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Vanderhoof is the gateway to outdoor pursuits that include hiking, mountain biking, camping and ATVing. Those interested in the area’s history will have a chance to explore the Vanderhoof Heritage Museum, which features 11 historical buildings and gives visitors a taste of what life was like in the area in the 1920s. An hour’s drive away is the memorable Kenney Dam.
Just west of Vanderhoof lies Beaumont Provincial Park, where outdoor enthusiasts can explore some impressive hiking and mountain biking trails. Popular routes include Fraser Mountain Trail, an 8-km (5 mi) round-trip track; and Gluten Lake Trail, a 6-km (3.7 mi) route to Gluten Lake that passes Zippermouth Lake en route. Cutoff Bute Trail is an easy 2.6 km (1.6 mi) path that rewards hikers with spectacular views of the area. While mountain bikers share many of the region’s hiking trails, the Waterlily Cross Country Ski Trails are also open to bikers during the summer months. Campers can find vehicle-accessible campsites in Beaumont Provincial Park as well as at the many private campgrounds in the area. One of the more popular recreational pursuits in the Vanderhoof region is ATVing. Rentals are available for those who want to try the sport.
Vanderhoof has a proud history, with much of it on display at the Vanderhoof Heritage Museum. The museum features 11 heritage buildings from the 1920s, including the town’s first jail, the old Royal Bank Building plus a hotel and café, which is still operating today. Choose from guided or self-guided tours.
Vanderhoof is just an hour’s drive away from the Kenney Dam, which is worth a visit. One of the largest rock-filled dams at the time, it was built in the 1950s. An impressive 457 m (1,500 ft) long and 97 m (317 ft) high, the dam is awe-inspiring to behold. To view Vanderhoof’s mining past and present, head to Endaco Mine. Just call in advance for a tour of the open-pit molybdenum mine, which includes an overview of the mine operation as well as its present-day layout and current production.
Beaumont and Stuart River are two provincial parks near Vanderhoof worth exploring. Beaumont lies to the west of Vanderhoof, within the Nechako Plateau and bordered to the west and north by the spectacular Hazelton, Skeena and Omineca mountains. The park is situated appealingly on the shores of Fraser Lake, once the site of historic Fort Fraser. This location was known to First Nations as Natleh, and was famed for its commanding view of the lake and refreshing summer breezes. Stuart River Provincial Park also lies on the Nechako Plateau, with flat to gently rolling terrain, set against a backdrop of softly rounded mountains with low ridges and high bluffs. Birders will be delighted by Vanderhoof Bird Sanctuary, particularly during spring and fall migrations, when tens of thousands of Canada geese stop to rest and feed on the small islands of the Nechako River.
Vanderhoof is lake country, and that means fishing. Three popular spots are Nulki, Grizzly and Tatuk lakes, where the catch includes whitefish, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, lake trout and northern pike. Those passionate about canoeing and kayaking can paddle to their heart’s content here, too. Try the Stellako or Nechako rivers, which are suitable for both novices and experienced canoeists. Rentals are available.
Alpine skiers can slalom and boarders can whoosh down the slopes at Murray Ridge Ski Hill, just a 40-minute drive north of Vanderhoof. Murray Ridge is famed for its T-bar, one of the longest in North America. The hill offers 520 vertical metres (1,700 ft) of downhill skiing over 23 trails, as well as 20 km (12 mi) of cross-country trails, including lit routes for night skiing.
Cross-country skiing is a popular sport in the region; the Nechako Valley Sporting Association maintains many trails near Vanderhoof, including 30 km (18.7 mi) of groomed trails at Waterlily Lake. There are also abundant snowmobiling routes in the area, featuring everything from mountain climbs to open meadows. Many of the region’s lake freeze over, providing wonderful opportunities for ice fishing.
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