Tumbler Ridge has developed an extensive system of signed trails throughout the region. Some lead to alpine areas boasting views of towering, glaciated peaks. Others lead to stunning waterfalls, thrilling caves or fascinating geological formations. Don’t miss the TR Point Trail: an easy, two-hour ramble along this designated bird sanctuary provides plenty of opportunities to hear and view songbirds.
The area around Mount Babcock offers plenty of hiking trails as well. The 8-km (5-mi) return trip up 2,027-m (6,650 ft) Roman Mountain takes hikers along the same route as the Emperor’s Challenge half marathon, a local running and walking race. Meanwhile, the two-to-three day Monkman Lake Trail in Monkman Provincial Park leads to the Cascades, a series of ten spectacular waterfalls along Monkman Creek.
Tumbler Ridge is also a mountain-biking haven, with numerous roads now reverted back to double-track paths. In particular, the Wolverine Trails to Lost Haven Cabin offer excellent forest riding. Up in the mountains, trails from the coal exploration boom of the 1970s provide access to stunning alpine scenery.
Those interested in camping should head to Gwillim Lake and Monkman provincial parks. The former provides access to water activities such as canoeing, kayaking, swimming and fishing, while the latter’s rustic campground makes an excellent base for exploring the park’s striking waterfalls, including 60-m (197-ft) Kinuseo Falls.
Visitors preferring manicured greens will find them at the nine-hole Tumbler Ridge Golf and Country Club, complete with natural slopes, undulating fairways and challenging water hazards.
Tumbler Ridge has become famous for the numerous dinosaur bones and footprints recently discovered in the area. The region boasts BC’s longest, accessible dinosaur trackway as well as one of the largest collections of dinosaur footprints. Guided, interpretive, dinosaur trackway tours are offered daily during the summer months by the Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation. Sign up for an evening lantern tour, when the footprints are more visible.
Visitors head to Tumbler Ridge in the summer for the Grizfest Music Festival, which offers a diverse range of music, including rock, bluegrass, jazz, country, pop and classical. Then there’s the Emperor’s Challenge, a gruelling half marathon that has runners climbing 676 m (2,218 ft) to the summit of Roman Mountain before beginning the long descent home.
Tumbler Ridge has become a hotspot for dinosaur fossils, with new discoveries being made each year from fossils to footprints and trackways (paths of footprints). BC's first-ever, dinosaur-bone bed was unearthed in 2002, while a second bone set was uncovered in 2004. To view examples of these fascinating discoveries, hike the 2-km (1.25-mi) Flatbed Pools Trail to Cabin Pool on Flatbed Creek just outside Tumbler Ridge. At Cabin Pool Rock you'll be able to see at least two dozen prints (please don't walk directly on them). Guided, dinosaur trackway tours are offered daily during the summer months by the Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation. Sign up for an evening lantern tour, when the footprints are more visible.
The region is also known for its dozens of spectacular waterfalls, two highlights of which are 60-m (197-ft) Kinuseo Falls in Monkman Provincial Park and 100-m (328-ft) Bergeron Falls, probably Northern BC’s highest, known waterfall.
Nestled in the Central Rocky Mountains one hour south of town, Monkman Provincial Park offers a diverse landscape of jagged mountain peaks, forested valleys, unique geological formations, crystalline alpine lakes and extensive alpine meadows. The park is known for memorable hiking routes such as the Stone Corral Trail, which brings hikers to caves, fossils and a tranquil tarn surrounded by vertical limestone cliffs. The multi-day Monkman Lake Trail leads travellers to the ten thundering waterfalls of the Monkman Cascades.
The Tumbler Ridge area is also renowned for its wildlife and bird viewing. Elk, moose, mule and white-tailed deer plus caribou are often spotted by hikers, skiers and snowmobilers, while birds from both sides of the Rockies are spotted here.
Tumbler Ridge offers many opportunities for water activities. Anglers head here to fish on Gwillim, Moose or Bearhole lakes as well as the Murray and Wolverine rivers plus Flatbed Creek. The catch includes lake trout, bull trout, mountain whitefish, Arctic grayling, northern pike and burbot.
Paddlers can adventure on a number of lakes, in particular Bearhole and Moose lakes. For experienced river paddlers, Murray River offers a memorable, five-day, Grade II-III paddle from Kinuseo Falls to Pine River. Another memorable tour on the Murray River is by jet boat to the base of 60-m (197-ft) Kinuseo Falls.
The Tumbler Ridge area is known for its winter activities. An extensive network of cross-country ski trails wind along Murray River to Lost Haven Cabin. Many creeks and brooks freeze in the area, creating unique travelling routes through thrilling winterscapes. These frozen waterways also open up access to otherwise remote canyons. Care should be taken when following them as the ice may be unstable.
Tumbler Ridge provides access to over 300 km (186 mi) of mapped and signed snowmobiling trails as well as some of BC’s best, open, alpine riding. Of note is the Core Lodge area. Rides range from groomed trails to extremely challenging climbs.
Since Tumbler Ridge is the waterfall capital of the north, there are numerous ice-climbing opportunities come winter. Popular routes include 100-m (328-ft) Bergeron Falls and 70-m (230-ft) Cow Moose Steps.