Stone Mountain Park encompasses 25,691 hectares of remote, mountainous terrain along the Alaska Highway in the northern Rocky Mountains. Hiking trails, lakes, and opportunities for wildlife viewing give this landscape a range of facets. The history of the Alaska Highway and everyday life in Fort Nelson are also among the things to discover in the Northern Rockies.

Mountain landscapes, hiking trails, and wildlife

In Stone Mountain Park, you can spot caribou and Stone Sheep along the Alaska Highway. The trails let you explore the mountain landscape at different levels of difficulty: the Erosion Pillars Trail is just over one kilometer long and suitable for a range of fitness levels. The Summit Peak Trail is a five-kilometer loop through a lodgepole pine forest. The two trails differ in both length and format—a helpful guide if you’re looking for a shorter route or a loop.

Water is also part of the Stone Mountain Park experience. Summit Lake offers opportunities for peaceful canoe trips. Muncho Lake has a different appeal: its deep, cold waters stretch for twelve kilometers and shimmer jade-colored because of their mineral content. Swimming is permitted in the lake; Muncho Lake Park also offers opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. The Alaska Highway corridor through the park is also a good place to look for northern wildlife.

Another place to swim is Alpha Pool in Liard River Hot Springs Park. Visitors can swim there, and the pool has a shallow area for children. The Northern Rockies offer a range of water experiences—from swimming and paddling on a lake to bathing in a pool.

Wilderness in Northern Rocky Mountains Park

Northern Rocky Mountains Park is the third-largest provincial park in British Columbia and the largest park in the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area. It offers opportunities for wilderness paddling and excellent backcountry horseback riding. It is also high-quality habitat for moose, elk, Stone Sheep, and mountain goats. If you’d like to explore the Northern Rockies beyond individual lakes and trails, this is another area to focus on: expansive wilderness, paddling, and horseback riding combine with diverse habitat for large wildlife.

History and local life in Fort Nelson

The Fort Nelson Heritage Museum brings the history of the Alaska Highway to life. The museum includes more than eight buildings and numerous exhibits. Among the items on display are vehicles and equipment used to build the highway in 1942. These objects connect the familiar road name to its construction history, making its historical significance a tangible part of a visit to the museum.

The Fort Nelson Farmers Market offers a glimpse of local life. This year-round market focuses on regional farm products and handmade goods. Check the market schedule before your trip. The Fort Nelson Visitor Information Centre offers free Wi-Fi, souvenirs, and works by local artists.

Hikes and outdoor trails

There are also opportunities to spend time on foot or on trails in and around Fort Nelson. Visitors can hike in the Fort Nelson Demonstration Forest; trail conditions may change seasonally. Tetsa River Regional Park is 96.2 kilometers north of Fort Nelson, just past Steamboat Mountain. Its trails are suitable for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. When planning, you can choose between a hike in the Demonstration Forest and a park with trails for several activities. Trail conditions in Tetsa River Regional Park may also change seasonally.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Fort Nelson, Muskwa, Nelson Forks, Toad River, Muncho Lake, Central Kootenay, Mount Waddington, Peace River.

Back to the main travel overview: British Columbia.