Northern British Columbia Things To Do

Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary

The Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, home to more than 50 grizzlies, is only accessible by boat. Plan your trip to Canada's only grizzly bear sanctuary between early May and early July, when the bears descend from winter dens to mate and to eat the tender sedge grasses. Often mothers with one to three cubs can be seen teaching their young survival skills.

The Khutzeymateen is protected through controlled viewing to minimize human contact. Only two licensed guides are permitted to bring tours inside the wilderness sanctuary. Reservations for four-day guided tours must be made well in advance. Single day tours of the Khutzeymateen Inlet (outside the sanctuary) are also available.

The sanctuary is located 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Prince Rupert in the Khutzeymateen Inlet.

A word or two on your excursion:

• All visitors to the sanctuary must register at the Guardian Station
• Land access is prohibited

> Khutzeymateen Sanctuary website

Queen Charlotte Islands

The Queen Charlotte Islands have a uniquely evolved assortment of species and sub-species of wildlife, which makes for incredible wildlife viewing.

While driving the Queen Charlotte Island Highway, there are many chances for roadside wildlife viewing. En route from Queen Charlotte City to Masset, look for Sitka deer - a small, black-tailed species - at dawn and dusk feeding on the gassy clearings on either side of the highway. The island's black bears are the largest in North America, and are often seen strolling along the highway as well.

The islands' waters teem with sea life, including seals, sea lions, porpoises and marine birds. Eagles can be spotted - often hundreds at a time - in the spring and summer, particularly during low tides as they feed on clams and cockles. Look for grey whales in the spring as well as Orcas and humpback whales in the summer. The marine wildlife may be best viewed from a kayaking tour of a few hours in Skidegate Inlet to one of several days in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.

The Queen Charlotte Islands are accessed via an eight-hour ferry ride from Prince Rupert. Air service is also available from Vancouver and Prince Rupert.

Stone Mountain Provincial Park

Stone Mountain Provincial Park, part of the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area, is one of the last tracts of true wilderness located south of the 60th parallel. Boasting a multitude of wildlife, it's not surprising that this land is called the "Serengeti of the North."

Many wildlife viewing opportunities exist in the park for moose, mule deer and black bears. Herds of stone sheep are common sights in the summer months, while fall is the prime time for viewing the woodland caribou that frequently visit the highway corridor after spending June to September in the alpine areas.

The park is located along Highway 97 (the Alaska Highway), a two-hour drive west from Fort Nelson.

> Stone Mountain Park website

Muncho Lake Provincial Park

Muncho Lake Provincial Park is also included in the massive area that comprises the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area. Located in the northern Rocky Mountains, its spruce forests, open meadows and mineral licks allow for some of BC's best wildlife viewing. Larger residents include moose, caribou and mule deer as well as grizzly and black bears.

Muncho Lake is also a staging area for migrating loons, grebes, Canada geese and mergansers.

Look out for stone sheep along the highway in the spring and summer - they're attracted to the roadside mineral accumulations.

Hikers will enjoy a walk through the alpine meadows in mid-July - it's like a carpet of colourful wildflowers.

Muncho Lake Provincial Park is a three-hour drive west from Fort Nelson along Highway 97 (the Alaska Highway).

> Muncho Lake Park website

Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park

Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park contains one of Canada's largest natural hot springs systems. The springs create an unusually warm microclimate. Fourteen species of orchids are found here, as are carnivorous plants such as sundew, butterwort and aquatic bladderwort. As you follow the boardwalk trail from the parking lot to the springs, you'll have numerous opportunities for observing this unique flora and wildlife. In the hanging gardens, wildflowers flourish in the natural terraces created by the springs' mineral deposits.

Resident moose feed in the marshy areas in the early mornings and evenings, making the park one of the best locations in the province to photograph these magnificent creatures. Black bears and porcupines can also be seen, along with a variety of birds, in this tropical-like oasis.

Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park is located along Highway 97 (the Alaska Highway), a four-hour drive northwest from Fort Nelson.

> Liard Hot Springs Park website

Fish Creek (Hyder, Alaska)

The Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site is just a five-minute drive from Hyder, Alaska, southeast Alaska's only road-accessible community. An elevated viewing platform along the bank of Fish Creek ensures a safe separation between people and bears. These animals come to fish for salmon in the creek's clear, shallow waters and must remain undisturbed in their natural habitat.

You'll hear the many songbirds in the area and see a host of other wildlife, such as nesting Canada geese, harlequin ducks, common mergansers, mink, beavers and bald eagles. Wolves are also known to visit the creek for the salmon.

The observation site is located off Highway 37A, adjacent to Stewart, BC.

A word or two on your visit:

• No admission fee in effect
• Approximate time required:1 hour
• All visitors to Hyder must report to Canada Customs upon their return to Canada

> Fish Creek website