Explore Fort Nelson's integral connection to the Alaska Highway at the Fort Nelson Museum, or along the highway itself.
Substitute driving along the Alaska Highway for cycling, and stop at interpretive signs and Historical Mile markers along the route. Ride into the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area on ATVs (sticking to designated access routes), or ride by horseback along the multiple trails leading into the backcountry around Fort Nelson and the Rocky Mountains.
The backcountry is also good for hiking, camping, and of course, wildlife viewing. Visitors must supply their own ATVs, horses, and equipment. Guide outfitting tours are also available in Fort Nelson.
Golfing
The Poplar Hills Golf & Country Club, a challenging 9-hole, 35-par course, offers a hilly landscape with ponds and sand traps, as well as excellent mountain views. Well-manicured fairways amongst trembling aspen, spruce, and pine trees provide golfers a memorable experience. The course also features a driving range, a restaurant, rentals, and a pro shop. The clubhouse and course is located at lot 91 along Radar Road. Drive north on the Alaska Highway, make a right turn onto the old Alaska Highway and follow signs to the golf course.
Scenic Drives
The drive north from Fort Nelson along the Alaska Highway offers incredible scenes of the northern Rocky Mountains. The northern Rockies are lower than the southern mountains, with striking folds, blue-green rivers, and great alluvial fans between the valleys.
Shopping
Discover unique shopping opportunities at Mukluk Mama's (Mile 295 Alaska Highway) and the Trapper's Den (Mile 293 Alaska Highway). Mukluk Mama's is a small, home-based gift shop where elder Adeline Dickie of the Fort Nelson First Nation transforms art into slippers, hand-beaded mukluks, key chains, cardholders, and beautiful birch bark baskets. The Trapper's Den supplies an assortment of aboriginal, local, and Canadian-made art, jewelry, knickknacks, and clothing. Quilters will also find specialty quilt items at the Ye Olde Quilt Shoppe (1161 Sikanni Rd, Mi 295 Alaska Hwy) 5km/3mi south of Fort Nelson.
Bird Watching
Bird watching opportunities abound at Parker Lake and Beaver Lake near Fort Nelson. Songbirds sing in the forests, while ducks such as goldeneyes and teals paddle along the lakeshores.
Festivals and Events
The Tetsa River Annual Fishing Derby is held during the summer in Fort Nelson. The Trapper's Rendezvous, held each year in spring, is a distinctively northern wilderness event. Museum Heritage Days is held in the winter, as are the annual Canadian Open Dog Sled Races, and moonlight cross-country skis.
Driving Routes
Access Fort Nelson's hiking, camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing opportunities along two driving routes: Alaska Highway and Great Northern Circle Route. Find out more about driving routes through Fort Nelson here: Driving Routes.
Where to Begin
Stop by the Visitor Centre to learn more about hiking, fishing, camping, wildlife viewing, winter sports, and festivals and events in Fort Nelson.
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