deer, Mountain Goats, Moose, Caribou and a great density of Grizzly Bears.
Koeneman Regional Park is a great place to picnic or launch your boat.
The famous Fraser River offers fall and summer salmon runs. Plenty of lakes, creeks and streams also draw anglers to the McBride area. Take a white-water rafting adventure on one of the many area rivers, or paddle or boat the Fraser River.
Spot some 200 bird species around Horseshoe Lake. Horseback riding tours can be arranged through local outfitters.
Enjoy the fine arts and crafts on display at the Whistle Stop Gallery.
McBride has several world-class snowmobiling areas, as well as cross-country ski trails, heli-skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and dog sledding.
Lay down stakes at a number of private campgrounds in the area.
Mount Robson Provincial Park is renowned for its vast alpine and vehicle accessible camping. Wilderness, walk-in and backcountry camping is also available at Mount Robson as well as West Twin Provincial Park and Protected Area. No facilities are provided.
Hiking in and around McBride ranges from easy walks to overnight treks. Popular trails include the .5 km (.3 mi) Boreal Falls trail. Bell Mountain trail has an upper and lower elevation hiking option after the 5 km (3.1mi) mark. Head into the alpine on a 25 km (15.5 mi) moderate to difficult hike. Or choose the lower elevation hike with 18 km (11.2 mi) of easy to difficult trails.
The historic Goat River trail, now part of the National Hiking Trail, is 45 minutes from McBride.
Take the trail to Boulder Mountain located off Goat River Forestry road. The trail to the cabin is about 6 km (3.7 mi) one-way. Reach the peak, with a further hike of 1.6 km (1 mi) one-way.
Horseback riding tours can be arranged through local outfitters. Trips to the Northern Rockies range from single day to multi-day overnight trips.
Tackle some challenging mountain biking terrain on the local mountains.
Test your skills at the nine-hole golf course set at the foot of seven valleys.
ATVers may use any of the existing trails with due care. Experienced paragliders can launch at McBride Peak.
Fred Koeneman was an early McBride area settler who built a log cabin in order to make it easier for his children to attend school. This historic cabin now resides in Koeneman Regional Park.
Historic St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and the Anglican/United Church also make interesting viewing.
View fine quality arts and crafts from local artisans at the Whistle Stop Gallery, located inside the historic McBride train station.
See exhibits of local artifacts as well as traveling art shows in the McBride & District Public Library, organized through the Valley Museum and Archives Society.
Built in 1919, McBride’s heritage railway station was originally the site of the Grand Trunk Pacific station. The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway brought McBride into existence as a division point on the northern trans-continental line in 1911-14.
Passengers from the Skeena still arrive to explore the Visitor Information Centre, the Whistle Stop Gallery and to enjoy a bite in the coffee shop.
Come out to the old-fashioned, country-style Robson Valley Fall Fair in late August.
During the school year, you can catch a wide variety of performers on stage at the Roundhouse Theatre.
West Twin Provincial Park and Protected Area was set aside to protect the region’s rich wildlife, including Mountain Goats, deer and moose. The main Robson Valley trench provides a protected Caribou corridor. A high density of Grizzly Bears is also found in the park.
Just outside of McBride, you’ll find Koeneman Regional Park, which offers picnic tables, fire rings, dry toilets and a boat launch. Don’t miss the historic Koeneman hand-built log cabin.
Climb the viewing platform overlooking Horseshoe Lake to spot some 200 bird species. Other viewpoints include McBride Peak and Lucille Mountain, though a 4WD is recommended, as the slopes are quite steep.
Spectacular Mount Robson Provincial Park, just 45 minutes from McBride, offers stunning vistas and sparkling lakes. Mount Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Wildlife such as Mule deer & Black Bear, Elk, Moose, Mountain Goats, Caribou and Grizzly Bears can be spotted here.
Local streams, lakes and creeks draw anglers from all around to McBride. A few small lakes have been stocked.
The Fraser River is well known for its fall and summer salmon runs. Resident Rainbow Trout, Bull Trout and Whitefish are also prize catches. Note that there are some river restrictions and sometimes closures during the salmon season.
Area outfitters offer single or multi-day white-water rafting trips down from gentle floats to breathtaking thrill rides.
The legendary Fraser River is also popular with paddlers and power boaters. Check out the public boat launch in Koeneman Regional Park. Guided tours and rentals are available.
Goat River entices intermediate and advanced paddlers. During low water levels this is a Grade II-III river, reaching to Grade IV when the water level rises.
Both Holmes River and Chalko Creek offer Class II-IV white-water.
Bell, Lucille and the Renshaw are three of McBride’s world-class snowmobiling areas, all offering groomed trails and warm-up cabins. Snowmobile rentals are available.
Set out on the 30km of track set trails on Bell Mountain. Enjoy the trails and fine backcountry opportunities at West Twin Provincial Park and Protected Area.
To experience an awesome view of the area’s huge glaciated plateaus and wide-spaced forests visit McBride’s local heli-ski operator.
Dogsled tours are offered in the Small River area.
Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the backcountry while ice fishing is popular on local stocked lakes.
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