A unique scenic drive and day trip is the unusual drive north to the 18,000-hectare Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park, 100km/62mi north of Terrace. The park, which is part of the Nisga'a First Nations Nass Valley, is the site of a volcanic eruption that destroyed two First Nations villages and killed thousands of their people 270 years ago. The still bare landscape resembles the moon surrounded by mountains. The area is covered in grey and black lava, which is in turn covered with a strange sea green moss and new spurts of vegetation.
Getting to the Nass Valley
To get to the Nass Valley, head west on Highway 16 and turn right onto the Nisga'a Highway. Along the one-hour drive, view mountain peaks, rivers and lakes. Stop to photograph Vetter falls, a small waterfall at the end of a short trail clearly marked on the left side of the road, three quarters of the way on the journey. In the summer, bears are a common sight along this route. It's possible to 20 or more bears in one day, grazing the side of the highway, searching for berries. The most commonly seen animals are black bears, but people have also seen the rare and unique white Kermodei bears too. Foxes are also around.
Once in the Nass Valley, take time to explore the lava beds on foot as well as visit one or all of the four small but interesting Nisga'a First Nations villages in the area: Canyon City, New Aiyansh, Greenville and Kincolith.
The Nisga'a Commercial Group and a couple local tour guiding outfits offer tours of the Nass Valley: including a hiking tour to the origin of the eruption, a mushroom/herb/botanical tour and a fish wheel tour. Guides are local Nisga'a who live in the area. Tours leave and end in Terrace.
To Prince Rupert or Smithers
Other scenic drives around Terrace include the trip west to Prince Rupert along Highway 16 and the trip east to Smithers on the same route. The highway follows the Skeena River and offers glorious views of local peaks and mountain ranges. On a sunny day, the trips are absolutely stunning. The ride to Prince Rupert is gorgeous in the early spring, when the snow melts off the mountains and spills from the rocky cliffs that line the highway in the form hundreds of waterfalls. It takes about one and a half hours to drive the 147km/88mi to Prince Rupert and two hours to drive the 205km/123mi to Smithers.
Practical Points
- For more information about the history of the area and its people and the volcanic eruption, check out the Nisga'a Visitor Centre near New Aiyansh, which is built in the shape of traditional local First Nations design.
- The Terrace Visitor Centre also has information pamphlets about the Nass Valley and its stories.
- At any time along these routes, visitors may view wildlife such as bears and moose. Be cautious. Do not approach the animals.
- In the summer, the roads are smooth and paved. In the winter, conditions may be snowy and require winter tires.