British Columbia/Yukon Route
select a community to start planning your trip
Smithers, British Columbia
Continuing up Highway 16, you will pass through the town of Smithers. Nestled at the foot of Hudson's Bay Mountain there are plentiful accommodations, shopping, vehicle service outlets and a myriad of outdoor activities. Stroll down the red brick sidewalks of Main Street and visit the Bulkley Valley Museum or take an outing to the Prairie on Hudson's Bay Mountain where you can enjoy the spectacle of alpine flowers. The next leg of your northern journey will take you west to the junction of Highway 16 and the Stewart Cassiar Highway (Highway 37). From here, drive to Stewart at the head of the Portland canal and bordering the friendliest little ghost town in Alaska – Hyder.
Stewart, British Columbia
Stewart and Hyder are linked to the Stewart-Cassiar Highway by the Bear Pass, which cuts through the coastal mountain range with more than 20 hanging glaciers visible from the road. World-famous bear watching, glacier tours and stunning scenery make this trip a must. Make sure you fuel up before a full day of travel to Dease Lake.
Dease Lake, British Columbia
After an incredibly beautiful drive along the Stewart Cassiar Highway, you will find yourself in Dease Lake. This former Hudson's Bay trading post is today the center of services for Highway 37 communities. Billed as the "Jade Capital of the World," visitor services include fuel, supplies, restaurants and accommodation.
SIDE TRIPS
Taking the time to explore a few spots that are off the beaten path helps make a vacation unforgettable. We've highlighted a few side trips that you might enjoy investigating:
Dawson Creek, British Columbia
Travel north on Highway 97 through the scenic Pine Pass to Dawson Creek. Known as Mile Zero and where the Alaska Highway begins, Dawson is also a tourism and transportation center, with great museums and modern amenities. It's a perfect launching point for day trips to surrounding communities.
Dease Lake to Telegraph Creek
From Dease Lake enjoy a short side trip down to Telegraph Creek, which runs west along a well-maintained 70-mile (113 km) gravel road (large recreational vehicles and trailers should be left in Dease Lake). You will see buildings dating back to the Gold Rush, or you can take an air tour to view the Lower Grand Canyon of the Canadian Mountie, Prince George (JF Bergeron, Tourism BC) Stikine River.
