The relative isolation, tranquility, and mountainous, oceanic, and glacial scenery of Stewart (population: 400) are major draws in summer and winter.
In summer, the town's vast wilderness is alive with activity as Alaskan brown grizzlies and black bears peruse local rivers and streams for salmon. Catch a glimpse of these intimidating creatures from a safe distance at Fish Creek.
Also in summer, intermediate-to-advanced hikers can challenge Stewart's diverse terrain, while anglers can try for a good day's catch on the Portland Canal. Winter brings heavy snowfall to Stewart, and with the snow comes snowmobiling and heli-skiing enthusiasts.
Culture and History
Stewart's main street is lined with mining artifacts and unusually painted and decorated heritage buildings. For example, the roof of the small grocery store in town is decorated with shopping carts and one of the local hotels, located on Main Street, has resident chickens and its own toaster museum. Pick up a Walking Tour of Historic Houses and Buildings in Stewart booklet at Stewart's Historical Museum and set out on a self-guided historical jaunt. At the museum, learn more about First Nations presence, gold rush fever, and forestry development in Stewart.
Small Town Stewart
Stewart is small and remote so facilities and services are fairly limited. It does have two grocery stores (a large and small one) and several restaurants and accommodations. It has one main gas station that closes in the early evening and another that is open according to a varied schedule. Downtown has one bank machine and a post office.
Hyder, Alaska, Stewart's neighbor just across the American border, also has a bank machine (which dishes out American dollars) and its own post office. Businesses in Hyder and Stewart accept both Canadian and American dollars, and some will cash traveller's cheques. Note: Passports are required to cross the border between Stewart and Hyder.
Retail stores, rental shops, and nightlife are limited. Business hours are casual, but shops and restaurants are open when it's busy. Many businesses focus on the summer season and close for the relatively quiet winter season. Stewart is known for its piles and piles of snow, which is great for snowmobiling, heli-skiing, and backcountry skiing. The snow can also cause driving delays due to avalanches on Highway 37A into Stewart.
Where to Start
Drop by the Stewart Visitor Centre (open during summer months) for more information on outdoor recreation activities, culture and history, places to dine out, and accommodation.
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