Outdoor Adventures Along Route 16

By Brian Peech

Northern BC is one massive playground for outdoor enthusiasts—and you don’t have to venture far from the beaten path to find remote wilderness adventures. Route 16, northern BC’s main artery, slips into British Columbia’s eastern edge near Mount Robson and stretches west through untouched wilderness and postcard scenes towards the coast. Tying a mosaic of communities together, it winds through towering forests, majestic peaks, rushing rivers, and endless chains of pristine lakes, so pack a sense of adventure and take a journey along Route 16.

Note: This story (originally published in June, 2020) was updated specifically for the unique travel circumstances of 2021. Information is accurate at the time of publication; we recommend you contact businesses directly to confirm availability and familiarize yourself with their COVID policies.

Hudson Bay Mountain near Smithers, Grant Harder | Mt. Robson from Highway 16, Stephen Shelesky | Rafting on the Bulkley River with Frontier Experience, Callum Snape

Start Your Trip

If you’re coming from Vancouver or the Lower Mainland, this road trip begins by travelling along the Trans Canada Highway 1 east towards Hope and then north to Cache Creek. From there, continue north on Highway 97 through Williams Lake to Prince George.

Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park | Tourism Prince George/Michael Stanyer

Prince George

Located at the fork of the Fraser and Nechako rivers, and surrounded by hundreds of lakes, Prince George is a city on the edge of wilderness. Book a canoe or kayak tour of the historic Fraser Canyon with Backwater Paddling, or a guided fishing trip with Reel North Adventures. Hike Teapot or Fang mountains for stunning views of the area, or head east to walk among the giants in the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut Park and Protected Area, the only inland temperate rainforest in the world. Mountain bike the trails at Pidherny Recreation Site or enjoy nature on horseback with El Shaddai Ranch. On the way west, be sure to stop in Vanderhoof and hike to Greer Creek Falls.

Before heading west to the Lakes District, take a side trip east to see Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Along the way, stop for a stroll through the Ancient Forest, the only inland temperate rainforest in the world. With so much to see, why not stay overnight and wake up surrounded by nature at Mica Mountain Lodge near Mount Robson.

Pondosy Bay | Taylor Burk

Pondosy Bay Wilderness Lodge

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Lakes District

The Lakes District serves up over 300 lakes and almost 5,000 kilometres of shoreline. View the abundance of lakes from above by booking a flightseeing tour with Lakes District Air. All this fresh water means there’s no shortage of wilderness lodges, like Pondosy Bay Wilderness Resort, Tesla Lake Lodge, Tetachuk Wilderness Lodge, and Beaver Point Resort.

In Burns Lake, stop in at Woods N’ Water for all your camping and outdoor gear, and swing by Burnt Bikes before hitting the area’s extensive mountain bike trails. Hike to the towering Cheslatta Falls, or to China Nose Summit in Houston. And for those looking for a memorable day on the water, paddle and fly-fish the Stellako River.

Old & Bold Espresso Bar in Burns Lake, Shayd Johnson | Kager Lake Recreation Site near Burns Lake, 6ix Sigma | Tesla Lake Lodge, Taylor Burk

Twin Falls, Smithers | Andrew Strain

Smithers

From its Alpen-themed main street to its adventurous locals, Smithers is a classic Northern BC mountain town. Stop in to McBike & Sport to rent a bike and hit the trails, swing into Local Supply Co. to rent a paddle board to float the Bulkley River or enjoy the local lakes. You can also rent a canoe from Aquabatics, and be sure to stop into Oscar’s Fly & Tackle for all things fishing. Frontier Experience offers two-, three- and five-day all-inclusive, luxury lodge stays loaded with outdoor activities. For an extra treat, indulge with a hiking retreat at the Burnie Glacier Chalet or book a flight seeing tour with Alpine Lakes Air and see the local lakes and mountains from a new vantage point.

On your way to Terrace, be sure to stop at ‘Ksan Historical Village, a living museum of the Gitxsan Indigenous people, which is situated at the fork of the Bulkley and Skeena rivers.

Northern BC Jet Boat Tours - Exchamsiks River | Callum Snape

Terrace

Terrace is a perfect launching pad for northwest adventure: mountain biking, boating, hiking, and climbing. Explore the mighty Skeena River by jet boat with Northern BC Jet Boat Tours, or book a fishing trip with Skeena Spey or Westcoast Fishing Adventures. The Redsand Lake Demonstration Forest offers 1.6 kilometres of wheelchair accessible trail, as well as a beautiful sandy beach. Seven Sisters and Sleeping Beauty Mountain provincial parks, as well as Extew Falls located just outside of town, are popular for hiking.

The surrounding Coast Mountains offer incredible rock climbing, as does nearby Hazleton, named after the hazel bushes that colour the surrounding river-carved terraced landscape. Skeena Climbing Society is a good resource for routes in the region. Stay at river’s edge in the Skeena River House, or cozy up in a cabin at Hidden Acres Treehouse Resort.

RV Trip in Northern BC

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Camping along Highway 16 | Northern BC Tourism/Mike Seehagel

Hiking near Kitimat | Northern BC Tourism/Chris Wang

Kitimat

With its remote beach escapes and mountain trails, Kitimat offers year-round, accessible outdoor adventures. Hike along the shores of the Douglas Channel, the banks of the Kitimat River, or into the mountains for spectacular views of the fjord from above. Rent mountain bikes and kayaks from the Visitor Centre in town, or book a guided tour with Kitimat Lodge, Kingfish Westcoast Adventures and Tours, or North Pacific Transport & Eco-Tours.

Whale watching off the coast of Prince Rupert | Shayd Johnson

Prince Rupert

Often cited as one of the most beautiful drives in British Columbia, the final stretch of Route 16 from Terrace to Prince Rupert follows the Skeena River to the Pacific Ocean. Prince Rupert has no shortage of outdoor adventures at its doorstep. Rent canoes or book a guided day of paddling with Outer Coast Outfitters or Skeena Kayaking. Book a fishing or whale-watching charter with Blacktide Adventures or Blackfeather Fishing Charters. Ocean Pacific Air also offers flightseeing tours of the area.