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BC Parks ' Fort George Canyon Provincial Park
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important info, warnings, alerts for park visitors
general overview of park, size, special features safety, park hazards, wildlife information, health risks
park location, parks nearby, how to get to the park history, cultural heritage, conservation, wildlife
maps of park and/or campground, trails, etc. Management Planning
campsite reservations, group and picnic site reservations images of the park
 

vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping group camping - 15 or more campers picnic, day-use facilities, no camping wheelchair accessiblity drinking water toilets showers sani-stations, sani-dumps firewood, campfires There are no electrical hook-ups in this park interpretive, educational programs
walking, hiking trails playgrounds swimming canoeing, kayaking power boats, boat launch fishing cycling, mountain biking, bicycling horses, horseback riding pets, domestic animals in parks Icon Legend- Green =Available Grey = Unavailable

wildlife viewing
winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating scuba, snorkelling windsurfing waterskiing hunting climbing, rock climbing spelunking, caving cabins, yurts, lodges click on green symbols for more information

 

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

  • No park alerts at this time.

Park Info:

This small 178 hectare park consists of two parcels on either side of the Fraser River south of the city of Prince George. Public recreation opportunities and trail access is available on the west side of the river. Up until 1914 the Fraser River was the highway in and out of this part of British Columbia and Fort George Canyon was one of the obstacles that sternwheelers had to navigate. Rapid and dangerous, this canyon abounds in whirlpools and massive, jagged rocks close to the surface. The park is day-use only. Natural Features: Historic Canyon on the Fraser River, the park protects the historic winch site used by paddle-wheeled boats in the early 1900’s and related portage, a native fishing site and popular hiking trail.

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Park Size: 178 hectares

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Location:

A 4.8 km trail provides access to the west side of the river. The trailhead is located off West Lake Road, 24.5 km from Prince George via Highway 16 west and Blackwater Road. The trailhead and first part of the trail remain under Ministry of Forests jurisdiction. From the edge of the plateau down to the river, the trail is in the park. The park is not road or trail accessible from the east side.

Map/Brochure:

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

  • Park Map (35 kb pdf)
  • As the main portion of the 4.8 trail is under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Forests a trail map can be picked up from them at the Ministry of Forests Office in Prince George.

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Nature & Culture:
  • History - The Fraser River is designated as a Canadian Heritage River and Provincial Heritage River. As the largest river in British Columbia, and the most productive salmon fishery in the world, the Fraser River has played a major role in supporting human life along its length. Locally, Fort George Canyon was an important fishing site for First Nations peoples. The river was an important route for early explorers. In more recent years, the river was used as a route for transportation of people and resources. Fort George Canyon was one of the few obstacles along the river in north central British Columbia. In the early 1900s sternwheelers would have to be winched through this treacherous section of river while passengers would have to portage.
  • Cultural Heritage - This area is a native fishing site. The canyon was a major impediment to sternwheelers, and this natural feature had a significant effect on the development of the region, particularly during railway construction.
  • Conservation -
    • The area is a special feature in the Nechako Lowland Ecosection.
    • Dramatic canyon feature with pinnacles of volcanic rock and several islands.
    • Riparian vegetation; the east side of the river was previously used for grazing.
  • Wildlife - The park is a salmon migration corridor. The park supports white sturgeon populations and a large variety of other fish species.
  • General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information


Visitor Safety:

General Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

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Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

No camping at this park.

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

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vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites

No vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
wilderness, backcountry,  walk-in camping

No wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping.

group camping - 15 or more campers

No group campsites.

picnic, day-use facilities,  no camping

This park has a day-use/picnic area located at the trailhead parking lot.

wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.

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drinking water

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park. Drinking out of any streams or lakes is not recommended unless the water has been filtered or treated.

toilets

This park only has pit toilets located at the trailhead parking lot. There are no flush toilets.

showers

No showers.

sani-stations, sani-dumps

No sani-station/dump facilities.

firewood, campfires

Campfires are not permitted.

There are no electrical hook-ups in this park There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
interpretive,  educational  programs

There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

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walking, hiking trails

A 4.8 km trail provides access to the west side of the river. Along the trail there are interpretive signs outlining key features of the ecosystem in this area. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

playgrounds

This park does not have a playground.

swimming

No swimming.

canoeing, kayaking

There are no opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.

power boats, boat launch

This park does not have a boat launch.

fishing

Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. Please read the BC Freshwater Fishing Synopsis for site specific information.

cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia. The trails are not well suited for cycling.

horses, horseback riding

No horses and/or horseback riding.

pets, domestic animals in parks Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

wildlife viewing

There is no viewing platform but from the plateau, you can view the canyon with rapids. You may also have an opportunity to see wildlife in this park.

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winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating

There are cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities along the trails in the park. Keep in the mind the trails are not maintained or trackset.

scuba, snorkelling

No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.

windsurfing

No windsurfing opportunities.

waterskiing

No waterskiing opportunities.

hunting

Hunting is allowed in the park. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information.

climbing, rock climbing

No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.

spelunking, caving

No spelunking or caving opportunities.

cabins, yurts, lodges

No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.

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