Fort St. John
Horseback riding in Fort St. John, Andrew Tylosky photo
Fort St. John, British Columbia's oldest interior community, is a small city (population: 17,402) with a young population full of fresh ideas. People here are friendly, willing to lend a hand and offer up recommendations for restaurants, accommodations, and exciting things to do.
This local hospitality is complemented by the natural beauty of Fort St. John and the surrounding Peace River Valley, which offers endless opportunity for scenic drives, bird watching and wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking, and camping.
Outdoor Activities in Fort St. John
The mighty Peace River and lush green slopes of the Peace River Valley provide a varied terrain ideal for numerous seasonal outdoor activities. In summer, fish for walleye at Charlie Lake, one of the only natural lakes in British Columbia where anglers can keep their walleye catch. Cast a line from shore or a boat into a Peace River tributary, full of Arctic grayling and rainbow trout.
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Hike the network of trails at Beatton Provincial Park and Charlie Lake Provincial Park, where overnight campsite stays are always an option. Spend a relaxing day on a scenic drive to Fort St. John Lookout, or spend a day golfing at one of three available courses. In winter, Fort St. John's prairie landscape is great for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Sledders can even trek out to Graham-Laurier Provincial Park and Redfern-Keily Provincial Park to snowmobile designated trails in the Rocky Mountains.
Location and Geography
Fort St. John is unique in British Columbia with its wide expanse of flat, gently rolling plains river-carved valleys covered in aspen, spruce and pine. Wildlife abounds, including elk, moose, deer and bears, which can be often viewed while driving along the Alaska Highway (97) or Highway 29 to Hudson's Hope. Fort St. John is one of the major honey producers in British Columbia, and visitors can find many varieties of local honey, including dandelion, clover, and wildflower.
Industry & Livelihood
Located east of the Rocky Mountains, Fort St. John is the centre of oil and gas development in British Columbia. The oil and gas industry is the pillar of the local economy, keeping the town bustling and busy in recent years. Northern British Columbia's forestry, agriculture, mining, and energy developments are also main resource industries.
Where to Start
Stop by the Fort St. John Visitor Centre for information, maps, recommendations, and other advice about what to see in town.
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